What to buy??

[Tom]

I know opinions vary but I'm not able to decide at this point what to buy for a new desktop. I want to watch video, burn cd's, surf the net, my son wants to play a few games and I want to mess around with uploading pics from my new digital camera. I am told to get 3gb and 320 ram and should look at HP, gateway, and acer. I don't want to go over $700 and really appreciate any direction I can get from you guys.

 

[Kaiser]

Well, stay away from Gateway, as they are not even really Gateway any more. They got bought our years ago by a cheap computer company called eMachines. I always suggest Dell, but thats my preference since I deal with them on a daily basis and have access to high end support. What you would want to consider is looking into a refurbished Dell from their outlet.

Home class:
http://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&dgc=IR&cid=11343&lid=312680

Business class:
http://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb&dgc=IR&cid=11087&lid=338627

I tell people to go through the normal ordering way of purchasing a Dell, then print out what you would want to order. Go to the outlet listed above and see if you can find the same specs for less money, which 99% of the time you can. You can sort by minimum memory, hard drive, price, etc. I always suggest going with a business class machine like an Optiplex (stay away from Vostro) because here is the difference. Note, to order a business class machine, you will need to select Small Business from the right hand side.

During the manufacturing of hardware, such as a hard drive, they take metriucs on tolerences. They classify the hardware with the best tolerence as "A". Now, you have A, B, & C classifications, and as you can guess C is the worst of the lot. They run hotter and just about meet the speed requirements. C & sometimes B classification hardware is what you purchase from computer stores. Business clas however is mostly A class hardware. This means your computer will run cooler, and last longer. This being said, I always stay away from home class units. HP is good quality, but, again you will need to go to their website for a business class machine to get quality hardware. When you move to business class with HP, the price jumps up quite a bit.
Incidentally, when in the Dell Outlet listed above, the difference in price from a home class machine and a business class machine is very small, if there is one. You will also get the same warranty you have with a new build. And, if you have a prblem with it from the start, Dell will just exchange it for a brand new one. As for dependablity, I see the same amount of problems on new Dell's as I do with refurbs so you really aren't taking an extra gamble on the product.
One thing however, if you wanted a gaming based machine, and you wanted a Dell, you would want to order an XPS which is under the Home class section.

 

[Physick]

Well, stay away from Gateway, as they are not even really Gateway any more. They got bought our years ago by a cheap computer company called eMachines. I always suggest Dell, but thats my preference since I deal with them on a daily basis and have access to high end support. What you would want to consider is looking into a refurbished Dell from their outlet.

Home class:
http://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&dgc=IR&cid=11343&lid=312680

Business class:
http://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb&dgc=IR&cid=11087&lid=338627

I tell people to go through the normal ordering way of purchasing a Dell, then print out what you would want to order. Go to the outlet listed above and see if you can find the same specs for less money, which 99% of the time you can. You can sort by minimum memory, hard drive, price, etc. I always suggest going with a business class machine like an Optiplex (stay away from Vostro) because here is the difference. Note, to order a business class machine, you will need to select Small Business from the right hand side.

During the manufacturing of hardware, such as a hard drive, they take metriucs on tolerences. They classify the hardware with the best tolerence as "A". Now, you have A, B, & C classifications, and as you can guess C is the worst of the lot. They run hotter and just about meet the speed requirements. C & sometimes B classification hardware is what you purchase from computer stores. Business clas however is mostly A class hardware. This means your computer will run cooler, and last longer. This being said, I always stay away from home class units. HP is good quality, but, again you will need to go to their website for a business class machine to get quality hardware. When you move to business class with HP, the price jumps up quite a bit.
Incidentally, when in the Dell Outlet listed above, the difference in price from a home class machine and a business class machine is very small, if there is one. You will also get the same warranty you have with a new build. And, if you have a prblem with it from the start, Dell will just exchange it for a brand new one. As for dependablity, I see the same amount of problems on new Dell's as I do with refurbs so you really aren't taking an extra gamble on the product.
One thing however, if you wanted a gaming based machine, and you wanted a Dell, you would want to order an XPS which is under the Home class section.

Some good info there, things I never thought of. You must work with computers right?

 

[Kaiser]

Some good info there, things I never thought of. You must work with computers right?

Yes, Infrastructure Engineer.

 

[Tom]

Thank You

Thanks Kaiser...Much more info than I hoped for. Much appreciated.

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

Tom, if you know what you are looking for. OR want to build(piece) your PC together try www.ibuypower.com these guys are great at building PC's and have put some machines together already and put them out there as monthly speicals.

 

[Physick]

Yes, Infrastructure Engineer.

I guess that counts as knowing about computers, lol. Now I know where the Maserati came from!

 

[Kaiser]

I guess that counts as knowing about computers, lol. Now I know where the Maserati came from!

