Dell or E-machine?

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: Viditor
The question comes down to AMD or Intel...
Dell is 100% AMD, and eMachines is 100% AMD...

Uh no

eMachines uses lots of Intel also.

Not any more...
http://news.com.com/2061-10792_3-6031310.html

PS Thanks for the fix terry...

 

[bamacre]

Yeah, his aunt would really see a difference between a Pentium and an A64. :roll:

I wonder if some of you guys recommending an eMachine have actually seen one up close.

I've seen plenty of Dell mid and high-end systems, and any eMachine just can't compare. Dell's low-ends are junk, but so are eMachines.

I think I may post some pics of both the eMachine T6524 and a Dell XPS 400. Give me a few min's.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Antisocial Virge

Originally posted by: Zebo
Guy has 6000 posts. I'd be ashamed to be buying Dell or emachines. Not only do they come loaded with adware and loads of crap you don't need which can introduce slowness they have worse HW for more money.

But if he can find a super smoking deal like they run sometimes in hotdeals then it's worth it just to save 45 minutes of build time. But I've never really found a savings even with those. Compared lots of times - when you add dells outragous shipping and tax BYO is superior. And we havent even starting talking about making a $100 processor into a $1000 one (overclocking) but that's not for aunty so it's immaterial here.

You forgot the first rule of building computers for relatives or friends. DON'T DO IT. I don't want to be tech support for the rest of my days.
Its not that I couldn't fo it either, I have the parts for a 170 opteron, 7800gt and 2 gigs of ram setup on the way for myself. I probably have all the spare parts to build her a fairly good system right here sitting around me but i have no plans to go that route.

Thanks guys for all your help. I had no real system specs in mind I just have a old memories off celerons being crap. It looks like its gonna be a toss up between the both. Dell support used to be good but I have heard horror stories about it for a while now. Emachines used to be crap but I have heard they have gotten better since then. Thanks for the help guys, some more to think about.

Oh I know it but some people like to help others freinds and family- not me- I have done once and never will again unless I'm paid $75 an hour to do it like I am with a couple freinds of mine. And only then because he works on my teeth and recommended me to his colleages.

I built a box for my sister and she calls me on basics like how to install printer or software - it's my enternal duty to support her and her kids cheap arse Comp I built for <$500 with my own dime.

Honestly most of my freinds and family think I don't know anything about computers because that's what I tell them - nothing.

 

[Zebo]

Yeah, his aunt would really see a difference between a Pentium and an A64

Actually you will quite easily. With A64's incredibily low latency even opening and closing windows and programs is much snappier like instant vs. a couple miliseconds. Every morinng I have to adust when i get to office on my 2.6C.

 

[shoRunner]

My parents have used a low end emachine for over 3 years thats on 24/7 and the only issue it had was the PSU fan stopped working, I didn't catch it for a bit and the computer worked fine without a PSU fan for over a week. In my experience as a consumer computer tech there is really no difference in quality unless you try to compare a $1000+ XPS to an emachine. Emachines are all under $600 and comparing them to a dell for $100s more simply is not equal. I'd definately go with Emachines unless you can get a crazy deal with a coupon or in their outlet. And last I checked emac hadn't out-sourced their tech support.

you should add a poll

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Yeah, his aunt would really see a difference between a Pentium and an A64

Actually you will quite easily. With A64's incredibily low latency even opening and closing windows and programs is much snappier like instant vs. a couple miliseconds. Every morinng I have to adust when i get to office on my 2.6C.

You have got to be kidding me. Sarcasm, right?

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: bamacre
Yeah, his aunt would really see a difference between a Pentium and an A64. :roll:

I wonder if some of you guys recommending an eMachine have actually seen one up close.

I've seen plenty of Dell mid and high-end systems, and any eMachine just can't compare. Dell's low-ends are junk, but so are eMachines.

I think I may post some pics of both the eMachine T6524 and a Dell XPS 400. Give me a few min's.

