Needed a new laptop and just tried out the discount. Dell is having many rebates already but the NACHI/DELL partnership discount just saved me just short of $500.00 on the new laptop.
Originally Posted By: jtedesco This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Joe:
Please post the specifications. I am close to buying a Toshiba or Acer Tablet PC... any suggestions?
I originally wanted a tablet and was considering Homegauge SW to run on it. After looking at the cost, tablet specifics, warranties and other factors I went with a standard laptop instead. It was just my preference to run the inspection with a clipboard and pencil and then do the report after I have inspected everything. Hard to carry a tablet under a pier and beam or in an attic or crawlspace and if the weather is bad don't really want it out in it. Besides even the lighter 3 Lb. tablets can get heavy after awhile. Not to mention constantly sitting it down to reach for tools or the 2 Million Candlepower flashlight (They are not small flashlights) a clipboard is easier and can hang on the belt. Also, even though the Acer is rated high I have had many problems with devices using swivel mounted parts and it is one more point of failure. Not to mention accidentally (usually if you are tired) having it in the wrong position and damaging it or dropping it. Just my own preference and maybe at a later date I may do a tablet.
I purchased an Inspiron 8600 fully loaded except for just 1 GB memory instead of the full 2 GB. Never have need for anything more than 1 GB. If you go to Dell site and spec a fully loaded 8600 you will see what I got. I have been beating on it now since I got it and no problems yet.
Could have bought the 9200 for a few hundred more but did not need all the extra bells, whistles and 17" screen. I paid less for a loaded 8600 than an Acer tablet. Dell also had 3 year, on site, support and warranty as standard no cost which could have been upgraded for a little more to 4 years and/or accidental damage replacement.
Dell is also running a deal with Microsoft and I was able to purchase MS Office 2003 Pro for over half retail. That savings I did not include in the $500 savings above nor did I include the extra accessories that were discounted.
All around the Dell was a very good deal, at least for me.
Originally Posted By: jtedesco This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
escanlan
Thanks for the hints and links, NOW all I have to do is find someone who want a laptop, I will sell two of the three I own.
I have a top of the line Fujitsu and Toshiba, but heavy and I really can use the Tablet because I can see using a camera too on it to take Pict's, I will use it also for my seminars, etc.
Originally Posted By: escanlan This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Chris,
That is a killer site, Itech Wholesale!! I have to wonder though how they are able to seel full versions of software for only 25% of average retail (less than half of other major WEB sites)? Have you had any problems with the software? Did it come with the Microscrew seal on the box??
I would not like to get caught up in some companies shenanagins but compared to the others prices, I don't know if I could resist.
Originally Posted By: escanlan This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Joe,
Good idea to keep at least one of the three you have as a backup. What models are you selling and what are you thinking of asking for them? You can email the info to me if you prefer. If the price is right I may be interested. At some point in time I am going to have to invest in a backup and if it is capable enough I can use it to replace an aging desktop I have. Tired of building my new hardware it is time consuming to research the parts and obtain them.
Another thought is to put it on EBAY. Don't know about your area but here around Dallas these EBAY merchants are springing up like mad. You take your item to them and they do all the EBAY work and take a fairly reasonable cut of the sale. Saves the headache of trying to find a buyer.
Just as a side note, 20 years ago a fellow Ham Operator and friend taught me a very good lesson about selling used equipment (Been a Ham Op for over 30 years). I needed some hardware and he was selling what I wanted. When I asked the price he quoted me 50% of resale value and was serious about it. I knew there was nothing wrong with it and asked him why so low? He said he could afford to hold onto the old equipment along with the new but had no need for his used gear. His philosophy was if he offered it at a very reasonable price he would sell it much faster and it was better to give it up to someone who needed it and make a little money on it rather than hold out for top price so long that the equipment became outdated and no one wanted it. Ham equipment does not become outdated nearly as fast as computer equipment!
