Buying prebuilt computer. Who would you go with ????

[Davegod75]

I'm looking to buy a computer from a dell or gateway type place even though i'm a huge fan of buliding myself. However for simplicity/convience/speed reasons I'm going with pre-built.

Who would you guys go with if you had to buy pre-built. Quality/Reliablity/Value are the biggest factors.

Is Dell still the winner on this?


Thanks

 

[AU Tiger]

Dell

I have never been impressed with any desktop that HP, Compaq, Gateway or IBM have put out.

 

[dullard]

At the moment Dell is offering great deals. There is a 2.0 GHz P4 with 256 MB of RDRAM for $674 + shipping. Gateway offers about the same thing for $1039 + shipping. Just last week there was a Dell in Hot Deals with 1.6 GHz P4 with 128 MB DDR for $449 (shipping included). This deal is now dead but I think the price has only risen a little. So value wise, I think Dell is the only way to go.

Customer service for Dell has gone down the tubes. They used to win many service awards. But my last purchase through them was a nightmare. Gateway has kept up their service department (I just recently had a slight video card problem and they instantly sent me a new and faster card with 4 times the memory with no questions asked.) I've never needed service for my IBM computer, so I can't provide any info on their service performance. My Compaq at work needed a new monitor - their service was nice but forced me to ship the failed one back which isn't pleasant. (As you can see, I'm not brand loyal).

I have never heard that there is much reliability difference between the major manufacturers. You'd have to ask others for that info.

 

[Athlon4all]

DUDE, GET A DELL!

P.S. if you want an Athlon XP, I'd say HP or MicronPC.

 

[AMDPwred]

I'd go with a Dell also.

 

[Davegod75]

I don't like HP...Looks like Dell is still the choice here.

Any more opinions?

 

[sean2002]

I think Compaq is offering Athlon XP systems

 

[Rob9874]

Another huge thumbs up for Dell. I bought by P-II 400MHz from Dell (back in Jan '99, when that was top of the line), and recently bought a P4 2GHz, and have no complaints. Rock stable, great performance, and reasonably priced. Their offer for a $999 P4 2GHz (probably not Northwood) ends Thursday.

 

[RSMemphis]

We have both Gateways and Dells standing around here, and all of them perform flawlessly, where the Gateways are even older.

Recently I had some troubles with a Dell and called tech support, and they were *very* uneducated and could not help me at all.
In the end, I needed to help myself.

Never dealt with Gateway's tech support so far.
Get whatever is cheaper...

 

[dullard]

<< Their offer for a $999 P4 2GHz (probably not Northwood) ends Thursday. >>


The Dell Dimension 8200 uses 2.0 GHz Northwood (with RDRAM). Remember to include the $300 rebate on that model (bringing the price down as low as $674).

The Dell Dimension 4400 uses 2.0 GHz Williamette (with DDR).



<< Dell and called tech support, and they were *very* uneducated and could not help me at all >>


That is typical of Dells new and improved tech support.

 

[Gunbuster]

If I did not have to pay: Compaq or HP from the biz/workstation lines

For a good deal deal: Dell

 

[aka1nas]

Sony makes nice systems too, but they are a little pricy. Dell is a good buy for what you are getting.

 

[Ryan]

You're best choice would be to go with a gateway.

 

[ElFenix]

dude... you're gettin a dell!

 

[Lioness]

I bought a prebuilt from envisioncs.com The reseller ratings is great. Last I knew a 6.9 out of 7.0 You can chose from a quality list of hardware. The prices are reasonable. Shipping is only $35.00. And they include 3 years of parts and labor. You know what your getting. The service is great.

 

[DN]

Dude, you're getting a Dell! IMHO..

 

[4824guy]

I would suggest a Dell.

They have great prices, and are the most reliable. Gateway is a close second.

 

[CubicZirconia]

This might not be what you are looking for, but www.mgepc.com has pretty low prices on quality systems. You can select exactly what you want, more or less. A couple of friends of mine both own pc's that they bought from mge, they seem to be more than happy with them.

 

[Snoop]

screw dell
Get a Micron.

 

[vedin]

Alienware. Hands down. Why? They make the fastest. Tech support? Isn't that what you're here for? Trust me, fix it yourself, and if it's too complicated for you to fix, Dell/Gateway prolly can't help you either. If you can't tell, I don't like anyone's tech support, but I hear reasonable things from Alienware. Trust me, go extra-terestrial.

 

[Bob535]

I agree with Lioness, I bought a system from Envision's and I would buy another from them without hesitation. Great company!
Give them a look. www.envisioncs.net

 

[m1ke101]

Q]Alienware. Hands down. Why? They make the fastest. Tech support? Isn't that what you're here for? Trust me, fix it yourself, and if it's too complicated for you to fix, Dell/Gateway prolly can't help you either. If you can't tell, I don't like anyone's tech support, but I hear reasonable things from Alienware. Trust me, go extra-terestrial.[/i] >>



um......why pay so much for a system and then have no tech support? if you're going to pay that buy top end parts yourself and build it yourself and save a crapload of money. alienware is a waste of money IMO.

 

[starwarsdad]

I am going with the majority. Get a Dell.

I would avoid Compaq at all costs. I have seen quite a bit of proprietary stuff inside Compaq machines. In particular, a floppy drive with wierd pin arrangements, nonstandard floppy cable, and a nonstandard floppy controller on the mobo. The only way to replace the floppy was with a $75 drive bought from Compaq. What a rip off!

Dells are pretty well laid out and easy to work on down the road. One thing to be cautious of: I just bought a pair of the 4300 series desktops. P4 1.4 GHz. They had 185W power supplies. No room to upgrade there.

 

[Maggotry]

<<

<< Alienware. Hands down. Why? They make the fastest. Tech support? Isn't that what you're here for? Trust me, fix it yourself, and if it's too complicated for you to fix, Dell/Gateway prolly can't help you either. If you can't tell, I don't like anyone's tech support, but I hear reasonable things from Alienware. Trust me, go extra-terestrial. >>



um......why pay so much for a system and then have no tech support? if you're going to pay that buy top end parts yourself and build it yourself and save a crapload of money. alienware is a waste of money IMO. >>


Yeah. Being a former owner of one, I have to agree with that. I bought an Alienware a few years ago when they just started out. At the time, Alienware and Falcon Northwest were about the only 2 "enthusiast" pc's you could buy. I think their pricing has gotten better, but it's still too high and their support, at the time, sucked ass.