Buying a Home Computer or Digital `Toy' This Holiday Season? - 10 Tips From Dell to Help You Shop Smarter When Buying For Your Loved One's Digital Lifestyle.

Feature Editors & High-Tech/Consumer Writers

FEATURE...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Your family wants to watch DVDs on your home computer. Your college student just has to have a new wireless notebook for school. Your kids are crazy over the Harry Potter computer game. Your best friend wants to get organized on a new handheld.

Your friends and family are no different than the millions of Americans who are increasingly integrating digital technologies into their everyday lives. And to make our tech-enthusiasts happy this holiday season, many of us will be shopping for digital technology products -- from MP3 players to notebook computers. In fact, almost 70 percent of computer owners recently surveyed by Harris Interactive, on behalf of Dell and Microsoft, said they are likely to buy a new digital technology product this holiday. About half of them also said their computer is more important than any other piece of technology in the home.

But the search for the right computer or all-in-one printer can be overwhelming, even for the most organized and well-informed shopper.

Dell offers these tips to help you "shop smarter" for digital products this holiday season and to ensure you get the most out of your technology purchase:

Smart Shopping

    --  Think about how you plan to use the family computer you are
        about to buy. Chances are that it will handle more than typing
        next year's gift list. The family should discuss up front how
        you want to use your new computer. Uses may range from
        managing finances to editing digital photos to playing games
        -- even watching DVDs. Getting the right processor speed, hard
        drive size, amount of memory and other peripherals to support
        how you want to use your system will make everyone's
        experience a good one.

    --  Not sure what speeds and feeds you'll need? Just ask or go
        online to see what companies are positioning as best sellers.
        Through dell.com, for example, you will easily find with each
        system description a section that highlights great uses for
        that product. Or look for best sellers with recommended
        configurations if that makes it easier for you to decide. If
        buying over the phone or in person, a sales person can help
        you figure out which system or accessory you should buy to
        meet your needs.

    --  Desktop or notebook. Again, think about how the system will be
        used. Do you need a computer in multiple locations? Or do you
        need the heavy-duty power of a desktop for video editing? If
        the person you are buying for is on the go and needs access to
        a computer throughout the day, then a notebook may be the
        right choice. Or if space is a premium -- like a college dorm
        room -- consider a notebook or a small-form-factor desktop.
        Best option -- ask for a wish list.

    --  Think about buying a home computer to serve as an
        entertainment center. Today's systems can play movies and
        music and be outfitted with high-quality speakers. So, instead
        of spending all that money on a new stereo receiver, CD
        player, VCR or DVD player, purchase a new computer and save
        yourself some time and money, and your special someone space
        in that already crowed apartment.

    --  Look for offers that make it easy to buy:

        --  If you want to reserve your cash for other purchases, look
            into no-interest financing options. Many companies,
            including Dell, are offering well-qualified buyers zero
            percent interest on their purchases. Ask Dell for details.

        --  Make sure you can send your purchase back for a full
            refund if you are not completely satisfied.

        --  Online shopping offers convenience and saves time during
            the busy holiday season. Look for online stores where you
            can buy many of your holiday gifts. But make sure you are
            dealing with a reputable online company.

        --  If you want high-speed Internet access or the convenience
            of wireless in your home, look for companies that also
            provide broadband and wireless installation services to
            help get your digital household connected fast and easy.

    --  Look for overall value, not just the best price -- be sure to
        consider how easy it will be to own your digital product.

        --  It's important to look beyond your computer's price tag
            for total value. Become familiar with what's included in
            the price, paying attention to the warranty, online
            features, software, type of monitor and size, processor
            speed, and amount of memory. Do your homework before
            shopping for a personal computer by reading product
            reviews in trade and consumer computer magazines.

        --  Make sure you get technical service and support after the
            sale. See if the manufacturer offers access to quality
            support 24 hours a day, seven days a week via both an 800
            number and the Web. Also look for on-site certified
            technician service just in case you need it.

        --  Look for services that will get you up and running in
            minutes. Dell can help you install your home computer if
            you are in need of this type of assistance.

    --  Have your system shipped to you rather than lugging it to your
        car. Look for free shipping offers and order in time for your
        digital product to make it by the holidays. If you are getting
        a late start in your shopping this year, look for quick ship
        options.

    --  Make plans for your old system. Don't let an old computer go
        unused. Check out options for the reuse, resale or recycling
        of your used system. Consumers can donate, sell, or trade-in
        their used computers through programs such as Dell Exchange
        ( www.dell4me.com/dellexchange ).

If you are like many consumers these days, and do much of your shopping online, Dell also encourages you to consider:

-- "Accreditation": Never do business with a company that doesn't offer a physical address and phone number. If you'd like to try out a new merchant, request a catalog to better understand who they are and what they sell. Check with the Better Business Bureau for additional insight.

-- Trick Questions: Watch for hidden costs, fine print, return charges or restocking fees and Web sites that don't guarantee secure shopping. Insist upon security measures when shopping online and be cautious when offering personal information. Confirm that personal information will be kept confidential.

Editor's Note: Also included in this Dell holiday package are two fact sheets on "outrageous deals" for computer systems and accessories this holiday season.

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Outrageous Dell Deals This Holiday Season

Dimension(tm) Desktop Computers and Inspiron(tm) Notebooks

Dimension(tm) 2350 desktop with Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 processor and Flat Panel monitor for just $699(a) (after $100 Mail-in-Rebate)($799 before rebate)

Base System Includes:

-- Intel Pentium 4 Processor @ 1.8GHz

-- 15" E1512 Flat Panel Display

-- 128 MB DDR SDRAM @ 266 MHz memory

-- 30GB(b) Value hard drive

-- 48X CD-Rom Drive

-- 0% APR for 6 months for well-qualified buyers(c).