Do you have an employee that really wants a laptop but can not afford full fare for one? How about a bright and upcoming entrepreneur in the same boat? Or even better yet there are a lot of HI's out there new to the business and trying to get started on a shoestring. Let's face it laptops are still very expensive ( I could barely afford mine but need it for the biz) and a deserving new person would never stop thanking you for such a great deal!
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Joe T.
I paid $1275 for the laptop.
Here are the specs:
Inspiron 5160
Intel Pentium 4 (532) with H/T technology 3.06GHz, 533 MHz FSB)
Windows XP home (because I have my own copy of pro)
15 inch XGA LCD
512 MB memory (333 MHz, 1 dimm)
32 MB DDR XGI Volari XP5 AGP 4X graphics
40 GB Ultra ATA hard drive
Integrated Network card
Internal 56K modem
Adobe 6.0 reader
24X CD-RW/DVD combo drive with Sonic Record Now
Microsoft Works Suite (Word, Streets & Trips 2004)
Dell Jukebox (music player, cd burning software)
12 Cell Lithium Ion battery
Dell nylon carry case
4 year ltd warranty, 4 year at home plus nights and weekends
6 months aol
Paint shop pro studio trial, photo album starter edition
Dell media experience
This price includes 6% sales tax and shipping. I think it may also have a $100 mail in rebate, but I have to check on that.
Originally Posted By: cradan This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Manny…I hear ya. We kind of stumbled upon the site. I have no idea why their price is what it is…can’t comment yet on the authenticity of the software yet, since it only shipped today. I’ll…um…let you know in 2-3 business days if it it’s the “real” thing. I did call them, and they’ll allow a return of unopened software, so, if I don’t like what I see, it can still go back.
What you will find at most of them is OEM software, with disk only sales. That basically means all you get is the disk, no manual and no tech support and that is how they sell it so cheap.
There are legit copies and typically they send you a piece of hardware to comply with the Microsoft Volume License Agreement which is needed in order to sell it to you.
I have purchased copies of the 1997 and 2000 Small Business Editions of Microsoft Office from that one listed above. Both worked fine, the only trouble you have is going to buy the books to learn how to use them, if you are not all that familiar with the software and what it can do.
Originally Posted By: bgentry This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I’d like to know how you saved so much with Dell. I just bought an Axim handheld from them and saved a whopping 10% with the portal. The kicker is that it was already 10% off to everyone, but when I went in throught the portal, that sale wasn’t shown…just NACHI “discount.”
Originally Posted By: cradan This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks, Joe. I was definitely scratching my head, wondering how they’d retail it for what appeared to be about 30% of what the OEM retailer was asking. (Not uncommon to see MS and other distributors asking about $360.00-$400.00 for the same product on their sites.) Not overly worried about the docs, since we’re already familiar with the product.
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Bradley,
For starters, Dell was having a sale. $250 off most systems. In addition, through the portal, you could save an additional 6 to 12% depending on the configuration of your purchase. In addition to that, there was free shipping. In addition to that, they had another mail in rebate of $100, which was not figured in the price that I had posted above.
If you are interested in getting the best buys out there, chances are you are not going to find it with the newer technology. Most manufacturers, discount equipment which is beginning to become dated. Hand Helds are just too new to the scene and once the technology improves, you will start seeing discounts on a larger scale.
Since I am not all that familiar with the hand held technology, maybe someone else can jump in here and help you out.
Originally Posted By: dfrend This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I went with a refurbished system from dell for my PC. Was able to get a fast, up to date, software loaded system. At the time it was anyhow. 2.6 Ghz, 1Gig RAM, 120 Gig HD, XP Professional and Office XP Pro all for about $500 cheaper than the same system new. And had the same warranty as new. The thing with the refurbs is many of them are brand new.
Often they sell a number of systems that get cancelled or changed. Once the serial number is assigned to a buyer it is used. So whenever a system comes back, even if not even taken out of box, it is used. Then they make repairs if needed and resell. You can get good deals that way too.