LOL, yeah Infrastructure is the core of a corporation's computer systems, mainly the servers. In my case there 486,000+ total computers on the network I administer

 

[Physick]

LOL, yeah Infrastructure is the core of a corporation's computer systems, mainly the servers. In my case there 486,000+ total computers on the network I administer

Fuck me! I can barely keep my laptop and desktop running straight!

 

[WildBB]

Go with a Dell

I normally recommend apple computers because of their versatility and quality hardware and innovation, but with that price range, I would stick with a quality dell system.

I have always found amazing deals on refurbished or damaged box systems. The warranty is usually always the same as new systems.

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnline...line/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

 

[c3r3br0]

Optiplex

Stick with the business class Dell Optiplex's. You can probably get a great deal on a GX620 SFF since the new models have been out for a while now.

 

[cslim]

Fuck me! I can barely keep my laptop and desktop running straight!

I second that! My pc at home drives me nuts! I always respect the computer nerds!

 

[MrPump]

Gateway is not EMACHINES... as stated

Gateway bought out Emachines (for their consumer presence) about 7 years ago. (more of a joint thing...) Since then, Gateway has been bought by ACER. Acer kept the consumer division of Gateway and sold the professional division (education, gov't, etc...) to MPC.. MPC has the full Gateway professional line up.

but to your question (and not to irriate Kaiser)...but a computer is a computer. As long as you are getting one from HP, Dell, or another good company like MPC or even Gateway... your machine is virtually the same.

They may have a different color, one may have a BTX box (dual fans) vs a ATX box (single fan), but the parts inside the machine (that run the damn thing) all come from the same manufactures.

(talking Desktops here, not severs or storage devices)

Did you really think that Dell makes their own hard drives and motherboards.. No.. Intel or AMD or Western Digital or some other manufacture make the parts and ship them to the manufacture, who will then build your computer.

If you look at the testing, the machines that are considered "Top Performers" are usually that by 100th of tenths of some minor statistic that really isnt going to make a difference to a consumer and what they do on a dialy basis. If your web page loads in .02 vs .019, do you really see the difference. Unless you are gaming or running some software that needs a certain level of production, they are basically the same.

What sets a computer apart is the service and the warranty. Thats what you need to look at. I personally go with MPC because they have 100% US Based Tech Support (its just easier for me)...but their supply chain does suck and it takes a few extra days to get parts, but that is the price i pay to have US based tech support.

From a pricing standpoint... HP is killing everyone in the professional market, Dell is doing a good job of keeping up, but if HP wants to buy your business... there is nothing anyone can do about it. They use their Ink revenue to offset the loses in the computer sales.

Personal opinion. Dell is garbage. Their tech support is horrible and unless you are account that is doing $500K + a year, they dont even know who you are. I dont have much expericen with their consumer machines, but if the Dell Hell videos on youtube are any indication, then I will stay clear.

Just take some time, spec out a computer at Dell and HP or even Gateway (its actually ACER now... not Emachines) and see what fits your needs. Each company is always running some sort of special... just take advantage.

 

[Kaiser]

Well, if it was the other way around, no big deal. Either way they are garbage, and have been for a while.

As for hardware, of course Dell doesnt make any hardware. They are assemblers. BUT all hardware is not created equal. Its not a matter of the speed so much as tolerances. If you dont believe me, so be it, but that is why there is a business and home class.
As for Dell, they have the best driver base, that you can easily pull down EVERY driver for a specific type of machine. HP, when you try to get driver downloads from them, most of the time, all drivers are not available on the site. They make you rely on your original CD that came with the box. They mainly only show updated drivers. Point is, they all have their down sides when it comes to support, but pound for pound Dell builds one of the best business machines for the money.

 

[MrPump]

Well, if it was the other way around, no big deal. Either way they are garbage, and have been for a while.

As for hardware, of course Dell doesnt make any hardware. They are assemblers. BUT all hardware is not created equal. Its not a matter of the speed so much as tolerances. If you dont believe me, so be it, but that is why there is a business and home class.
As for Dell, they have the best driver base, that you can easily pull down EVERY driver for a specific type of machine. HP, when you try to get driver downloads from them, most of the time, all drivers are not available on the site. They make you rely on your original CD that came with the box. They mainly only show updated drivers. Point is, they all have their down sides when it comes to support, but pound for pound Dell builds one of the best business machines for the money.

Realistically, how may consumers are going to be out looking for drivers? You would confuse most consumers if you said "you need to download your drivers"... you would get a blank look. Most consumers would like to have someone walk them through the entire process... this is where the US based support comes in handy. (again, I know this sounds bad) but realistically, it earier to understand and easier to get through.

