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Dell Inspiron 17R Intel® Core™ i7-3537U, 17" HD, 8GB, Windows 8 $899 Delivered (Save $500) Dell

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Hi

This is my 899th post + 899 comments and $899 Laptop deal for My fellow Ozbargainers.

Have a good evening

Processor
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3537U processor (4M Cache, up to 3.1 GHz, with 8730M 2GB base)

Operating System
Windows 8, English (64bit)

Display
17.3 inch LED Backlit Display with True Life and HD+ resolution (1600 x 900)

Memory
8GB 2 DIMM (4GB x2) DDR3 1600Mhz

Hard Drive
1TB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

Wireless
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230, 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0

Video Card
AMD Radeon™ HD 8730M with 2GB DDR3 VRAM

Related Stores

Dell
Dell

closed Comments

  • +113

    "This is my 899th post + 899 comments and $899 Laptop deal for My fellow Ozbargainers"
    A "+" just for this alone!, just make sure you don't reply!

    • +1

      OP will need to be a lurker (no posting of new deals, no commenting on other deals) until posting another bargain with price $900.
      Wait a pain…

    • +2

      Come on ozbargain community.

      Let's give OP 899 votes and comments on this deal.

      We can do it!

    • Thank god its not 999

    • This is currently on 89 votes.. Don't want to mess with it so I will just say '+1'

  • +6

    Would give you 899 + votes if I could. Great effort.

  • +12

    Wow, how much planning did it take to make this deal?

  • +2

    For all the good features, their service is shocking, also beware that all parts used to service/repair are refurbished parts. Had a very recent incident with these guys, Had to report them to ACCC to get them to do the right thing. Buyers beware especially buying online from as you will be running pillar to post to get anything out of them especially when the you deal only with their Malaysian call center.

    • +4

      Not only that if you ring with a problem, they will ask you if you have installed any other software and then blame the whole problem on that. Ask you to reset to factory settings and it goes on and on. Why would you buy from Dell if this the best they can do? 2c.

      • +3

        they will ask you if you have installed any other software and then blame the whole problem on that. Ask you to reset to factory settings and it goes on and on.

        Look at it from their point of view - they're asked to make an assessment (and subsequent expense) based on hearsay. They'd be stupid if they did not request you bring machine back into factory configuration in order to make such assessment.

        What would happen if you modified a brand new car and then make warranty claim based on its performance? … or, over the phone?

        Why would you buy from Dell if this the best they can do?

        Because no other company is likely to treat consumers any better. Thankfully, Australian consumer law provides statutory consumer guarantees - use it.

        • Well I am only here to tell you of my experience rest is your choice. Also FWIW do not pay for McAfee unless you want to lose you home network or do not want to join the existing network. Just do your research. If you have to head for ACCC with support issues every time then it's a -ve indicator nothing +ve about it.

      • +3

        I just read the complaints. As someone who lives in a household with 5 DELL computers (and a lazer printer), my experience is different from these. I think I have a reasonable basis to compare.

        My oldest computer was an Inspiron 9300 (about 8 years old). It still runs flawlessly. There was one minor fault I fixed myself (no solder required).

        The only computer I had a problem with was my second computer. After a week, it kept freezing. I was able to make the freeze happen while I was in the BIOS.

        I called DELL and told them of my issue and they asked me to re re-install windows. After about 30 minutes of arguing, I asked the operator if they knew what a BIOS was. The answer was "of course sir". My response was short and sharp "put me onto someone who knows something about computers".

        The next day, someone was on site with RAM. I told them the RAM test passed and the fault was likely the motherboard. Lets just say, they came back the next day with a replacement motherboard.

        The last DELL I got was 3mth ago.

        Yes, their support is painful: but I've had worse from Internode and Adam as ISPs.

        Based on my experiences, I'd buy a DELL again.

        • Level 1 support normally just got basic computer knowledge, ask them to refer you to level 2 support

        • +21

          Unfortunately I had a similar experience with my recent Alienware purchase… After I got a bright green dead pixel about 3/4's right and 1/4 down, I called saying that there's a 0 dead pixel warranty with this.

