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Desktops: About Dell Computers
Re: About Dell Computers
by SamWWJD - 12/12/04 1:28 AM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I consider myself pretty nerd but I bought my computer from Dell. Not because I couldn't build my own for cheaper and possibly better, but for the fact that their service is GREAT. I haven't had a problem with my XPS even though it was a first generation XPS. the service is great meaning: the clip on the CMOS battery snapped off of my friends mobo. NEW MOTHERBOARD. were it I, I would have probably ended up taping or finding a replacement clip. Dell REPLACED THE ENTIRE MOBO. Dell is great, I would consider buying from them again, but as I get through college and I can actually afford to service/insure my computer through myself, I may start building some of my pc's.
Re: About Dell Computers
by djgeter - 12/12/04 6:47 AM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I am truly pleased with my 2 Dell Desktops. One was purchased in 1999, not a single problem. Second one purchased in 2000, great performance and durability. I'm a IT Consultant and recommend DELL Desktops/Laptops to all of my clients. They also do a very good job in terms of RESTORE. If you ever need to re-install Windows, it is a very simplified process. I would recommend to get the 3 year support vs. the 1 year support. They will come to your home or business the very next business day if you have any hardware failure. If you want additional info, please feel free to contact.
djgeter
Re: About Dell Computers
by Ian Gregory - 12/12/04 2:19 PM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I currently work for a major hospital, configuring and installing their desktop systems. We went over to Dell about 15 months ago and in that time I have put out 462 Dell computers and had 1 pc fail on me due to faulty HDD and 2 flat screen monitors were returned for new ones due to a sync problem.
To me, at this time, they appear very reliable and compared to the other systems that I had to trial before we went with Dell, they were more cost efficient for what we wanted. There is no noise coming from the system, and as desktops go they are quite sturdy. WE have a 3 year turn around of computer equipment in our hospital and I can't see a problem with these systems working well past that date. We got the "Optiplex GX270" and we are now buying the "Optiplex GX280".
I hope this helps you.
Re: About Dell Computers
by AMDrules - 12/12/04 2:36 PM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?Dell is very convenient if you have a lot of money and know very little of computer hardware and software. But realize that they take advantage of people who don't know about the computer market by overcharging their merchandise. This isn't always the case, but more often than not it is. But I will admit that their warranty is very reliable. Another thing about Dell I think is critical is their lack of selection. Dell has literally sold its soul to the intel processor builders. While this reduces the price they pay for their CPU's, it really doesnt effect your price at all. But the worse part of this is that you cannot buy CPUs from intel's major competitor; AMD. While my name suggests I'm a fan of the company, I assure you that my rating AMD processors over intel is entirely non-Biased. So as far as your decision goes; if you don't know jack about computer pricing or fixing leave it to dell. With all due respect, I beleive the motto for Dell should be "We charge you for your ignorance".
Now if you know some things about the pricing and fixing of computers, than you might want to consider buying from a separate custom builder who will offer a more limited warranty but a much cheaper price. At the same time, you will have a wider selection of parts for your computer. The worst thing that can happen if you know your way around computers is some part burning out or yadda yadda. Most custom builders offer a warranty covering that. However, their warranties do not cover "breaking your computer by accident" or stuff like that. That's a Dell thing. Basically, Dell covers you for stupidity and charges you plenty for it. So if you don't need this kind of coverage and know enough about computers, go with a custom builder. I personally used X-Technology (www.xtechnology.com). When I compared the price of the PC I bought from X-Tech. to an equivalent from Dell (my CPU Athlon 64 3400 vs. Dell CPU Pentuim 4 3.2gh) it was no surprise to me that I had saved over $500. All I have to do is make sure I never drop my 25 pound computer (which is so hard to carry.....lol), then I have earned that $500.
Re: About Dell Computers
by nle9 - 12/12/04 4:03 PM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?The computers themselves are fine until you need service and have paid for the extended service. You would not believe the trouble I went through trying to get a replacement video card and dvd drive. Also the tech people are now India or Pakistan or Phillipines people that you can't understand half the time. With a bad video card they had me format and reinstall everything all to no avail about 12 hours of unnecesary work. The parts that finally came(after 2 months) were rebuild ones, not new. If you get one never ever buy the extended service. Prices of parts are so cheap and easy to replace, do it yourself.
Re: About Dell Computers
by pearlyvictoria - 12/12/04 5:37 PM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I ordered three Dell computers for the office. On mine, I had Win98 as the OS because it was stable and the peripherals I was using ran excellently on that it. That computer is still over the top in performance and along with Norton, never had a crash or virus problem. It is still in excellent condition at three, almost four years old.
Re: About Dell Computers
by Tropicm3 - 12/13/04 5:16 AM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?Hi I got a dell desktop about a little over a year ago
I ordered it with a dvd burner and it came with a cd rom burner insted, I called dell and they sent me a TDK dvd burner and also told me to keep the Sony cd rom burner
for all the trouble.
I was also haveing a problem with my graphix's card crashing with online gameing and they said that the dell dimensions 2400 had a intergrated graphis card put into the motherboard and that the whole mother board had to be changed so they prompley sent me another motherboard and had a tech come out to my house and fix it fast.
I was really blown away on there service getting things fixed fast. I like the dell desktop it is a fair PC
made with Intel parts. It is a Good Buy also.
And it came with a lot of software programs also.
If I get another it will be one of the bigger desktops
that does not have the intergrated graphiss card.
