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Sony's are incredibly overpriced and their customer service is horrendous. Stay far far away from Sony's.
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<p>To each his own. I'm on my third Sony Vaio laptop. I have had nothing but excellent reliability and performance. They are not overpriced, IMO, but you will be paying a slight premium for them over the cheaper made Dells and HPs. I wouldn't know about customer service, since I've never had a problem with any of my Vaios that I've had to deal with them.</p>
<p>I experienced horrible service while helping a client of mine with her Sony. It was a serious problem that never did get resolved. If I weren't concerned about price and wanted to pay more to get a nice machine, I'd look at the Fujitsus.</p>
<p>I've also had trouble with Dell's service - had good luck getting a whole system replaced, but poor luck getting help troubleshooting. Granted, it's nice to know you can get your whole system replaced if your power supply blows up for no reason (happened to my desktop), but it's hard to get help for anything less catastrophic.</p>
<p>Also, these Dell coupons are not as great a deal as they appear to be. First, they are only valid on certain systems. Second, the ones I've seen are only good on their "home" systems, so you lose the student discount. Third, they are incompatible with the discounts Dell is already offering on their site, so you have to go back up to full price before you take your discount. In the end you still end up paying more than you should for an overpriced system. That's better than paying full price, but if you do some research, you'll probably find something better. There are other companies to look at if you want a good deal.</p>
<p>--Second, the ones I've seen are only good on their "home" systems, so you lose the student discount.</p>
<p>nan, the student discount is 12%. $750 off $1500 is 50%. I'd gladly sacrifice the student discount. I agree though that $1500 should buy better configurations than what Dell.com offers.</p>
<p>What other companies would you suggest that could offer better deals? Please ignore customer service.</p>
<p>Well it's not really an opinion of whether they are overpriced or not. They ARE overpriced. Sony for the most part uses the same hardware as most other companies, but their products seem to cost more.</p>
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Well it's not really an opinion of whether they are overpriced or not. They ARE overpriced. Sony for the most part uses the same hardware as most other companies, but their products seem to cost more.
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<p>No, it is an opinion.</p>
<p>I don't mind paying the premium for the Sony name and the design of Sony's computers. To me, it is not overpriced, even if it is the same processcesor you find in a Dell for $150 less.</p>
<p>Lorddragon, you're in Europe, right? If I were you, I'd look for a good Acer with a good AMD 64 processor, The newer AMD processors don't seem to be available in affordable laptops here yet, so I would take advantage of being where you are and check them out. AMD's are great processors, and you pay much less for them than for Intel. Acer support in the US has a good reputation, so you might want to see if your warranty is good here, or purchase that here. I have an Acer 1522, with an AMD 64 3000+ processor and I love it, but it's a big desktop replacement and probably not what you want for school. We just ordered the Acer 3204 with an Intel processor for my daughter to take to NU, but would have gotten an AMD if were available in the same configuration. Unfortunately, they're not widely available here yet.</p>
<p>We also looked at Systemax - they have some nice solid compact systems. I'm not very familiar with their support, but they've been around for a while, and I've heard good things. If you're seriously looking at Dells, you might as well look at the Averatecs as well. This clearly is an opinion, so I don't want to spark a battle, but I think the general quality of Dell laptops these days is at about the same level as Averatec, so why pay Dell prices? Averatec sells cheaper systems with lots of features. Their quality isn't the best, but they're not pretending it is, and they charge fairly. We also looked at Sager, but they are a bit pricier. </p>
<p>I'd probably avoid the HP's as their quality has slid since their merger with Compaq. I'm not sure what to say about Toshiba. I've heard different things. I bought one quite a few years ago. It has changed hands but is still going. The bad news is that it has had the motherboard, hard drive, and keyboard all replaced. The good news is that the parts were cheap on eBay, because they make so many of them. </p>
<p>Buying a computer is a very personal decision, and it's silly to say one choice is right and the other wrong. Dell makes it easy, because you're buying straight from the manufacturer, but I think you pay for that convenience.</p>
<p>Exactly, you can definitely get a lower priced alternative than a Sony. The OP asked for the BEST DEAL possible, and Sony's are not the best deal possible. You even admitted yourself that Dell offers much cheaper hardware.</p>
<p>With that said, I never said Sony's are a bad choice. I have a few Sony computers in my house which are all still running strong, and I happen to like Sony a lot. However, I DO realize that they are overpriced, and they are not the best choice for the OP.</p>
<p>If you guys were really concerned about price I would go for an ODM like Asus, Compal or Quanta. You probably have never heard of those companies before but they are the ones that actually make your HPs, Dells or Compaqs, even Alienwares. Buy straight from the source, the other companies just market the products. Personally I was considering buying the V6v, nothing else like it.</p>
<p>All of you who would like to buy a Dell, the time has come.. The $750 off $1499 coupon code is: 827$?P5TXTCK4T.. It is valid on most Inspiron Notebooks.. Starts at 8 AM CST on 6/21.. Everything is posted on <a href="http://www.deals2buy.com%5B/url%5D">www.deals2buy.com</a>.. </p>
<p>This coupon might last only for an hour or two.. It's best if you can order before 8:30 AM..</p>
