Get a 64-bit HP Pavilion desktop for $599.99
There's an embarrassment of riches inside this compact case.
(Credit: HP)The HP Pavilion s3500t is a sleek, ultracompact desktop that you can configure to your liking at Hewlett-Packard's online store. For an extremely limited time, HP is offering a $100 instant rebate on the s3500t or $400 off with coupon code DT1158. You can use the latter only when your config hits $999--but getting there is half the fun.
Starting with the base configuration, I selected Vista Home Premium 64-bit (!), the Intel E4700 processor, 4GB of RAM, the 256MB Nvidia video card with HDMI, and the Blu-ray player. To inch the total up to $999, I also added the HP 2.1 speakers with remote and HP multimedia keyboard with HP optical mouse. (Note: monitor not included.)
That, my friends, is a pretty killer load-out. I didn't even mention the 500GB hard drive that comes standard. Shipping is free, though you may have to pay sales tax.
If you're in the market for a powerful media-center PC, here's your chance to save some big bucks on a sleek, compact system. Note that you can't apply the coupon (which expires after 900 uses, so act fast!) until you get to the payment page.
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog. 
Is this is commonly occurring issue with computer based BluRay drives?
That Dell also doesn't have Blu-ray player, a dedicated video card, or a 1394 port. While these things may or may not be important to you, they do add value for a lot of other people. I took advantage of the coupon and used it for a different HP system (m9300t). For $600, I got:
- Vista Home Premium 32bit
- 2.4ghz Intel quad core
- 3GB RAM
- nVidia 9300GT 256mb video card w/ HDMI, DVI, VGA
- Bluray reader/dvd writer
- NTSC and ATSC tuners
- builtin memory card reader
- two 1394 ports
- 7.1 speaker outputs
- Media Center remote control
I'll take that system anyday over the $500 Dell system you proposed.
- by Forked_Tongue September 15, 2008 1:05 AM PDT
- Marty 1781, when I configured the computer on their site it shows that you can't order it with that combo of quad cpu and 256mb video card (I don't know if this Nvidia card has the digital audio output thru the hdmi interface some of them has.), it forces you to take the higher dollar option of the 512mb card at $30 more, the subtotal I got was $1149.99 (after the $100 instant discount) before applying the code DT1158 to get the additional $400 discount ($1149.99 - $400.00 = $749.99, $250 more than the dell I suggested) when I ran it. The $250 could easily buy the difference of a discrete graphics card, tuner card/remote, firewire combo card, media bay card reader, blueray player/dvd burner, and cables from newegg but I agree with you that I'd take your option instead, the hassle of putting it together isn't worth it for the average Joe plus your option has a better quad core option and they'll even throw in Vista 64 at no extra charge to take advantage of the extra memory (which may be required in the future), much better bargin for most people.
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