Other then that it seems to be a sturdy computer as good as any other out there on the market but at a good price. my brother got a HP at the same time as I got the dell and he was vary upset that they would not give him a OS Disk for the HP but insted they have the PC setup to have you have it burn 6 Disk's of spyware infested crap that installs the windows XP Os plus 5 other disks with all spyware programs in it and you have no choice.
He said he wished he bought a dell insted. LOL
Re: About Dell Computers
by melyn - 12/13/04 11:27 AM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I have had a Dell desktop computer for over 2 years running windows XP home and have had no problems with it at all. I do all the recommended maitenence on it weekly and run a firewall and virus checker. I have not installed service pack 2 as yet but do have service pack 1. I would recommend a Dell to anyone interested.
Re: About Dell Computers
by Bulmaro - 12/13/04 11:33 AM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?Have had a Dell Dimension for about 4 years, just replaced Win Me with XP pro. Great improvement! have not had any problems with the system (other than those self inflicted). I would strongly recommend Dell;
I also have an HP (not recommended), and have owned a Gateway (Dell is better).
Re: About Dell Computers
by RickPan - 12/13/04 12:23 PM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?It's like Fords and Chevys, some people like one brand over the others. The bottom line is that just about all the major brands are putting out pretty good stuff. We use Dell exclusivly at my office (only about 75 PC's and 4 Servers). We have several different models ,Dimension's, OPTIplex's, Inspirions', and PowerEdge's. In three years I've only had minor problems and was able to get them resolved by the next business day. I have two Dimensions at home that I bought from Dell's Outlet (refurbished,returns, etc) for over a year and haven't had any problems at all and they run 24/7. I'd compare, Warrantee, Service and Price vs. Componants to help in your decision. Good Luck.
Re: About Dell Computers
by curioone - 12/13/04 1:02 PM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I have had a good experience with Dell,good support via phone service,not so good in the email support,they don't seem to read your emails discribing your issues,the rest of the support is fine.I have had little or no problems with the computer that I purchased, I bought a high end model this may be the reason for the dependable experience.I have had this computer for about 2 years and am happy with it. There is one issue that deals with propriatary nature of the installed op system and mother board ect. You almost need to purchase parts and upgrades from Dell at a inflated price.They seem to have major components modified for each machine which limits the purchase of less costly replaceable components.I dislike the fact that you don't get a standard Microsoft operating system disk,but a dell version of the op system that controls the install or repair install.You should for the money get a complete and non dell disk to reinstall the op system with.
Re: About Dell Computers
by beauty2 - 12/14/04 7:57 AM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I would not take a Dell even if you purchased it for me. The laptop (inspiron 500) is working just fine. If down the road you have a problem with it, watch how bad things go from there. All India's staff will talk with you, but, you can't understand them or they try to pass the buck. I bought the laptop last christmas and still they hound me for a second laptop they say I have, yet I have the receipt showing a return. I returned the laptop for the upgrades, I got the new dell and it works great, but till this day they say I owe them 1 laptop, which is wrong. I purchased a HP laptop from Refurbished.com and it works great and the people there speak english. Never again will I ever purchase a Dell. I tell everyone to stay away from Dell, this is not an opinion this is the facts.
get a custom made computer from ebay
by fuzzy03 - 12/14/04 1:39 PM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I bought a custom made computer off of eBay for $375 (including shipping). It has these specs:
2.4 GHz Processor, 80Gig HD, Neat Lighted Cooling Fan,
Built in SoundCard with support for 5.1, 4) 5.25 slots, 6) 3.5 slots, newest (dont remember) IBM motherboard, 52x CDRW, 448Mb RAM, 64Mb Video Card.
Since it is custom made, the machine is much larger than brand name computers but at least it is all metal and not plastic 
It is very upgradable (hence all the slots) and came with all the drivers for the motherboard. Of course no monitor or anything.
ALSO: My friend bought a Dell and needed service.
He called the tech support and they told him to "press the L key and Jump Up and down at the same time" NO JOKE! 
I would recommend you get a custom PC off of eBay or at the very least get anything BUT a DELL!
I love Dell!!
by eddiela - 12/14/04 3:50 PM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I own a Dell Dimension XPS 550 (PIII 550MHz) that is over 5 years old. I changed the floppy drive under warranty. Dell offered to send a tech to swap the drive, but I told them it was not necessary. I changed the drive myself the next day in about 5 minutes. Other than the floppy drive, I have not had any other problems.
At work I have purchased over 50 new Dell desktops and laptops in the last 12 months. In addition, I manage another 30 Dell desktop, laptop, and server computers. Their service is awesome! Dell has never given me a reason to even LOOK at any of their competitors. The only thing I will not buy from Dell is printers. Dell's printers are nothing but rebranded Lexmarks, and I would not wish a Lexmark printer on even my worst enemy. Go HP for scanners and printers, Dell for EVERYTHING else.
Dell computer used here.
by blue_theta - 12/14/04 8:53 PM In reply to: About Dell Computers by TechWiz?I have a five year old Dell; It been running as expected for a Dimension XPS T500 series. I have changed out the hard drive to get more space as well as adding a USB 2.0 card; the Dell bios handled a upgrade without any problem. BIOS updates are a little tricky to get, as OEM of motherboard has not easy to navigate.
I planning to swap out the video card if I need to for a flat panel monitor. Otherwise I will probably get a new Dell machine and tie them together.
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