<p>While ordering don't forget the 3% Cashback from <a href="http://www.fatwallet.com%5B/url%5D">www.fatwallet.com</a>.. Create an account at fatwallet before 8 AM so that you don't waste time.. Login to your account, then go to Dell's site from fatwallet (Stores>scroll down>Dell>Dell Home Systems) so that you can get the cash back..</p>
<p>All the best.. :) :)</p>
<p>I guess there's no harm in it. If you were to buy a computer that costs twice as much as it should, and you got it for half off, you would come out even. But by customizing it, you could easily get back up to where you're paying more than it's worth. </p>
<p>For example, I just went through this yesterday. I've got a configuration for a 700m in my Dell cart right now. It is configured with almost the same features (except the Dell has a smaller hard drive) the Acer 3204 we just ordered. The cost for the Dell is $2319, and the cost of the Acer is $1504 (both w/out shipping). I could take $750 off the Dell and still come out a little ahead with the Acer with what I consider to be a better computer. </p>
<p>Dell isn't giving anything away here. It's all marketing. If you look at it all closely and still decide you want the Dell, that's fine. If you are absolutely determined to get a Dell, then by all means, take the $750, but don't think you're getting anything for free with it.</p>
<p>I agree with Legopan. There are other great manufacturers out there that are worth looking at. It takes a little work to find out what's what, but it's worth it</p>
<p>Also, I wouldn't be rushed into anything because of a coupon. I saw the same coupon there yesterday.</p>
<p>"Also, I wouldn't be rushed into anything because of a coupon. I saw the same coupon there yesterday."</p>
<p>The $750 off $1899 is probably there everyday.. $750 off $1499 doesn't come out often..</p>
<p>Everyone has a different taste.. It depends on what make you prefer..</p>
<p>I don't know what is the exact configuration of the Acer 3204 nan ordered.. For comparison purposes, I am using the Acer TravelMate 3204XMi - Pentium M 745 1.8 GHz - 14.1" TFT model from cnet.com.. </p>
<p>Acer 3204: Intel Pentium M 1.8 GHz, 512 MB RAM, ?x DVD+-RW, 100 GB HDD, 14.1" TFT, Wireless 802.11 b/g, 4 hour battery life (6 cell), 1024 x 768 resolution, 4.9 lbs, 64 MB Video memory, WinXP Pro, V.92 Modem, and 1 year warranty.</p>
<p>Price: $1356 with shipping</p>
<p>Dell Inspiron 700m: Intel Pentium M 1.8 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 8x DVD+-RW, 80 GB HDD, 12.1" WXGA, Wireless 802.11 b/g, 5 hour battery life (8 cell), 1280 x 800 resolution, about 5 lbs, 32 MB shared video memory, WinXP Pro, V.92 Modem, and 1 year warranty (at home etc.)</p>
<p>Price: $2093 - $750 - 3% Cashback on $1343 (~$40) + free shipping + tax on $1343 = no more than $1400.. </p>
<p>The price difference is not much.. The differences are in screen size (Dell is Widescreen), Dell has a better resolution, Dell has a better battery life, Acer has 20 more gigs, and Acer also has dedicated Video Memory.. </p>
<p>Dell is not costly or overpriced.. My point is that when I can get an Inspiron 700m (1.60 Ghz, 512 MB RAM, DVD+-RW, 40 GB HDD, 802.11 a/b/g, WinXP Home, 12.1" WXGA, lightweight, good resolution, good battery life - 8 cell, and 1 year at-home warranty service) for $800 including tax and shipping, I won't go for more expensive ones.. I'd like to know if similar systems are available for $800??</p>
<p>Legopan & nan, you took the words right out of my mouth. I would everyone in this forum by Asus, but I really didn't want to confuse them. </p>
<p>Asus is an originial manufacturer who has made Apple Powerbooks and they just go the contract to make Apple IBooks. They also make the best motherboards in the business. Their notebooks are the best money can buy and this shows in the price as they are a little expensive. But it is definitely worth it.</p>
<p>There are a few websites that are credible sellers of Asus notebooks:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.proportable.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.proportable.com</a>
<a href="http://www.istnc.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.istnc.com</a>
<a href="http://www.ynot2k.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.ynot2k.com</a></p>
<p>I have an Asus notebook (Z70v) so I can vouch for the quality of the Asus brand. If anyone wants any more information go ahead and PM me.</p>
<p>uc-benz, someone else recently recommended Asus to me. It does look like they have some very nice systems. I'm also curious about Systemax. Does anybody have any experience with them?</p>
<p>way2college, that system is fine if you really don't intend to add anything else. However, if you add $99 more for XP pro, which NU requires, you're over the current cost of my Acer, which has twice the hard drive, and a faster processor. Granted, my Acer is bigger, which is not what you want. </p>
<p>We differ in our opinions about Dell. If you use the $750 coupon, you probably will get your money's worth, but in general I think they certainly are costly and overpriced. </p>
<p>The way they perpetually play around with their coupons and hot deals indicates to me that they're charging way too much. Why can't they just be honest and straightforward and sell their computers for what they're worth, instead of monkeying around with sales all the time? It's manipulative and, in my opinion, unethical. </p>
<p>I've been on the phone many times with Dell support over the years for various clients. Dell used to be the best, and now they're not. Maybe they'll pull it together again, but my last experience with them put me over the edge.</p>
<p>That's all just my opinion. You have a different opinion, and that's fine.</p>
<p>Another lesser known laptop company I got mine from is <a href="http://www.powernotebooks.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.powernotebooks.com</a></p>
<p>Theyre very reliable and have great support too. They will really take the time to help you out.</p>
<p>Just don’t trust Dell’s service. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/856165-dell-support-not-what-used-5.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/856165-dell-support-not-what-used-5.html</a></p>
<p>See today’s posts about shipping a stripped chassis and blaming the customer.</p>