Horrible as Dell
polycounter lvl 18
Well, my brother's ac adapter for his dell laptop stopped working, so I went online to Dell's site to see if I could find a replacement. Only to find out that there was a recall for that particular adapter. Apparently the adapter would overheat to the point of burning someone or causing a fire. So I called in to get the adapter recalled and was told it would take 3-5 days to ship.
After about a week and a half (today) I was wondering where it was. Then, later on today, I stepped away from my new Dell PC (less than 2 months old) for a minute or two to put clothes in the dryer, and when I came back my screen was frozen. So, I powered down the cpu, and when I powered it back on, it refused to boot up, just an orange power light on the front of the tower. I lost about six hours of modeling in Max..
Long story short, I called Dell about both cpus, and they think the power supply in my desktop is dead so they're sending a replacement. The power supply for the laptop has mistakenly been in the latin american queue for over a week, so they say I'll have to call back tommorrow when the processing department is open... Once the desktop is fixed, i'm gonna get my files off of it and send it back to dell for a refund.
After about a week and a half (today) I was wondering where it was. Then, later on today, I stepped away from my new Dell PC (less than 2 months old) for a minute or two to put clothes in the dryer, and when I came back my screen was frozen. So, I powered down the cpu, and when I powered it back on, it refused to boot up, just an orange power light on the front of the tower. I lost about six hours of modeling in Max..
Long story short, I called Dell about both cpus, and they think the power supply in my desktop is dead so they're sending a replacement. The power supply for the laptop has mistakenly been in the latin american queue for over a week, so they say I'll have to call back tommorrow when the processing department is open... Once the desktop is fixed, i'm gonna get my files off of it and send it back to dell for a refund.
Replies
Apart from that, sorry to hear about it... my flatmate has a Dell but it seems to work fine...
Custom built PCs might be a bit noisier than prebuilts but they tend to save you a few hundred bucks.
Compaq Presarios sure break alot
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Ugh that's what I'm forced to use at work.
I have heard the horror stories of Dell and never experienced them.
2000 dollers building a great machine and dell offers pretty good proces and allowes payment
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Actually you spend just as much or as little on a custom machine. The difference is you can get better quality parts, and choices.
I priced both computers out for a new home box recently, and last night I went with a Dell, for the same hardware configuration, Dell was about $700 cheaper. I think if your going for a more ultra hi-end solution and have the money, Alienware is probably better, they just dont seem as reliable IMO based on my own experiences.
I also agree about ATI they are 1337 gam3r cards that have horrible driver support.
Dell's Price: $1,385 plus whatever tax and finance charges apply.
I just build a system using www.pricewatch.com from slightly better parts, more ram better video card ect for $875, with tax and shipping. That is adding in things I wouldn't need like monitor, mouse, keyboard, case, DVD burner. The biggest ticket items where the mobo/processor which was $261, and the $270 video card everything else was $180 or lower.
$1,400 and your soul for the next 3-5 years, or just under $900 and you get to keep your self respect by building a system that doesn't break down. Even if it does YOU can run to the store buy the needed part and be back up and running in a few hours instead of weeks of phone calls, missed shipping dates and no computer. If you have never built one before don't freak out there is ALOT of online help and you have time since you already have a computer. Time to research/compair the parts you want. Time to talk to people who have build systems and find out how. It's all very easy now a days if you have hooked up a home theater system you might find building a PC easier. Also Since you have a computer you can download drivers, find manuals for parts, test parts, do all kinds of stuff that will help you build the new system.
On a side note we use dells at work, and mine works pretty well. Its a bit slow for being "AN EXTREME, FULLY LOADED GAMING RIG!" but it gets the job done and doesn't complain. out of the "pre-build" computers I would rank Alienware the fastest, and Dell the best money/value. But I personally wouldn't do bussiness with them because they each have profit margins to meet and thats money out of my pocket so some fat cat can water ski behind his yaht. DOWN WIT DA MAN!
