XP Pro 64

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billbillw wrote: »

Windows 7 Pro 64bit.

Why is there a charge for it?

I thought Windows 7 was included and there's no extra charge. I always thought the extra cost only came from the "Windows XP Downgrade" option which gives you both OS's.

I only want one OS and it still bumps the price up significantly. Heck the XP Downgrade and Windows 7 options BOTH have a charge!

vc69

appadv wrote: »

Why is there a charge for it?

I thought Windows 7 was included and there's no extra charge. I always thought the extra cost only came from the "Windows XP Downgrade" option which gives you both OS's.

I only want one OS and it still bumps the price up significantly. Heck the XP Downgrade and Windows 7 options BOTH have a charge!

Call them. Sounds like an error. Win7 is what both Dell and MS want you to have, the licenses cost the same if I am not mistaken. In fact they are discounted right now from many suppliers.

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vc69 wrote: »

Call them. Sounds like an error. Win7 is what both Dell and MS want you to have, the licenses cost the same if I am not mistaken. In fact they are discounted right now from many suppliers.

Strange. It lists Windows 7 as a $79 option and Windows XP Downgrade as a $99 option.

If you build a PC from here:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cid=fast_config&cs=04&dgc=IR&kc=6W300&l=en&lid=3602xconfig&oc=bpcw3dr&s=bsd

Windows 7 and Windows XP are both cost options.

Serendipity

Hmm...

No matter how I customize it, Windows 7 is an option. I don't see it included in the price!!

vc69

appadv wrote: »

Hmm...

No matter how I customize it, Windows 7 is an option. I don't see it included in the price!!

I say call them. Maybe it just isn't reflected on the website. It makes no sense to me either.

audiobliss

Having not clicked the link and looked at it myself, I certainly don't know. But perhaps W7 Pro is a cost option, whereas another version of W7 is no cost.

vc69

audiobliss wrote: »

Having not clicked the link and looked at it myself, I certainly don't know. But perhaps W7 Pro is a cost option, whereas another version of W7 is no cost.

That would perhaps make more sense. There are so many effing varieties of 7 that there may be a baseline cost with upgrades logically costing more.

I only order servers and workstations from Dell anymore. Been awhile since I looked at anything accept business class options.

Serendipity

I can't call them right now, but I only see three options:

1. Windows Vista, Included in Price
2. Windows 7, $79 option
3. Windows 7 with XP Downgrade, $99 option.

billbillw

appadv wrote: »

Why is there a charge for it?

I thought Windows 7 was included and there's no extra charge. I always thought the extra cost only came from the "Windows XP Downgrade" option which gives you both OS's.

I only want one OS and it still bumps the price up significantly. Heck the XP Downgrade and Windows 7 options BOTH have a charge!

There may be a charge because the Pro is an upgraded version. The basic version is Window Home. Pro is worth a small upgrade price because it includes an XP emulator that will increase backward compatibility with older applications.

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So why is there a charge for the most basic Windows 7 version?

I don't see an option for Home or Pro, there's only 32-bit.

billbillw

appadv wrote: »

So why is there a charge for the most basic Windows 7 version?

I don't see an option for Home or Pro, there's only 32-bit.

Maybe you just need to wait a few weeks. The OS just came out officially last Thursday.

Serendipity

I think I get it now...

Windows 7 is now equal to the price of "Windows Vista Premium," which was a $79 option. So to get the most basic version of Windows 7, you need to pay the $79.

For Windows 7 with XP Downgrade, it's $99. Either way, there's a friggin' charge!!

billbillw

appadv wrote: »

I think I get it now...

Windows 7 is now equal to the price of "Windows Vista Premium," which was a $79 option. So to get the most basic version of Windows 7, you need to pay the $79.

For Windows 7 with XP Downgrade, it's $99. Either way, there's a friggin' charge!!

I'd shop around. Try other companies or other Dell models.

Serendipity

I'm not going with one of the "home" models from Dell, since I want a business model.

Oh well...

vc69

appadv wrote: »

I'm not going with one of the "home" models from Dell, since I want a business model.

Oh well...

Dell's business class machines have a different price structure than their home stuff. I know that for certain. That is why you are seeing a cost increase. Business' are more likely to have volume licenses and not require an OS at all. If you want to save some money, try configuring a consumer model similarly and see if you net a savings. It is all the same on the inside.

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vc69 wrote: »

Dell's business class machines have a different price structure than their home stuff. I know that for certain. That is why you are seeing a cost increase. Business' are more likely to have volume licenses and not require an OS at all. If you want to save some money, try configuring a consumer model similarly and see if you net a savings. It is all the same on the inside.

Not really.

Ever take apart an Optiplex or Precision model vs. a "Home" machine such as the Inspiron/Studio line?

Different power supply, chassis, even the business models weigh more! I had an Optiplex GX110 years ago and it was MUCH better built (heavier) than any of Dell's home offerings.

vc69

appadv wrote: »

Not really.

Ever take apart an Optiplex or Precision model vs. a "Home" machine such as the Inspiron/Studio line?

Different power supply, chassis, even the business models weigh more! I had an Optiplex GX110 years ago and it was MUCH better built (heavier) than any of Dell's home offerings.

You are correct, but if you move up the food chain (XPS) the line blurs. IIRC XPS is a dressed up Opti. I have about 75 optiplex's and about 100 dimensions. There is zero difference in component quality or reliability.

