If you're anything like us, the idea of a
$99 Inspiron Mini 9 was enough to make you seriously consider picking up a new full-featured Dell laptop, but since the math is a little confusing given Dell's
shady history and the number of promotions on its site, we thought we'd break it down for you. Essentially, Dell's charging close to full price for the large machine in order to absorb the cost of the Mini -- so while a $1,259 Studio 15 with a 1.86GHz processor, 3GB of RAM, a 250GB drive, and a 3 year warranty goes for $699 on Dell's fall deals page, it's $1098 with a Mini. Hey, the difference is just about the Mini 9's $349 list price, isn't it? Same story with the other Studio 15 and XPS M1330 / M1530 configurations that apply for the $99 Mini deal -- you can find cheaper deals, but they're all about $300 - $400 less than the CTO price, so adding in a Mini 9 essentially washes out. So much for that hot two laptop $700 impulse buy -- we'd say it only makes sense to pull the trigger on this if you're actually in the market for a new full-featured machine. Let us know if you manage to work the numbers any differently -- our credit card hasn't gone too far.
[Thanks, Matt]
Read - Dell $99 Mini 9 promo page
Read - Dell fall deals page
posted Sep 5th 2008 1:28PM
I love how there are already four-star ratings on the "just released" products.
Just got off the phone with Dell. I had purchased an XPS 1530 yesterday through the employee purchase program for $1579.91 including tax and shipping (2.5 GHz proc, 320 GB 7200 RPM HD, 4GB RAM, LED LCD, 3yr warranty w/accidental damage, Bluetooth, Intel Wireless N, etc). I tried to get them to add on the Mini to my order, but he had to build a new system. Matching the same options I had configured, the 1530 came out to $2192.92 BEFORE tax and shipping, and I would have to add the Mini for another $99 and any upgrades from the base configuration. So their $99 *deal* would cost me $700 minimum extra to my original order to get the laptop I wanted plus the Mini. Needless to say, I did not order it.
Just got off the phone with Dell. I had purchased an XPS 1530 yesterday through the employee purchase program for $1579.91 including tax and shipping (2.5 GHz proc, 320 GB 7200 RPM HD, 4GB RAM, LED LCD, 3yr warranty w/accidental damage, Bluetooth, Intel Wireless N, etc). I tried to get them to add on the Mini to my order, but he had to build a new system. Matching the same options I had configured, the 1530 came out to $2192.92 BEFORE tax and shipping, and I would have to add the Mini for another $99 and any upgrades from the base configuration. So their $99 *deal* would cost me $700 minimum extra to my original order to get the laptop I wanted plus the Mini. Needless to say, I did not order it.
I was able to sort it out to save $75 using the coupon, but that's not saying much. It's far from the impulse buy it was yesterday. Boo on Dell. They, of all companies, should know that you can't get away with this kind of sales tactic on the Internet.
I guess "FREE Inspiron Mini" would have worked better :)
But the internet is a great place to get away with these sorts of sales tactics. The average buyer has more money than brains (even if they lack both). How do you think AOL stays in business?
Through blogs for people with more money than... wait...
OH SHIT
Let's relook at the math on this...You can get the Studio 15 for $699 by itself, or you can get it packaged with the mini for $1098? That looks like a $399 increase to me. If the mini is normally $349 on its own, then you're paying an extra $50 for nothing. Even if you are in the market for a full-featured laptop as well, it's still not a deal you should take.
Do you really need 2 laptops? Because I barely use one....
yes, the full featured laptop for the whole family to use....the mini for dad to load up with pron
Mini laptops wouldn't be your primary laptop anyway. People just like to have a mini to carry around when they don't need a full laptop.
So, if you're buying a new big laptop from Dell, you can get a small one for $99.
Of course no one is forcing you to buy an extra laptop for $99.
Pity the man, who has ne'er known the joys of laptop orgies.
I use an HP tx2000, an Eee 701, and two Nokia N800s...