          They first asked me to do a system test to find faults (that's fine, might as well test the whole machine), what worried me was when the screen test come up some time later, he asked if I could see the pixel - I suggested where the pixel would be, the screen was lit up green! Reminded him that it was there before getting into BIOS, that I work in the industry and want the screen replaced.

          He asked if I could re-install Windows (on a machine I had barely played with for an hour before reporting it). After a few days of back and forwards apparently "they relaxed" their 0 dead pixel ruling after I asked the operator to type my serial number in, look up a particular line that suggests I have a premium pixel warranty, and a link to the page saying it covers this exact scenario and suggesting that for $3,000 worth of machine with this fault - I wouldn't have bought it and am happy to give fair trading a call to have an independent clarification of the warranty you are providing.

          Well, that was fantastic - the next day, 9:00AM a tech rocked up at work with a new screen and started to pull apart the machine, scuffing all the casing eventually cracking the glass screen trying to pull off the panel leaving me with this: (https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-b.ak/hphotos-ak-prn1/46226_10…). The techie arranged for a new screen to be sent out so I was only going to be a day without.

          Well, 10:00AM the next one rocks up, starts pulling the screen off (the new screen, which also had a dead pixel) and asks me where the glass panel is. I said the other techie took it away - and the second one said to me this is ridiculous and started calling Dell support for me and said demand a replacement (not only that, but the new panel he had was damaged as well with a crack down the actual panel!).

          There went the better part of a week with Dell saying they wouldn't replace it and I should take it back to JB Hi-Fi where I bought it and they'll exchange it. I said like hell they will with the current condition so lots of arguing, he eventually puts in a "claim". Claim goes in and a week of daily calling I eventually got an "Approval" and specs would be sent out soon.

          The first set of Specs only put a GTX660 video card in instead of the one I had (GTX675), no 3D, no SSD etc… I called back asking if it was a joke (I was pretty furious by then) and three days later they finally send me a new spec out which had a video card upgrade to GTX680 but no 3D. With this compromise I accepted it. That was early November. Machine estimate was 2-3 weeks (damn!) so I called up weekly asking for a status update. When it got to three weeks, the case owner tells me it's been shipped expect it in a couple of days. Three days after that I called again and asked where it is and the case owner says "there's a shortage of components". I said "I thought it was shipped?!". He said no, I asked what was missing, he said the power supply. I said I have a perfectly good one here with the same wattage, can't you just send the machine without? He said, no - and with christmas coming up you will get it after February 2013!

          I said this is unacceptable so he asked for JB Hi-Fi's number to arrange a machine replacement. I get a call from JB Hi-Fi saying Dell got in touch with them and if I bring in the paperwork they'll arrange me a replacement machine. So… couldn't get out there until the end of the week to pick up the replacement machine but the day I get a call from JB Hi-Fi to say they sourced a machine, my new Alienware rocks up. The case owner calls me asking if I had picked up the new one from JB Hi-Fi and I said my machine from Dell rocked up!

          He said Really? Are you sure? Because on his list, it's still pending shipping. I log onto the Dell website, plug in the quote number and sure enough - the quote number says it's been delivered. I asked the case operator to do the same and sure enough the right number come up.

          I then asked what am I going to do about JB Hi-Fi because they have a replacement machine ready for me to pick up. (This was about mid-December, from an original purchase late October).

          Anyway, the new machine from Dell has two new problems from the get-go. First, the sound card can't be detected sometimes (an issue Dell are aware of with the soundcard not being seated properly) and the HDMI port has never worked. Have I asked them to fix it? Hell no - not after the last round, but as the first year of warranty is almost up - I'll send it in. Just not looking forward to getting a scuffed machine back! (I paid for extended warranty at JB Hi-Fi and they'll still honour it apparently - I just have to keep the paper work).

          It's really a shame to be honest. For years I've recommended people buy Dell because their tech support has been really good (not too many companies send out techies to rural areas to fix a motherboard on site - this has happened before and everything done quickly). But - I'd never buy an Alienware again and I'd be real hesitant on buying another Dell machine if not for a lack of quality, but a lack of techie experience.

        • +6

          Thank you for your life story.