Serendipity

The machine I am looking at, Optiplex 360, starts at $312. Whereas the Inspiron 537s and Vostro 200 Slim are approximately $20-30 cheaper.

I guess I'll order an Inspiron with the following specs:

Pentium Dual Core 2.8GHz processor
2GB DDR RAM
Not sure about hard drive, smaller is better
DVD+/-RW Drive
Onboard Video

Then a pair of Optiplex 360 with the following:
Pentium Dual Core 2.6GHz processor
1GB DDR RAM
80GB 7200RPM hard drive
No optical drive
Onboard Video

I'll use the Inspiron in the den, then an Optiplex for each of the bedrooms. Will look at the component quality when they arrive...

vc69

appadv wrote: »

The machine I am looking at, Optiplex 360, starts at $312. Whereas the Inspiron 537s and Vostro 200 Slim are approximately $20-30 cheaper.

I guess I'll order an Inspiron with the following specs:

Pentium Dual Core 2.8GHz processor
2GB DDR RAM
Not sure about hard drive, smaller is better
DVD+/-RW Drive
Onboard Video

Then a pair of Optiplex 360 with the following:
Pentium Dual Core 2.6GHz processor
1GB DDR RAM
80GB 7200RPM hard drive
No optical drive
Onboard Video

I'll use the Inspiron in the den, then an Optiplex for each of the bedrooms. Will look at the component quality when they arrive...

For light duty, I feel certain you will be happy.
Question: Why so sparse? What OS? I would not want less than 2 GB ram for any reason. Particularly with Win7. XP maybe...

Serendipity

vc69 wrote: »

For light duty, I feel certain you will be happy.
Question: Why so sparse? What OS? I would not want less than 2 GB ram for any reason. Particularly with Win7. XP maybe...

I'm going to be running either Windows Vista or 7.

As to why I want "basic" components - I'm not going to order fully loaded PC's and spend thousands. I want to keep this on a budget, $950-1000 max. for the 3 PC's

billbillw

Memory is super cheap to upgrade these days anyway. I recently bought a laptop that only came equipped with 1GB of memory. Went out to Frys and picked up a 4GB kit for only $25 after a rebate (which came in only 2 weeks after sending it in!)

I laugh when look at the big vendors trying to charge $80 or more to make small upgrades in the memory. Its a ripoff.

vc69

billbillw wrote: »

I laugh when look at the big vendors trying to charge $80 or more to make small upgrades in the memory. Its a ripoff.

Good point.

appadv, I take it you were just not interested in building?

I would certainly understand if you weren't. Sometimes it's just as economical to order what you want. No hassles and a warranty to boot.

Serendipity

vc69 wrote: »

Good point.

appadv, I take it you were just not interested in building?

I would certainly understand if you weren't. Sometimes it's just as economical to order what you want. No hassles and a warranty to boot.

Well, I looked around Newegg and it doesn't seem like I can build a system for much cheaper. I mean, the OS is already $110 (version for System Builders). That leaves me $160 for parts to build a system like the Inspiron 537s which retails for $269.

How would building a system be cheaper?

billbillw

appadv wrote: »

Well, I looked around Newegg and it doesn't seem like I can build a system for much cheaper. I mean, the OS is already $110 (version for System Builders). That leaves me $160 for parts to build a system like the Inspiron 537s which retails for $269.

How would building a system be cheaper?

Its usually not these days unless you are building a higher end system and/or have an OS already. You gotta shop the sales and slickdeals to really make out better.
In the early days, it was much cheaper, but OEMs have really dropped the prices to compete these days.

To me the real advantage comes from the knowledge gained and skills developed during the build process. Also, getting a system with a clean OS and no bloatware installed is priceless.

I've been building my own for almost 10 years now, about 6 builds from scratch, and numerous shifting/upgrading along the way. I wouldn't do it any other way now. In the middle of all that, I bought a Dell, because it was cheaper than building my own. I hated it! After less than a year, I stripped the CPU, hardrive, optical drive, memory, and video card out of it and put it on a different CPU, in a new case, with a new PS. I was much happier with it.

Of course, laptops/netbooks are a different story.

Serendipity

billbillw wrote: »

Its usually not these days unless you are building a higher end system and/or have an OS already. You gotta shop the sales and slickdeals to really make out better.
In the early days, it was much cheaper, but OEMs have really dropped the prices to compete these days.

To me the real advantage comes from the knowledge gained and skills developed during the build process. Also, getting a system with a clean OS and no bloatware installed is priceless.

I see your point.

However, is it possible to build a system for less than the price of the Dell(s) I listed?

vc69

appadv wrote: »

Well, I looked around Newegg and it doesn't seem like I can build a system for much cheaper. I mean, the OS is already $110 (version for System Builders). That leaves me $160 for parts to build a system like the Inspiron 537s which retails for $269.

How would building a system be cheaper?

LoL... It's not. Particularly at those prices

However, because I have access to licenses, I could easily build those boxes under budget with perhaps a little better specs. Still, if I were me, I would probably do exactly what you are doing. It's just easier.

Party On!

Serendipity

vc69 wrote: »

LoL... It's not. Particularly at those prices

However, because I have access to licenses, I could easily build those boxes under budget with perhaps a little better specs. Still, if I were me, I would probably do exactly what you are doing. It's just easier.

Party On!

Still, the 3 year warranty comes standard on the Optiplex 360, and even if I build a system myself and let's say for example the video card arrives DOA, it would be a hassle. Or the motherboard is bad.

With the Dell - all you have to do is take it out of the box.