While there's some overlap (tasks that I would do on either of two machines, whichever was closest to reach), mainly I do different things with them. It's not that uncommon to have 3 of them on my desk, going back and forth between them and my desktop.
The N800s, naturally, do have some serious overlap, at least when the "hacking" one is booted into the standard OS, but you might be surprised how different tasks sort themselves out once you have the hardware.
How I wound up acquiring 4 laptop-like devices (5, if you count the old K6-2+ that I'm keeping around to convert to a carputer) is a tale of it's own, and not, I'm afraid, one reflecting too well on my intelligence; but now that I've got them, I do use them all.
@ Michael Scrip
I think you missed the point of this article.
Endgadget is saying you can get that full featured notebook with $300 wort of discounts from Dell but if you want that full featured laptop and the "$99" mini 9 you will have to pay full price for the laptop and miss out on the $300 worth of discounts.
So one way or another you end up paying full price for that "$99" mimi 9
Looks like you also have to add a 3year Dell warranty to the first laptop to be eligible for the $99 deal - so Dell probably comes out winning on this deal vs customers buying the two desperately will all applicable deals.
bottom line it kinda feels like a trick from Dell to sell you two computers.
Curses! Someone has figured out my plan!
"So much for that hot two laptop $700 impulse buy"
You'll have people buying 10 of these then selling them on ebay for regular price or $40 cheaper to make a profit !!
I chatted with a Dell rep, and he told me the only way to get the Mini deal was if I used this link. Here's the full text:
BE_RR_Rep_Wesley: Welcome to Dell's Sales Chat! My name is Wes. Just in case we get disconnected, my e-mail address is wesley_vaske@dell.com. How may I assist you with your purchase today?
Me: Hey.
Me: I was interested in this "buy a Studio 15 get a $99 Mini" deal.
Me: But how the heck do I activate that deal?
BE_RR_Rep_Wesley pushes page, http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?cs=19&kc=6f659&oc=dndoum3&x=0&y=0
1:40:43 PM BE_RR_Rep_Wesley And the mini is included in that price ($1098). It's under the second tab on the top.
1:40:49 PM Jason Haneman Got it.
1:40:58 PM Jason Haneman So I can make my own build and add the mini at the end?
1:41:07 PM Jason Haneman Or do I need to use your link?
1:41:28 PM BE_RR_Rep_Wesley You need to use that link, and the Mini is already there.
1:42:03 PM Jason Haneman Alrighty.
1:42:06 PM Jason Haneman Well thanks very much for the help.
1:43:28 PM BE_RR_Rep_Wesley If you think of anything else—questions or concerns—feel free to e-mail me at wesley_vaske@dell.com.
1:43:33 PM BE_RR_Rep_Wesley Have a Great Day!
1:43:33 PM BE_RR_Rep_Wesley :-)
1:43:38 PM Jason Haneman thanks ditto
1:44:22 PM System BE_RR_Rep_Wesley has left this session!
1:44:22 PM System Thank you. Your Dell Chat session has ended.
1:44:22 PM System Thank you. Your Dell Chat session has ended.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?cs=19&kc=6f659&oc=dndoum3&x=0&y=0
AND ONLY that link, according to him (I'm serious). So... not much of a deal. At all.
Oops! Well either way, that's it. I meant to hit backspace to save you all the names and shit, But that's all. You need to buy the expensive one to even make it work.
I'm sure that Dell rep appreciates your post :P
What a rape! My sister is in the market for a laptop and I tried to lure her into this suppossed amazing deal so that she can relinquish the Mini to me for buck fifty or something. But as I dug the Dell cite for a deal that would cost $500-600 half the offered ones are like twice that money. Worst hogging stunt ever.
dood. the first words i saw were: "rape" and "my sister". way to go -___-;;
You have some interesting keywords there:
.... rape....sister....lure her into ....she can relinquish.....as I dug .....offered ....money.
Notice the xps 1530 advertising 4GB RAM but the config comes with 3. I'm chatting with a dell rep right now and he thinks its a typo.
