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General discussion

My first computer ever! It's a Dell please help.....

Mar 29, 2005 1:28PM PST

This is my first computer I don't know much about them at all but this is the most I could afford.

2.4GHz Intel celeron processor
17" diagonal flat panel display
512MB DDR SDRAM
80GB hard drive
intergrated intel extreme graphics
16xDVD-ROM drive
48x CD-RW drive with sonic record now
intergrated Dell A215 speakers
56K data fax modem
10/100 ethernet
3.5 floppy drive
Dell quietkey keyboard
optical USB mouse
windows xp home
ms works suite

I can still cancel my order but I would like to get some feedback on the pros and cons of this pc it's a Dell dimension 2400 series it is costing me $880 with the cost of shipping and taxes included. Is this a good computer and is there anything I should know? Any help would really be appreciated I am new at this and just learning also does this have a cd burner? I don't know all of this computer lingo. Thank You in advance.

Discussion is locked

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Research
Mar 29, 2005 1:33PM PST

Yes it has a cd burner. Where did you do your research at before you purchased this? Did you shop around? Who will fix it if something were to happen to it? I dont see a mention of any kind of warranty. What are your needs for your computer, short term and long term?

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New Dell
Mar 29, 2005 1:45PM PST

I am purchasing this through QVC.com and I have researched to the best of my ability at this site and zdnet this is really the most expensive I can afford and I am really just learning. It is going to be for home use and I don't know who will fix it if something goes wrong (I hope Dells are dependable)and I believe it has a 3 year warranty. I really don't know what I will be using it for in the future it probably sounds crazy but I don't have much experience with computers I know I will use it for email and surfing, possibly games. Thanks

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QVC? Cancel it.
Mar 29, 2005 1:49PM PST
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it's OK
Mar 29, 2005 2:14PM PST

It's OK. Not fancy, not state or the art or even the basic PC flavor of the day, but it's fine. The drive size is adequate, and there's plenty of RAM. If you're gonna do Internet and e-mail and NON-EXOTIC games, you should be fine. Look at it kinda like the Chevy Nova of computers (how I date myself!) It will get you where you want to go.

except, I do wonder:
1. if you shopped around. That prices seems a bit high, even with the monitor.

2. why did you buy it off of TV? How does it stack up feature- and price-wise in comparison to ordering direct from Dell? Here is the 2400 page. Yours apparently is the second from the left:

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

3. Is the warranty through Dell, I hope?

4. This is minor, but I am not a fan of speakers built into the monitor. What brand of monitor is it?

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I think I'd back off.
Mar 29, 2005 10:29PM PST

If I wanted a DELL I'd deal with DELL and not some third party.

Shopping for one of these things can be difficult.

The biggest problem is the language barrior.
The language changes daily.

Anyway if I wanted a DELL and I didn't need the latest and greatest I would keep an eye on this site.

http://www.gotapex.com/

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Cancel because
Mar 29, 2005 11:08PM PST

If you have a problem or need help you are goingto run into problems with QVC who if you talk to anyone will pass you off somewhere else (they sell thats it). As noted in previous posts you can do a lot better. I would suggest that you research and investigate more,read some reviews and run some side by side comparisons.

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Cancel because
Mar 29, 2005 11:15PM PST

The ONLY way to buy a Dell is FROM Dell!!!!!!!! John

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Price comparison
Mar 29, 2005 11:43PM PST
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Thanks John, I was just getting ready to suggest
Mar 30, 2005 3:21AM PST

the same thing. That brand new Emachine also has a PCI-Express x16 slot for upgrading to a graphics card if and when that is needed in the future.
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7586-0.html?forumID=68&threadID=95334&messageID=1080122&tag=

A LCD monitor would cost extra, and bring the price up to around $800.

I predict that before long, Circuity City and Best Buy, and others like Office Max will be offering this PC in a package deal for under $800 to include a monitor and printer, with low cost upgrade to a LCD monitor.

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Okay I cancelled and...
Mar 30, 2005 7:00AM PST

I went to Gateway and got approved for $2000 tell me what you think:
Gateway 5310S
Gateway 6-bay mid tower case
Intel pentium 4 processor 515 (2.93GHz)
motherboard w/intel 915G Chipset and intel pro 10/100 Net
512MB 400 MHz DDR SDRAM (2-256MB Modules)
17" flat panel display
80GB 7200RPM Serial ATA Hard drive w/2mb cache
16x double layer multi-format DVD Writer DVD/R/RW/CD-R/RW
8 in 1 memory card reader with floppy
Gateway 2.0 speakers
56K PCI Data/fax modem
104 + ps2 keyboard
Two button PS/2 wheel mouse
Windows xp home sp2
MS works Suite 2005 on Cd
3 year total protection service plan
CX6600 Multifunction Printer
Belkin 10ft USB printer cable
Epson multipack ink
Epson black ink
Gateway complete security bundle
Canon Powershot A510 3.2MP 4xOptical zoom
512 MB mobile storage SD card
He threw in a Belkin 9 outlet Surge protector and Game pack cards and puzzles.
I think that is everything this has been so stressful thanks for all of your help. I'm going to stick with this one but I would still like your opinions about it did I get a good or semi good deal and is this a good computer? I hope it is better than the Dell. Oh the final cost was $2000 and he gave me about $200 in rebates. Will this work with broadband through a cable company? Thanks

