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General discussion

Dell or eMachines?

Nov 14, 2004 9:07AM PST

Hi,

I'm looking at getting a new computer for home use, and have zeroed in on Dell and the eMachines T3092, which gets a very good review by CNET editors. What I'm wondering, though, is whether eMachines truly has improved their product and whether the newer technology in the Dell would be worth a little extra cost.

I'm planning to use the computer for surfing the Web, handling financials with MS Money, a little CD burning and some handling of personal photos from my digital camera, but not any intense Photoshop uses.

The refurbished T3092 comes with Athlong XP 3000, 500mb RAM, 160GB drive, CD and DVD-RW, no monitor but a very good price at Tiger Direct.

The Dell deal includes the new Intel Pentium 4 3Ghz HT processor, 500MB RAM, 80GB drive, and CD-RW drive, and 17-inch monitor. One year warranty and on-site support.

By the time I add a comparable monitor, the eMachines setup would cost me about $50 less than the Dell.

So my question is, how is the quality of these two companies, is it worth getting the newer Intel technology, and how upgradable are these two systems.

Sorry for the long post. Answers to any of my questions are appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

Discussion is locked

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 14, 2004 5:56PM PST

In my opinion Amd athlon is far superior to intel processors. They take intels technology and always improve on it. If you take both processors with the same clock speed, Amd will be faster. Dell is not very Upgradable, unless you use there expensive products. I'm not sure how upgradable the emachine is. Dells support stinks. Not sure about Emachine's support. I have not heard. Dell just annouced that they will start building with Amd processors. That announcment just came last Friday and there stocks went up over $3. I have read the reviews on emachines and have worked on one myself. I would go with the Emachine but, if you decide on Dell it may be worth the wait to get the Amd processor. Keep in mind I build my own so, I am a bit prejudice. I don't like the brand name computers because they are a little more expensive but, mostly because they use oem or generic parts. (Means the same thing). Anyway thats my opinion. Hope this helps. Skip

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 15, 2004 12:09AM PST

I don't want to be bias but I should mention that. Both machines, h/w wise are decent products. Emachines has cleaned-up thier act but now are owned by Gateway. Dell, is suppose to have the best support but it seems they drop the ball to often and "ill spoken English, doesn't help" from their off-shore support. Plus, Dell seems to want to impart a different h/w path and keep you in the fold by getting only some items from them, not good. Emachines is really more of a generic offering and the pricing is hard to beat. Basically, an emachine will accept many generic upgrades w/o any hassles, but the OS restore may obstruct a full install as not recongizing any new h/w not sold with the system, that's also an issue with Dell. However, both should work provided you save the OEM s/w plus the new h/w drivers for that restore process to be 100% complete. Put it this way, I lean for the emachine over the Dell. Since you mentioned "refurbished" just keep in mind any warranty *must* be read to compremend what you're getting into.

Why not check emachines as "new", so many vendors offer them it maybe possible within reasonable $$$ to just get new vs. refurbished. The warranty is better and longer plus within usually 15-30days the vendor(s) has to honor thier warranty period then passed on to the OEM.

good luck -----Willy Happy

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 15, 2004 8:21AM PST

Skip, Willy,

Thanks for the replies. There isn't much of a warranty with eMachines' refurb from Tiger Direct. But if I start looking at new eMachines, that brings it up to the price of a comparable HP.

So I guess my followup question is, how does eMachines stack up to HP?

Thanks,

Mark

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 15, 2004 12:20PM PST

HP is better than Dell, IMHO. HP does provide support but it can be as flaky as Dell's but seems to be more acceptable. You just can't beat the price on an emachine and the support isn't bad. Consider that if the emachine bellys up(cross-fingers) at least it won't be as painful, "price wise". That isn't a comfort, but HP and emachine seem to be even, for what's good for one is offset by what's bad for the other, they're too close. At least in real world reference, I don't hear that much piss'n and moan'n of HP or of emachines unless you get into support that's seems to be everyone's Achilles heel.

good luck -----Willy Silly

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 15, 2004 3:01PM PST

Thanks Willy,

It looks like I'll go with HP. Fry's Electronics has a great deal on an a700n, with Athlon XP 3000+ for about $150 less than an eMachines 3256, which has a 3200+. Other than that slightly higher processor speed and 160gb drive vs. 80gb for the HP, they're about the same specs-wise. I don't really imagine, given my uses, that I'll ever fill the 80gb drive, so all else being about equal, I can't see spending the extra $150 for the eMachines.

