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General discussion

Driving myself crazy! Who should I buy a new computer from?

Jan 15, 2005 5:10AM PST

There is so much well-meaning yet conflicting advice, please help me decide which vendor to buy from!

I am looking for a mainstream desktop PC for home office and limited multimedia applications which is fast and won't give me problems, costing below $2000. If problems do come up, I want reliable, timely support and service.

Initially I was looking at the Dell Dimension 4700, but obviously many people here have had very recent bad experiences with Dell support. Others I have been looking at include Alienware, Velocity, Cyberpower, and Polywell.

Can anyone comment on these vendors or offer any other advice? Thanks very, very much!

Discussion is locked

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New Computer
Jan 15, 2005 5:44AM PST

I also am looking for a new computer. The biggest problem I have had is that Gateway and Dell along with many others put really cheap generic hadrware in the system. I don't mean all the hardware is cheap, but a lot of it is. The only sysyem I have found that uses top quility hardware and also #1 in tech support is alienware. I really like this system, but i do not know if you can get one for under 2 Grand. Go to the site and they will let you put what you want in the system. You can pick and chooce to keep the price close to what you want.

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new computer?
Jan 15, 2005 6:50AM PST

You will never find the perfect computer or computer company. I've owned computers from Dell, Compaq, HP and E-Machine. I've had good luck with every company. The only computer I didn't need or use any tech support was the E-Machine.

No company has USA only tech support. I have found if I call during certain hours, I have a better chance of getting someone from here rather than India. But I also rarely need tech support.

Buying a new computer reminds me of buying a new car. When I have too many choices, I can get confused. The last two computers I bought I knew what hardware I wanted, how much I wanted to spend and shopped 'til I dropped. But seriously, I looked at each computer and company and finally bought the computer that had the components I wanted.

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Get uncrazy......;-)
Jan 15, 2005 8:59AM PST

There are people who will bad mouth Dell and say the support is terrible, or the quality is not the best, but that can be said of every product from any factory. Whenever you have a problem on the phone with anyone, just keep asking for the next supervisor, and you will get it solved. For the best use of a dollar in getting the most for it, I believe the current Dell is the way to go. If you know enough about computers then have a reliable company like Monarch build you one to your specs. http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=M&Category_Code=allcustom

My suggestion, goto:

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_desktop4?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Under the Dell Dimension 8400 listed for $1219 click on the "Select" (highlighted in green). At the next page, click on "Customize it" (highlighted in green).
Put a dot in these buttons for selections:

Processor - 3.40GHz.
OS: XP Professional.
1GB RAM at 533MHz.
160GB HD 7200RPM ( or as desired 2 ea 160GB HD).
Dual drives 48xCD-RW, 15XDVD+/-RW w dble layer write.
3.5 floppy
Go ahead and for $40 get the 17"monitor or whatever for $$$
256MB PCI Expx16 NVidia 6800 Graphic Card
Sound Blaster live 24 bit Adv Hd
IEEE 1394 adapter
Dell A-425 Speakers w/woofer
Dell Optical Mouse
MS Works Suite (or what you want in selection)
Paint Shop Pro Trial

Total price should be around $1378 without a flat screen monitor...Click at the bottom for adjusted price and shipping info. I believe the $1378 includes shipping and doesn't include a 15% discount.. See at top for it.

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If support is your main concern....
Jan 15, 2005 8:59AM PST

then I recommend HP. At least from my experience.I own an a450n. In the Help and Support program is an email support feature. I was amazed when I first used it. I kid you not, in less than three minutes the bell went off and the window emerged stating I had a response from HP support.
Their phone support is also good. It's a toll free number that connects you to someone 24/7. The support people are clear, helpful and informative.
As far as I know you get this support for one year included in the OEM one year warranty standard with all HPs. At the end of one year, you can take out another warranty/service guarantee for what I believe is a reasonable price.

Hope this helps mjlnyc!

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My two cents!
Jan 15, 2005 4:03PM PST

I purchased a high-end Dell once. It had a corrupt Operating System on delivery. Gave me all kind of headaches. Called Support and they said, "Yeah. You've get a corrupt OS. You need to reinstall." They sent me an extensive list of instructions. With trial and tribulation I got it up and running and it has run well.