        • +15

          Sorry, the actual transcript I kept for "evidence" is nearly 6 pages in Word. Not sure how one can justify around these parts without giving a sequential dump of what occurred. If I posted Dell = Sucks for Warranty, no doubt I'd have been negged completely for not explaining why!

    • While I don't know that all other manufacturers do, I know of at least two others who use refurbished parts. Unless the failure occurs soon after purchase or it's still a relatively new model, you're more likely to get a refurb. It's supposed to go through all sorts of testing and QA stuff but with these kinds of parts there are always going to be a few situations like this…which is wrong of course but there's no way they can offer the product for the price if they were to supply a new part for every failure.
      As far as the service received goes, unfortunately occasions like that are not going to get any less for most manufacturers. Just keep at 'em when it does!

  • Got this laptop (with Nvidia graphics) from the last deal:
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/106954
    Great laptop for the money! Capable of running many modern games (Metro 2, Diablo 3, Dead Space 3) on maximum settings without any problems.
    Also, it has an empty HDD slot, so it can be easily updgraded to SSD.
    On the bad side - battery life is poor and it's really heavy.
    And yes, heard about their awfull customer service, I just hope I never have to deal with them.

    • +1

      That last deal for $899 is much better than this one. 17R special edition, Quad Core, FHD, Blu-ray. I got a refurb one for $750 includes onsite support. The second drive bay is very useful for adding a SSD.

      • So this one is not special edition? I didn't compare the specs.

        • It is a special edition, just not as good as the last special a suggested above. I got the last deal for a friend. Excellent value but the older cpu, all else was the same or better.

        • It's NOT Special Edition. The SE currently starts from $1099.

        • doesn't the R with 17R signify a special edition?

      • Got one too. Put 120gb msata in it for the OS and a 7200 HDD for games. 1tb became a media drive so you can actually put 3 drives in if you use the msata slot.

    • yep me too :). great laptop

      keeps very cool as well, no overheating problems.

      changed the hdd to the plextor 256gb ssd from msy. max 8 second boot time

    • yay thats my laptop!!!!

  • +15

    The first day of the year 899 AD was a Monday. Yet you post this deal on a Saturday. You still have room to lift your game earth ;)

    • Perhaps 899 BC?
      (N.B. I gave up looking after a minute or two)

    • +1
      I'm impressed

  • +1

    Congrats on the post. Was interested in this, but not sure if I'm missing something - it doesn't seem to have gigabit lan port?

    Though being a laptop, others may not find that a big deal and would be using the Wireless N wifi anyway.

    • Many laptops only have 10/100 still

      • According to Wikipedia, the Apple PowerBook G4 released in 2000 had gigabit LAN. 13 years later there are still laptops with only fast Ethernet? What progress!

        • -2

          You shouldn't be using your laptop as a file server. There's no need to have a giga port and most wouldn't be able to tell the speed difference anyway.

        • +1

          "You shouldn't be using your laptop as a file server." why not?

        • You shouldn't be using your laptop as a file server.

          What are you on about? Most consumer equipment has gigabit ports now, so going off your logic everyone is running mini data centres in their home? What the?

          There's no need to have a giga port and most wouldn't be able to tell the speed difference anyway.

          Speak for yourself. The difference in speed is easily noticable on larger transfers.

          And no need for gigabit Ethernet, that's why most stuff is gigabit capable now?

  • +3

    Typo with
    "Memory
    28GB 2 DIMM (4GB x2) DDR3 1600Mhz"

    It's not 28GB of RAM lol

  • +2

    The only let-down is the 5400 RPM HDD. Otherwise, pretty good deal imo.

    • +1

      Resolution is below par for DELL. Should be 1920 x 1080, not 1600 - that's a big let down.
      I'm still lucky to be using a 1920 x 1200 DELL :)

  • This is an ivy bridge right? Aren't dell renowned for overheating and noisy laptops.

    Seems like an OK deal for specs but I'm still waiting on a cheap ultra book laptop.

    • +1

      I can almost fry an egg on the palm rest of my XPS17.

      • +2

        By contrast, my 17r se is always cool to the touch… Dell are a mixed bag, some models are hot and some are cool.

    • +6

      I think you are thinking of HP - when they even turn on which a lot don't….

