Convince me: Dell vs. Apple vs. Home Built

[slackerinabox]

I'm going back to school and need a new computer - I trashed my laptop by spilling coffee on it (doh!). I'm not getting another laptop because I feel like a tool for having to replace a computer instead of a keyboard, so am looking for advice. Here are my requirements. Please note - I'm a user, not an enthusiast - I don't game and never will. I don't need cutting edge stuff

1. Dual core is my only tech requirement, but I'm not brand loyal (AMD, intel.. i don't care)
2. I might do light video editing
3. I need every day stuff (email, word, web, etc.) to be spiffy fast
4. My parents are buying me this system so I do NOT want to spend too much. $500-$800 is the goal, as cheap as possible
5. OS doesn't matter

I was thinking a Mac Mini would work fine - your thoughts? I'm thinking a home built system isn't going to be much cheaper than a dell/mac and would be less of a hassle.

 

[jemcam]

*NOT* and enthusiast

What does this statement mean?

 

[Wreckem]

Dell. Particularly Dell Outlet Optiplexs.

You can get a really good refurbished OptiPlex 620, with a 3 year onsite warranty for ~$600, or less if you get a 10% off coupon.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: jemcam

*NOT* an enthusiast

What does this statement mean?

I don't need a quad core cpu.. I don't need a $1,000 video card... In other words, I'm not gamer.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: jemcam

*NOT* and enthusiast

What does this statement mean?

Means he doesn't care about overclocking or high end fancy schmancy stuff.

Take a look at the XPS 410 boxes at the Dell outlet. You can get a really nice Core 2 duo setup from there for around $500.

 

[loup garou]

Dell. A machine in the same price range will be faster, cheaper, more capable than Mac Mini.

 

[hpkeeper]

What's your price range? A Mac is the most expensive computer you're going to get, followed by the Dell... a home built isn't going to give you a warranty or anything, but at least it'll be cheap and you can built it EXACTLY the way you want it.

 

[SmoochyTX]

Dell

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Wreckem
Dell. Particularly Dell Outlet Dimensions.

Fixed. They offer more upgradability. Optiplexes are workstation class systems.

I recommend going with Dell Outlet. They offer a cheaper system with OS than you can build. Some systems are $250-350 if you can deal with a P4HT. $350-450 if you go low-end Dual Core. Price a hard drive, memory, case, and OS and many systems are only a fraction more...not counting the mobo, video, or proc.

Apple is overpriced, despite it's high quality. However, apple is doing more low-end chinese manufacturing and putting it in a nice pretty plastic wrapper. Quality will decrease slightly over the next few years.....but unless consumer price does, they will continue to lose market-share.

Build-your-own. You'll get what you want, but you'll pay more for it. The "I built it myself" feeling is nice, but after a few years of it, you may feel like I do...it's not worth the time. Dell Outlet is cheaper and you'll get a decent box for the money. Just hold out if the prices are too high. They have significant drops about every 2-3 months when trying to boost Quarter sales. Feb/march is a good time to shop....

 

[DaveSimmons]

Dell because there might be a college class that requires you to use a software package or web page plugin that is Windows-only.

If you get the Mac Mini you need 1 GB of RAM and either to dual-boot or run Parallels, and to pay extra for a copy of XP.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: jemcam

*NOT* and enthusiast

What does this statement mean?

Means he doesn't care about overclocking or high end fancy schmancy stuff.

Take a look at the XPS 410 boxes at the Dell outlet. You can get a really nice Core 2 duo setup from there for around $500.

WOAW! That seems to be an excellent deal - I think you've convinced me!

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: hpkeeper
What's your price range? A Mac is the most expensive computer you're going to get, followed by the Dell... a home built isn't going to give you a warranty or anything, but at least it'll be cheap and you can built it EXACTLY the way you want it.

If you want a legitimate copy of windows, you simply can not build an equal machine to dell for the same money.

Build me a quiet functional box with a Core 2 duo, 1 gig ram, 250 gig HD, a 16x DVD burner, a seperate DVD-rom, a Geforce 7300 PCI-E card, keyboard, mouse and legit copy of Windows Media center for $500.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: Wreckem
Dell. Particularly Dell Outlet Dimensions.

Fixed. They offer more upgradability. Optiplexes are workstation class systems.

I recommend going with Dell Outlet. They offer a cheaper system with OS than you can build. Some systems are $250-350 if you can deal with a P4HT. $350-450 if you go low-end Dual Core. Price a hard drive, memory, case, and OS and many systems are only a fraction more...not counting the mobo, video, or proc.

