Nokia N97 and Dell Vostro bundled for $730: make one mistake, get one free

The N97 might not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you're still tempted to pay the $700 entry fee, you could sweeten the deal by throwing in a free-ish laptop -- Dell's currently bundling the Vostro A860 with Nokia's latest for $730 after a discount coupon. Flip that sucker on eBay for anywhere close to its $379 list price plus some "handling fees" and you might just come close to paying a reasonable price for the N97. Well, sort of reasonable. Those still interested should hurry past the read link, as the full discount will only be available through tomorrow or until stocks last.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 1st 2009 12:22PM]

@Ineed911- Lets see...since I owed both the iPhone and the N97. I can tell you why I like the N97 a better than the iPhone. I can't compare with the N85 since I never owned that phone. I did have an brief overlap with the HTC mogul but I chose the iPhone. Althought the specs on the HTC was better, I got pulled in by the flashy UI of the iphone and the Apps.

Why I like N97 Better:

Sound Quality during calls
Real 3g bars (not fake ones after updates)
I live in a "dark orange" 3g area where it should be the highest. However when I was on the iPhone in certain parts of the house, my calls would drop or I would sound jarbled to the other person.

Tether for $15 a month (AT&T will probably charge $30)
Multitasking
Apps outside of the branded store w/o "jail breaking"
Send pictures,videos,and music via messaging
Send contacts, pics, music, videos, music via blue tooth
Live video feeds to internet
5mp camera (with flash!)
2nd camera (one to check my make up)
Physical keyboard
Adobe flash
Handwriting
Have my Emails and texts read to me (Don't know if "There's an App for that" but N97 does that out of the box)
Built in FM radio
Built in FM transmitter
Comes with Compass
Comes with GPS (with speech)
Home screen that updates
TV output
Video recording
32 gigs(don't need to mention that it's expandable because I currently don't need it)
On screen and physical camera button. I love the physical one because it works like a real camera. When you press it lightly it focuses and gives you an indicator of when to take the picture for the best results.
Different camera modes and scenes.
You can automatically upload your pics/videos online right from the camera options.
Having different storage/drive options

Things that I would love to improve on the N97
User Interface
Music section, can't complain really. I didn't use my to the ipod section on my iPhone much.
Still waiting for real integration with Skype that they promised. Not the fake/lite version that only uses wi-fi or phone minutes.
To be able to use video calling features built in. (I know that has to do more with being in US and data restrictions)
Ovi store is sad

Those are the features I use daily. I haven't gotten into the other stuff as much yet. Browser is at least 3x faster. I think that may be because I use Opera Mini on N97. I did not get a chance to use Opera on my iPhone.

Also, I can't use any personal comparison to the iPhone 3Gs, but in my opinion the N97 functionality still blows it away. Like I said, the UI on the iPhones are the best but I need to do more than look at my phone. I expect it to do a lot more.

I have to also mention that when I had my iPhone, I purchased an Nokia n810 internet tablet and a Netbook. I found myself wanting to do more without lugging a laptop around. I have since sold the Nokia n810 and my iPhone. I don't carry my Netbook as much anymore but it's nice to know that I can have internet where ever I have phone service without paying $60 a month for the data plan that is capped at 5g.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2009 12:11PM]

Wow, that was long, sorry.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2009 9:56PM]

Hmmm.... Basically you get the laptop for free as the phone is what is a real value... The laptop specs somehow stink:

* Intel® Celeron M® M560 (2.13GHz, 1M L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
* Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic, Service Pack
* Single Drive: 8X (DVD+/-RW) Burner Drive
* 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz
* 160GB1 Serial ATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
* Integrated Video, Intel® GMA X3100HD
* 1 Year Basic Limited Warranty2 and 1 Year NBD On-Site Service3

That would be hard to sell in e-bay - I mean not for $350.

[yrag Posted Jul 1st 2009 12:20AM]

I agree with UnixSystemsEngineer—

Great headline Vladislav! : D

[engadgetjp Posted Jul 1st 2009 4:27AM]

Pathetic laptop bundled with an expensive smartphone. I guess they just want to get rid of those DELL laptops.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 1st 2009 12:42PM]

Totally agree.