  • +14

    The OP should be given one of these from dell for FREE for that 899/899/899 effort. Dell where is the man's laptop?!

  • +1

    thats so freaky. nice deal as well, but graphics card is lacking being ddr3 and only 8730. Never had an issue with Dell service, even with the early models from 2006 - 2009 which overheated…they just fixed/replaced them as and when required

  • +2

    I have purchased 5 Dell laptops for myself and family members in the past, dealt with Dell support and had no problem.

    • +3

      generally i would rather buy from a company and never have to deal with their support at all

  • +16

    Poor OP, we'll never see another post or deal from him again.

    • Just means OP can never post a deal for anything less than $900 again! And they'll have to keep getting more expensive as time goes on… I look forward to some great posts from OP for TVs in 2014, cars in 2020 and an orbital space laser somewhere in the next century.

    • +1

      why? why cant op post his/her 900th deal for something thats $900 and make his/her 900th comment?

  • Does "1Yr Carry-In Service" mean buyer pay for return fee for warranty claim?

    • Yes

      • Statutory warranty states the vendor pays for freight on warranty service.

  • +1

    These gigantic laptops are out of fashion…

    • +8

      I'll be damned if they were ever in fashion to begin with.

    • Sorry, accidentally negged your comment.

      I agree that 17 inch laptops are not much sought after nowadays.

      MacBook Pro 17 was discontinued, Dell XPS 17 has been discontinued as well ….

    • +5

      The extra 5cm and 200 grams must be a tremendous burden on anyone that doesn't work out at the gym regularly.

      • It's not about weight, it's about size. That's too big to be carrying around.

        I mean, you wouldn't want to hold a 10" phone to your face right, even though it's not that heavy.

      • Unfortunately no amount of working out at the gym will make your spinal cord stronger, and I doubt you're going to carry this in your hands all day…

  • A "+" just for that sentence, I said good bye to upgrading my Laptop, for performance PC for convenient Tablet

  • +6

    I hate this Laptop. So heavy and bulky. Battery understandably dont last too long. I hate the feel of the keyboard & touchpad. I don't know why people go sick on this deal. If you call up and speak to a DELL rep you will be able to negotiate a better deal than their website any day!!!! I was even able to get Pro Support thrown in. This was almost a year now and I purchased it approx just less than 1K. I've had a some issues with the hard drive and graphics and it was addressed a couple days later after pro support team runs you thru some basic diagnostic including remote access. I regret buying this Laptop!

  • LEGEND.

  • +2

    Firstly, congratulations theearth!

    But are all the +'s coming in for this cool post… or for the deal itself?

    • +2

      bargain is kinda shitty - I upvoted for the 899 triple combo

  • Looked at his past comments and deals and I'm surprised to say that disregarding about 10 deals that were hastily posted by the OP the past few days, the other deals that he posted up were quite legit…what a coincidence; or good planning? Anyway good deal +ve

  • Congrats Great Effort.

  • +1

    5400RPM drive is a joke at this price and no SSD, not even an 128GB mSATA one for $120 or so (naturally Dell would get it cheaper). I can't believe people still buy these poky slow ass laptops. I/O is still a massive bottleneck; SSD's are essential.

    • Just buy your own and put it in there.

  • +17

    I'm confused - no one has explained why this is a good deal. Some things that make it pretty ordinary:
    - not 4th gen CPU
    - not quad core (which you could expect in a 17in laptop)
    - no SSD
    - hard disk is only 5400rpm
    - only DVD drive, not Bluray
    - not Full HD, not IPS screen (I think)
    - small 6 cell battery
    - in general, such specs could fit in an ultrabook, but it is 17in

    The only thing going for it is a reasonable video card - is that why everyone is giving it so many positive votes?

    • +4

      I agree…….and its a dell, most unreliable lappy at my work.

    • +1

      I think it's because of the coincidence (or ultimate planning) that this is OP's 899th post, has 899 comments and a $899 laptop deal.

    • +2

      And this cpu is the downgraded version. Look like most voter don't know what the U is for, they are paying the same money for a slower but bulky laptop.

