Need Recommendation for Roommates Computer (wants [edited] a brand name)

[spartacuskzm]

I'm in the process of giving my old K62 400 mhz to my mom (which I was letting my roommates use) and my roomate would like to buy a branded computer that will be similar to the one I recently built (specs below). He'll likely want a Compaq, Dell, HP or Gateway. Any suggestions on which ones to get and/or avoid (and on a system that will be comparable to mine) He doesn't need as beefy of a video card since he doesn't game, and I'm not sure about the DDR w/ the P4's (which I think he's leaning toward - and I'm not gonna try to convince him otherwise.

Thanks!

 

[vetteguy]

Can't say I'm a big fan of any of those, but of them all I've had the least amount of troubles with Dell. Compaqs and HPs come with too much crap on them and not enough power (for their price), Gateway hasn't ever been really impressive in my opinion. Occasionally Dell has some decent deals though.

 

[DN]

IF it has to be one of the one's you mentioned, I'd have to pick Dell..

 

[spartacuskzm]

You're preaching to the choir guys. Ever since learning about Anandtech I've been a big fan of customizing my own system and not paying $$$ for a name. However, since this is going to be my roommates computer, if anything goes wrong I don't want him saying "See - I knew I should have paid a little more and bought a Compaq" or something like that. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Athlon4all]

DUDE, you should've asked for a DELL.

 

[Shooters]

"Dude, you're gettin' a Dell!"

 

[Jhereg]

That being the case , I think Dell is your best top tier supplier. The machines are reasonably well built and the support is above par.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Dude, Dell customer service sucks @ss!

-Ice

 

[WarCon]

Ah just tell him to bite you and make him the computer. You probably work on his anyway, so you can keep it tuned. If you build one and don't overclock it, you shouldn't have much trouble with it at all. Almost every problem that happens after building is software. If he is real set in what he uses, then get him something like norton's systemworks to keep annoying little problems from being big ones and so he has a virus scanner. He will be much happier with your system. (I have an idea ------------ just sell him yours for enough to really put a nice system together for yourself.............)

 

[NelsonMuntz]

You're going to have a tough time finding an AMD PC from Dell. All they sell is Intel, so that limits the choice somewhat if he wants an AMD.

 

[John]

Tell your friend to get one of these.

 

[Scootin159]

<< Dude, Dell customer service sucks @ss!

-Ice >>



Back when I used to get PC World (3 years ago or so), Dell always came in #1 (by far) in the customer service area. I would once again state that from those choices I would choose Dell, and maybe #2 Gateway. Stay away from Compaq & HP as I have spent the last week helping people 'fix' their systems that have randomly died or won't run this program or something like that. Basically re-installing windows on a Compaq/HP isn't an option, so be very wary of them.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

<<

<< Dude, Dell customer service sucks @ss!

-Ice >>



Back when I used to get PC World (3 years ago or so), Dell always came in #1 (by far) in the customer service area. I would once again state that from those choices I would choose Dell, and maybe #2 Gateway. Stay away from Compaq & HP as I have spent the last week helping people 'fix' their systems that have randomly died or won't run this program or something like that. Basically re-installing windows on a Compaq/HP isn't an option, so be very wary of them. >>



Did you read the thread I linked to? I know nothing about Dell's tech support, but my experience (as described in the linked thread) has made me decide to avoid Dell altogether.

-Ice

 

[rahvin]

Dell's CS has gone down hill lately, but their technical support blows the others away. Make sure and get 3 years of coverage on the hardware.

 

[bluemax]

hee hee hee.... Emachines.
We took out all the stops when designing the eMachines T4155. It's the ultimate eMachines PC and a true power tool for home or office. It features a lightning fast Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 1.50 GHz. A full 256 MB of RAM memory. A massive 60GB hard drive. Dual optical disk drives, including an 12x CD-RW drive and a 12x DVD drive. Plus, everything else you need to take full advantage of all the Internet, business, networking and digital worlds have to offer, including an nVidia GeForce2 MX 200 video processor for a truly stunning visual experience,

Yeah... real stunning. (Not too bad compared to some...) but an MX-200?? Come on!

 

[Vinny N]

I want to say generally that if someone wants to buy a brand name computer, for cripes sake, please keep them away from from the home line of any company.
If you gotta have a name, go business/corporate line. They tend to be built tough, stable, and might not have as many integrated components. Yeah, that means if you go Compaq, choose something from the Deskpros, if you go Dell, choose something from the Optiplexes, if you go HP, choose a Vectra or Kayak. This also means avoid the bane of computers: Compaq Presario, Dell Dimensions(yeah I've seen some pretty terrible ones ), HP Pavilions.


Can't comment on Gateway, haven't seen much quality from them, corporate line or not

 

[cleverhandle]

<< I want to say generally that if someone wants to buy a brand name computer, for cripes sake, please keep them away from from the home line of any company.
If you gotta have a name, go business/corporate line. They tend to be built tough, stable, and might not have as many integrated components.
>>



Gotta disagree here, at least for Dell. My old Dimension was great, and I know lots of other people who had good ones, too. But my stepdad's Optiplex is an overpriced piece of crap, and the other Optis I've seen briefly didn't look too impressive. And don't business lines usually have more, rather than less, integrated components?

 

[eplebnista]

I like Dell as well.

My $.02,
eplebnista

 

[Vinny N]

cleverhandle:

"My old Dimension was great, and I know lots of other people who had good ones, too. But my stepdad's Optiplex is an overpriced piece of crap, and the other Optis I've seen briefly didn't look too impressive."

I'm sure it could easily vary from model to model, all I know is that the home line systems(especially the last two quarters) I've seen from Dell are unstable, and a bit sluggish. It didn't help one iota that so manyof them came with Win ME either. The Optiplexes I've seen (lots of them in the labs last semester) run really smoothly, and are quite stable.

"don't business lines usually have more, rather than less, integrated components?"

Depends on how low you go on either end, but the brands tend to avoid too much integration in their corporate lines (again you'd have to take a glance to see).

I'd guess you'd tell me you'd rather have a Dimension than an Optiplex but don't tell me you'd rather have a Presario than a Deskpro

 

[John]

You will always find companies w/ bad service reps. Do not base your decision on a single AnandTech thread regarding Dell's customer service. To do so only shows your incompetence.

 

[Rahminator]

I suggest a MicronPC.

 

[cleverhandle]

Just different experiences, I guess. Like the poster below said, you've got to collect up lots of opinions. As to...



<< ...don't tell me you'd rather have a Presario than a Deskpro >>



That's just a choice I'd rather not have to make.

 

[Kevster]

Yeah, definately tell him to check out an alienware, they are hot stuff

 

[Scootin159]

For a overpriced, custom-like PC go for www.gamepc.com or www.alienware.com. Note I said overpriced though....My vote would be the Dell 4400 series (P4 + DDR)

 

[John]

<< Yeah, definately tell him to check out an alienware, they are hot stuff >>



They are also NO different than what you can have your local PC shop build one for, and still get local service.