Really? I think it's dedicated video memory that the 32-bit system addresses as another gig of RAM. Functionally equivalent; you couldn't have another gig if you wanted to anyway with the video processor.
But then I look and see that it's a 128MB video card...oh my, that is shameful.
they said it WAS a typo and it was only a 3GB system. I talked them into giving me it as a 4GB system like advertised because I caught the typo. Hurry and chat with them so you can get the same deal... if you want it.
RAM costs pennies these days, and without a 64bit OS, you'll only be able to use ~3gigs anyhow... And historically I've had trouble getting things to work in 64bit XP/Vista...
I would love to pick up the mini and the m1330 with the graphics card, but that e-value code is for a gimped 1330. F
Faildell
I was already pretty pissed knowing Bestbuy has a better configured Studio for $100 less after I bought mine from dell. At least I got a Flip i tell myself, but it still sucks. Shouldn't dell sell cheaper computer than retail stores?
By the way, Joshua, don't forget to factor in tax. That's another $50 for nothing
I was able to do my own configure and have them drop the price of the mini after. Your luck will vary...I got the $864 T8100,3Gb,250Gb,with some other stuff with the 99 mini.
How? Did you add them to the cart separately, then talk to a rep and have them lower the price?
Or if you configure the Studio 15 properly does the mini for 99 pop up on page 2 (Accessories?)
If I too can get it around that price my employee purchase program discount is currently 21% on studio laptops, which would make this a really good deal in the end.
I have no idea how or why. I did a chat with a sales rep and complained that i had both configured seperately in my cart and the price wasn't right. He never came back but they sent me a quote for both of them and the total price was under 1000. Plus the Studio 15 was configured rather heavy on the processor.
Makes more sense to get a Mini and a Desktop anyway... why not put the deal on that?
Just went through the "Customize" options for the Fall Deal and $99 Mini configs and if you create a Fall Deal Studio 15 with the same config as the $99 Mini Studio 15... the Fall Deal version is actually ~$20 more without the Mini 9. They're still both >$1000 total, but it does actually appear to be a deal, unless there's some fine print that I didn't feel like reading.
After reviewing the website, the $699 Studio only comes with the 1 yr warranty; Dell enforces the 3 yr warranty on you so that you're eligible for the "$99" mini 9. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
If I am Dell...
I would not release the $99 on my Blog but "accidentally" made it appear on the Studio 15 option for 5hrs and surely accept all orders
I order one through the link the rep gave me and built the same Studio 15 and Mini as I ordered and it came up $335 cheaper on the deal link than buying seperately.
Looks like the Studio offered with the 9 contains many upgrades from the base model: processor, graphics, RAM, HD, even color (on the base model, "Midnight Blue" is an extra $25, but you can't configure the deal model back to "Jet Black" and save yourself the five sawbucks) without the possibility to downgrade them.
Instead of continuing to freak out about the difference in price, have any of you actually looked at the specs behind what is being sold and done a line by line comparison? I think not, because I just looked at the price difference between a Studio 15 configured from their main page, from their promo deals, and the mini-inspiron deal. The price difference, when the three have the same specs is actually $79 cheaper from the promo link and $89 cheaper from the main page.
The reason everyone is seeing this huge markup is that the mini deal includes extended warranty and extraneous anti-virus software being included standard, with no option to downgrade. Both the main page link and promo link are indeed cheaper by $300-$400 when you configure them without the extended warranty and software, but then it's not really comparing apples to apples with the pricing you come out with.
So when they're all configured with the EXACT SAME options, at least with the Studio 15, they come out to the EXACT SAME PRICE, before applying any discounts. After applying discounts, the one that comes with a mini-inspiron is only $79-$89 more expensive.
So what your saying is that its cheaper to buy them separately and configure them the way you want them without all the extra Dell 3yr warranty and virus protection?
I didn't make that price comparison, so I couldn't say for sure.
