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Dell Monitor Discount - HOT?

OldCorpse

OldCorpse

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Dec 7, 2005
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Dell is running discounts on their monitors - anywhere between 20% - 25%.

I'm in the market for an external monitor for my 12" iBook (see sig) which I intend to run with the well-known hack. I've settled on the DELL
UltraSharp 2001FP 20.1-inch Flat Panel LCD Monitor with 3-Year Warranty, which at the moment is listed for $471.75.

Question: is this a good price for this monitor in your experience? Have you seen it significantly cheaper? I've read that LCD prices are supposed to come down a lot this year (not clear WHEN this year), but the problem is I can't really wait too long. I need it within the next 3 months or so. Sooo... how good a deal is this?

Sale ends Feb 1.
 
I can't say whether their information is any more trustworthy than that of other such sites, but search for "2001FP" on www.dealmac.com and old offers/prices will appear.

As for the sale ending Feb. 1st, Dell does regularly update its periodic sale prices. This can sometimes mean an item returns to full retail, or more often that the percentage discount changes, or sometimes simply that the present deal is extended. I'm not sure how this has applied over time to the 2001FP in particular.
 
Thanks, mcgarry, I actually originally found the deal on dealmac.com, but was unaware that you could search the price history like that - thanks for the tip. From that I see it used to be quite a bit cheaper. I think I'll wait. I've got 3 months. In the worst case, I pay full price which is only about $157 more. And a lot can happen in 3 months :) Thanks again!
 
I have not been watching it closely, but something tells me that discounts on the 2001FP are relatively rare (compared to other Dell 17"/19"/20"w) models. So, this might be the time, I don't know.

Another good thing to check is the prices of comparably-sized no-name/discount monitors on www.newegg.com. If the Dell price is approaching the cheap stuff, it's probably a good deal.

OldCorpse said:
Thanks, mcgarry, I actually originally found the deal on dealmac.com, but was unaware that you could search the price history like that - thanks for the tip. From that I see it used to be quite a bit cheaper. I think I'll wait. I've got 3 months. In the worst case, I pay full price which is only about $157 more. And a lot can happen in 3 months :) Thanks again!
Click to expand...
 
mcgarry said:
I have not been watching it closely, but something tells me that discounts on the 2001FP are relatively rare (compared to other Dell 17"/19"/20"w) models. So, this might be the time, I don't know.

Another good thing to check is the prices of comparably-sized no-name/discount monitors on www.newegg.com. If the Dell price is approaching the cheap stuff, it's probably a good deal.
Click to expand...

Hmm. You got me thinking again (that's never good in my case :D ). I checked out newegg.com and the no-name equivalent is only about $40 cheaper. And the equivalent Samsung is about $40 more... decisions, decisions. Frankly, I don't think there's a difference qualit-wise between the Samsung and the Dell... doesn't Samsung make the screen for the Dell anyway? I'd prolly be just as happy with a Samsung, no? Question is, do I want to take a chance that there will be no further discounts on the 2001FP (you may be right discounts are pretty rare for them), or do I just in the worst case, down the line 3 mo. from now, buy a Samsung for just $40-$50 more than the Dell today...
 
FFTT said:
The Dell 20" 2005's were going for around $360 last time I heard anything.

It pays to Google Dell coupons and best price on Dell 2005 FPW
Click to expand...

That's a sweet price for a 20", though in my case I'm looking for the FP not the FPW... the FP is always more expensive as you actually get more pixels (1600x1200).
 
I bought my Dell 2005FPW LCD for $394 back in November, and the cheapest I recall it being is around $360. It has dropped to $426 a few times over the past few months, and I believe the deep discounts are usually on a quarterly cycle, which would suggest the LCDs are due for a good discount next month.
 
The prices on the Dell's do fluctuate, but I think this is probably as good a deal as we'll see for a little while. I just ordered the Dell 2005FPW for the new laptop, and paid $485 with tax and free shipping, and a 4 year warranty. Have you looked into the widescreen model? They're a little bit cheaper than the 2001FP.
 
One thing to bear in mind when choosing the screen is that the iBook only has VGA out not DVI. I know from experience that when I connect my 2405FPW to my PB G4 12" with VGA it's like looking through a dirty fishbowl compared to DVI.

Chris
 
T-Stex said:
The prices on the Dell's do fluctuate, but I think this is probably as good a deal as we'll see for a little while. I just ordered the Dell 2005FPW for the new laptop, and paid $485 with tax and free shipping, and a 4 year warranty. Have you looked into the widescreen model? They're a little bit cheaper than the 2001FP.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I specifically want the FP (I need every scrap of vertical space, and the 1600x1200 makes a difference).

I think I'll wait until the prices fluctuate lower - and I mean obscenely lower. Then I'll take advantage and grab and not let go :)...
 
Man...

$360? Sometimes the multiple coupons listed at deal sites don't actually stack once you type them in. I'd be skeptical of a price that low unless you know someone who actually bought one at that price AND recieved it.
 
Coupons can save you money, but Dell also offers education, small business
and large corporate discounts depending on how you qualify.

The best deal out there direct from The Dell University Store was 35%
off my 2405 FPW.

You must have a Dell member I.D.# and call direct by phone in order to
get the best deals.

Students and faculty can order directly through their school purchasing departments.
 
FFTT said:
Coupons can save you money, but Dell also offers education, small business
and large corporate discounts depending on how you qualify.

The best deal out there direct from The Dell University Store was 35%
off my 2405 FPW.

You must have a Dell member I.D.# and call direct by phone in order to
get the best deals.

Students and faculty can order directly through their school purchasing departments.
Click to expand...

Yes, but the last time I checked, at the education site you have to pay shipping as well as tax. It ain't no bargain. You can usually avoid both at the home site.
 
I got my 2405FPW for $730 from Dell Small Business last year and go free next day shipping. The monitor was 2 days late shipping and I called to ask about it and they sent me a free Plantronics DSP 500 USB headset with next day shipping.

All in all, I have had great shopping experiences with Dell. I have had an 1800FP, a 2001FP, and my 2405FPW. All three are still going strong, though the 1800FP has been relegated to my kids' computer. :)

You should be able to get a 2001FP for around $400 +/- $25 if you wait for a good coupon.
 
NeuronBasher said:
I got my 2405FPW for $730 from Dell Small Business last year and go free next day shipping. The monitor was 2 days late shipping and I called to ask about it and they sent me a free Plantronics DSP 500 USB headset with next day shipping.

All in all, I have had great shopping experiences with Dell. I have had an 1800FP, a 2001FP, and my 2405FPW. All three are still going strong, though the 1800FP has been relegated to my kids' computer. :)

You should be able to get a 2001FP for around $400 +/- $25 if you wait for a good coupon.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I think that's what I'll do - I'll wait... actually I have no choice... something came up and the money I was going to use for the monitor is goooone... so here is hoping for another great discount 3 months from now...
 
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