All 3 came to right about the same price as the Dell system afterwards:
$1189
$1204
$1143
Dell was $1503, and after the yesterday-only $350 instant rebate and free shipping ($99), my total price came down to $1153.
I'd say the bottom line is if you do your homework and watch for special deals and promotions, you can get a nice box for a good price most anywhere.
Listen to KDR these are wise, wise words
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That has to be the first time those words have ever been used together in a sentence
Dell Dimension 9100
P4 630 3.0 Ghz 800Mhz FSB
160 GB Serial ATA HD
GeForce 6800 PCI Express 256 MB
1 GB RAM
16x DVD+/-RW
No monitor, no "extras" in software or accessories.
160 GB Serial ATA HD - 75 EUR (didn't you have one already?)
GeForce 6800 PCI Express 256 MB - 250 EUR
1 GB RAM - 80 EUR
16x DVD+/-RW - 40 EUR (didn't you have one already?) (is it dual layer?)
Not listed but very likely included:
Mobo - 100 EUR
Case - 50 EUR (didn't you have one already?)
Windows XP Home Edition - 75 EUR (MS withdraws selling rights from anyone selling a PC without an OS and I doubt Dell figured out you can ship 'em with Linux installed)
Comes out at 865 when added up. Even if we assumed these prices would convert cleanly to US prices (which they don't since they include 16% VAT) that's 1048 dollars. You could cut a few corners (cheaper CPU, no Windows, no new case, no DVD burner, no new harddrive, perhaps going with AMD-> cheaper Mobo and CPU, 64 bit support) and come out at even less. Those prices are taken from a single retailer and are their online prices, they're a bit cheaper if you go there in person so you might want to check for local stores. Sure, pricematching for the cheapest price for everything sounds nice in theory but it'll kill you on shipping costs and having a store you know is reliable always helps.
I had to take a few guesses as to what parts these are exactly but you'd probably choose them differently when building your own anyway. The price differences weren't that big in any case.
I think the overhead of OEM or prebuild machines like Alienware is worth it because of all the little glitches you have to spend precious time on when you build your own. Sure you pay extra but would you be happier modelling/gaming or dicking with why your video card driver won't work with a certain version of the video capture driver compounded by the chipset driver janking up... etc... etc..
I had orderd the computer with a set of speakers and it did'nt come with the computer. So they said no problem and for your trouble we will upgrade you to the next level of speaker .I write down the number they give me for the transaction and I wait a month an no speakers . I call them back and have the same conversation 4 f-ing times over the course of 5 months . Finally I tell them im packing up my dell and sending it back unless they send me my speakers over night delivery and if it's not on my doorsteo the next day im sending back there f-ing computer . It did arrive the next day and they had upgraded me to the highest level speakers they sell so they did try to make it right but after 6 months of dicking me around ??? When you spend that much money on something you expect to get what you orderd. Everytime I called there customer service I would have to talk to Punjab or who ever over in India who could barley speak english and every single time they would never have a f-ing record of ever talking to me ...that pissed me off to no end because I would have to be on the phone for usually a few hours explaining who I talked to before and what the problem is because english was not there first language . Seriously just recounting this story got me pissed off ..lol ..i'll never buy a Dell again even if it they do perform well there customer service is a nightmare .
The only thing I don't know about my system is what clock speed the CPU has. It's an Athlon64 3000+ Winchester.