What I'm saying that if you buy a laptop with the SAME FEATURES as the one from the Mini-Inspiron deal, then it's only $79-$89 dollars cheaper and you don't get a mini-inspiron.
I am on with them now:
2:04:25 PM pete what is the cheapest studio 15 option with 99 mini?
2:04:34 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna it's $949
2:12:22 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna midnight blue is the color
2:12:32 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna intel pentium dual core T2390 processor
2:12:37 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna hi res 1440x900 screen
2:12:42 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna 256mb video card
2:12:47 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna 3gb ram
2:12:52 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna 250gb hdd
2:12:57 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna cd/dvd reader/writer
2:12:57 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna dell wireless g
2:13:02 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna integrated webcam
2:13:06 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna 6 cell battery
2:13:06 PM pete potos nice
2:13:12 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna high def audio
2:13:21 PM pete fingerprint reader?
2:13:27 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna mcafee for 36 months
2:13:32 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna 3 year in home warranty
2:13:52 PM XPS_RR_Rep_Joanna no fingerprint reader but you can add one for $25
I want my cart from last night back! I had a nicely configured Studio 15 for around $700 and my custom configured Mini 9. My cart is now "expired." Dell, what are you going to do about this?
http://thepickaxe.blogspot.com/2008/09/dells-inspiron-mini-9-99-w-another.html
Success! I purchased a custom configured Studio15 and got a Mini 9 for $99(I did upgrade RAM and HD, total $160.) I used the Dell Employee Purchase Program through my job. This makes me think Dell will honor all Studio15 sales, eventually. Read about my experience here: http://thepickaxe.blogspot.com/2008/09/dells-inspiron-mini-9-99-w-another.html
Tried adding the $649 Studio 15 laptop you linked; however, once in my shopping cart there is no $99 Mini 9 Laptop... can you be more specific in your directions?
I ordered a custom configured ($739) Studio 15 yesterday only to find yesterday's post on Engadget less than 1 hour later. When I chatted with a sales rep, they told me it was just a blog post from someone who is not a representative from Dell but a customer as well. He told me I can't edit my order, but I can cancel it and place a new order if it is more than just a rumor.
I want to add the upgraded Mini 9 with XP and the larger SSD & RAM, so maybe I will need to chat with someone again.
I too had been eyeing the Studio 15 for about 2-3 weeks and finally pulled the trigger only a day too early...
Yes they try and shove the mcafee for 36 months down your throat. That is the first thing I delete anyway. Vista already comes with Windows Defender - why pay for mcafee...
Plus the $99 is the most basic configuration Mini w//Ubuntu and 4GB drive and no webcam... I decided to pass on the offer.
I found the cheapest Studio 15 that still allows you the $99 mini through Dells "As Advertised" section. There is a $649 Pentium Dual Core with 2 GB memory and integrated graphics which allows you the $99 mini option.
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/catalog_seasonal_2_lt?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
I tried to buy that one with a $99 Mini...It didn't work. I talked to a sales rep and she said the cheapest Studio 15 that qualifies was $949
Quick! can we get another verification that this way won't work? I'm at work or I would >_< Not sure why I'm in such a rush...
Using L's link vs the 3-Day link I configured two identical Studio 15s, warranty and all. I double checked every option to make sure I had the same stuff on each one. I also made sure the Mini 9's on each one were exactly the same.
The one built using the 3-Day link came to $1,997. Minus the $309 discount gave a total of $1,912.
The one built using L's link came to $2,022. Minus the $245 discount gave a total of $2,001.
I am baffled at Dell and how they handle their discounts. I just configured an m1530 a few days ago off the main m1530 page. Before purchasing it I did a little site exploration and found a differently configured m1530 with a larger discount on a different deal page. I used this new link to configure to the exact same specs as before, and I saved an additional $300. WTF?
It's as if Dell's discount philosophy is based around how much effort the customer is willing to spend scavenging for the best deals. They need to get some standardized pricing and slim down the number of links on their sales pages.
Ha! Here's an interesting bit for everyone.
