It's a fair point to say that Dell over prices and then offers discounts, but here goes anyway:
Inspired by (ok, stolen from) FW, but can't find it here:
Dell is currently offering 30% off on Inspiron laptops over $1200, bought under all catagories (Home/Business/EPP/etc.). The coupon codes are available on Dell's site if you look for the scrolling offers on the main laptop selection pages, so you don't have to get them from EBay.
These coupons are 'stackable' with student and employee discounts, some of which are up to 12%. An addtional 4% can be made by signing up for (or just using?) a Dell Preferred Account.
I decided to go for it since my current laptop is 3yrs old - also a Dell - and is going in for a cleaning before its warranty expires in 60 days.
My deal on a E17005:
Core 2 Duo T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
17 inch Wide Screen UXGA with TrueLife
2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
GeForce 7900GS
80GB 7200rpm HDD
8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R
Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth
Media Edition WinXP
3yr At-Home Warranty
'Free'Upgrade to Vista (+$10 shipping) *maybe after SP1
Various small add-ons (extra PS / 9 cell battery / etc)
Dell "List Price": $2630
After Discounts: $1610 +tax (free shipping) Total discount: 38%
Reformating it immediately upon arrival: priceless
I spend way more time on my laptop than I do on my home rig, so for me its a good deal... oh, and I have never had a problem with Dell service (your experience may vary).
You can always find 20% coupons, but 30% offers only seem to come along a few times a year. Expires 11/03.
Let the flaming begin!
Inspired by (ok, stolen from) FW, but can't find it here:
Dell is currently offering 30% off on Inspiron laptops over $1200, bought under all catagories (Home/Business/EPP/etc.). The coupon codes are available on Dell's site if you look for the scrolling offers on the main laptop selection pages, so you don't have to get them from EBay.
These coupons are 'stackable' with student and employee discounts, some of which are up to 12%. An addtional 4% can be made by signing up for (or just using?) a Dell Preferred Account.
I decided to go for it since my current laptop is 3yrs old - also a Dell - and is going in for a cleaning before its warranty expires in 60 days.
My deal on a E17005:
Core 2 Duo T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
17 inch Wide Screen UXGA with TrueLife
2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
GeForce 7900GS
80GB 7200rpm HDD
8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R
Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth
Media Edition WinXP
3yr At-Home Warranty
'Free'Upgrade to Vista (+$10 shipping) *maybe after SP1
Various small add-ons (extra PS / 9 cell battery / etc)
Dell "List Price": $2630
After Discounts: $1610 +tax (free shipping) Total discount: 38%
Reformating it immediately upon arrival: priceless
I spend way more time on my laptop than I do on my home rig, so for me its a good deal... oh, and I have never had a problem with Dell service (your experience may vary).
You can always find 20% coupons, but 30% offers only seem to come along a few times a year. Expires 11/03.
Let the flaming begin!