Ummm...the OP specified a system for under $500.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: Zebo

Yeah, his aunt would really see a difference between a Pentium and an A64

Actually you will quite easily. With A64's incredibily low latency even opening and closing windows and programs is much snappier like instant vs. a couple miliseconds. Every morinng I have to adust when i get to office on my 2.6C.

You have got to be kidding me. Sarcasm, right?

I'm quite serious. Reveiws even talk about it.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article169-page2.html

 

[bamacre]

Pictars.... (and biased review below)


T6524 and XPS 400 Front View

T6524 and XPS 400 Rear View

T6524 Inside #1

XPS 400 Inside #1

T6524 Inside #2

XPS 400 Inside #2


As you can see, both systems were upgraded with 256MB X800 GTO video cards (Sapphire Blade Edition), coincidenally.


What the Dell has that the eMachine does not...
1. Screwless case
2. Screwless hard drive enclosure
3. Physical support for heavier video cards
4. Better ventilation
5. Better cable management (although there are just not as many cables in the emachine)
6. Better design for optical drive assembly
7. Supports standard optical drives
8. Standard 128MB X300 PCIe video card

What the eMachine has that the Dell does not...
1. Option for AMD cpu's (depending on model)
2. Bigger standard hard drive (200GB PATA over upgradeable 80GB SATA)
3. Media Card reader is standard (Dell offers as upgrade)
4. Standard Integrated ATI Express 200 Video

PSU differences
1. eMachines comes with 250w, Dell has a 375w.
2. eMachines PSU has almost no free power connectors, Dell's has plenty
3. eMachines PSU has no PCIe power cable, Dell has one.
4. Zero SATA power connections in the eMachines, Dell's has at least 3.

Costs:
eMachine Fixed $650 - $50 MIR plus tax (shipping usually free) (no monitor)
Dell - Varies (with Dell Outlet, you can pick them up <$400, or retail, currently starts at $969 w/19in LCD)
Of course, most of you know Dell offers coupon codes, hot deals, and with new systems in Dell Outlet, cost varies quite a bit)


I'm sure there are a few things I have left out, but I think this is a decent comparison. If you disagree, feel free to buy both and review them yourself.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Viditor

Originally posted by: bamacre
Yeah, his aunt would really see a difference between a Pentium and an A64. :roll:

I wonder if some of you guys recommending an eMachine have actually seen one up close.

I've seen plenty of Dell mid and high-end systems, and any eMachine just can't compare. Dell's low-ends are junk, but so are eMachines.

I think I may post some pics of both the eMachine T6524 and a Dell XPS 400. Give me a few min's.

Ummm...the OP specified a system for under $500.

Well I paid $400 shipped after tax for my Dell 9100 (P4 630, 1GB, DVD+/-RW, 80GB SATA). So, poo on you.

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: bamacre


Well I paid $400 shipped after tax for my Dell 9100 (P4 630, 1GB, DVD+/-RW, 80GB SATA). So, poo on you.

Great! And you'll sell it to him for his Aunt with a 1 year on-site warranty from Dell for the same amount? What a guy!

 

[shoRunner]

Originally posted by: bamacre
Pictars.... (and biased review below)


As you can see, both systems were upgraded with 256MB X800 GTO video cards (Sapphire Blade Edition), coincidenally.


What the Dell has that the eMachine does not...
1. Screwless case
2. Screwless hard drive enclosure
3. Physical support for heavier video cards
4. Better ventilation
5. Better cable management (although there are just not as many cables in the emachine)
6. Better design for optical drive assembly
7. Supports standard optical drives
8. Standard 128MB X300 PCIe video card

What the eMachine has that the Dell does not...
1. Option for AMD cpu's (depending on model)
2. Bigger standard hard drive (200GB PATA over upgradeable 80GB SATA)
3. Media Card reader is standard (Dell offers as upgrade)
4. Standard Integrated ATI Express 200 Video

PSU differences
1. eMachines comes with 250w, Dell has a 375w.
2. eMachines PSU has almost no free power connectors, Dell's has plenty
3. eMachines PSU has no PCIe power cable, Dell has one.
4. Zero SATA power connections in the eMachines, Dell's has at least 3.

