DELL LAPTOP! $899 need opinions

[jasperlin]

hello.. my friend NEEDS a laptop before finals start. but he's broke as hell and can't go into high enough numbers to get a decent laptop... can you guys give me opinions on this?

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/...T_FEAT_E1&fb=1

$899 down from $973. (not a great deal i know)
Specs:
AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-50 (1.6 Ghz dual core)
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
80GB Hard Drive
FREE Upgrade to 8x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) - $40 Value
ATI RADEON® Xpress1150 with 256MB HyperMemory™
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Naturally, I will suggest the battery upgrade... does anyone know if ATI's Xpress1150 is a good video card? would it be good enough to play something like NHL2007?

Is the processor good? I want him to have something so that it will be good with Vista.. it's only 1.6Ghz, but I thought since it was Dual Core and 64 bit, that would be pretty good.

Opinions? Suggestions on other computer?? I need help quick!!

[Firestorm]

I'm fairly sure the X1150 means integrated? Not too sure on it.

[yuri35434]

If time is very important, just buy it now. It's a decent price.

[d_jedi]

I think this belongs in the computers forum..

[YachtL]

For $899, with those specs... i believe u can find other brands (eg. HP.toshiba. etc) with better or equivalent specs from bestbuy, futureshop or staples for tat price.

Also, if u buy from dell...your friend will have wait as their shipping takes time.

BB, FS and staples... you can just bring it home right away if purchase instore.

[polaris]

You're going to get better answers in the computers section. At least there you wont get 9 replies out of 10 telling you to ask in the correct section.

[MrFurious]

In my experiences with Dell, you will always get a better price if you call in and ask what they can do. Besides, you have nothing to lose by doing so.

[homercartman]

dell blows, get an old mac iBook or refurb inte mac, but yes, should not post here, go to computersl

[anticupid]

If your friend can wait an extra week I would put it off until you see what sort of deals Dell comes up with for Black Friday. Yes, they put crazy deals on the Canadian web site. Last year they had a laptop priced fairly close to the widely discussed Walmart special.

The other question you need to provide some insight on is what the laptop is used for mostly. ie if games are not going to be very important then that really opens things up...

I know we have a couple really low end Dell laptops from last year's sale and they are excellent for internet, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. If that is mostly what you friend needs you could get an even better deal...

[direct-x]

Seriously, stop posting stuff like this in the Hot Deals Section. The forums are broken down into categories for a reason.