I would recommend going with the pc's that have been tried and tested. Don't get exotic. Dell, Alienware, HP, or eMachines all probably have a model that would suit you (with a little investigation).

I find that tech support may help, but often times they create more problems than they resolve. Do it the old fashioned way: read Forums, read books, experiment, and talk with knowledgable people.

With Multi-media, I'd recommend a P4 > 3GH, at least 1GB RAM, a 128MB to 256MB Video card, one or two internal Hard Drives of 160GB +, and a large external Hard Drive with backup software. I have one I built that exceeds these specifications and it works well for music and photo editing.

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I agree
Jan 15, 2005 8:12PM PST

with Kansaidan about his specifications for a multimedia PC. You need a fast processor, plenty of RAM, a good video card and a large hard disk.

As you can see from the few replies you have had here already, you are going to get all sorts of comments and views about the different brands and models.

But in the end, the choice is yours, and only yours. For what it is worth, I have had 3 PC's in the last 8 years. The first was a starter PC from Packard Bell, the next a more advanced machine from HP, and this latest is a speed machine from Dell, a Dell 8300.

I have enjoyed them all. I have had problems with them all and have wanted to throw each of them out the window at times. But exploring them and learning about them has been most satisfying.

For each, Customer Support has been good, but I have never used them much. I now prefer to solve my own problems.

No one can guarantee whatever computer you get, but if you like finding out about things and are prepared for the odd setback and frustration, I can (almost) guarantee that you will have hours and hours of enjoyment.

Good luck.

Let us know which computer you go for. Then we can tell you where you went wrong, Happy

Mark

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Worlds best Tech support
Jan 16, 2005 4:25AM PST

Bookmark this main forums page. Everybody else leaves you hanging once they have your money. Every time you get a good link from here bookmark it also and make and mark CD's with needed programs.

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Thanks, here is what I got
Jan 17, 2005 4:04AM PST

Thanks for all the advice from everyone. I ended up getting a Dell - despite all the posts about bad service, I've had one for 7 years that's been reliable, and I have a new Optiplex at work that is super-fast and so far no problems. I needed to stay on a budget, and since I'm not a gamer (just want to be able to watch movies), I decided to forego great video capabilities. Here is what I got, for just under $1200:

Dimension 3000 Series, Intel Pentium 4 Processor (3GHz) w/HT Technology and 1MB cache
1GB DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Desktop Solution
17 in (17 in viewable) E173FP Flat Panel Display
Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 2
160GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive(7200RPM)
3.5in Floppy Drive
Generic Dimension Dell Support
Image Restore
Windows Media Player 10
Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, English
Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Intel Pro 100M Integrated PCI NIC Card
56K PCI Data Fax Modem
Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0
PowerDVD Software Decoding forDVD Drives
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Factory Installed Audio
Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit ADVANCED HD Audio,100dB/Dolby Digital/96KHz/7.1
Dell 5650 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers System with Subwoofer
NO SECURITY SUBSCRIPTION, MCAFEE
Music Match 9.0 Basic
Paint Shop Photo Album 5.1 Standard
AOL DHS
Dell/My Way Home Page
Broadband Icon for Inspiron
NETZERO ISP
Word Perfect Productivity Pack
Soft Contracts - Qualxserve
Type 15- Third Party At Home Service with Nights and Week ends, 24x7 Technical Support, 3 Year Extended
Technical Support, 3 Year Extended
Type 15- Third Party At Home Service with Nights and Weeke ends, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
4 Year Limited Warranty
Technical Support, Initial Year
$60 WARRNTY REBATE 55105 Redeem within 30 days of ship at dell4me.com/rebates
Thank you for choosing Dell
IEEE 1394 Adapter
Microsoft Enclyclopedia,2004 for Dimension
Adobe Acrobat Elements 6.0
Money 2004 Deluxe Version for Dimension
Remote Control for Media Center

I'll get it next week, with free 2 day shipping. Will follow-up on how things go. Thanks again.

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A link to elswhere in this same forum
Jan 16, 2005 4:27AM PST
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I'm still wondering Ray what model...
Jan 16, 2005 9:13AM PST

number(s) (so that features can be shown) and prices Steve & Karen paid.