$228 Pentium 4 530 3.0GHz LGA775
$285 GeForce 6800 256MB PCI Express
$70 Serial ATA 160GB
$55 Dell Monitor 17inch Model
$49 Asus drw-0402p
$44 DDR2-400 512MB
$33 ATX Mid Tower Case
$25 Wireless Cordless OfficeMedia Pro (keyboard/mouse)
$22 600w power supply
$5 1.44 Floppy
_____________
$816 Grand Total w/o tax
(Pricewatch gives the total prices with shipping. The grand total is what you would pay without tax. Since tax is different for everyone here)
I'm not going to go back and find the S/H, Tax on each item, most of the smaller items like memory, video card, mobo/processor, had free shipping.. It works out to roughly the total I listed above in my first post give or take a few bucks, I picked slightly different pieces this time. A lot of these items I choose, are parts I would want over the cheapest thing. You might be able to save a few more bucks by being a total tight wad who buys crap that breaks. If you go AMD you can cut your costs even more.
You'd still have roughly 50% S&H and taxes left until it reaches the Dell level.
If your gonna buy from a dealer get it from Boxx or Alienware ... people say build your own but hey not everyone can afford to just go out and spend 2000 dollers building a great machine and dell offers pretty good proces and allowes payments . However they suck in everyway possible I have had so many problems with them I could go on forever .
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Actually custom built = much cheaper.
My system is a :
3.2ghz 800fsb p4
1gb 400mhz ddr dual channel
240gb hd space in raid
radeon 9800pro
420 watt ps
got it all for around $500 (USD) about a year ago I believe
After this thread I had to create a new account because the person who called me a "Naziscumhead" also set me to ignore so I couldn't PM them back. I tried to track down an email address for them but couldn't find one. Since I was on ignore they wouldn't see my explantion thread either. So I made Vig_ so I could PM that person and explain.
And yes I did drop 512mb because that is something he could do without for the first month or so and easily bump it up to 1gb when he has the funds/time. No need to take it all in the shorts right now, just to "have it all at once". 512mb for most games is fine and having that extra 512mb is gravy and makes them run better. Its only an extra $50 to bump up to 1GB which still comes in alot cheaper than Dell.
At home I am back down to 512mb on my main computer, and I play WoW, the most memory hog-ish game I have seen. I plan to bump it back up to 1 GB but I am not in a hurry to do it since its preformace really isn't deminished by that much.
If this is a gaming machine, heres what will most likely be best for you:
64 bit 3400+ or up - Pentiums are workhorses in raw calculations, but in media and the such AMD will bend em over (and they are cheaper). Also the 64 bit will allow for more upgradability.
Geforce6600GT - Theres very little difference between the 6600GT and the 6800 lineup, and definitely not enough of a difference for the price markup.
2 80 Gig SATA Hard Drives - You'll want to set these up in Raid. Use one for system and other for your gaming resource files, and you'll see a significant cut in loading times and the such.
MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Not only does the motherboard support all the good features you'd want in a high end system, but it uses the nForce4 Northbridge, which I would recommend hands down any day of the week. And with my years of experience working in shops and the what not, I'd say that MSI is a very reliable brand.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130491
1 gb dual channel ddr400 ram - don't cheat yourself here, you'll thank yourself later. It really comes through in photoshop/new games
As for mouse and keyboard :
Keyboard - Logitech elite or MS natural elite. The latter takes more time to get used to, but once you've got the feel it's much more comfortable and better for gaming IMO.
Mouse - Don't make exceptions, it has to be either Logitech or MS. I've been PC gaming almost my whole life, and I have yet get anything but positive results from these brands. Go with the Logitech MX-500 if you dont mind shellin out a bit of money for a mouse
That system will most likely still be under the 800 mark, check the intarweb
And yes I did drop 512mb because that is something he could do without for the first month or so and easily bump it up to 1gb when he has the funds/time. No need to take it all in the shorts right now, just to "have it all at once". 512mb for most games is fine and having that extra 512mb is gravy and makes them run better. Its only an extra $50 to bump up to 1GB which still comes in alot cheaper than Dell.
