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Mike Chaney's Tech Corner > Technical Discussions > Computer Hardware > Dell offerings
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Author Topic: Dell offerings  (Read 28341 times)
Terry-M
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« on: August 10, 2009, 08:38:55 PM »
A friend of my wife's called today to ask advice about a particular laptop deal that Dell are offering. I checked the web site and was surprised to see Vista 64 bit is specified on their laptops, and presumably their desktops too.
The friend says the blurb is offering registration for a Windows 7 upgrade for the cost of shipping (disc).
Anyone else noticed this?
Terry
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Seth
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« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2009, 08:58:28 PM »
All (most all) computers bought after June 26 with Vista will get the free upgrade.  There will probably be a download option also.

Personally, I am fond of Dell but do NOT like their tech support, so I don't buy them.  In fact, they just recently settled a class action law suit over things their tech support had done.  Maybe that will make them better.
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Seth
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« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2009, 12:27:53 AM »

Be aware that Dell offering an operating system upgrade for cost of shipping may not be a great a deal.

I purchased a Dell Desktop 2½ years ago with XP and Free upgrade to Vista - just pay shipping and handling.

The upgrade disk finally arrived in a lightweight sleeve with skimpy one sheet instructions. It did not permit a fresh install, had to be loaded on top of the existing XP, and took an inordinate amount of time to load and configure

I was billed C$30.00 for the shipping and it had been shipped from a Dell facility a mere 10km away.

The final straw was when I had computer problems, reinstalled the XP operating system and was unable to get it to accept the upgrade disk.

Still running XP on that machine.

Your mileage may vary.


Roy Sletcher
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Still shooting and blowing up things with his Canon
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Terry-M
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« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2009, 05:42:28 AM »
Quote
All (most all) computers bought after June 26 with Vista will get the free upgrade
It was not the upgrade but the fact they are specifying Vista 64 bit at present that surprised me.
Terry.
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Fred A
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« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2009, 09:42:41 AM »
Quote
Your mileage may vary.
I have a unique boot system. It is not really a dual boot which is not unique, but instead, XP on one hard drive and Vista 32 Ultimate on another hard drive.
Recently, someone gave me a head's up that Amazon was selling pre order, Windows 7 upgrades from V 32 to W7 for 49.95.
I ordered it. Supposed to be released and out to me in October.
This is upgrade only, and Vista to W7, not XP to W7.
W7 will have to convince me to update my XP. I am so pleased with XP as most of us are.
I have Vista to learn it and play with it, and get the feel of it. (Insert smart remark here)  Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin
I can swap files between XP and Vista with ease so I can test and try all types of stuff.

Many times, the offer of a FREE upgrade is used to take away your hesitancy toward buying a computer today, or waiting for W7.
Just read the fine print!   If I do get convinced that W7 is superior to XP, then I know I will need to buy the Full Install, and start from scratch installing stuff.
No one really likes that part of it.

Fred
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Seth
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« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2009, 01:57:51 PM »
Quote from: Terry-M on August 11, 2009, 05:42:28 AM
It was not the upgrade but the fact they are specifying Vista 64 bit at present that surprised me.

That's the movement, I think.  Get everybody up to 64-bit.  Since all the new CPUs are dual or quad core 64-bit, MS has a base to move things up.  The problem has always been availability of drivers, but that should repair itself shortly.

Quote
Fred A wrote:
If I do get convinced that W7 is superior to XP, then I know I will need to buy the Full Install, and start from scratch installing stuff.

I am running WIndows 7RC on one machine and it IS superior to XP.  XP SP3 is superior to Vista.  However, the place where they stuck me is that there is no "upgrade" from the 7RC to the release product.  It requires a total install (not my favorite sport.)  When I go, I will go to 64-bit.

BTW- For Photoshop users: CS4 requires a minimum 2 GHz machine and a minimum graphics card speed and memory.  It checks your system.  I HAVE made it run fine with a slightly lower system. 
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Seth
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« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2009, 08:48:40 AM »
Quote from: Seth on August 11, 2009, 01:57:51 PM
I am running WIndows 7RC on one machine

Seth

I am by no means a computer geek!
In your opinion is Window 7RC really that great?
The day will come an I'll have to replace my computer. Cry
So I am just trying to have an open mind .. how I would want the system to be.

Thanks
Ya Me
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If I Don't Ask .. Who Will?
Seth
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« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2009, 12:07:58 PM »
Yes, it is.  What makes it "great" is having been forced into Vista when I got this machine.  My other was still on XP, which was better.  When XP S3 came out it was MUCH better.

Although I am on a Release Candidate, I have had very few minor problems.  They should have them fixed before release.  It is noticeably faster (I still have 32-bit) than either Vista or XP with most programs.  Since it has the option to run each program as if you were on previous versions  (all the way back to Win 98) it ought to be fine.

I do not know if the Adobe stuff is faster because of Microsoft or Adobe.  Probably Adobe since it has minimum hardware requirements.  Adobe's new install absolutely sucks though!!

QImage, on this same machine, now opens and screen writes much faster on 7.
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Seth
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« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2009, 12:20:06 PM »
Thanks Seth

For not getting to deep .. explaining it so I can understand.
I do run xp pro.
I know it will be just a matter time for a new computer.
It all takes time to decide what a person really needs (or should have) for their computer.

Thanks Again
Ya Me
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If I Don't Ask .. Who Will?
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