Give dell sales a call and say crap like you got only 1000 to spend etc., the reps want to make the sale so they will drop the price also you can ask for some free stuff like alienware bags, etc. If they dont drop the price, say no. they might keep phoneing you back with a better offer untill you say yes.
Also from reading and asking there not much overall difference from the i5 and the i7 set ups. I think what most people do it get a i5 setup with 4GB RAM then spend savings on a SSD and it speeds up the system a lot. 30sec boot times on some mx11
Dell sale reps work on commission, give them a call as prices are normal lower due to them wanting to get some commission. I sent a email to a sale rep and been told i be offered a better price that online once i made a order.