I am pricing laptops after the Dell C640 died Monday night. I want a the new Mac hardware with Leopard on it. So far, there have been various delays and with the Dell finally going to that great /dev/null in the sky, I believe my hand is forced.
I own a very fine HP laptop and would like another. The problem being HP only offers Vista on their new hardware and I refuse to be a Vista Owner. (If you care why, listen to episodes 73-77 on the SecurityNow podcast. Very enlightening stuff.) Because of my preference, I am limited to the following Laptops:
- Vostro 1000
- Vostro 1500
- Latitude D520
- Latitude D531
As a Red-Blooded Card-Carrying Capitalist, I am offended to be limited to 4 laptop models. We live in a ‘Free Market’ Society. The last time I checked, there were 4 Major Laptop vendors and a smattering of lesser known/quality manufacturers. Surely one of them (preferrably HP) can offer XP on their computers.
So after swimming through the injustices and trade offs, I finally select a laptop, configure it to my satisfaction and begin selecting the support options. I normally decline support, but Dell offered a very interesting deal:
Get $70 Dell Dollars w/3Yr Ltd Warranty and Next Business Day On-Site Svc [add $169]
Apply Dell Dollars coupon to your next purchase! Discount Details
So I get Three Years Support for essentially $100? Lemme check the fine print:
With a Dell Dollars coupon*, you can return to Dell.com and redeem your coupon to purchase any products and services through the Dell Small Business online store. You will receive your Dell Dollars coupon with redemption information 4-6 weeks after your order ships.
*One coupon per customer, one time use only. Coupon expires 120 days from date of eligible system purchase.
So they will send me a coupon for 70$ off my next purchase. It will take 4-6 weeks after my order ships. This $70 coupon expires 120 days from “date of eligible system purchase“.
I am no expert in accounting, but if there are 10 days between the date of the system purchase and 28-42 days required for arrival of said coupon, there will be somewhere between 68 – 82 days to use the coupon. Man, gotta love fine print.
So for now, I am going to put away the credit card, cancel my $1,400 order from Dell and keep it just me, the HP, the old MacBook, and my new Coaster, the Dell C640.
There has to be a better way. I appreciate all advice on the topic.