A look at what is currently available on eBay
![]() Dell N8507 V.92 Fax Data PCI Modem Card Full Height US $4.95
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![]() DELL PCTEL 0E828 56K INTERNAL NOTEBOOK FAX MODEM US $19.99
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![]() New Dell 6C608 U.S.Robotics 56K PCI Fax Modem US $14.99
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![]() Dell Inspiron D600 700m 710m 56k Fax/Modem Y0231 US $1.99
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![]() Dell Inspiron 8200 56k Fax/Modem 0F802 US $2.99
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![]() Dell XPS m1210 56k Internal Fax/Modem XH648 US $2.99
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![]() Dell Latitude D620 D630 E1705 56k Internal Fax/Modem H9379 US $2.99
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![]() Dell 56K Modem V.92 Fax/Data PCI Modem Card (N8507) US $25.00
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![]() Broadcom 56k Internal PCI Fax/Modem - Dell - 4U829 US $5.99
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![]() DELL LAPTOP ZONET ZFM5600 56 Kbps FAX MODEM PC CARD (D6) US $15.00
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![]() Dell Smartstep 200N 56k Fax/Modem 0U841 US $2.99
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![]() 56k V.92 PCI Data Fax Modem GVC D1156/R5B Dell JF495 US $2.00
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I'm thinking about getting a Dell Inspiron 531 desktop ! Need some help !?
Are these specs decent ?
PROCESSORAMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 4400+edit
OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows Vista® Home Premiumedit
MONITOR19 inch SE198WFP Widescreen Flat Panel Monitoredit
MEMORY2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMsedit
HARD DRIVE320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™edit
OPTICAL DRIVE16x DVD+/-RW Driveedit
VIDEO CARDNVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Integrated Graphics GPUedit
SOUNDIntegrated 7.1 Channel Audioedit
KEYBOARD & MOUSEDell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouseedit
FLOPPY & MEDIA READER13 in 1 Media Card Readeredit
MODEM & WIRELESS56K PCI Data Fax Modemedit
OPTIONAL PORTSIEEE 1394a Adapteredit
My Software & Accessories
SPEAKERSDell A525 30 Watt 2.1 Stereo Speakers with Subwooferedit
ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARENo Security Subscription (30-day trial)edit
Dell Recommends
Do not leave your PC unprotected! Upgrade to a 36-mo security subscription today.
Upgrade to McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall
Yes, definitely one of the best deals on the market. If you purchase it before August 16th you can also take advantage of a special promotion e-value coupon that knock $350 off the purchase price and in addition shipping is free (approx. $29.00 value) and probably no tax. Wow!
The $350 coupon requires that the system costs at least $999 before applying the coupon. After deducting the coupon the minimum cost would, therefore, be at least $649.00 (substitute 4400+ CPU, no Wireless just a fax modem, regular Dell Keyboard & mouse, and either the 128MB video card or the Dell 525 Speakers in the suggested configuration below which total $830 actual cost ).
I would suggest, however, that you take the opportunity to upgrade several of the options and get a really powerful, stable system for under $850. Here are my suggestions in order of importance:
(1) Upgrade the processor to the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ (comparable to core 2 duo performance of the E6300 class) [+ $50]
(2) Seriously consider upgrading to an add-on Video Card particularly with Vista's graphics intensive User Interface - the integrated GPU using shared system RAM and CPU can be a real performance downer. Microsoft, in fact, suggests a DX9 capable card with at least 128MB of its own on-board RAM. Dell's prices are very competitive so you won't really save by purchasing a video card yourself ... just more options. If you aren't really comfortable with installing PC hardware, get the upgrade to NVIDIA Geforce 8300GS w 128MB [+$50]
(3) Upgrade to the Logitech S512 Wireless Mouse and Keyboard [+$49] or to the second option - the Dell keyboard and Premium Optical Mouse [+$10]
(4) Consider upgrading to the more secure and robust Business Vista [+$69] ... but Vista Home Premium is OK
With the above suggested upgrades 1 through 3 (using the cheaper mouse/keyboard option):
System Cost is $1189
Less coupon ( 3SFX?88CB80QDD ) entered at checkout
Actual System Cost is ($1189 - $350) ==> $830 (subbing Logitech wireless mouse & keyboard would cost an extra $40)
Note:
(1) The 13 in 1 Media Reader does not include a Floppy Drive. These are mutually exclusive. If you really want a Floppy Drive get an external USB model which costs less or about the same.
(2) This PC only has 2 PCI Slots so you can't choose both the IEEE 1394a Port card option and the "Wireless and Modem" option (actually the latter option consists of 2 cards ... 1 for Wireless, 1 for Modem).
Unless you really need Dial-Up, I'd just get the Wireless (the config I used in above system pricing). You could also forgo the Wireless option entirely and try to find a suitable after-market alternative. Personally I prefer a hard-wired Ethernet connection which is much faster and more secure. I'd only consider wireless if using the PC in a campus dorm or similar location.
(3) To keep unwanted "crapware" to a minimum remember to:
(A) Select the "No ISP" option for Dial-Up Internet
(B) Deselect the "Yahoo Music Box" option for Burn & Digital Editing
(C) Select the "No Productivity software" option for Office Software.
Have fun with your new tool-toy
























