Q, do your comparison on software now before you order the computer. The cheapest way to get the software for your Dell is to order it from Dell at the time you buy the computer. They'll install it and send the disks along for "just in case." I shopped around to get a copy of MS Office for my daughter, only to find that it cost the same as how Dell offered it (much less expensive than buying it off the shelf later).

If you poke around at places like CNet and other computer and software discussion sites you can probably find lower prices on some of these programs. If you're really brave you can buy them as OEM from eBay sellers, but like I said, Dell will give you as good a price as you're liable to find (from a vendor who won't roll up his carpet and slip away in the night).   

SRS