Hott Or Not? Dell Inspiron 1420 14.1" 2gb

[p0rsche]

I'm heading off to Univ in the fall. Been looking for a 14.1" laptop for 2 weeks now, finally narrowed down to Dell 1420.

SPECS:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5450 (2MB cache/1.66GHz/667Mhz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium Edition
Jet Black Color with Matte Finish
Glossy, high contrast, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
No Camera
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 Dimm
120G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
COST: $929 + TAX.

Is this HOT OR NOT? Should I wait a bit longer for a better deal or buy now? Would it be a big loss to buy now (w/ all the back to school deals etc.). I will be going on vacation on Aug 4th though and it'd be nice to bring it along to check my e-mail while overseas. Anyways thats beside the point.

HOT OR NOT PEOPLE? (it's really a shame us Canadians get shafted with no dell.ca coupons or deals, unlike the recent FREE 160GB, FREE 2GB, and $350 off deal w/ the 1420..

Also how does this look? (refurbished, from the States)
http://cgi.ebay.ca/HP-COMPAQ-V3000T-...QQcmdZViewItem

red.. T5250.. if only it were black and preferably T5450, and 6 cell.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-DELL-INSPIRON...QQcmdZViewItem


ANY INPUT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! Don't hesitate to leave any comment!

p0rsche

[xIcewind]

The Inspiron 1420 deal in the states was a pricing mistake by Dell, and it honoured very few people's orders.

However, the current vostro 1400 is a good deal, but that's american, also.

As for your deal - could you downgrade memory? Upgrading memory at dell's always expensive.

[p0rsche]

Well the Dell 1420 above is configured to my ideal likings, ideally it's 2GB, 14.1", 120-160gb, integrated gfx (won't be doing that much gaming, plus less heat, 10% longer battery life).

2gb is pretty much essential for running VISTA, especially with the use of an integrated graphics card. There is a huge performance difference between 2gb and 1gb on a vista, int gfx system.

When you say it was a mistake, either way they offered FREE 160GB and FREE 2GB upgrade which alone is better than anything dell.ca can offer, or even the $200-$300 off is great alone also.

[matkun]

The 2GB upgrade is only $90, so it's a fairly small premium to pay for not having to open up your laptop and removing the keyboard to install the ram.

OP, I'd say wait for back to school sales, and see if you can get a Dell EPP from your university if you have your student ID number already. You can save an extra 4-12% that way.

[p0rsche]

I'd prolly need to buy the laptop soon as in before the back to school deals.
I've seen the DELL EPP around.. how does that work? Don't you have to be an EMPLOYEE? hence employee purchase plan? I'm going to York university and they give out the student cards late in august/sept. I know that Schulich has a very poor deal with HP laptops, I don't know about Dell + York/Schulich.

[xIcewind]

I don't understand. If those in the US are offered the concession coupons, what does it have to do with you, purchasing a laptop?

If you're from the states, why aren't you using the coupon with the Vostro 1400 deal?

[p0rsche]

I don't understand. If those in the US are offered the concession coupons, what does it have to do with you, purchasing a laptop?

If you're from the states, why aren't you using the coupon with the Vostro 1400 deal?

All I'm saying is it's really a shame that Dell.Ca doesn't have similar deals for the inspiron notebooks, and basically the hidden question behind this is Will dell.ca ever release any promotions such as free HD upgrade Free 2gb ram etc, or discounts of up to $300 off .

[RastaManMax]

The 2GB upgrade is only $90, so it's a fairly small premium to pay for not having to open up your laptop and removing the keyboard to install the ram.

OP, I'd say wait for back to school sales, and see if you can get a Dell EPP from your university if you have your student ID number already. You can save an extra 4-12% that way.

On my 640m, removing the panel above the keyboard was scary as hell, but within 20mins i was able to remove the keyboard and pop it in. The slot beneath the unit was a matter of removing 2 screws and popping the old stick out.

I think the price of 2GB 667mhz is around $90-100 now so it's not that big a rip now over getting the 1GB, selling it and then buying 2GB.

I'd go with the 9cell battery if you're planning to use it at school. Mine lasts through 2-3 classes no problem.