QVC selling a $449 Dell Mini 9 for $529

How much would you expect to pay for a 9 inch netbook with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 1024 x 600 pixel display, an 8GB solid state disk, 1GB of RAM, and Windows XP? A thousand dollars? Two thousand? Two hundred? If you guessed $529, you’ve obviously been watching the QVC home shopping channel. Because that’s how much the company is asking for a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 with those specs.

If you visit the Dell web site and customize your order to include exactly the same options, you’ll wind up paying $449.

Basically if you start with the cheapest Dell Inspiron Mini 9 with Windows XP, you get a model with an 8GB SSD and 512MB of RAM for $399. An extra $50 will get you 1GB of RAM and a 1.3MP webcam, which are both included in the QVC model. QVC does throw in a 4GB USB flash drive with Corel Paint Shop Pro preloaded. But that really doesn’t seem like it’s worth the extra $80.

QVC says the units will ship by December 1st and the company’s accepting “no hassle” gift returns through January 31st. So I guess that’s a plus.

Thanks Doug!

Update: As Netbook Reports points out, if you add the 15-month McAfee Security subscription during checkout at Dell.com, the total price does come up to $528. But you can get pretty decent antivirus protection using free software like AVG Free or Avast!.

I’ll admit, I accidentally left the McAfee subscription out of my calculation. But I also think it’s a waste of money to spend $528 on antivirus software for a $449 computer. So I’ll stand by my statement that QVC is overcharging by bundling software you don’t necessarily need. You know, just like Dell and other computer makers do. But especially disturbing is QVC’s instistance that this is a package with a “retail value” of $695, when you can build your own computer with identical specs at Dell.com for the same price or less.

Posted on Friday, November 7th, 2008, 11:02 am by Brad Linder | 23 Comments

http://www.netbookreports.com netbook nerd

Sorry to say it, but the QVC netbook IS actually a good deal. Granted, it requires you to want to either a) order it from QVC or b) want McAfee.

I wrote a post about it on netbookreports.com but I won't link to it. I'm sure once you see it for yourself, you'll update the post.
http://www.netbookreports.com netbook nerd

Sorry to say it, but the QVC netbook IS actually a good deal. Granted, it requires you to want to either a) order it from QVC or b) want McAfee.

I wrote a post about it on netbookreports.com but I won't link to it. I'm sure once you see it for yourself, you'll update the post.
http://www.netbookreports.com netbook nerd

Sorry to say it, but the QVC netbook IS actually a good deal. Granted, it requires you to want to either a) order it from QVC or b) want McAfee.

I wrote a post about it on netbookreports.com but I won't link to it. I'm sure once you see it for yourself, you'll update the post.
El Greco

Wow, you really need to work on your math skills before you post on the internets…
El Greco

Wow, you really need to work on your math skills before you post on the internets…
El Greco

Wow, you really need to work on your math skills before you post on the internets…
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DougC3

The “no hassle” return through 31 Jan 09 could be a way for someone to try out the keyboard and see if they can tolerate it or not. For me, that would include the unusual vertical allignment of the keys on the US model. But I wonder if Dell is going to offer the same return privileges, because I don't need McAfee and already have Paint Shop Pro.
DougC3

The “no hassle” return through 31 Jan 09 could be a way for someone to try out the keyboard and see if they can tolerate it or not. For me, that would include the unusual vertical allignment of the keys on the US model. But I wonder if Dell is going to offer the same return privileges, because I don't need McAfee and already have Paint Shop Pro.
DougC3

The “no hassle” return through 31 Jan 09 could be a way for someone to try out the keyboard and see if they can tolerate it or not. For me, that would include the unusual vertical allignment of the keys on the US model. But I wonder if Dell is going to offer the same return privileges, because I don't need McAfee and already have Paint Shop Pro.
thevindicated

did you also happen to notice that the Inspiron Mini 9 on QVC also comes with Corel Paint Shop Pro and a 4GB USB drive in addition to the McAfee?
thevindicated

did you also happen to notice that the Inspiron Mini 9 on QVC also comes with Corel Paint Shop Pro and a 4GB USB drive in addition to the McAfee?
thevindicated

did you also happen to notice that the Inspiron Mini 9 on QVC also comes with Corel Paint Shop Pro and a 4GB USB drive in addition to the McAfee?
http://scottsoapbox.com Scott

I like the “retail value” of $695…
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Paudio

I'm surprised that nobody brought this: QVC is a TV home shopping outlet which allow installments. The $529 is from 5 installments of $105.8. I don't shop there, but I know that many people would prefer to pay their stuff with installment. Like usual, anything you buy with some kind of credit would cost you a bit more.
Paudio

I'm surprised that nobody brought this: QVC is a TV home shopping outlet which allow installments. The $529 is from 5 installments of $105.8. I don't shop there, but I know that many people would prefer to pay their stuff with installment. Like usual, anything you buy with some kind of credit would cost you a bit more.
eye4get

I agree. I recently saw them pushing Dell netbooks with some bundled software, a 4GB SD card and 3-cell battery for $499 (not including shipping). You can get a better equipped netbook on Dell's own site for $441 (with a next week shipping date). I hate seeing the QVC sales folks covering only some of the “facts” and making people believe it is the best value, when it's not. The Dell “expert” wasn't sure if the netbook could read Sony Memory sticks. A wise shopper will check prices online before purchasing anything from QVC.
eye4get

I agree. I recently saw them pushing Dell netbooks with some bundled software, a 4GB SD card and 3-cell battery for $499 (not including shipping). You can get a better equipped netbook on Dell's own site for $441 (with a next week shipping date). I hate seeing the QVC sales folks covering only some of the “facts” and making people believe it is the best value, when it's not. The Dell “expert” wasn't sure if the netbook could read Sony Memory sticks. A wise shopper will check prices online before purchasing anything from QVC.

QVC selling a $449 Dell Mini 9 for $529

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