Costs:
eMachine Fixed $650 - $50 MIR plus tax (shipping usually free) (no monitor)
Dell - Varies (with Dell Outlet, you can pick them up <$400, or retail, currently starts at $969 w/19in LCD)
Of course, most of you know Dell offers coupon codes, hot deals, and with new systems in Dell Outlet, cost varies quite a bit)


I'm sure there are a few things I have left out, but I think this is a decent comparison. If you disagree, feel free to buy both and review them yourself.

is that dell PSU standardized or proprietary (looks like a odd size to me).

saying that the dell has better airflow is certainly a stretch with out measuring temps.

one thing i like about the emac/gateway cases compared to alot of hps and dells is the simplicity so they are easier to work in, don't have to removed 10 support bars and huge plastic-y cowls to install a modem or nic.

and what do you mean that emachines doesn't support standard cdroms?

oh and how much did u pay for your xps?
and how many ide ports does the xps have?

 

[lolgloin]

Dell > emachines

 

[pkme2]

eMachine for desktop. Dell for laptop.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: shoRunner
is that dell PSU standardized or proprietary (looks like a odd size to me).

Don't know. I've never tried switching out a Dell PSU, it just hasn't been necessary as they are already powerful enough to do everything I've ever needed them to do. My current 9100 has a 7800 GTX.

saying that the dell has better airflow is certainly a stretch with out measuring temps.

I guess. But if you look at the pics, you'll see what I am saying. Front and rear fans, and vents also in front and back.

one thing i like about the emac/gateway cases compared to alot of hps and dells is the simplicity so they are easier to work in, don't have to removed 10 support bars and huge plastic-y cowls to install a modem or nic.

My experience has been the complete opposite. Screwless entry for the Dell case. Screwless PCI card slots. Optical drives are a breeze. The only "support bar" in the xps 400 above is the blue plastic one which gives support for heavier video cards, and it just raises up and down, easily and toolless. As a comparison, it took a minute to add the X800 GTO card to the dell. Took me 10 minutes to do in the emachine because there was a small piece of metal that needed to be bent slighly (the x800 gto is a 2-slot card) to get it to fit.

and what do you mean that emachines doesn't support standard cdroms?

Well, the front bezel is proprietary. I guess the bezel may come off, and then go back onto a standard oem drive, but that seems like a hassel.

oh and how much did u pay for your xps?

That particular xps 400 was 429.97 shipped after TN sales tax (9.25%). Original spec's were...

P4 630
512MB DDR2 533
80GB SATA
128MB X300 SE
Audigy 2 ZS
16X DVD
16X DVD+/-RW
1.44MB / 56K
Win MCE
(also integ 8 channel audio and Gbit nic)

and how many ide ports does the xps have?

Just one for two optical drives because they are sold with SATA hd's. It does have 4 sata ports and supports sata raid 0/1.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: Zebo

Yeah, his aunt would really see a difference between a Pentium and an A64

Actually you will quite easily. With A64's incredibily low latency even opening and closing windows and programs is much snappier like instant vs. a couple miliseconds. Every morinng I have to adust when i get to office on my 2.6C.

You have got to be kidding me. Sarcasm, right?

I'm quite serious. Reveiws even talk about it.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article169-page2.html

I think multi-tasking with a P4 w/ HT more than makes up for the "couple miliseconds."

But then if we were talking about dual core's, any idiot could see AMD's are kicking Intel's butt in that regard.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: Viditor

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: Viditor
The question comes down to AMD or Intel...
Dell is 100% AMD, and eMachines is 100% AMD...

Uh no

eMachines uses lots of Intel also.

