So I am trying to to get a new
Dell through my work's PC purchase program. You can't beat interest free!
However, I have come to realize that Dell is ripping off big business. I am comparing a Dell Dimension 9150 to an identical Dell XPS 400. The only difference is the model number and the XPS has what looks like brushed aluminum on the side.
The specs:
Intel Dual Core 2.8 ghz cpu.
1 gig 533mhz DDR2
160 Gig Hard Drive
256 meg ATI x600 Video Card
19 inch Ultra Sharp Monitor
CD-RW and DVD-ROM
APC ES 725 Backup-UPS ($95)
DVI-VGA Adapter ($10)
The price difference? The 9150 is $1,099.42 after tax and shipping and rebate(8.25% sales tax).
The XPS 400 is $1,412.07. That is a $312.65 difference or in increase of over 28%. Keep in mind that this includes a 6% discount on the XPS 400.
Checking further into it, it seems that the case is magnified even further when you look at items such as laptops (60-70% difference from what I saw).
I like Dell's product, but it seems that all of their profits come from gouging their enterprise customers.