Helping a friend buy a prebuilt computer

[Steve]

So I am helping a friend at work invest in a new PC to replace her six-year old Dell. Her budget was $2,000, and together we managed to score the Dell 2405FPW for just under $900 after tax. Now she needs a nice new PC to go with it.

I'm suggesting the eMachines T6524 or T6412. They're well within her budget, quite capable of what she wants to do (mid- to heavy photo work mainly), and seem to offer much more value for the money.

Unfortunately I'm not the only one she's consulting on this (you know what they say about too many cooks). Her other friend dismissed (as she put it) the eMachines ideas without much to say. Then this morning she sends me this email:

can you take a look at these? i think i'm consulting too many people on this computer purchase. the 2nd one is a bit of a stretch for me, but if i economize (ie eat at other people's houses) i think i can get by on whatever's left over after the purchase.

And "these" were a couple of Dell systems at $1,000 and $1,500. We're trying to keep it below $1,000.

So what is the way to go with pre-built OEM systems? eMachines? Gateway? HP? Dell? IBM? Am I on the right track?

Oh yeah, her friend has told her to avoid graphics cards with shared memory. He probably meant integrated video, but in any case no HyperMemory or TurboCache cards for her. My idea is to make it easy, get one of the eMachines (pickup or delivery) from Best Buy or CompUSA (or delivered from eMachines itself), and in addition get an X700 or X600 AIW from one of those stores fairly cheaply within budget. No gaming here.

 

[tfinch2]

It's her money. Let her get what she wants...

 

[mrrman]

I would stay away from emachine...you can build one for alot less than those and they are more reliable. Personally emachines are junk.

 

[NutBucket]

NO!!

Sheesh eMachines are fine for $300 but for 1k you can get a fairly loaded Dell. You'd be an idiot to recommend an eMachine that expensive.

 

[imported_Beavis]

emachines are like the Puke Bells

 

[Gibson486]

Well, Emachines is owned by Gateway.....

Anyways....a computer is a computer today. Everything is built to be disposable, unless you buy a high end computer.

 

[Steve]

Can some of you people elaborate on what you're saying? If there's something wrong with eMachines we need to know.

EDITS:

tfinch2 - she doesn't know what she wants. That's why she's come to me for help.

mrrman - can you back any of that up? Provide examples, links?

NutBucket - Link? And more on what is wrong with those systems?

Beavis - what?

Gibson486 - Don't know what you're getting at in your first statement, but I agree with the second.

 

[NutBucket]

They're built CHEAP. What more do you want to know? Bad Reputation? Etc. Etc.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Can some of you people elaborate on what you're saying? If there's something wrong with eMachines we need to know.

When I worked for BB (for a very short period before I realized how bad they were) about 4 years ago, Emachiines ad by far the highest return rate and the most crap installed that slowed the system down. The systems sold then had only 64% of memory free after boot, compared with about 85% after a clean install (most systems were in the high 70s).

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
They're built CHEAP. What more do you want to know? Bad Reputation? Etc. Etc.

What more do I want to know? Is it an opinion or is it fact? If it's fact, do you have something to back it up that we can look at? This isn't a challenge to you, it's important to us.

 

[cirrhosis]

Emachines used to solder the processor to their mobo. If she intends to switch things in the future, look elsewhere.

I hate to say it, but if she HAS to have prebuilt, go DELL.

Or, check out ibuypower.com at the least.

 

[Vette73]

The eMachines T6524 looks good. Seems to be a socket 939.

But gateway and emachines are 1 in the same now. That and emachines has come a long way.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Can some of you people elaborate on what you're saying? If there's something wrong with eMachines we need to know.

EDITS:

tfinch2 - she doesn't know what she wants. That's why she's come to me for help.

mrrman - can you back any of that up? Provide examples, links?

NutBucket - Link? And more on what is wrong with those systems?

Beavis - what?

Gibson486 - Don't know what you're getting at in your first statement, but I agree with the second.

First statement was just an FYI...but last i heard, Emachines had improved lots ever since Gateway bought them out.

There is only so much you can do to make a computer cheap today, aside from a cheap motherboard. What most do is just use overstock parts.

 

[Kelemvor]

WHy not get another Dell? Best pre-built computers out there for the price.

 

[orton]

Run away, Run far far away.
Emachines were created in IT hell to punish all wayward IT people.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Emachines have improved the last couple of years. I would still throw the PSU in the garbage and buy an Antec for it, just in case.

 

[imported_Beavis]

Dell, and you can customize it as well.

