When do new computers come out????

[Bucky]

Looking to buy a new laptop and of course I'm looking for the best deal. Pretty well settled on the Dell E1505 fully loaded up but I'm waiting for some good rebates to kick in. They are only offering $100 instant rebate as of now.

Does anyone know when the new offerings usually debut? I figure the current models will start to drop more just prior to the new ones coming out much like in the auto business.

Thanks.

 

[JeffW]

Unlike cars or tv shows, I don't think 'new' computers have any correlation to the calendar. It's pretty much a combination of technology (ie. when Intel or ADM develop a new chip) and business (what new stuff is out that causes prices for older stuff to drop, what earnings Dell or Apple want in a particular quarter, and what they are willing to do to get sales).

Jeff

 

[nightnurse613]

I think Jeff has it pretty much on the nail. My guess would be shortly after MS VISTA officially debuts since that is the next big thing I am aware of (not that I'm very aware )

 

[Icarus]

20% off Inspiron Notebooks at Dell Home

http://www.dealcatcher.com/forums/m_451144/tm.htm

Everything that's being sold now is already Vista ready and generally comes with a coupon for a free upgrade to Vista when it's released to the public.

-David

 

[Glynda]

Question

I'm looking to buy a new laptop also. I thought I'd wait until after Vista comes out to avoid having to load it myself as I'm not real computer saavy and that scares me. But is it really easy to do and worth going ahead and getting a better deal now? Or are the deals now really that good?

I want the smallest laptop I can get for the punch I want...fast processor, Intel dual core, 1 gig or more RAM, wireless, Microsoft Word, good for graphics work and storage, at least three USB ports, and large keys as I seem to have fat fingers. I've had one Dell after another for years now but am reading about Toshiba, Gateway and Sony. However those appear to be more expensive than the Dell but it's hard for me to know if I am comparing apples to apples. Suggestions?

 

[Steamboat Bill]

MOST users won't need Vista if all you want to do is Internet, Word, e-mail, etc.

Vista will require MUCH more performance than XP and that means a more expensive laptop.

Thus, you can get a bargain on a XP laptop to do 99% of everything an average user would want to do for around $500.

I personally like HP and Toshiba better than Dell laptops.

Make sure you get 1 GB RAM.

 

[Kal]

1 GB of memory will be the minimum for Vista. For acceptable operation you should have 2 GB of memory. Will also need a quality display adapter card with 256 KB of memory. All this adds up to is something other than an inexpensive, cheap machine.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

1 GB of memory will be the minimum for Vista. For acceptable operation you should have 2 GB of memory. Will also need a quality display adapter card with 256 KB of memory. All this adds up to is something other than an inexpensive, cheap machine.

My reccomendation was referring to an inexpensive XP laptop....as 1GB runs better than 512MB

If you want Vista, you need 2 GB, fast video, large hard drive, fastest processor, etc. I would guess it will be hard to buy a "real Vista laptop" for under $1200.

You can get a great new laptop with XP for about $500-600 depending on features you want and the rebates offered. This will do 95% of whatever you throw at it for the next two years.

 

[timeos2]

Back to the OP question

When do the new PC's (faster, cheaper, better) come out? Usually about 15 minutes after you purchased yours.....

 

[Bucky]

When do the new PC's (faster, cheaper, better) come out? Usually about 15 minutes after you purchased yours.....

This is probably correct. I finally purchased the E1505 this morning after finding a $300 coupon online. Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[Glynda]

Dell

Yeah, I played with "Customize It" on Dell today and in order to have it truly Vista compatible, it keep telling me I had to have something which costs more. It was over $2300 by the time I finished.

 

[Icarus]

Yeah, I played with "Customize It" on Dell today and in order to have it truly Vista compatible, it keep telling me I had to have something which costs more. It was over $2300 by the time I finished.

For an E1505? You can build a nicely configured E1505 that's Vista ready for a lot less than $2300.

By the way, it will come with a coupon for a free upgrade for Vista, but I wouldn't install Vista when it first comes out. You'll want to wait a while, if you ever decide you need it. You can take advantage of the free upgrade and just use it later, if ever. I think you have to pay $10 for shipping when it's available but that's it.

-David

 

[Icarus]

Example E1505 configuration from Dell Home:

Start with the base system, no bundle savings.

T7200 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor
Windows XP Media Center Ed.
Free Upgrade to Vista Home Premium
15.4" UltraSharp Wide Screen SXGA+ with true life
1GB Memory at 533Mhz
100GB 7200 RPM Sata internal hard drive
8x CD/DVD Burner
256MB ATI Mobility x1400 graphics
85 Whr Primary Battery
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945a/g
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal
Base 1 Yr mail-in warranty

Base price: $1536
20% off coupon price: $1228

This configuration does not include upgraded memory (it turns out it's cheaper to buy elsewhere and the base is 1G), upgraded software packages (also cheaper to buy elsewhere) A/V packages (use AVG Free), or any uplifted warranty.

For memory, when you're ready for an upgrade we'll find you a 2x1G 667Mhz memory upgrade currently going for around $200. Dells 2G upgrade is almost that much and is slower memory. Swapping out the old memory and replacing it is trivial. (One screw on the bottom of the laptop. Plus the DIMMs are keyed, so you can't put them in the wrong way.) When you decide to upgrade the memory, you can sell the old memory on ebay if you are so inclined.

For software packages, if you want Office, and you have a student or teacher in the house, you can buy MS Office Student and Teacher edition which is relatively cheap and includes PowerPoint. If you don't have a student or teacher or can't live with the restricted terms on the student and teacher edition (MS's terms disallow it being used for commercial purposes), you can buy an OEM version of Office, cheaper than what Dell sells it for. (Same with Works Suite.) Or you can decide to try Open Office, which is free for individuals and is compatible with MS Office. Your software choice has nothing to do with the cost of Vista or being vista ready.

