Have been thinkiing about getting a cheap laptop for a while, mainly to watch DVDs on away from the TV, with a bit of web browsing as a bonus. So when Dell advertised this week the Inspiron 1300 at

Dell often sell cheap laptops.

Keep an eye on www.hotukdeals.com, they list all the bargains when they come out. I think it's a Thursday that Dell update prices.

I bought an upgraded Inspiron 510m last year (on it now) for £450 from Dell direct and it is great for what I need. The CD drive packed up on it, one helpfull email to Dell and a new one arrived at my work the next day.

the ultra cheap deals are short notice only: that's just the way it is. a laptop for 300 quid? yes, i've had a few off dell at that price but you've got to be quick.

www.hotukdeals.com and www.beforeitsgone.co.uk - keep an eye on them for the discount codes, you've not go ta cat in hell's chance of finding the real cheapies on the dell site otherwise.

their customer service is ****e, but what do you expect for the money: the hardware's ok...

ric

Any suggestions? The advert says "subject to availability and offers can be withdrawn at any time" etc etc but still stinks to me. Did they sell any at the cheaper price or was it just to test the market? I feel like a DOS attack on their website but don't know how!!!!! Only joking...

It'll be priced to clear overstock/old stock, etc. Therefore, they will have a fixed number available for that price, and once they've gone (they are priced to go quickly so it doesn't generally take long!) then you'll be buying from the rest of their stock, and at the full price.

They're not trying to deceive people by advertising goods which they aren't selling, just comes down to running a business where the profit is in shifting large volume...

Rob.

Just a quick update, Dell have been advertising the £299 laptop again yesterday and today, with a limit of one per purchaser. I phoned the 0870 number again to ask why it was not at £299 on their website, and they put me through to someone to take my order at £299. At least, that was the idea, but after another 2 minutes on hold I gave up again and rung off. I may try again tomorrow, and will let you know how I get on.

A fella at work did get through to an operator and they just about refused to sell him a £299 laptop. They said it was poorly built therefore he should definately take out the 3 year warranty. When he refused, they said they would have to e-mail him such that by return email they could have it in writing that he didn't want the warranty. The email of course never came. Seems very dodgy. I don't think they're selling laptops, they're selling stupidy expensive warranties!

A fella at work did get through to an operator and they just about refused to sell him a

you just need the e-code. they don't last forever. if you put an e-code in on the website and it gives you a message along the lines of "under maintenance; try later" then the e-code's expired. if it pops up, you put it in your basket and dell will deliver at that price. job done.

let's face it, a new laptop for 300 quid is really pushing it: these are "specials". you've got to be quick.

ric