Dell Vostro Notebook Saves The Day When Vostro Desktop Falls Short
Sitting next to me is my $4,000 Dell notebook (called a laptop by many) that I can hardly tolerate. Yet I am loving the $499 Dell notebook that I am typing on.
Q: What’s the difference between the two – other than $3,500?.
A: 9 years, tons more power and storage, less weight, and more usability, that’s what!
A couple of months ago I ordered a Dell Vostro 200 desktop computer. The price was good for the functionality, and I was able to get a 19″ flat panel LCD monitor and a decent little speaker system inexpensively. Plus, Dell’s unconditional 30 day return policy assuaged my fears a little. But then I remembered the pains of my past with Dell (see my previous article). “We’ll see”, I said.
Opting for free ground shipping, my system arrived in about 5 days. It did well at first, but after adding multiple user accounts for my kids to use, the Windows Vista Home Premium machine started running like a slug before I got even all my basic software loaded.
Long story short, I called Dell and told them I wanted to send it back. I braced myself for the hassle of being questioned about why I wanted to send it back and then having to deal with tech support before my request would be granted. Instead, I simply said I was not happy with it, and that I think I wanted to get a notebook instead. Amy, my customer service rep, said OK. “Wow! Really?”
Then I asked how much would my credit be reduced if I kept the speakers and the flat panel. It was only about $147 to keep both, so I did. But first, Amy shrewdly offered me a $50 coupon to keep the system. But with such unsatisfactory performance, I declined (plus, I did not want a coupon, I like cash!).
Dell issued a call tag, and the next day UPS picked up the system that I had repacked in the original box and labeled according to instructions. The following day, a credit was issued to my bank account. Very cool!
Needing a replacement computer pronto, and feeling a lot more comfortable in doing business with Dell, I quickly ordered my Vostro 1500 notebook computer. Now, the Inspiron 7000 that I purchased in 1999 was the top of the line at the time (300 mhz, 8gb hard drive, 250mb RAM, DVD player). I believe in usually purchasing the top end or the low end in order to get my money’s worth, or in being disappointed otherwise. This time I chose to go toward the lower end. With the Latitude being the higher end with a titanium frame and yada, yada, yada, I chose the Vostro with the heavy duty plastic frame. It looks and feels a little cheaper, but I expect that it basically has the same guts as the others.
The base model is 1.4 ghz. I paid $40 extra for the 1.6 ghz. 2gb RAM and 220gb hard drive were standard. $29 extra for the Premium version of Windows Vista Home operating system. Also, I paid $79 to add one extra year of warranty (making it 2 years total) for just in case.
In my experience, notebooks usually perform better and longer than their desktop counterparts. I don’t know why – they just do. But due to limited ports and options for adding components later, you need to really consider carefully what you expect from your computer and what you want in it? Do you want BlueTooth? GPS? Cingular Wireless Aircard? If so, better to get them integrated now, versus chancing incompatibility with doing it later with subsequent technology and the 30 day unconditional warranty gone. But, with one PCMCIA slot, you can add a single portable component later – but only 1.
Sticking to my budget, instead of buying a copy of the latest Microsoft Office, I downloaded OpenOffice for Free! It opens my existing Word and Excel and PowerPoint files just fine, as well as lets me save and share my new files in the Microsoft format. I am very pleased with OpenOffice. But be advised that it does not come with all the clip art that MS Office provides – you have to go online and get your own.
Also, I skip having them load any bloatware (“free software”), including antivirus. I prefer AVG by Grisoft, even though they are doing away with their unlimited free version.
Another thing I like about notebooks is the VGA video port and the ability to readily extend your desktop to an additional monitor. So, I am enjoying using my 19″ Dell LCD flat panel as a second and unique display – that means more than doubling my screen space. For those of you not familiar with extended desktop, it does not mean duplicating your notebook’s screen onto another monitor (unless that is what you want to do), but rather it means expanding your entire available computer desktop for as many windows and you want and can handle. Your cursor zips back and forth across monitors. And if you work with large spreadsheets, you will love it. Or, you can have a DVD playing on the monitor, and surf the Web in a browser on the notebook’s screen.
After taxes and my options, the notebook was delivered to my door for $776. Comparable other brands (with the same functionality as mine) at discounters such as Sam’s and Fry’s were in the $1,300 to $1,400 range before taxes.
Not only can I say that I am happy with my recent dealings with Dell, but I also recommended the same computer to my mother-in-law, who thankfully is very happy too. One hint about getting the best pricing is to sign up for notifications from Dell.com, and wait for their announced sales; then pounce on the one you like.
All the best!
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