The warranty is up to you, and the price has nothing to do with Vista.

This is a very nice configuration at the price and will no have no problems running XP or Vista, though for Vista, you will probably want to upgrade the memory, but you can do that later.

-David

 

[JeffW]

There are several different versions of Vista, and I think each have their own set of requirements (most are common though). From what I read, I think the 3D, transparent desktop requires some hefty graphics processing. I believe a good number of 'Vista-ready' systems can't actually handle this. It could be that you are adding a higher-performance graphics system to support this more advanced version of Vista than you really need.

Jeff

 

[Icarus]

The configuration I showed has the best graphics option available for the E1505. There is no higher-end option, though I would personally prefer one. It should be fully capable of running aero or glass or whatever the optional 3d interface is called. The $1228 configuration is not a stripped down configuration. It's just not loaded up with extra software, A/V subscriptions or uplifted warranties/completecare options.

-David

 

[Kal]

My system is probably fine with Vista, but I'm in no rush to install it for awhile. Here is where I'm at:

Intel 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor
Motherboard with bus clock at 266 MHz
2GB Memory at 667MHz
250GB 7200 RPM internal hard drive
120GB 7200 RPM internal hard drive
16x CD/DVD Burner
40x CD-Rom Burner
256MB ATI Graphics Adapter

I've got lots of friends at Microsoft so I can pick up Vista at employee pricing, but I really don't trust the new OS.

 

[Bucky]

Example E1505 configuration from Dell Home:

Start with the base system, no bundle savings.

T7200 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor
Windows XP Media Center Ed.
Free Upgrade to Vista Home Premium
15.4" UltraSharp Wide Screen SXGA+ with true life
1GB Memory at 533Mhz
100GB 7200 RPM Sata internal hard drive
8x CD/DVD Burner
256MB ATI Mobility x1400 graphics
85 Whr Primary Battery
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945a/g
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal
Base 1 Yr mail-in warranty

Base price: $1536
20% off coupon price: $1228

-David

The only difference in my system is that I ordered the charcoal leather cover and Integrated Soundblaster Audio. My cost was slightly higher due to the fact I could only get the Dell site to give me 13% off on the E1505. Was better for me to apply the $300 coupon. Looking forward to getting it soon.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

I've got lots of friends at Microsoft so I can pick up Vista at employee pricing, but I really don't trust the new OS.

Now that is an interesting quote...make you consider sticking with XP!

 

[Glynda]

Looking at...

For an E1505? You can build a nicely configured E1505 that's Vista ready for a lot less than $2300.

By the way, it will come with a coupon for a free upgrade for Vista, but I wouldn't install Vista when it first comes out. You'll want to wait a while, if you ever decide you need it. You can take advantage of the free upgrade and just use it later, if ever. I think you have to pay $10 for shipping when it's available but that's it.

-David

I was looking at a lightweight. Can't remember if it was the M1210 or the
E1405. I currently have a 700m and like the size and weight. I was also looking at adding the bluetooth whatever because I use SKYPE when I travel out of the country though I have no desire to be on camera!!!!

 

[geoffb]

Speaking as someone who is already using Vista... stick with XP for awhile. I would stay away from Vista at least until Microsoft releases Service Pack 1.

Unless you are a serious geek of course.

 

[Icarus]

I was looking at a lightweight. Can't remember if it was the M1210 or the
E1405. I currently have a 700m and like the size and weight. I was also looking at adding the bluetooth whatever because I use SKYPE when I travel out of the country though I have no desire to be on camera!!!!

How much does the 700m weigh?

Here's some options (in no particular order):

Apple MacBook - 2.0Ghz version
Sony VGN C190P/H
IBM Thinkpad T60 - 14" version (What happened to the T41?)
Dell E1405
Dell Small Biz 640M
Dell Small Biz Lattitude D620

I'm pretty sure these are all 4 - 5 Lbs starting weight.

If you want lighter than those, you're going to pay a lot more. The next step goes down to 3 - 3.5 pounds with a lot more cost and more tradeoffs.

-David

 

[bigrick]

I've been recommending people wait a bit longer if they're casually looking for a PC. Intel is coming out with the quad core chip in desktops in Feb or March this year. Once these chips are out all presently available chips will drop in price. Why not wait another month or two just to save some more bucks?

Take a trip to get your mind off your computer.

 

[Icarus]

There's always another chip around the corner. When the new chips come out, they will be priced at the high end, and the current chips will not drop all that much, then you'll be tempted to wait for the new chips to drop and the next big thing will be coming out in another few months. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Intel and other manufacturers have gotten pretty good at managing their pricing so that price decreases happen regularly over time, and not in one big giant step. The mainstream cost-effective processor is always going to be priced at around $150 - $250, no matter what the current technology is. Over time, you will get more for that same amount of money, but there's rarely a point in time where what you get a huge performance increase in a relatively small amount of time, so you end up playing the waiting game if you do that.

-David

 

[Glynda]

Dell 700 m

How much does the 700m weigh?

Here's some options (in no particular order):

Apple MacBook - 2.0Ghz version
Sony VGN C190P/H
IBM Thinkpad T60 - 14" version (What happened to the T41?)
Dell E1405
Dell Small Biz 640M
Dell Small Biz Lattitude D620

I'm pretty sure these are all 4 - 5 Lbs starting weight.

If you want lighter than those, you're going to pay a lot more. The next step goes down to 3 - 3.5 pounds with a lot more cost and more tradeoffs.

-David

Thanks. It weighs 4.1 pounds.