Amazing custom laptop deal from Dell - Too good to be true?

ChabbyAlonso

...I built a laptop with the following specs (bold ones of any relevance)...

Base Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T2060(1.6GHz/533MHz/1MB)
Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Memory 1024MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x512)
Keyboard Internal Keyboard - UK/Ire (QWERTY)
Video Card Intel® Media Accelerator 950 Graphics Up to 256MB shared graphics memory
Hard Drive 120GB (5,400rpm) Hard Drive
Floppy Drives No Floppy Drive Option
Modem 56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter
CD/DVD Drives Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including software
Wireless Local Area Networking Dell Wireless 1390 802.11b/g 54Mbps Mini-PCI Wireless Card, for Dual Core Processors
Shipping Documents System Documentation
Gedis Bundle Reference List N02646 - DHS 6400 (2)
Microsoft Application Software Microsoft® Works 8.5 - English
Standard Warranty Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only
Hardware Support Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only
AntiVirus & Security Software McAfee® Security Centre™ 36-month subscription
Power Supply 65W AC Adapter
Digital Photography No Photo Organising & Sharing Software/No Photo Editing Software
Order Information Inspiron Order - UK
Primary Battery 6 Cell, 56Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Carrying Cases No Carry Case
Money Off Savings Save £70 inc VAT
Dell System Media Kit Inspiron Resource DVD - Vista (Diagnostics & Drivers)
Colour Choice No Snap on LCD Back Cover
Promotion included with your Order This configuration includes Double Memory Promotion from 512MB to 1GB Memory
Adobe Reader Adobe Reader 7.0.8 - English
Promotions Hidden Option Class Promo Hard Drive Upgrade SATA 80GB(5400) - SATA 120GB(5400)
Promotions Hidden Option Class Memory Upgrade from 512MB to 1024MB
Dell Internet Order Dell Internet Order.
LCD 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display


...the price, £529.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Dell a really good company, some would say even superior than the likes of Toshiba, Sony, Samsung etc. So I went searching for a similar laptop with similar specs (pre promotions)

I found a Sony one with the follwing, but with the promotions kicked in on the deall, it fairs like this...

512MB less memory
40 GB less
No Vista (although I couldn't care less), but Windows XP Media Center Edition

http://www.littlewoods.com/rf/navigation/product.do?linkId=1676822

And you can get this for £270 more than the one I built, sheer madness.

Now, is the one I made too good to be true.

What would you choose?!

ChabbyAlonso

Aiadi

All I can say is that 2 Dells had died on me within a space of 3 years. Yes slightly cheaper but you get what you pay for.

CHR15

I wouldn't say there is anything wrong with that spec, but I wouldn't call it a particularly good deal either. In fact mediocre is all.

The 950 graphics are at best, poor.

For over £500 I would expect some dedicated graphics.

The RAM upgrade, whilst good, isn't something to shout about.

RAM isn't particuarly expensive. A simple upgrade. The procedure to upgade scares people as they worry about warranties etc. Manufacturers play on this fear.

For that price, you are getting what you are paying for. Not a bad deal, but not the best either.

ChabbyAlonso

Wow Chris, all that talk and no evidence...unlike moi

CHR15

Just a quick look on Ebuyer throws this up without going through the specs in detail. Just shows the price you found above, although not particularly bad, is not particularly good either.

This one is a few quid cheaper than your Too good to be true Laptop from Dell

Product Description Acer Aspire 5633WLMi - Core 2 Duo T5500 1.66 GHz - 15.4" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.8 cm x 26.5 cm x 3.6 cm
Weight 2.8 kg
Localisation United Kingdom
Platform Technology Intel Centrino Duo
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 / 1.66 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Cache Memory 2 MB - L2 Cache
RAM 1 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM ( 2 x 512 MB )
Card Reader 5 in 1
Hard Drive 120 GB
Optical Storage DVD±RW (+R double layer) / DVD-RAM - integrated
Display 15.4" TFT active matrix 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ) - 24-bit (16.7 million colours)
Graphics Controller Intel GMA 950
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom Fax / modem - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Notebook Camera Integrated - 1.3 Megapixel - CMOS
Input Device Keyboard, touchpad, 4-way scroll button
Power AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=25536197851&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3NwZWNpZmljYXRpb25z&product_uid=120054

Fifer

ChabbyAlonso wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Dell a really good company, some would say even superior than the likes of Toshiba, Sony, Samsung etc.

You're wrong. Dell are decidedly middle market and their laptops in particular have had some reliability problems.

Matteas

It seems to have the exact specs of my Acer aspire 5612 which i managed to get for £450 via tesco direct.

Normal price was £500 but I had staff discount.

ChabbyAlonso

Thats more like it Chris, you've well and truely stumped me!

*Note to self, don't question Chris in future*

CHR15

Well done for coming back on and posting. Most people would have legged it :D

seaweasel

ChabbyAlonso wrote:

I found a Sony one with the following, but with the promotions kicked in on the deall, it fairs like this...

512MB less memory
40 GB less
No Vista (although I couldn't care less), but Windows XP Media Center Edition

Indeed, the Sony laptops are more expensive than the Dells, but that's because they're Sony's and not Dells. There's nothing wrong with Dells in general, but then there's nothing wrong with the Kia Cerato I test drove the other week either. I'm sure I could have bought one with equivalent specs to a Ford Focus or a VW Golf, and it would have been cheaper, but it wouldn't be as cool as a Golf.