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But if you're running Dual channel they must be identical dual channel pieces, unless he wants to run 4x256, which leaves even less room for upgrading. It's only about $40 bucks more, take it!
sonic: One guy here had to install Windows because Ati's drivers suck so bad he couldn't play WoW otherwise. Besides, we were matching the specs he posted to see what difference in price custom built vs. Dell makes. He's already bought it so it' too late to change his oppinion anyway. If you argue a 6800 is no big improvement over the 6600 (make sure the card is at least 256MB, though) I'd argue you should kick the 3400+ A64 for the same reason. 50% more expensive (for the 754) and I doubt it makes a difference. Also there doesn't seem to be a 939 3400+, only a 3500+ and that thing is twice as expensive as the 3000+. Since 939 is what AMD will use for some time (the dual core A64s are 939) you get better upgradeability with that.
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1469&page=1
The 64 bit 939 3200+ (which easily OCs... if you're into that
i had a dell laptop for almost a year. went through 3 ac adapters before i finally got one that kept working.
sold the laptop to my old company in trade for a pair of 20.1" lcd monitors, whose adapaters work fine. i'll never buy a *compuer* from a company like dell, but after experiences (my own and friends') with laptops, i'd probably only buy a dell laptop.
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If your gonna buy from a dealer get it from Boxx or Alienware ... people say build your own but hey not everyone can afford to just go out and spend 2000 dollers building a great machine and dell offers pretty good proces and allowes payments . However they suck in everyway possible I have had so many problems with them I could go on forever .
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Actually custom built = much cheaper.
My system is a :
3.2ghz 800fsb p4
1gb 400mhz ddr dual channel
240gb hd space in raid
radeon 9800pro
420 watt ps
got it all for around $500 (USD) about a year ago I believe
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A comparable Dell is actually much cheaper as well. I have done a few minor upgrades to the Dell I have owned for just over 2 1/2 years and it runs modern games like HL2 and Doom 3 like a champ (only exception being my recent problems with the sound on GTA:SA).
Alot of people i know go with pre-build systems because they figure they will screw up the install or are completely clueless how to put cardX into slotY.
Frankly, building it yourself is the way to go, not only for a cheaper PC, but stability wise as well.
I meant Athlon 64 939 3000+ -> Athlon 64 754 3400+.
AZ: Apparently not because Bubba paid 1200 for a comparable config (except for the graphics card which is a 200$ difference, not 700).
As far as stability goes, my Dell is completely stable.
I'm no sympathy for you.
1.You should save every 20minutes or you are asking for trouble.
2.Things go wrong, the world is not perfect , what matters is that you got your part replaced, they admitted their fault and took steps to sort it, thats whats called 'good service'.
I've had my dell machine since 2001 and never had a days problem with it. I paid the extra for the next day service contract just in case.
1month before that ran out I phoned to point out my fans were noisy and probably needed replaced and that my monitor was on the fritz.
They replace my monitor and fans within 4 days which I consider to be excellent service.
I would have renewed my contract with them if not for the fact that my pc is at the point where it needs almost totally replaced rather than upgraded.
So there you go, another positive Dell story to offset the balance. Theres a good chance I will go through Dell again for my next pc and I would certainly recommend them to anyone.
r.
Always bought Dells for the last 5 years. Never had a problem. I hate the dumb casing design that has the USB port at the bottom of the front of the machine angled down, making it really annoying to access, but other than that, 'tis all good.
And hate to rub it in 'cos I feel your pain but modeling for SIX hours without saving?! Damn, that's just silly. But you've learnt now
And yeah Daz, whoever designed that USB port placement really wasn't very clever.
I'm not sure if autobak saved it in time but i'll keep my fingers crossed.
But Yeah not to fully discredit Dell they are still my 1st choice for laptops, but they used to be alot better imho. My 2nd cpu is a Dell Inspiron 8200 and it's been through hell and still works like new.
with a stack of £50 notes
asking around people seem to think its the little battery for the bios on the MB, but the computer is barely 6 months old,.. i guess Dell would have no way of stopping a deffective battery from slipping in, but still its anoying, i will get a new battery this weekend, if that does not fix it then i will swear.