As for quality of parts, they are the same for the professional class. The parts supplied to the major manufactures are the same (HP has some expections with their white boxes) but for the most part they are the same... same place makes the processors for each company, they go the same three manufacture of hard drives. You can look at it as a manufacturling line with a fork in the middle... some parts to go one way, the other goes the other...but they are the same. Dell parts dont get a special build...neither does the MPC or the HP or anyting else.

The difference between business and home class is the stablility of the parts, to make it easier to support. For example, if three manufactures make hard drives... a business class will generally only use one of the manufactures, regardless of price. Thus creating a unified image and a easier replacement process. This is done to make life easier on the tech support that will have to support these machines. Could you image trying to image 250 machines with mutiple parts from mutiple vendors, thats a process i wouldnt wish on anyone... so many drivers, so may combinates... WOW....

The consumer lineup, its low cost and that is... if they can get the hard drive from company "A" cheaper then company "B"... then company A it is... But all major manufactures do this... Dell doesnt buy from a more expensive company because they worry about quality (fooling yourself if you think otherwise)...they look for the cheapest product for consumer product..just like the competition. Thats why you can get a portable for $399.00... cheap product.

(moral of the story... pay a bit extra and get a business class machine...you get business support and a stablized plateform of parts)

My personal rank:
#1 MPC - best support in the industry... personalized inside rep..good product
#2 Dell - Great product for the price... support sucks
#3 HP - just dont like them...Their machines are ugly

Just my 2 cents...

 

[Kaiser]

Realistically, how may consumers are going to be out looking for drivers? You would confuse most consumers if you said "you need to download your drivers"... you would get a blank look. Most consumers would like to have someone walk them through the entire process... this is where the US based support comes in handy. (again, I know this sounds bad) but realistically, it earier to understand and easier to get through.

As for quality of parts, they are the same for the professional class. The parts supplied to the major manufactures are the same (HP has some expections with their white boxes) but for the most part they are the same... same place makes the processors for each company, they go the same three manufacture of hard drives. You can look at it as a manufacturling line with a fork in the middle... some parts to go one way, the other goes the other...but they are the same. Dell parts dont get a special build...neither does the MPC or the HP or anyting else.

The difference between business and home class is the stablility of the parts, to make it easier to support. For example, if three manufactures make hard drives... a business class will generally only use one of the manufactures, regardless of price. Thus creating a unified image and a easier replacement process. This is done to make life easier on the tech support that will have to support these machines. Could you image trying to image 250 machines with mutiple parts from mutiple vendors, thats a process i wouldnt wish on anyone... so many drivers, so may combinates... WOW....

The consumer lineup, its low cost and that is... if they can get the hard drive from company "A" cheaper then company "B"... then company A it is... But all major manufactures do this... Dell doesnt buy from a more expensive company because they worry about quality (fooling yourself if you think otherwise)...they look for the cheapest product for consumer product..just like the competition. Thats why you can get a portable for $399.00... cheap product.

(moral of the story... pay a bit extra and get a business class machine...you get business support and a stablized plateform of parts)

My personal rank:
#1 MPC - best support in the industry... personalized inside rep..good product
#2 Dell - Great product for the price... support sucks
#3 HP - just dont like them...Their machines are ugly

Just my 2 cents...

You are obviously not reading what I am writing and want to argue. I am stating for FACT that there are graded parts. The tolerence when tested is what is the deciding factor as to whether they go into a business machine or a home user machine. End of story. Just because the model is the same doesn't mean it will be the same grade when tested as there are many variables. Stop arguing and read what I stated. You stated that the low end of Dell is going to have lower grade parts. I said the same thing which is why I told him to go with a business class machine. When you compare the price of a business class HP to a Dell, HP is quite a bit more money. WTF man, is there a need for an argument? Everything I have stated in this thread I stand by, with the exception of eMachines purchasing Gateway which ended up actually being gateway purchasing eMachines. Who the fuck cares, they're both shit products. Then you don't find driver support ot be a benefit? Well, that one is on you buddy, but I find it to be one HUGE benefit.
Now on to images and difference in hard drives. A hard drive has nothing to do with an image. As long as the drive is large enough capacity wise, the image will work on the same given motherboard and chipset. Let me state this clearly HARD DRIVE MANUFACTURER DIFFERENCES HAVE NO PLAY ON IMAGES. All, whether home or business class machines are imaged and sysprepped from the factory when they are running Windows.

You state this in the end:

(moral of the story... pay a bit extra and get a business class machine...you get business support and a stablized plateform of parts)


Isn't that what I was stating from the start?

 

[Goldengloves]

Go on slickdeals.net and keep an eye out for a good multimedia desktop. Make sure if you are running vista you get at least 3gb ram and preferably 4gb. Most of the dual core, or quad core intel processors are smokin fast nowadays.