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I'd pass on that too.
Mar 30, 2005 7:24AM PST

"Intel Pentium 4 515 2.93Ghz / 1MB Cache / 533 FSB / Socket 775 / Processor"

This is trailing edge and not 64-bit. By year end you'll be very upset.

Bob

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wow
Mar 30, 2005 11:38AM PST

you went from a chevy nova to a maserati (well, sort of) overnight. I suspect that it was the lure of easy credit.

http://www.maserati.com/

Pipp, I think it's too much. I'm not sure about the validity of the "64-bit wave," at least in your case, for what you say you plan to do, but I think this Gateway is too expensive and more than you need at the present time. Let's keep the car analogy going: if you're REALLY the kind of driver who goes to the grocery store and the mall and back, maybe visits friends or family not too far away, wants economy and comfort and not lavish speed and performance, then the horsepower that maserati offers will never, ever be utilized.

look at this....someone else mentioned quality for under a grand, and this looks fine. even includeds a printer, should you need one.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=999929600050004&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01173&id=pcmprd29700050004

that one might not be readily available, but it shows you an eMachine and the type of "complete" system that's available at less than half the Gateway price.

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Another Questin: Am I crazy or...
Mar 30, 2005 8:42AM PST

Really way out in left field I know I don't know much about computers but let me ask this, My friends computer (the only pc I have ever used) is a hp pavilion 513c with
w/1.8GHz intel celeron processor 256MB DDR SDRAM memory 40GB ultra DMA hard drive 64MB DDR SDRAM W/ intergated intel extreme grapics w/ up to 64MB shared video memory and a hp cd-writer 24x10x40xmax speed. Now I have been under the impression that this is a really good computer am I wrong? Is the Gateway better than this hp? I am more confused than ever.

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Good choices for computer, bad prices, no future.
Mar 30, 2005 8:59AM PST

If you 1.8GHz Celeron is working my best advice is to keep shopping. The 64-bit wave is bearing down on the market place and this means two major impacts.

1. You'll find 32-bit only machines at firesale prices.

2. You'll find many kicking themselves they didn't wait for the big wave.

Bob

PS. If you don't think this will happen, talk to me about year end.

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heh
Mar 30, 2005 10:54AM PST

Why even mention the 32 bit and 64 bit computers? From the way he is talking about computers, I seriously doubt he has any idea what your talking about.

Also $2000 for a computer which you will be mainly using to surf the net and check your email is a lot of money. You could get something for a lot cheaper that will handle your needs. You could easily get a quite reasonable Emachines or Dell or other name brand for a under $1000.

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And the number for such a machine is closer to 500.
Mar 30, 2005 11:33AM PST

My mom picked up that 499$ Dell with CDRW and LCD and ... just the ticket for the internet and email and ... even the Sims game.

Beyond that and at 2,000 bucks, my advice is the catch the next wave.

bob

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Well
Mar 30, 2005 1:13PM PST

I should have been more clear in my postings I want a computer now but I'm broke I don't have the cash to shell out and I probably won't have that much cash anytime in the near future. I have tried to get financing through Dell,Sony and Gateway in the past but did not get approved so that is why I resorted to QVC because they had the easy pay 4 payments going on but after talking to you guys I tried the financing again and got approved so I figured why not use all of the $2000 and I personally from what I have read think this pc will be more than I will need but I wanted feedback since I know nothing but how to sign on and check email and surf the web but I would like to get into other things later I have just never had the time to learn being that I did not have a computer. Oh and no I do not know what that guy was talking about with the 34 and 64 bits. Thanks for your help

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If in fact
Mar 30, 2005 11:43PM PST

all you know is how to sign in, surf, and check email IMHO it would be a huge mistake to go the Gateway route. No offense but I am sure that much of the specs mean nothing to you. If it were me I would look for an inexpensive (ie cheap) used machine form a local or a refurbished one (many time a new machine just returned for some reason) and get to know computing. The learning spike is high.
Then as you get more comfortable and knowledgeable you will pretty much know where you want to go with computing and gauge your purchase based on that information. You will not be then stuck with a $2000 machine that is probably outdated and has a majority of features which you may or may not use.
$2000 woth of buyer remose is a *****!
Good luck

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Now...
Mar 30, 2005 1:29PM PST

I have to go on a hunt for a computer desk any suggestions? Ha Ha