Laptop deal- Dell inspiron 15 (4 gig mem-320HD for 499) and question

1cheater · Mar 4, 2010

Dell is running a deal 499

Software & Services
Intel® Pentium® Dual Core™ T4400 (2.2GHz/800MHz FSB/1MB cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 Year Basic Service Plan
320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
6-cell battery
Integrated 1.3 MP Webcam
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
High Definition Audio 2.0
Jet Black
My Accessories
Microsoft® Works 9
McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse - Flamingo Pink
Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
Also Includes
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
Bright, glossy widescreen 15.6 WLED display (1366x768)
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0
Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor
No ISP requestedCompatibility AlertRecalculating Price

My question is should my friend go with:

Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card [Included in Price]

Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11 Wireless-N Mini Card [add $40]

+ Internal Wireless Card w/ Router
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card with Netgear WGR614 Wireless Router [add $40]
Dell Recommended

Or is it easier to find and install a cheaper one? This is my first time hunting for a laptop.

KillaRSox · Mar 4, 2010

Buy a Mac you won't regret it.

kcameron95 · Mar 4, 2010

I would advice against MACS. One they are overpriced. For similar system it would run you $1000+. Secondly if your friend hasn't used MACS before there is learning curve. Thirdly there is no real advantage and it is expensive to upgrade if they decide they want to go that route.

I would say its good deal that is posted there. Not sure if you need the N wireless Card. Getting $40 dollars for that router is a bit hefty but even if you got one for good deal you would be saving only like $10. For convenience sake I would just buy if they don't already have router.

celticGreen+ · Mar 4, 2010

get the wireless N card - it's just an easy way to future-proof for awhile. will allow you to more easily stream HD video.

it's a good deal, not smoking - but good.

KillaRSox · Mar 4, 2010

The price, and the learning curve are definitely true. However there's a huge difference I haven't have one problem with my mac yet, not one virus, and it doesn't ask me a million times if I'm sure I want to visit a website.

1cheater · Mar 4, 2010

Thanks for the advice.

Is the wireless n card faster?

letsgohoosiers · Mar 4, 2010

Look at this laptop for under $300. Fantastic deal.

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1886714

Joedogs · Mar 4, 2010

letsgohoosiers

I'm not familiar with E Machines computers.
How are they?
Seems like a good deal for $300.00

celticGreen+ · Mar 4, 2010

1cheater said:
Thanks for the advice.

Is the wireless n card faster?

faster and longer range - N is becoming fairly standard

kidman232 · Mar 4, 2010

emachines are pos from my experience

celticGreen+ · Mar 4, 2010

the only thing i'd say makes that eMachines laptop less of a deal is the graphics chipset - the 4500MHD or x4500HD are far superior as far as displaying video (better hardware acceleration & won't tax the processor as much). I believe eMachines is owned by Gateway now.

WorldNumberOne · Mar 4, 2010

1cheater said:
Dell is running a deal 499

Software & Services
Intel® Pentium® Dual Core™ T4400 (2.2GHz/800MHz FSB/1MB cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 Year Basic Service Plan
320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
6-cell battery
Integrated 1.3 MP Webcam
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
High Definition Audio 2.0
Jet Black
My Accessories
Microsoft® Works 9
McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse - Flamingo Pink
Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
Also Includes
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
Bright, glossy widescreen 15.6 WLED display (1366x768)
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0
Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor
No ISP requestedCompatibility AlertRecalculating Price

My question is should my friend go with:

Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card [Included in Price]

Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11 Wireless-N Mini Card [add $40]

+ Internal Wireless Card w/ Router
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card with Netgear WGR614 Wireless Router [add $40]
Dell Recommended

Or is it easier to find and install a cheaper one? This is my first time hunting for a laptop.

i dont see where works is included . did you add that ?

the wireless mini card included isnt enough ?

celticGreen+ · Mar 4, 2010

just fyi - this is more expensive, but a much more powerful machine:

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1901120

RobFunk · Mar 4, 2010

celticGreen said:
just fyi - this is more expensive, but a much more powerful machine:

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1901120

Pretty nice. I still like the other one you posted better though ^_^ (Although I know you can't get that for that price anymore.)

celticGreen+ · Mar 4, 2010

RobFunk said:
Pretty nice. I still like the other one you posted better though ^_^ (Although I know you can't get that for that price anymore.)

ugh still haven't gotten it... guess lenovo got slammed on that sale and its taking them forever to fulfill the orders. if i ever get i'll be very happy

1cheater · Mar 4, 2010

World Number One said:
i dont see where works is included . did you add that ?

the wireless mini card included isnt enough ?

Looks like Works is included look on the right under print summary
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dndozm2&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Told her to just get the minni and I'll find her a better deal on that later.

1cheater · Mar 4, 2010

CG, that ain't bad on the Lenovo, but the HD and Mem are lacking

1cheater · Mar 4, 2010

seen a Vostro yesterday 2.26 4gig mem 320 hd antiglare screen for the same price, just missed it.

1cheater · Mar 4, 2010

I wouldn't touch Emachine or Acer with a 10 foot pole.

celticGreen+ · Mar 4, 2010

1cheater said:
CG, that ain't bad on the Lenovo, but the HD and Mem are lacking

the lenovo i ordered or the dell i just posted?

the lenovo uses ddr3 memory that runs over 30% faster then the ddr2/800 that most laptops use. if you're talking about the dell, i agree - although the processor and discrete graphics make it a powerhouse (comparatively).

all just depends on what you need though.