Not any more...
http://news.com.com/2061-10792_3-6031310.html

PS Thanks for the fix terry...

Interesting article & all, but nowhere there does it state anything about them saying they won't sell Intel-based systems anymore, it merely says their current lineup is all AMD.

Ironically enough, that's not really even true.

Where i work, we currently carry 3 Intel-based eMachines (these 3 are present models; i'm not counting the discontinued ones).

Also, keep in mind Gateway owns eMachines.
Considering the close ties they have, or at least used to have with Intel, i really doubt you'll see eMachines ever go exclusively AMD...

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: Viditor

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: Viditor
The question comes down to AMD or Intel...
Dell is 100% AMD, and eMachines is 100% AMD...

Uh no

eMachines uses lots of Intel also.

Not any more...
http://news.com.com/2061-10792_3-6031310.html

PS Thanks for the fix terry...

Interesting article & all, but nowhere there does it state anything about them saying they won't sell Intel-based systems anymore, it merely says their current lineup is all AMD.

Ironically enough, that's not really even true.

Where i work, we currently carry 3 Intel-based eMachines (these 3 are present models; i'm not counting the discontinued ones).

Also, keep in mind Gateway owns eMachines.
Considering the close ties they have, or at least used to have with Intel, i really doubt you'll see eMachines ever go exclusively AMD...

I couldn't find any Intel based e-machines on their site...could you post the models? From what I can see, they only sell 4 models of desktops...all AMD. Could they be older models that were just still in the channel?
Gateway is both AMD and Intel now...
Gateway
Interestingly, they're selling their PD 820 system for $30 more than their X2 3800 system.
Go Figure...

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: Zebo

Yeah, his aunt would really see a difference between a Pentium and an A64

Actually you will quite easily. With A64's incredibily low latency even opening and closing windows and programs is much snappier like instant vs. a couple miliseconds. Every morinng I have to adust when i get to office on my 2.6C.

You have got to be kidding me. Sarcasm, right?

I'm quite serious. Reveiws even talk about it.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article169-page2.html

Talking about this quote:

You?re probably asking, ?What do you mean it feels faster?? Well, for comparison I have a Pentium 4 2.8 GHz machine at work, and an Athlon 64 3000+ machine at home. They both have 1GB of the same ram and 80gig 7200rpm 8mb cache hard drives.

Thats meaningless. The performance spread between 80GB 7200rpm/8MB harddrives is enormous. I use 10K/15K SCSI drives on Athlon/Pentium4-HT/Pentium-M systems. There is no discernable difference between the 3 when it comes to desktop performance. The only thing I've noticed was that when I moved to a non-HT, non-DC system, there would be slowdowns when I was doing CPU intensive background tasks. I think for all intents and purposes a HT/DC system would be superior for desktop uses.

 

[n7]

eMachines Intel Pentium 4 516 2.93GHz Computer (H5016)
eMachines Intel Pentium 4 517 64-Bit EM64T 2.93GHz Computer (T5036)
eMachines Intel Pentium 4 2.93GHz Computer (T5010)


Meh it's possible those are discontinued in the US, but certainly not here.

The T5036 we just got in...like a week or two ago IIRC...

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: n7
eMachines Intel Pentium 4 516 2.93GHz Computer (H5016)
eMachines Intel Pentium 4 517 64-Bit EM64T 2.93GHz Computer (T5036)
eMachines Intel Pentium 4 2.93GHz Computer (T5010)


Meh it's possible those are discontinued in the US, but certainly not here.

The T5036 we just got in...like a week or two ago IIRC...

Interesting...and quite right. It appears that eMachines in the UK has entirely different models than the US. In fact, they don't carry AMD in the UK at all!
Since the UK systems all appear to be older Intel models, I wonder if eMachines sells off the excess inventory there...?
I also note that they don't have on-line sales in the UK. It's the same where I live (Australia), we get the leftovers...(kinda sucks if you ask me!)