I did manage to find a Studio 15 in the employee purchase program pages that offered the $99 Mini. Oddly enough, the Mini offered there started with Windows XP and the 8GB harddrive.
This is available off the Fall Deals page in the EPP program segment.
Also, I realize in my price quotes above that I left out the $224 for the Mini 9's. Add that to the first prices quoted and then the discounts make sense.
Oh sorry to answer you question yes they were separate in my cart. And I used this link to get the best price i could find on that configured Studio 15.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dndoum1&cs=19&dgvcode=ss&c=US&l=EN&vw=list&dgc=CJ&cid=24471&lid=566643
For those expecting to be able to get an employer discount along with the bundle. Seems it won't work.
3:17:55 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - Welcome to Dell's Inspiron Sales Chat! I hope you are doing well and thank you for waiting. My name is Raquel. I will be your personal sales agent, please provide your phone number where I can contact you in case we get disconnected. How may I help you with your purchase today?
3:18:00 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - Hi Dane.
3:18:25 PM Dane - Hi. I had a question about the studio 15 + Inspiron Mini 9 $99 deal.
3:18:57 PM Dane - What's the cheapest spec'ed Studio 15 where I'd still be able to recieve that offer.
3:19:50 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - Hello Dane, let me verify the details for you.
3:19:54 PM Dane - ok
3:22:10 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - we do have the promotion for the Studio 15 laptop packages that comes with the Inspiron mini laptop for $99 actually you can choose from 2 different packages its either the $949 or the $999 packages.
3:22:35 PM Dane - the $949 being for the Ubuntu package?
3:24:05 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - both the Inspiron mini for $99 comes in UBUNTU Dane , there is an option for windows XP however we can only have that if we will customize the basic package of the Inspiron mini.
3:24:28 PM Dane - Oh ok. I'm also a member of the Premier Dell Purchase Program. My ID # is: GS13337007. Can you tell me what my discount would be on the package?
3:26:55 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - I see, that's great Dane,however since the Dell Premier Program is available on a different department we do not have the option to check the available discounts for you.
3:27:20 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - you need to log in to our Dell Premier web site in order to check and verify the details.
3:27:36 PM Dane - I did. however. I can't seem to find the bundle deal on the website.
3:29:00 PM BE_Rep_Raquel oh its because we have a different promotions, since we have a separate departments Dane.
3:29:59 PM Dane - so by being a in the premier dell purchase program, I'm only offered some of the promotions?
3:32:55 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - yes you have the exclusive option to avail of the promotions on the dell première web site, however you can purchase the packages that offered here at home and home office department , e also have some great promotional offers. and it is the same with the common customers here at home and home office because if they do not have the program ID they also cannot avail of the promotions on the dell première web site.
3:35:33 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - I can see that you are typing Dane I will wait for you.
3:35:50 PM Dane - That sounds like a paragraph typed out of a dell policy manual. I mean, do normal people use avail that many times in an average conversation? Heck, I think I should get a discount just for knowing the definition of avail. As, I'm sure 90% of the people you talk with during the course of the day have no idea what that word would mean.
3:36:20 PM Dane - I'm off topic. Sorry. Point being:
3:36:45 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - No problem Dane I understand.
3:37:05 PM Dane - You're saying, I can either choose to use your discounts or use my prefered discounts, but there's no way to get this bundle along with my prefered discount?
3:39:51 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - it's because we cannot combine the discounts from another department here at home and home office section, and we also have our preferred account that the customers can use for the purchase and we call it the dell preferred account under home and home office department../
3:40:37 PM Dane - would it be possible for someone from the preferred account department to combine the discounts?
3:43:31 PM BE_Rep_Raquel - I'm sorry but we cannot do that Dane. if you want you can apply for the dell preferred account here at home and home office department so you can avail of the promotions that you are considering and by the way even if you do not have the dell preferred account you can still make the purchase using your credit or debit card and you can still avail of the promotional offer.
3:44:24 PM Dane - well I thank you for your help. You've answered my questions.