    • +5

      Most of the votes are not for the deal they are for the poster(think of it like a popularity contest). Sucks to be anyone that interpreted all the votes as this being a massive bargain and jumped on it without thinking.

      I thought they'd stopped producing devices in the last few years without gigabit LAN(i.e its the standard now) but this laptop sure proved me wrong.

    • -1

      agree. Have seen similar specs for > $100 less. And it's a crippled U spec cpu in a 17" laptop! WTF?

  • Holy sheet it's real what you say!

  • +3

    This is actually a usual-average price. Dell has always these 500-600$ discount sales.
    I bought similar/almsot same laptop from them (Inspiron 7720) for 950 AUD in May.

    • with the better video card (NV650)
    • FullHD matt screen (the one in advert is shiny, unusable outdoors)
    • Intel i7-3630QM

    I am not thrilled about the brand much (especially the previous series of Inspirons were hot like ovens), but this was only 17", good video card + antiglare screen machine under 1k so was no other choice.

    I like the machine, but still 16:9 ratio for a monitor is not good (I like 16:10 more - Dell U2410) even 17" is too small in height.
    If they not change the policy, you get 1 year of carry-in warranty for this price, have to pay around 200 more for 3 years home pickup/international one.

    Grats for the OP for the superb post planning :)

  • http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers/dell/15-inch-notebook-sku…

    4GB instead of 8GB, but $136 cheaper. Lower res screen though. You could do your own RAM upgrade.

  • I have had great experiences with Dell support. Laptop hard drive died about 3 months out of warranty but after 1 phone call and a 1 day turn around at the service centre it was replaced at no charge. Great performing machine at great price.

  • +1

    Terrific effort OP. Now if you manage to get 899 votes, it would be legendary!

  • i'm going to sell you my one month old Toshiba P50T-A01C with upgraded Samsung 840 250GB SSD for around 900$, which means this deal is not really that cheap IMO

  • +7

    10/100 Fast Ethernet << Deal Breaker

    • -2

      When do you ever use more than that?

      • +2

        All the freakn time?

        • For what, most users don't do any/much local network stuff and most ADSL won't even get close to that.

  • +2

    Don't buy from these peanuts - they never got back to me:

    1. When I asked them to do a price check after previously I bought the XPS 17 and the next day the price went down.
    2. Never got back to me when I enquired about some cheap LCDs deals that was posted here - he said "I'll get back to you after I contact my supervisor".
    3. The peanuts tech were useless last time I had a XPS 710 that needed repair - I did it myself in the end and upgraded the whole machine to 720.

    In other words, do not buy from Dell - they are not what they used to be.

  • Agreed, crappy deal. Awesome effort from OP.

  • ? TOUCH SCREEN
    ? BACKLIT KEYBOARD
    ? IVY OR HASWELL
    ? UG TO 1080P

  • +2

    not a bargain!

    • not 4th gen CPU
    • not quad core (which you could expect in a 17in laptop)
    • no SSD
    • hard disk is only 5400rpm
    • only DVD drive, not Bluray
    • not Full HD, not IPS screen (I think)
    • small 6 cell battery
    • in general, such specs could fit in an ultrabook, but it is 17in
    • +7

      i agree, it's not a great deal. the votes are just for the OP's 899 posts and 899 comments

    • +3

      Lol kwokask's post but reformatted with bullet points instead of hyphens! Nice!

  • AMAZING Post-ER! Not so amazing deal…

  • I thought the OP was joking…

  • Sweeeeet! Been looking for a new laptop.

    O, it's a Dell ……… sigh

  • -2

    Good luck to all those who ever need service on their pc.

    http://www.productreview.com.au/p/dell-australia.html

  • Could this Run BF3/BF4?

  • errrh, this deal is average. I don't get it. Why is everyone so excited by it?
    its Ivy Bridge, and for 17" this is standard resolution.

  • I do think this is a good deal, but not that fantastic.

    Just over two years ago I bought a Dell XPS17 with basically the same specs but better build quality with 3gb graphics and a 3 year warranty for just over $1300. It had 30% off.

    Back in the old days if you bought a computer 2 yrs ago, you would more or less have a machine that isn't worth much at all in the present. I guess computer hardware is improving more slowly now.

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