What's a good pre-built vendor?

[giantpandaman2]

Hello all,

My father needs a new desktop. I always build my own, so I don't know what good vendors are out there for a pre-built desktop. I could build one for him, but I've heard it doesn't save a whole lot of money if you're going for a fairly basic system. With that in mind, does anyone recommend any good vendors for a pre-built system? I honestly fear buying a Dell or even HP computer. I simply haven't heard good things, but I haven't been in the loop for pre-built computers in a long time either.

My father doesn't need a speed demon of a computer, I was thinking an i5/7 2500/2600 using the Sandy Bridge integrated GPU. The only reason why he needs a powerful processor is he plans to do quite a bit of video encoding with family movies. He doesn't game or anything. The two things most important for me are:

A) The computer is of good quality. (We all know how much we hate having to troubleshoot for the less technical among us.)

B) Decent value for the money.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Bolas]

Pre-built good desktop vendors are:

www.digitalstormonline.com
www.cyberpowerpc.com
www.ibuypower.com

Ones that do a great job but charge you a bit more:

www.maingear.com
www.smoothcreations.com
www.falcon-nw.com
www.alienware.com

You can find a bunch easily with google. Just search for "custom computer" or something similar.

-Bolas

 

[Puffnstuff]

You could also go to a place like compusa, best buy or even walmart for a basic system.

 

[DesiPower]

Do you need OS? have you looked at Dell?

 

[Phynaz]

Parents should buy Dell's or HP's. With long service contracts.

Keeps the parents happy and keeps you out of the support biz.

 

[alent1234]

get a dell or HP and a software package that supports quicksync for the video encoding

 

[giantpandaman2]

Yes, I need an OS. Anyone know how good Dell/HP have been on repair history of late? After checking out the prices for what I'd need, I'm actually thinking of building his computer myself. I hadn't realize that building a good Sandy Bridge system was so expensive.

 

[alent1234]

if you want good quality and good support then buy a Mac or one of the more expensive Dell models with a GPU and the extra support.

if your dad lives close to an apple store tell him to buy a Mac since he can easily take the whole thing to the Genius Bar if there is an issue. and even though iMovie doesn't support quicksync Mac's come with the software for photo and video editing out of the box

 

[JWade]

I have sent in two laptops for warranty work with dell. both due to the screens. one was my wife's the other was another relative. the screens stopped working. to me it seemed like too much pressure was put on the back of the screen (ie stepped on/sat on) though they swear it wasnt that. anyways, Dell sent a box for each of them, put laptop in box, handed back to fedex, got fixed laptop about a week later back from fedex.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Well is that such an issue nowadays, of having to troubleshoot homemade computers? I mean faulty hardware is faulty hardware, sure; but I was under the impression that as long as the hardware is fine the software is now a lot more user friendly?

Bear with me as I've never had the burden of being tech support for any of my family members so far, but wouldn't it be just as easy to put together a cheap lil' system for him?

 

[Bolas]

Here's the 2009 rig building guide from xtremesystems.org.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=218744

They're still working on the 2011 guide.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=268835

Here's one of the better guides to how to get the best options for any particular budget.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af150/The_FalconO6/CurrentLogicalPCBuyingGuide/Guide.png

They also have lite and simple versions of the guide.

Anandtech has some nice system builders guides as well, obviously.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4164/budget-system-builders-guide-february-2011

As does Tom's Hardware.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6950-unlock-build-a-pc-overclock,2893.html

As for how to put it all together, sounds like you already know that. Here's a link for anyone else considering it.

http://arstechnica.com/guide/building/

Xtremesystems.org has a ton of guides and links as well, check them out if you are considering water cooling or overclocking or anything like that.

 

[Emulex]

hp came on site to replace the screens due to blacklight bleed. twice. buy business class machines and enjoy 3/3/3 on-site next business day service. problem solved. (or get a mac)

 

[alent1234]

i had a business class HP laptop. i sent it in with no physical damage and they said that there was evidence of pressure on the screen and pay $500 to fix it. i guess we should have bought a 3 year warranty on top of the 3 year one that it came with. in the end over 3 years the laptop slowly fell apart. the last thing was the screen died on me

 

[corkyg]

Parents should buy Dell's or HP's. With long service contracts. Keeps the parents happy and keeps you out of the support biz.

That is very good advice.