Christmas Deal on Laptops . . .

Hello all - I have so many different people always asking me to keep an eye open for them for a great deal on a laptop. I know with the holidays approaching there are probably many of you looking at the possibility of updating your computer or purchasing a new laptop for the holidays. I have a great bargain that I've found - the tricky part is that it currently is a ONE-DAY only sale from Dell.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=bqcw51x&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&kc=features~hot_offers_nb

I highly recommend Dell for a couple of reasons - when you purchase from the "small / medium business center" online, you get decent customer support if you have any problems down the line, which is getting extremely difficult to find these days. And secondly, and even more important, it's one of the few, if not the last place you can still have Windows XP installed on your computer as the operating system. Don't be impressed with the bells and whistles of Windows Vista. It's a memory hog, SLLLLOOOWWWW (did you get that means extremely slow), and will do absolutely nothing that you can't do with Windows XP. So sorry to offend any of you who currently have Windows Vista and love it. You just don't know what you're missing :) I purchase all the computers and laptops for my husbands business, and have purchased exlusively from Dell for the last 5 years and I can seriously say I have not had one unresolved (and quickly) problem with any of their systems both laptops and desktops.

Anyway - here's the scoop. They have a VOSTRO 1510 system available right now for $499. It includes the following components (with my comments): Intel Core 2 Duo @ 1.8ghz (a perfectly adequate core speed unless you're into architechural drawing/rendering or editing multiple video files at the same time), Windows XP, 1 yr limited warranty+1 yr onsite service, 15.4 " WXGA LCD anti-glare display, 2GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz (great memory actually), 24X CD burner/DVD combo drive (does not burn DVD's but does burn CD's), integrated graphics, 80GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive (a little small these days, but perfectly adequate for everyday use and student use), Dell Wireless 802.11g, 6-cell Lithium Ion Battery, McAfee Total Protection 30-day subscription (just what you need to get started, if you have your internet through Comcast you have access to the best protection through them for free). FREE 3-5 day shipping, and possibly no tax. Not sure exactly what their tax status in Utah is currently. This offer currently expires NOV 18 at 6AM CDT. (Not to say that they won't have a similar deal sometime again between now and Christmas - but you never know . . .)

Additional information you need to know. This computer comes with no software installed. You need to install your own Microsoft Office programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook etc. Most people have them available from previous systems. I'm still installing Microsoft Office 2002 on new systems and it still works great! If you don't have it available - there are actually fantastic free online programs now where you can get by without ever installing Microsoft stuff on your computer anymore (contact me if you need recommendations).

You possibly will find less expensive laptop deals. Why you probably don't want them: they probably have Intel Celeron processors (don't buy one of these!), they have Windows VISTA as the operating system (don't buy one of these unless you have at least 2 GB memory, and even then you're better off with Windows XP even if it costs you a little bit more money).

If you have a little bit more money to spend and would like a few upgrades - here is what I recommend: Upgrade the optical CD drive to the 8x DVD+/RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability for $15 more. Upgrade the hard drive to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for $75 more. That still keeps your total for the laptop at $589, still includes FREE 3-5 day shipping, which equals a great deal on a laptop that would fit the bill for almost everyone (except maybe a rocket scientist - so if that's you, sorry, I'll keep on looking ;)