HP or Dell?

[Atty]

I'm helping a friend buy a PC for his parents and we're considering just buying a prebuilt and giving it to them.

I've looked into HP and what I've come across is one of their Media Center PCs the a6250t, with an E4600 (2.4) with 2GB RAM (maybe 1GB configured and then buy and upgrade it later for cheaper) and a 320GB HD. Nothing else fancy, standard integrated sound and video because I doubt his parents will need anything more. They'll be using it for files, typing word documents, email, etc, etc. Nothing demanding.

The only thing I'm not clear on is what the best Pre built manufactuer is now-a-days. I've heard so many horror stories on Dell that I've just stayed clear of them, mainly because Apple would be the only pre-built I'd ever buy for myself and I don't like Mac's. So I'm wondering if HP would be the best? Are they good, solid PCs? Good Customer Service?

Thanks!

 

[Roguestar]

We used HP in work, buying hundreds of PCs every year. I can say that their build quality and customer service are both very high.

 

[magreen]

I'm happy with my dimension E521 from dell outlet. And you _cannot_ touch the price.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
We used HP in work, buying hundreds of PCs every year. I can say that their build quality and customer service are both very high.

You probably get HP's business systems. Which yes are very good.

It's not what you see sitting at Best Buy or anything.

I would get a Dell over an HP. If you properly configure a Dell system, it will be a good system.

 

[Nole7]

My vote goes to Dell.

I think that Dell makes better machines, gives you more configuration options and lower prices as well. Warranty and support won't be great won't be great either way.

I have a Dimension XPS-550 that I still use on a daily basis. This is a i440BX based machine that originally ran a PIII550. I upgraded to a 1.2GHz Celeron, maxed out the RAM at 768MB and threw in three large HDDs and a Radeon 9700. I use it as a server but I can actually use it as a daily machine for non-intensive tasks (i.e. office apps, internet, etc.). It's still running on the original PSU and just won't die.

 

[corkyg]

My choice is now HP. Dell used to be terrific value, however, the years 2006- 2007 have not been all that great insofar as quality control is concerned. When Michael Dell retired, things slipped a bit. He has returned, and I look for them to move back up the food chain. But for things built in 2007, I would choose HP. And, so has the market place when you look at changes in market share during the year.

 

[bamacre]

I vote for Dell, and YHPM.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: corkyg
My choice is now HP. Dell used to be terrific value, however, the years 2006- 2007 have not been all that great insofar as quality control is concerned. When Michael Dell retired, things slipped a bit. He has returned, and I look for them to move back up the food chain. But for things built in 2007, I would choose HP. And, so has the market place when you look at changes in market share during the year.

It really depends on what model, and what you're paying.

The Precision 390 has been IMO, hands-down, the best consumer-based desktop out there. Of course, they now have the new version, the Precision T3400, which looks even better.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: Roguestar
We used HP in work, buying hundreds of PCs every year. I can say that their build quality and customer service are both very high.

You probably get HP's business systems. Which yes are very good.

It's not what you see sitting at Best Buy or anything.

I would get a Dell over an HP. If you properly configure a Dell system, it will be a good system.

Good point, they probably keep businesses happier than Joe Schmoe on the street .

 

[JackMDS]

There is No Dell or HP in General.

The way it Goes.

Originally posted by: bamacre

It really depends on what model, and what you're paying.