Be careful ordering Dell desktops with 2001FP monitor upgrade

[memphis57]

Okay I'm joining the crowd ordering a new Dell PC. In comparing the different models I notice that the price for an upgrade to the 2001FP monitor, from the same standard default choice, is up to $130 different depending on which system you start with.

[ QUOTE ]

Copied from Dell web site:
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4700 series
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FREE UPGRADE! 17 in E173FP Flat Panel Display
SAVE $125! 20.1 in 2001FP Digital Flat Panel [add $445 or $13/month1] May delay your Dimension 4700C ship date
No Monitor [subtract $179]

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8400 series
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FREE UPGRADE! New 17 in E173FP Analog Flat Panel
SAVE $125! 20.1 in 2001FP Digital Flat Panel [add $574 or $18/month1] May delay your Dimension 8400 ship date
No Monitor [subtract $50]

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XPS series
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FREE UPGRADE! New 17 in E173FP Analog Flat Panel
SAVE $125! 20.1 in 2001FP Digital Flat Panel [add $534 or $16/month1] May delay your Dimension XPS Gen4 ship date
Video Ready w/o Monitor [subtract $90]


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Note that the difference is the same with other monitors, and even with the no monitor option. And it's not in relation to system quality/base price, either - the dell systems run from top end XPS to next level 8400 to next level 4700 (and several others below this). So the cheap-o 4700 series gets even cheap-o-er when adjusted for monitor price, and the middle 8400 is the most expensive.

The rub is that you apparently can't order the better graphics cards with the cheaper systems, or at least they are not listed as options in the build-your-own-system pages. The best you can get on the 4700 series is a 64 MB ATI Radeon x300 SE card - isn't concensus that you really need at least 128 MB to keep open the option of running multiple monitors? I'd guess the 64MB is good enough for one monitor 4-tabling, though.

So the upshot is, when comparing prices/features on the 3 top end lines at Dell, pay attention to differences in the prices on all the optional features. Also, look at the prices of buying the parts separately. When you factor in the no-monitor option, all the dell packages are valuing the 2001FP at $624. Haven't there been some posts lately saying you can get one for $500 or so? Might be better to buy the system w/o a monitor.