Panamabob
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,012
- Location
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
We'll be shopping for a new computer within a week or so.
Any advice?
Our needs:
CHEAP AND EASY!
Any advice?
Our needs:
CHEAP AND EASY!
-
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New computer.....
- Thread starter Panamabob
- Start date
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Dusty Rhodes
Suspended
- Messages
- 240
- Location
- Panama City, Florida
DELL
Used to support them at an Air Force Contracting Office till very recently (now I write AF Contracts, How the hell......). Anyhow, Good stuff ,and Tech Support is back in the US, so (hopfully) no language problem. If you can afford it, also recommend 264 MB of RAM, minimum 40 GB Hard Drive but bigger is better, and CD-R/RW burner. And don't forget Office 2003.
Dusty
Used to support them at an Air Force Contracting Office till very recently (now I write AF Contracts, How the hell......). Anyhow, Good stuff ,and Tech Support is back in the US, so (hopfully) no language problem. If you can afford it, also recommend 264 MB of RAM, minimum 40 GB Hard Drive but bigger is better, and CD-R/RW burner. And don't forget Office 2003.
Dusty
Bogie1943
Practically Family
- Messages
- 672
- Location
- Proctorville, Ohio
DUDE GET A DELL, I am on my laptop on my back deck, listening to some swing and enjoying a cigar. All thanks to my Dell 9100 Laptop, the best, this model is the high end entertainment/media model for people like me, being a filmmaker and all, I need a good puter to edit on, this one is great, every Dell I have ever layed my hands on has always been the best, they are a class operation indeed.
- Messages
- 54,308
Gee, I hate to dissent here but my experiences with Dell are a little less than desirable. I have had four run through my office. Everyone was a dog. The service was terrible as well. I stayed on the phone line for hours without any results at least five or six times. I understand that Dell has changed its Tech Support from India back to the USA since then but one experience like that has really put me off Dell products---much less five or six.
Another problem I have with them is that they only handle hardware problem with their computers. If you have a software conflict or some such thing--you are on your own or they will gladly refer you to the local computer guy--at your own expense. I had this problem with a phone modem that just happened to be integrated into the motherboard. Can you say driven to the brink of insanity? :rage:
My advice (and I have taken my own advice since
) is to find a good local guy that has good credentials and references to build a computer to your specifications. You will get exactly what you want or a series of options that you can choose from. The best part is that if something goes wrong the guy is right in the vicinity and you do not have to send the computer off to God knows where to get it fixed and have a lot of computer down time.
Make sure the computer is in a large enough case as to be ungradeable. I just had mine upgraded from a 1 gig processor to a 2.6 gig pentium 4 for under $500 and I am happy as a clam. Where else can you get such service at popular prices? It is no accident that the Dell actor "dude" was discontinued due to his drug use. He got tired of waiting for Tech Support from India and needed something to calm his nerves. LOL LOL LOL
Regards to all,
J
Another problem I have with them is that they only handle hardware problem with their computers. If you have a software conflict or some such thing--you are on your own or they will gladly refer you to the local computer guy--at your own expense. I had this problem with a phone modem that just happened to be integrated into the motherboard. Can you say driven to the brink of insanity? :rage:
My advice (and I have taken my own advice since
) is to find a good local guy that has good credentials and references to build a computer to your specifications. You will get exactly what you want or a series of options that you can choose from. The best part is that if something goes wrong the guy is right in the vicinity and you do not have to send the computer off to God knows where to get it fixed and have a lot of computer down time. Make sure the computer is in a large enough case as to be ungradeable. I just had mine upgraded from a 1 gig processor to a 2.6 gig pentium 4 for under $500 and I am happy as a clam. Where else can you get such service at popular prices? It is no accident that the Dell actor "dude" was discontinued due to his drug use. He got tired of waiting for Tech Support from India and needed something to calm his nerves. LOL LOL LOL
Regards to all,
J
Brad Bowers
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,187
Robert,
I agree with jamespowers on this one. I've been building my own systems for the past fifteen years, and for a while worked as service manager for a local computer shop. When you need service, local is the best option. Dell, Gateway, and the others might offer nice package deals, but if something goes wrong, they are difficult to deal with. Most of them use proprietary motherboards, so if something goes wrong, you have to use an authorized service center to get a replacement. With a local shop, they use standardized parts that are easily upgradable or swapped out, and usually not too expensive. It's nice to be able to pick out the components you want.
My 2 cents worth.
Brad
I agree with jamespowers on this one. I've been building my own systems for the past fifteen years, and for a while worked as service manager for a local computer shop. When you need service, local is the best option. Dell, Gateway, and the others might offer nice package deals, but if something goes wrong, they are difficult to deal with. Most of them use proprietary motherboards, so if something goes wrong, you have to use an authorized service center to get a replacement. With a local shop, they use standardized parts that are easily upgradable or swapped out, and usually not too expensive. It's nice to be able to pick out the components you want.
My 2 cents worth.
Brad
- Messages
- 4,119
- Location
- The Beautiful Diablo Valley
Beg to differ
I used to build computers, for myself, and for others. Began with the 8088, the 286, 386, 386DX, 386DX2, 386-dx-40, then the 486 DX2 (that was smoking!). and so you get the idea. Used to buy hard disk, floppy, graphics cards, memory (1 MB was $100)!!
NOW..this has all changed.
Go to BEST BUY or some store (we have FRYS ELECTRONICS) and buy a complete system ...it's cheaper. I bought a Pentium4 SONY VIAO, DVD and CD-R, 80 gig, 512 memory....keyboard, speakers...all that for about $800. Cheap. And that was three or four years ago!
SO, what u wanna it for? Internet, games, home finance....then just get the AMD or Intel basic package.....will make you very happy, and it comes with a warranty.
Computers are getting like toasters, when bad, toss em.
That's how I see it.
I used to build computers, for myself, and for others. Began with the 8088, the 286, 386, 386DX, 386DX2, 386-dx-40, then the 486 DX2 (that was smoking!). and so you get the idea. Used to buy hard disk, floppy, graphics cards, memory (1 MB was $100)!!
NOW..this has all changed.
Go to BEST BUY or some store (we have FRYS ELECTRONICS) and buy a complete system ...it's cheaper. I bought a Pentium4 SONY VIAO, DVD and CD-R, 80 gig, 512 memory....keyboard, speakers...all that for about $800. Cheap. And that was three or four years ago!
SO, what u wanna it for? Internet, games, home finance....then just get the AMD or Intel basic package.....will make you very happy, and it comes with a warranty.
Computers are getting like toasters, when bad, toss em.
That's how I see it.
