I'm finally biting the bullet and buying a new PC. My current one, after numerous problems, has lasted me about 18 months, which is probably enough. I am an “average” pc user – main uses are internet, mp3 & cd burning, some gaming, and digital video editing. I am considering 2 options Buy from Dell Dimension 4300 Pentium 4 1.6GHz (SDRAM version) 128MB Ram (which I will upgrade) 64MB NVIDIA GeForce2 MX Graphics Card with TV-Out 40GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive Floppy 48 X CDROM No Network card (have one already) No Modem (have one already) Windows ME with XP upgrade Integrated Audio with Soundblaster Pro 16 Compatibility Price $649 before tax and shipping Build my Own (sort of) Buy Barebones system from Access Micro PENTIUM 4 1.5GHz BAREBONE SYSTEM W/ MSI 845 PRO MS-6529 MOTHERBOARD 423PIN, 400MHz System Bus CPU. Kingston 256MB 32x64 PC133 SDRAM. In-Win IW-S508-I Pentium 4 Case Assembled, Foam & Boxed, includes Heatsink & Fan, 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive I would then buy 40GB IBM Deskstar ATA 100 7200 RPM MSI GeForce Pro 64MB (MS8831 or GeForce2 Pro) Operating system (98SE or XP) Cd Rom or DVD Soundblaster Live card Price $730 before shipping My thoughts are that I will be safer with the Dell, in terms of support and warranty, but will get a better (potentially) quality and higher performing system with the build my own. I am not particularly computer savvy, and have never built one before. I can also wait a couple of weeks, as Dell may have another sale and I could get it for a bit cheaper. I also have some specific questions:- What is the general quality of the components that Dell will provide? Are the motherboards and graphics card generic or low quality? Is there a big difference between the GeForce MX card offered by Dell and the GeForce Pro, especially for a casual gamer like myself? – I still like to play 3D games and would like to play more, but I am not hardcore, and usually play games a year or so old. What is the integrated Audio on the Dell like? Good enough? Will I have any compatibility problems with old games/software and hardware with Windows ME or XP? I plan on installing my old network card, CD Writer, Firewire card into the new PC. Sorry for the long winded message, but any help would be appreciated.
Buy the dell, but don't get a brand new one built to order go to Dell Factory outlet, it will save you like 30%, and you get the same warranty, I have been buying DFO machines for my companies for over 4 years, and out of hundreds we purchased we have not had ONE problem. DaDakota
I would go for the Dell. Hardware compatibility and drivers can be such a pain in the neck. You'll end up getting Windows 2000 and the video card manufacturere won't support 2000. As a result you have to use a driver that causes weird behavior with something else. Getting the Dell eliminates that kind of stuff. Also, you'll be glad that someone else installed the operating system and drivers. I don't know how much you value your own time, but you can rest assured that it will take a while to get going.
Where is it? Do I Have to go to Austin? Don't say yes - I just drove back to Houston from Fredericksberg today! EDIT - just found it online. Thanks.
I have to second the "Buy from Dell" vote. Just their service alone is worth it. I have used Dell for the last 3 yrs at work/home and they have been great. Only problems have been a bad monitor which was replaced next day and a bad motherboard on a 3yr old laptop.
I hate Dell....... I worked there for a year and a half and it was like a sweatshop, but they do make a damn good computer The thing that sucks about ordering a "custom built" computer from Dell, is that you have to buy speakers, keyboard, mouse, etc. The only thing you can take off is the monitor. And expect to bend over for shipping costs (about $100). But no one comes close to their quality, and support. Actually I built my own about 6 months ago, and its super fast (at least for me it is) The key I think is loading up on RAM. Mines an AMD Athalon 750 mhz with 256 mb RAM and 30GB hard drive. I spent a grand total of $450.00 on it and I havent had a problem with it yet (knock on wood).
The one in Austin closed a year ago. Here is the link where you can find them now. http://www.dell.com/outlet/ I would recommend not going with a refurb. just from personal experience. oops didnt read see the edit...... What were you doing in Fredericksburg?
Dells are not as good as advertised. The reason they are cheap is that they use the cheapest parts and the cheapest labor to put them together. Gateway has a pretty good deal going on right now, buy a computer get a flat screen monitor. Those flat screens are pretty expensive alone, and I think the computer they are hocking with it is decent and about $999. I worked for Compaq and I can't recommend a Compaq unless your looking for a handheld, laptop, or server. Their desktops leave something to be desired. Allthough I've had one for about 3 years now and put some pretty rigorous programs on it without ever having a problem with it. A lot of "Computer Experts" don't like Compaq PC's, but truthfully, my family has had three and never had a problem. I keep hearing how awful they are, yet never have experienced it. There, laptops, servers, and Ipaq handhelds are top notch though.
I bought 3 Dell machines. Their service started excellent, then they shipped an expensive dog to me and totally failed to support it or stand by their warranty (they wanted to add an extra month at then end when they did not meet their turnaround at all - why would I want an extra month of ****ty service?). The machine I received had bad video drivers, the CD ROM needed a BIOS patch, and the hard drive started failing immediately (that happens, but they would not replace it until it FAILED COMPLETELY). You think debugging a PC is diffcult, try debugging with 3 different problems and one is bad video drivers. I spent 2 weeks of my own time trying to debug the piece of crap, after spending over $6,000. It was about 5 years ago, but IMHO, they suck. The only problem with the outlet notebook that I bought was a problem with the keyboard screwing up periodically. Very annoying. I liked Gateway's service more, but they don't always seem overly competent. Atlas boxes seem to test well (CNet: http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-1016.html?tag=dir ). My father bought one and it is fast (had some bad RAM thoigh). I don't know how good their service is. C-Net mentions that the Dimension 8100 could have better sound (http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-2645860-8-5577589-1.html?tag=txt), so I would question whether the system that you are looking at will have decent sound. You question regarding differences between OEM products and retail is a good one. Their are often material differences between OEM and retail, so be careful. Also, if you buy a system, I think that you can forget tinkering with it. I believe your warranty is void if you remove the case.
Thanks guys, I will have to check into the warranty issue, as I will most definitely be removing the cover, to install my firewaire card, cd burner, network card and RAM. Does anyone know what Dell means when they say "Next day in home service" Do they come out and provide service in your home? I'm leaning towards getting the Dell, especially since I now have a $100 credit voucher. However, if the warranty is void when I openthe box, that negates a lot of the pluses. I will call them and find out.
You can open the box to add things. We added all kinds of things to our machines and whenever they had to come out, they sent a 3rd party guy to fix the machine, so don't worry about opening up the box. DaDakota
Thats better than others like Compaq, who actually had a sticker on the case to void the warranty when opened.
