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Guide to Buying from the Dell Outlet

msi1337

msi1337

Diamond Member
I realize that a lot of users don't have the experience, or time to build their own computers. Or maybe grandma wants a computer to surf the internet on. I wrote a quick tutorial on buying from the Dell outlet and getting a good deal.

It is very basic, and hopefully could be some use to your friends or family who aren't savy on buying a computer. I regard the Dell Dimension E521 (which they no longer make) the best buy for their money. I have purchased over 20 of them and even building a comparable system usually would be at least $100-$150 more than buying direct from Dell.

Link to Guide to Buying from Dell Outlet Document

Please no bashing of Dell computers, I do not work for them.. I am just giving a great alternative to building your own. There should be no one who can argue a Dual Core AMD system for under $300 with a 1yr warranty is a bad deal.
 
Does the 1900 in the processor specs imply speed or model?

From what I remember, there is no 1900+ dual core, nor is there a 1.9GHz dual core either (I might be wrong on this one).
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
Does the 1900 in the processor specs imply speed or model?

From what I remember, there is no 1900+ dual core, nor is there a 1.9GHz dual core either (I might be wrong on this one).
Click to expand...

3600+
 
yes it is an X2 3600+ which runs at 1.9ghz

I have been extremely lucky..the E521 I am typing on right now I got from the dell outlet for $159.99 + ship and tax ($197)

it is a x2 4000, 1gb, 160gb, dvd/rw

 
It takes a lot of luck and timing to pull something decent from the outlet before it gets pinched. I know a few people who specialize in this and run scripts to mass purchase. To be fair, you have to spend either $250 or LESS for this to even be acceptable.

A build from NewEgg, with specs considerably better that those of these E521 and completely new:

Spire SP-7202B Black/Silver Metal SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $32.50
HITACHI Deskstar T7K500 HDT725032VLA360 (0A33435) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $66.99
BIOSTAR K8M800 Micro AM2 Socket AM2 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - $45.99
EVGA 256-P2-N741-LR GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - $77.99 ($15 MIR)
Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply - $39.99
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS1GBKIT667D2 - $39.99
Open Box: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane 1.9GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model - $52.10

Total: $355.

I could spec it out to be equal to the E521 with a considerably better price. Call me a cynic, but for $100 I'd rather have a exceptional computer rather than an acceptable one. And this isn't built around Dell's custom formats.

To be fair, the E521's come with Vista so that makes or breaks the deal.
 
You also have to take into consideration the knowledge to locate and assemble the components.

Then the time to warranty/support the unit.

Add that cost into the equation.
 
This guide is not meant for you. If you can build it better, cheaper..groovy!

I build 99% of my systems also..but at work I am the go to guy for buying a computer.. and I got frustrated with telling everyone the same thing.

I can't build them all systems..because if you are in a pc support position you know that once you build a system for them..you have just given them lifetime tech support. I have a full time job.. I don't have the resources to support hundreds of people.

This is for someone that wants a decent computer at a good price. They will be supported by Dell..so if something goes wrong its up to Dell to support them. I absolutely don't mind building computers for people, but if you think about how much time and labor that system will take to put together (buying, assembling, software, burn in)..you really want to do that for a coworker you barely know?

 
I bought an ultra-portable from the outlet. Retail was >$1900 and i paid $960. I would consider that a success. Im not sure about desktops though, but good deals are to be had there.
 
Oh I understand your point, I'm just curious as to why you'd post it on a forum based around computer hardware. 🙂 I guess I was just naive in thinking everyone knew about the Outlet.

I suppose people could pass this information onto friends and family who wouldn't know.
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
Oh I understand your point, I'm just curious as to why you'd post it on a forum based around computer hardware. 🙂 I guess I was just naive in thinking everyone knew about the Outlet.

I suppose people could pass this information onto friends and family who wouldn't know.
Click to expand...

yup..and thats exactly who I wrote it for.. I am saving you time dude! More time for me to break things that arent broke, soup up my alarm clock, lvl my GW char, and more
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
It takes a lot of luck and timing to pull something decent from the outlet before it gets pinched. I know a few people who specialize in this and run scripts to mass purchase. To be fair, you have to spend either $250 or LESS for this to even be acceptable.
Click to expand...

Do the scripts even work anymore with the validation?
 
Why didn't you just post the last part. The instructions on purchasing are useless here, as anyone on ATOT should be able to figure out how to purchase an outlet machine. I really haven't found any good deals on it (I'm looking for a decent machine to run ubuntu on) lately though.

Here are the only (semi)useful parts of the document:

Important reminders:
? Dell charges tax in most states
? Dell charges $29.99 for ground shipping on desktop computers
? Do NOT buy the monitor or upgrades from Dell..they can be found much cheaper at http://www.newegg.com
? ACT FAST!! If you see a computer that looks like a good deal, quickly add it to your cart!! Many people buy from Dell outlet to resell and the better deal it is, the quicker it will be purchased. Once you add it to the cart, you have 15 mins to buy it or it will be removed from your cart.
? No matter when Dell's website says your item will ship, it almost always ships out within 48 hours of payment. Do not believe their estimated ship date.


Getting a good deal:

The best way to get a good deal is to go to the site multiple times a day. The site updates with new computers every 15 mins, so you might see something you did not see before.

Rules of thumb:
? Do not buy anything that says ?Sempron Processor?, or ?AMD Athlon 64 2400?..The processor must say ?AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core? 1900 is the slowest..so anything that is 1900 or greater is good.
? Do not buy anything that is priced over $300. If you time it right you can find a good E521 in the $259-$279 price range with everything you want. If you are extremely lucky, you may even find one under $250..but they are RARE!
Click to expand...
 
I bought my little 4 year old a XPS410 pc around new years for 66x something. It had a E6300,250GB,Dual TV tuner with remote ,1GB,WindowXP MCE,DVD Rom, DVD+-RW, and some type of non intergrated video card. Pretty decent deal, haven't had any issues with it yet.
 
I have an E521 and its been great. Whisper quiet too!

Mine was the 5000+, 4 gigs of ram, Nvidia card, DVD burner for $900 last september 😀
 
Originally posted by: preslove
Has anyone ordered a scratch & dent before?
Click to expand...

I buy all the work PCs through the outlet. Several S&D and haven't had one that I could tell from new.

The last Optiplex I received was just like any other, perfect condition.

 
Originally posted by: KK
I bought my little 4 year old a XPS410 pc around new years for 66x something. It had a E6300,250GB,Dual TV tuner with remote ,1GB,WindowXP MCE,DVD Rom, DVD+-RW, and some type of non intergrated video card. Pretty decent deal, haven't had any issues with it yet.
Click to expand...

What the h*ll does a 4 year old need with a computer, let alone a computer like that??
 
Originally posted by: kevnich2
Originally posted by: KK
I bought my little 4 year old a XPS410 pc around new years for 66x something. It had a E6300,250GB,Dual TV tuner with remote ,1GB,WindowXP MCE,DVD Rom, DVD+-RW, and some type of non intergrated video card. Pretty decent deal, haven't had any issues with it yet.
Click to expand...

What the h*ll does a 4 year old need with a computer, let alone a computer like that??
Click to expand...

Porn, what else? jk

Wanted something he could watch tv on.
 
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