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
WHy not get another Dell? Best pre-built computers out there for the price.

eMachines 6524 - $599 AR:
Specifications
CPU: AMD Athlon? 64 3500+ Processor (64-bit with AMD64 Technology)
(512KB L2 cache, 2.20GHz, 2000MHz FSB)
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 1
Chipset: ATI RS482
Memory: 1024MB DDR (2x512MB), 400MHz Dual Channel
Expandable to 4GB
Hard Drive: 200GB (7200 RPM, 2MB cache) 2
Optical Drives: 16x DVD±RW Multi-Format Double Layer Drive
48x CD-ROM drive
Media Reader: 8-in-1 Digital Media Manager (Secure Digital (SD), Smart Media, Micro Drive, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Compact Flash, Mulitimedia Card, USB 2.0)
Video: ATI Radeon® Xpress 200 (PCI-Express®)
Up to 128MB DDR Shared Video Memory
PCI-Express (PCI-E x16) slot available for upgrade
Sound: AC '97 Audio, Dolby 5.1 (6-channel)
Modem: 56K ITU V.92 ready Fax/Modem
Network: 10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN
Peripherals: Premium Multimedia Keyboard, 2-Button Wheel Mouse, Amplified Stereo Speakers
Dimensions: 14.25"H x 7.25"W x 16.00"D
Ports/Other: 7 USB 2.0 (2 in front, 4 in back, 1 in Media Reader), 2 IEEE 1394 (1 in front, 1 in back), 1 VGA external connector, 1 parallel, 2 PS/2, 5 audio ports (2 in front, 3 in back)
Pre-Installed
Software: Microsoft® Works 8.0 1, Microsoft® Office 2003 Trial3 (Student Teacher Edition), Adobe® Acrobat® Reader, Microsoft® Money 2005, Microsoft® Encarta Online, Microsoft® Windows Media Player 10, CyberLink® PowerDVD, RealNetworks RealPlayer®, Nero 6 Suite, Napster 3.0 (30-day trial)4, Quicktime, Microsoft® Internet Explorer, AOL 9.0 (6 months membership included. Additional phone charges may apply.), Google Toolbar, Norton Internet Security? 2005 (90-day complimentary trial)5, McAfee Anti-Spyware (30-day complimentary trial)6, eMachines BigFix®7 - identifies and resolves problems that affect the system before they occur

Dimension B110 Basic High-End - $599 AR:
Specifications
Processor
Intel® Celeron® D Processor 330 (2.66 GHz, 533 FSB)
Operating System
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
Video Cards
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Memory
512MB DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
Hard Drive
160GB4 Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
Monitors
FREE UPGRADE!! 17 inch E173FP Analog Flat Panel
CD or DVD Drive
Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed)
No Security Subscription
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed)
No Productivity Suite - Corel WordPerfect® word processor only
Hardware Warranty
1Yr Ltd Warranty5, 1Yr At-Home Service6, and 1Yr HW Warranty5 Support

 

[NutBucket]

I just know from my previous experience...when a friend bought Celly 366 eMachine. Regardless, after dead PSUs and slow HDs, dead dvd drives and such I won't touch one even if they have improved.

Same with Sony. I know two people who had Sony Desktops (Pentium 200 MMX) and one who had a Sony Laptop (Celly 366) and I'll never buy a Sony computer even if they've improved.

Kinda like how Hyundai left a bad taste in consumer's mouths back in the 80's....I'll never buy one even though their products have improved.

EDIT: I've personally never had a bad experience with a Dell Desktop (laptops are a different story). I'm currently typing a on a 2 year old Dimension 8300 and I have a year old 4700 at home. Never had a problem with them. I've also got a P3-600 Dell sitting under a bench here at work and its still works great as well.

 

[Rapidskies]

Get a Dell. You get a warranty so if it breaks you won't be the one fixing it. Also while I've heard emachines are better now days you will get an equivalent Dell machine for the same or less money. Dell has a better record than emachines. And again don't build something or get something without a warranty, unless you are prepared to support it for the rest of your life.

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: Beavis


Dell, and you can customize it as well.

Not bad. After customization I get it to $928, which is under the wire. We might go for a different video card though. And she does have Office 2000 already, so if she doesn't upgrade that she'll save a bundle. Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm still looking for words for or against eMachines, please keep 'em coming!

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: Rapidskies
Get a Dell. You get a warranty so if it breaks you won't be the one fixing it. Also while I've heard emachines are better now days you will get an equivalent Dell machine for the same or less money. Dell has a better record than emachines. And again don't build something or get something without a warranty, unless you are prepared to support it for the rest of your life.

Sorry, but eMachines, and the stores you buy them from, both have warranties. As for an equivalent Dell for the money, go look above at my post where I compare two by price, and then back that up.

 

[Vette73]

Yep bang for the buck the emachine will be better. Don;t get anything with the intel 900 video card.

 

[apinomus]

Take our word for it, emachine has a horrible reputation for breaking and Dell is basically the King for pre-built computers.
I've built many machines over the last few years and advised many friends and family. If I can't build it, I recommend a Dell, plain and simple.

If you want proof go search google for emachine and read some other tech forums to see what people are recommending. It's fairly well-known in the DIY group the reputation of both companies and anybody who advises you to get an emachine is out to lunch.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Currenly in the Dell Home outlet:

Dell Dimension 5150/E510: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 640 w/HT Technology (3.2GHz,800FSB)
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005

System Price : $880.44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Memory
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM (4 DIMMs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Floppy Drive
External 1.44MB USB Floppy Disk Drive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Disk Drive
160 G (I) (7200 RPM)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Video
128MB PCI Express ATI Radeon X300 SE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modem
V.90/56K PCI DataFax Modem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media Bay
16x DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Previously Ordered New
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Misc
13 in 1 Media Card Reader
Dell Enhanced Multimedia USB Keyboard
Optical 2-Button Mouse

Add $29 for a 1 year warranty