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April 29, 2009 6:44 AM PDT

Get a 17-inch Dell Studio notebook for $549.99

by Rick Broida
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Dell's refurbished Studio 1737 comes with everything most users need, plus a one-year warranty.

(Credit: Woot)

Today only, Woot Sellout has a refurbished Dell Studio 1737 notebook for $549.99, plus a very reasonable $5 for shipping. A similar model new from Dell would run you more than $1,000.

As Jamie Foxx said over and over again on Tuesday night's "American Idol," woot!

This is one seriously well-equipped desktop replacement. The Studio features a 17-inch wide-screen LCD, a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and a slot-loading DVD burner.

But wait, there's more. You also get Draft-N Wi-Fi, a 2-megapixel Webcam, and even an HDMI port for connecting to a big-screen TV or monitor.

The integrated GMA 4500MHD graphics processor is a little lightweight for high-end gaming, but it should handle the mainstream stuff just fine.

Even though this is a refurbished system, Dell backs it with a full one-year warranty. Bottom line: If you're in the market for a new notebook, one that's destined primarily for desk duty, grab this one. Now. It'll be gone at midnight tonight, and might very well sell out before then.

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.
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by cnetmart April 29, 2009 8:19 AM PDT
IS this really a good deal? I am hesitant to by a refurb. Normally a non-issue, but a laptop? Any advice. How does this compare to:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172646&type=product&id=1218044029503&ref=09&loc=01&srccode=cii_5766179&cpncode=22-13368660-2

Samller screen and no firewire, but it seems to be a better deal.
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by rickbroida April 29, 2009 9:13 AM PDT
You hit the nail on the head: It's rare to find a 17-inch system at this price point. Of course, a smaller screen makes the system more travel-friendly, so that's something to consider. (Looks like the Gateway has a 500GB hard drive, too, which is also pretty rare.) Good find!
by JonTitor April 29, 2009 5:46 PM PDT
Gateway makes pretty sucky laptops, outside their 17" FX series
If I were you I'd hit Dell's outlet, they have tons of Studio 17s, you could even score a good deal on one with a pretty good ATi graphics card
by jkeels April 29, 2009 12:52 PM PDT
Well that is a pretty good deal. Keep in mind that some of the Studio line of laptops have had significant problems as it is a new model (series) from Dell. Some of these refurb models are probably ones that came back with problems. Also, it has a slot loading CD/DVD instead of the old pop out tray which I consider to be a problem. It will be more difficult/expensive to get repaired if it dies and will require (probably) a dell specific part.
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by rickbroida April 29, 2009 1:34 PM PDT
Well, conventional wisdom holds that refurbished equipment is often better than new because any problems have been fixed! But I do share your concerns about the slot-loading DVD drive. For some reason I don't fully trust those things.
by lunite April 29, 2009 1:55 PM PDT
Glossy screen is the deal breaker.
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by j_a_s_p_e_r April 29, 2009 1:55 PM PDT
Best in class deal.
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by bobonut541 April 29, 2009 11:09 PM PDT
i got one for less than 500 two weeks ago from dell, but my dvd rom is not working. I am shipping it back tomorrow.
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About The Cheapskate

The best things in tech are cheap. "The Cheapskate" scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets, and all the other tech stuff that makes life worth living. Send your own cheapskate tips to thecheapskate@gmail.com. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

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