Apple is overpriced, despite it's high quality. However, apple is doing more low-end chinese manufacturing and putting it in a nice pretty plastic wrapper. Quality will decrease slightly over the next few years.....but unless consumer price does, they will continue to lose market-share.

Build-your-own. You'll get what you want, but you'll pay more for it. The "I built it myself" feeling is nice, but after a few years of it, you may feel like I do...it's not worth the time. Dell Outlet is cheaper and you'll get a decent box for the money. Just hold out if the prices are too high. They have significant drops about every 2-3 months when trying to boost Quarter sales. Feb/march is a good time to shop....

The OptiPlex 620 is just as upgradable as the Deminsions, It also comes with a 3 year on site warranty. The Deminsions only come with a 90 warranty which on a refurbished PC is risky IMHO.

Another thing is there are 100s, sometimes 1000s of OptiPlex 620s. So its easier to get a really good deal and find the config you want, than with the E510s.

I have a scratch and dent Optiplex 620, it has a hairline scratch on the top of the case, cant even see it unless you really look for it. Got it dirt cheap, $395, with a Dell 10% off coupon. Next iin line is a Latitude 620, soon as I get money in Jan.

 

[swtethan]

DELL for your needs.

or recommendation below

 

[kyzen]

Dell -

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/....aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DDDWAS4&s=dhs

 

[eits]

if you're not an enthusiast, just get yourself a dell and be done with it.

- you'd pay more for an apple and you won't really benefit much
- you'd have to learn how to build a computer and what parts are good, but you're not an enthusiast, so whatever

you need something typical. can't get more boring/typical than a dell. it gets the job done and it's cheap.

irony = i hate dells and i love macs and my self-built pc.

 

[vi edit]

The XPS 410's are picked pretty clean. A week ago when I helped my friends buy, there were over 30 machines in there between $450 and $599.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Need a monitor too? Maybe pick up a cheap C2D notebook? They're in your price range.

 

[sao123]

I'd like you to expand on your Dual Core requirement... unless you are doing CAD, heavy video editing, or file serving, I dont see any need for dual core.


Buying Microsof tOffice is probably the most expensive part of buying a PC. Depending on which applications you use can add between $200-$500 to a PC.

Other factors to consider...
Size and preference of monitor?
DVD Burner?
Warrenty terms?

 

[swtethan]

-Pentium D 805 - $92 you could get the presler 925 for $140 (both free shipping)
-motherboard with intergrated video - $41
-Case with Power supply - $35
-1GB RAM $87
-80GB Seagate Barracuda -$50
-DVD Burner w/lightscribe -$33
-XP Home $90
-Speakers $35
-keyboard & mouse about $30
-19" LCD - $180


$673


Pretty good for a dual core that can O/C to over 3.0ghz on stock cooling

 

[Quasmo]

Originally posted by: sao123

Buying Microsof tOffice is probably the most expensive part of buying a PC. Depending on which applications you use can add between $200-$500 to a PC.

Student and Teacher Edition for $150 includes word, outlook, excel, and powerpoint.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: sao123
I'd like you to expand on your Dual Core requirement... unless you are doing CAD, heavy video editing, or file serving, I dont see any need for dual core.


Buying Microsof tOffice is probably the most expensive part of buying a PC. Depending on which applications you use can add between $200-$500 to a PC.

Other factors to consider...
Size and preference of monitor?
DVD Burner?
Warrenty terms?

Hey,
I've used a 3600+ Athlon 64 and sometimes I get a little annoyed with sluggishness when I'm listening to itunes, downloading on bittorrent, have a window open and have to wait while the cursor catches up in my word processing app. My dad's lowly Pentium D 805 is snappy in comparrison so, while it's not completely necessary, I think I'd find the small premium worthwhile for better multitasking.

Office - I'm going to use OpenOffice and buy office on my own later, on my dime not the parents.

Monitor -I'll have to get one, was thinking about a sub-$200 newegg deal (19")

DVD Burner - have a USB 2.0 one

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Quasmo

Originally posted by: sao123

Buying Microsof tOffice is probably the most expensive part of buying a PC. Depending on which applications you use can add between $200-$500 to a PC.

Student and Teacher Edition for $150 includes word, outlook, excel, and powerpoint.

Or even less if you're school offers some kind of special deal. I got Office Pro for $25 at my school.

 

[Shawn]

Dell

 

[Gagabiji]

Originally posted by: Shawn
Dell