Why does anyone buy *anything* from this company? It seems like the same kind of thrill that gamblers get - win or lose...
I was seriously considering taking advantage of this deal, spending about a grand in the process, but this stunt gives me such a bad impression of Dell that I'm going to get an HP laptop and an Aspire One instead. They blatantly misled us by promoting this deal, knowing full well that it wasn't a deal at all.
Placed an order. Not saying for what yet, but if it gets confirmed I saved about 300 or the price of the mini.
I sure hope no one is forgetting to include: JD2BSBJQDWF?4L
30% off $1699 M1330 (expires sept 5 at midnight)
Just save me $479 plus i got a $120.00mini
Thank you, Kris! I ordered a decked out m1330 and Mini and saved $573:
Save 30% on all XPS M1330 & M1530 laptops over $1599 (before taxes, fees, shipping & handling) - $573.30
My total for both (with tons of added options): $1,581.70
I think a netbook bundle would more naturally go with a desktop PC. But maybe their profit margins are lower on the desktops.
I configured the XPS M1530 with just one upgrade - 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT. That + the mini is costing me $1398 + taxes (free shipping). Is this a good deal?
For some reason it wont let me upgrade the mini to 1 GB RAM even though it let me do it when i paired it with XPS M1330.
Thanks!
Actually, the $699 is for the 1-year warranty. So, basically, it's only sort of a deal if you were going to buy the 3-year warranty anyway.
I'm confirming you can get the $99 mini through the Employee Purchase Program, and it's an upgraded one with 8GB storage, Windows XP (I realize not everyone thinks that's an upgrade) and a webcam (.3 MP though). I got my Studio 15 configured the way I wanted for exactly the same price as an identically configured system with the best discounts I could find, except I had to give up a free built-in WWAN card. Since I already have an ExpressCard WWAN adapter I currently use that was no biggy. I concur though, the deals through the normal retail channel are a bait and switch, if not a rip off.
bahalana, how much did you pay for each without tax and can you provide a link to the deal at Dell EPP please? Thanks
Looks like the Dell EPP Program (mixup) of the fall deal studio 15 + 99 XP mini was just that, a mixup. I was able to see / order that combination last night, and not today. (I wasn't able to order till today for real anyways)
Looks like it's too bad I couldn't hit it yesterday, hopefully dell will honor those orders that have already been placed on this.
Dell is working some seriously shady deals here. Without a doubt in my mind, when the $99 deal was first announced, it was absolutely possible to order a $699 Studio 15 and add on a basic $99 Mini 9. I saw it. I went in and configured it to show to a client of mine. But now using every method I can find, Engadget's story is confirmed. It isn't possible anymore.
I think what pisses me off is that when the deal was first announced, the $699 wasn't advertised as this "fall special" crap. In fact, it still isn't. It's ONLY the bundle that costs exactly the difference. Do they really expect enough people to fall for that crap that they feel the profit outweighs the bad image they get from it? It's clear that its a big enough issue to make it to Engadget.
Damn, I was going to do this, too... Dell you just lost a sale...
Uh, so this will be interesting. I placed an order for the $699 studio 15 and the mini using the link from "L". I maxed the mini and it added $100, making it $199.
Received an email saying my order was placed and then nothing. I checked it the next day and it had been canceled. I called sales and they said there is nothing they could do, sorry it was canceled, etc.
I ordered the Studio 15 anyways since I was planning on getting it to begin with.
Received an email today saying my order was in process. Checked it, it's not for the 15, it's for the mini! Apparently the order that was canceled earlier, only canceled the order for the original $699 studio. The mini is still being processed!
I'm hoping the end result will be a $699 studio 15 and a $200 mini with 1GB ram and 16GB ssd!!!
Anyone else have this happen to them?
I don't know it this helps anyone, but Circuit City (oh how I loath thee) has a $500 compaq that pretty much matches the Inspiron 15-- except you can't upgrade it. Add on your favorite netbook and save money over Dell. A LOT of money.