Sony VAIO P3 600 from Nationwide ($599) a good deal?

[theanimala]

I am in need of a computer system for a family member fast as they just started college. I don't have time to make them one, and money is tight. They also need a system with a warranty, because I am not going to take care of it after supplying it.

I was looking at getting a refurbished Dell for around $700 or so, but it didn't have sound, monitor, printer, or burner (small HD and 64mb too). I noticed that Nationwide, a 'shady' reseller here in NJ is advertising a Sony VAIO for $599, without any internet rebates. It does have a $200 Nationwide mail-in rebate to get it to that price though...

Still, here are the specifics. P3 600, 128mb, 15gb, cdrw drive, 56k modem, 3d sound, video, speakers, 17" pixie monitor, keyboard, mouse, HP Apollo printer, color scanner, windows 98. Also comes with a free d-link usb digital video camera.

What do you think? Too good to be true and stick with the Dell? Any other alternatives?

 

[Syborg1211]

sony and dell are both some pretty good systems. I would get that sony if i didn't have a system better than that.

find out what video card because that can be the bad side of that system, unless the computer is not for games and i say go for it if not.

 

[oldfart]

I've been to Nationwide, and have got some really good deals on electronics. In fact, I bought a 32" TV for my Dad there. No one in the area could even come close to the price they offered. I wouldn't call them "shady" at all. I never liked their PC's. But, that is a lot of PC for $600. One thing to watch out for. The monitor they include is absolute crap. Better check the price with a monitor that is actually usable.

 

[theanimala]

Thanks for the info. The reason I call them 'shady' is that they offer prices that are just too cheap, if you can believe that one. I'm used to ripping places off, using coupons and such, but these guys have prices that are generally so low it makes me wonder if they are selling grey market or used stuff.

I agree with the Pixie monitor, it is crap. If they have a cheap upgrade I will take it, otherwide I'll loan my relative an old IBM 15" I've got laying around.

 

[oldfart]

They have some incredible prices. Its funny you say "grey market". When I bought that TV, thats what the other dealers in the area told me. They all said they would match any price except Nationwides. I told the NW sales guy about that, and he lauged at it. He said he heard that grey market thing 100 times a day. None of their stuff is grey market. Everything is on the up and up. They just have better prices.

 

[andrey]

Sony makes pretty good machines, the only downside of them is that they are not as upgradable as others. Dell on the other side, while having similar specs, can be upgraded in the a future with a new motherboard, CPU, video card etc... If you don't need all these upgrades and tweaks of performance, definetely go with this Sony machine.

 

[nuttervm]

i've been there, and i didnt like their slimeball salesmen. if i were you i'd bring a knowledgeable person with you there and demand to know what all the specs are and actually open the case and look inside. i went there once with my brother and the computer had such shiitty parts, the salesman tried to baffle me with bullshiit but didnt know anything about computers, and it was just an overall bad impression for me. i cant possibly believe that they are 100% on the up and up. laugh at me if you will, but i wouldnt be surprised at all if they have mob connections. i would get the refurbed dell if i were in your shoes.

 

[theanimala]

Well, I do know what to look for, so I think I might stop by there at lunch today. If the Sony's really aren't as upgradeable, I might just go for the Dell. I do realize at the price point I am looking at there will be no perfect machine... I'll have to make a compromise somewhere.

 

[Fisher999]

DELL ROCKS!!!! Besides a few systems I have built, DELL has built the best
systems I have ever used...........

 

[ragiepew]

Dell is a joke... their customer service is way overrated and their systems aren't that great... before the flames start let me say that at my job we have hundreds of Dell systems ranging from old p166's to new p3's w/ RDRAM so im not just making stuff up. I have been on the phone w/ their customer support many times and rarely do they have what I need. I tried to find the specs on some ram in a system to be upgraded... three different support guys gave me three different answers as to what RAM is compatible w/ that system even though I gave them all the same service tag #. This is not the first time, they always do stuff like this, to me anyway. Plus their prices are insane...

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