PC hardware forum: Poll: Where do you mostly buy your computers or computer hardware?

Most of my computers have been Dell, ordered online. The one I'm using right now is nearly five years old. Since it's truckin' on, it obviously has quality components. But because of how long ago I bought it, I don't know if Dell still has the same level of quality control. I've been able to upgrade as needed (myself, no repair shops), and have never had to replace a broken part.

I made the mistake about seven years ago of buying an HP from a local store. I specifically asked the salesperson if the motherboard and video card were integrated, and he said they were not. I should not have taken his answer without fact-checking, but I was in that eager "new computer" mode and bought it on the spot, since he acted like he knew what he was talking about.

The specs were about the same as a Dell, and the HP was $200 less. Ultimately, the HP cost me much more than the Dell would have. It turned out the motherboard and video card were integrated, and I wanted to replace the video card. There were other problems with the HP, so I bought a new Dell computer much sooner than I would have had I only spent $200 more on the Dell.

This is not a cheerleader yell for Dell nor a knock against HP, since both companies could have changed their quality control by now, for better or worse.

Just please learn from my lesson: Don't trust what a salesperson in a store tells you. Do your own research. Don't get too quickly into the "new computer mode" and buy as eagerly as I did.

One thing I like about Dell is that they shipped the computer without junkware, but I had to request that by phone. I didn't want all that free software already installed and those free software offers, etc. The computer was pretty much naked except for the basics. Yay! No uninstalling all that junk when the computer arrived.

I'm curious about newegg and TigerDirect. They both sound great from what I've read in this thread. Will they ship without junkware?

Where I buy depends a lot on what I'm buying and how quickly I need it; I'm sure that's true for a number of CNET Forums participants. I live in a small town, so local retail options are severely limited. When I needed an immediate replacement for a mainstream computer that died, I went to the local Walmart and got a Dell. When I bought my current notebook, I went to Walmart again -- a larger store in another town, and only after comparing products at Best Buy, Office Max and Offfice Depot. My wife's inkjet (a replacement for a trouble-prone older color laser) was ordered direct from Canon's Website; Canon offered a great price on a bundle that included extra ink and photo paper. When I'm building or upgrading hardware, I usually go to (in order) Newegg, Amazon, eBay, Tiger Direct or mWave. For Windows software, I almost always go online and compare price, shipping (both speed and cost), then buy from the online site that offers the best deal.

If I lived closer to a large city, I'd probably spend a lot more time in brick-and-mortar stores; having what I want immediately is often worth taking a short drive and spending a few extra bucks. Besides, I like to support local retailers whenever I can. But I have to admit, sometimes the variety and bundle-deals available online are just irresistable, and I'm sure I'd still buy a lot online even if I lived close to a half-dozen computer superstores.