As for support, I've learned the trick is that if you get someone who's not being very helpful, you're best bet is to end the call and call again in hopes of getting someone who can help the next time. It's worked for me before, and I think the real issue with most tech support is that there are good and not so good people working for every vendor.

Thanks again for your advice.

Mark

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 15, 2004 4:12PM PST
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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 20, 2004 10:55PM PST

I wouldn't go with either personally, I like gateway. Although if your going to go with either, I would say choose the Dell cause emachines have no room for upgrading. Make sure you choose Dimension 8400 or 4700

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 21, 2004 12:56AM PST

EMachines is part of Gateway.

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 22, 2004 4:13AM PST

Hi Mark,

I just finished the process your are starting. If you are patient you can get a great value from Dell and do upgrades that Emachines can't give. Emachines are now under the Gateway Brand so the computers should be better. Below is what I purchased.

I was looking at Gateway 3250 and the Dell 4700. Very close in comparison the Dell being $70 more less the 8-in1 card reader that Gateway offered. I went with Dell becuase of the LCD screen and the DVD burner and separate DVD rom drive. Gateway and I think emachine both give a 19 in CRT but that was to bulky for me.

I just bought a Dell 4700 with the following.

For $817 I got:
P4 3.0 GHZ with HT 1MB Cache Intel's new 915G chipset
512 MB Dual Channel Ram PC3200
160 GB HD
1- DVD Rom
1- DVD multi format burner with dual layer by Philips
128 MB Ratheon video card X300E
17" LCD Flat Panel Monitor
Free Shipping.
Plenty of USB ports

I could not build a computer as good as this for the price I paid. It worked great out of the box. I added a pair of Logitech Z3 speakers (Walmart $59)and they sound great. Be patient and monitor the Dell site weekly for specials. I have had the computer for a week now and working with photo's is a snap. The PC work right out of the box no problems. I added the IEEE1394 Firewire card myself for less than what Dell sells them for. Plus if you look at Walmart or Target you can get a 128 MB video card for less as well. I didn't think about that before my purchase.

I hope this helps your decision.

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 22, 2004 8:49AM PST

I bought an EMachine 4-5 yrs ago and I still have and use it with no problems. I've never been unhappy with mine and my sister bought one a year later and still uses hers too. I remember hearing a period of time when they were having problems with them, but within a few months they seemed to be back on track. However, DELL seems to use newer technology parts than the EMachine does, and the last I looked, EMachine still didnt have a toll free number to call for tech support plus they used to only give free support for 15 days which I thought was terrible. That might've changed by now, but with all the positive feedback I read about DELL including alot of my friends that bought them, that is what I would go with if I weren't going to build my own. I did buy a DELL laptop last December and love it. They have great specials going on right now too and their tech support is 24/7 for the first year, toll free number too. Wink

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 24, 2004 10:14AM PST

Alright you all. SO set the record straight about Dell
1. They computer are jsut as upgradeable as anything else. The ONLY thing that would not permit you to upgrade would be a DIMENSION 2400 or 3000 and the ONLY thing you could not do is add an AGP video card.
2. I gaurantee Dell is cheaper then e-machines. Its staright from factory.
3. The only time you get someone from India is during overflow hours.
4. Why do you think gateway closed its stores? Couldnt compete with Dell. (my uncle worked for them)
5. E-machines has a crappy rep for a reason. Simple as that.

Trust me i work for Dell. Im not trying to promote em cuz i dont reall ycare if they make a ton of money BUT i hate it when people are so ignorant and THINK they know all about something and truly dont.

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 24, 2004 12:47PM PST

Dell may not be the least expensive option, especially since Dell does not use AMD processors. I don't know if it is still the case, but Dell desktops used to use non standard connectors on its power supplies and motherboards. There are other choices besides Dell and E-Machines. You could for example have a great Athlon 64 system custom built for you at a great price by Monarch Computer or others. It is much more important to have brand name high quality parts in the PC than to have a name brand on the box, and parts of unknown origin or quality inside.

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Re: Dell or eMachines?
Nov 26, 2004 6:56AM PST

What isnt brand name in a Dell? Ati, intel, Creative Labs, harmon Kardon, altec lansing, sony. Usually if its brand name box they use brand name componants. How often do "no-name" products work out? Rarely. I work for Dell, but either Dell, sony or Gateway. DO NOT get HP/COMPAQ or E-machines....trust me. I have worked on computers for 12 years. You will regret the e-machine.