Upgrade to a 4X DVD Burner for $200 more and receive a:

Dimension(tm) 2350 P4, Flat Panel and DVD Burner for just $899(d) (after $100 Mail-in-Rebate)($999 before rebate)

Inspiron(tm) 2650 notebook with Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 Processor-M with 15-inch display for just $1129

Base System Includes:

-- Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor-M @ 1.70GHz

-- 15" Super XGA+TFT display

-- 512 MB memory

-- 30GB(b) hard drive

-- 24X CD-RW/DVD Combination Drive

-- 0% APR for 6 months for well-qualified buyers(c).

Editor's Notes:

-- Visit www.dell4me.com and click on "Holiday Shopping, easy as

Dell!" for latest holiday offers.

-- Visit www.marcom.dell.com for product shots.

-- Consumers can buy Dell products online (www.dell4me.com), over the

phone (1-800-buy dell), or at one of 71 Dell Direct Stores (for

locations visit www.dell.com/directstore).

Pricing, specifications, availability and terms of offers may change without notice. Taxes and shipping charges extra, and vary. May be combined with other select offers & discounts.

U.S. Dell Home Systems Co. new purchases only. Limit of 5 systems per customer please. Dell cannot be responsible for errors in typography or photography.

(a) Offer expires 12/31/02, 11 PM CT. Rebate coupon must be postmarked

within 30 calendar days of your system ship date and rebate checks

are ordinarily processed within 8-10 weeks. See

www.dell4me.com/rebates or call 1-800-624-9897 for rebate coupon

and details.

(b) For hard drives, GB means 1 billion bytes; accessible capacity

varies with operating environment.

(c) Offered by CIT Bank to qualified U.S. residents with approved

credit. Taxes and shipping charges are extra, and vary. No

Interest for Six Months Promotional Feature: FOR WELL-QUALIFIED

CUSTOMERS. Offer available for new accounts with any purchase of

$500 or more between 11/1/2002 and 1/31/2003. After 0% APR for 180

days, subject to the Standard variable APR (7.99% as of October 1,

2002).

(d) Offer expires 12/31/02, 11 PM CT. Rebate coupon must be postmarked

within 30 calendar days of your system ship date and rebate checks

are ordinarily processed within 8-10 weeks. See

www.dell4me.com/rebates or call 1-800-624-9897 for rebate coupon

and details.

--------------------------------------------------

Outrageous Dell Deals This Holiday Season

Accessories: from the Dell(tm) Axim(tm) X5 Handheld to

Harry Potter Games

Dell(tm) Axim(tm) X5 handheld for just $199(a) (after $50 Mail-in Rebate)($149 before rebate)

Entry handheld features:

-- Microsoft(R) Pocket PC 2002; applications including Word and

Excel

-- 300 MHz Intel(R) XScale Processor

-- Brilliant display both indoor and out

-- 32MB SDRAM and 32MB Intel StrataFlash(tm) ROM

-- Integrated CompactFlash Type II and Secure Digital / MMC card

slots

-- Removable Primary Battery with optional High Capacity Battery

www.dell4me.com/axim

Kodak EasyShare CX4230 Zoom Digital Camera - $199

-- All-glass lens with 3X Optical/2X Digital Zoom

-- 1632 x 1232 pixels

-- 2.0 MP CCD

-- 1.6" LCD

-- 16 MB Internal Memory

-- MMC/SD Card

-- Auto white balance and exposure with matrix metering

www.dell4me.com/accessories

Lexmark X85 All-In-One Print Center - $179

-- Thermal Inkjet Color Printer

-- Up to 12 pages per minute Black and White, up to 6 pages per

minute Color

-- Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi

-- Scanner: CCD; 600 x 1200 dpi; 48 bit

-- ABBYY FineReader OCR software and MGI PhotoSuite image-editing

software.

-- Printer cable not included

www.dell4me.com/accessories

Software Games:

-- Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets CD-ROM - $29.95

-- Madden NFL 2003 CD-ROM - $35.99

www.dell4me.com/games

Monsoon PlanarMedia 9 LCD Flat Panel Speakers - $92.95

-- 3 speakers

-- 1 Subwoofer w/ 6.5" bass driver and port

-- 2 Satellites

-- 76 Watts RMS Total System Power

-- Level 9s Planar Focus Technology(tm)

www.dell4me.com/accessories

Editor's Notes:

-- Visit www.dell4me.com and click on "Holiday Shopping, easy as

Dell!" for latest holiday offers.

-- Visit www.marcom.dell.com for product shots.

-- Consumers can buy Dell products online (www.dell4me.com), over the

phone (1-800-buy dell), or at one of 71 Dell Direct Stores (for

locations visit www.dell.com/directstore).

Pricing, specifications, availability and terms of offers may change without notice. Taxes and shipping charges extra, and vary. May be combined with other select offers & discounts.

U.S. Dell Home Systems Co. new purchases only. Limit of 5 systems per customer please. Dell cannot be responsible for errors in typography or photography.

(a) Offer expires 12/31/02, 11 PM CT. Rebate coupon must be postmarked

within 30 calendar days of your system ship date and rebate checks

are ordinarily processed within 8-10 weeks. See

www.dell4me.com/rebates or call 1-800-624-9897 for rebate coupon

and details.