Dell or eMachine? Which would you buy?

[Mom2Ashli]

We all Dell systems here at work. Plus that is what I use at home.

 

[ohanafamily]

Hey all,

chadfromdallas, I got a 64 bit AMD system for around $800 with 512MB Memory on 1 chip (I had to build it myself, but they have some prebuilts available) from Altex.
http://www.altex.com/
They have some pre-builts, but I wanted to try something with the 64bit processor (I had to put it in a case...came with CPU and Mem onboard and configured. It was around $800 with the HD and Floppy and 256 video card) The dual processor boards should be in soon. The only problem is the Giga-Byte 64 bit drivers are still in Beta, but the new Win 64bit OS runs really well.

Also, I refuse to buy any equipment from Fry's any more ever since I had a problem with a system I bought and the day after I returned it, they had it back on the shelf...

OK, I've rambled on log enough.

If you get an e-machine get the extended warramty through the dealer... my only suggestion take it or leave it...

 

[Ted and Holly]

I've got an eMachine at home, we've had for 2 yrs, only issue was a viruis that screwed up the op system. At work we use Dell laptops. In the last 6 months I've personally had a hard drive crash and the keyboard got on another. In talking with a support person he showed me a pile of 25 machines that are busted from the last 2 weeks, and this is for a building that has about 4,000 people. The dells that we get are just terrible, both laptops and desktops.

You'll get better Dell support, but we've had 2 emachines and knock on wood no hardware issues

My company uses Dell machines for operations and labs almost exclusively. I would recommend Dell over any budget machine around, just for the support.

All hardware wears out. This is where a good support organization becomes valuable. Dell has good support.

25 machines out of 4000 people (almost as many computers?) in 2 weeks is not a bad percentage.

Ted

 

[always quiet]

I have had a emachines computer since 2001. I still have it today. I've never had an serious technical problems with it (had to run "system restore" twice....first because of software problems with the printer before XP was officially launched and second when my McAffee firewall updated and even though I was connected to the internet, nothing could get out and nothing could get in!! ). These problems weren't caused by the 'computer' though. I have even updated the system and I have installed an ethernet card and a cd burner. I wouldn't hesitate to get one again.

 

[Alice28]

Our emachine was a hunk of poop- go with the dell!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

The problem I have with my Dell is it's loading slow and won't show me any pics. Sometimes I can't even see the smilies!!! It's very frustrating. The boys tell me it's because the DIS (with all the pages) can slow a computer down.......can it???

Has the computer always been slow or are you noticing that it is slowing down more and more? If you have Windows XP, it is very common for things to run slower and slower as time goes by. It aslo relatively easy to correct this problem. Before you invest in a brand new PC, you might just try tweaking the one you have. Also, a memory upgrade might give you the performance you need. If you need some help/ideas, let us know.

Also, it is important to periodically "dump the cache". Basically every icon, photo, and webpage you visit gets stored on your HD and is known as the cache. Periodically you need to erase them off or it will bog down your web browser.

 

[LoraJ]

My boyfriend got an emachine laptop in the fall. I got the same model a few months later but it is now Gateway. Both of them work fine and have had no problems. Got a lot of bang for the buck.

 

[chadfromdallas]

My boyfriend got an emachine laptop in the fall. I got the same model a few months later but it is now Gateway. Both of them work fine and have had no problems. Got a lot of bang for the buck.

The widescreen model of theirs is very nice I've recommended it before

 

[LoraJ]

The widescreen model of theirs is very nice I've recommended it before

That's what we have.
Although mine is better than his and has a DVD burner (Dual -R and +R). It's really pretty.

 

[lovetheparks]

I've got an eMachine at home, we've had for 2 yrs, only issue was a viruis that screwed up the op system. At work we use Dell laptops. In the last 6 months I've personally had a hard drive crash and the keyboard got on another. In talking with a support person he showed me a pile of 25 machines that are busted from the last 2 weeks, and this is for a building that has about 4,000 people. The dells that we get are just terrible, both laptops and desktops.

You'll get better Dell support, but we've had 2 emachines and knock on wood no hardware issues

Pretty much ditto what this poster said. On my 2nd emachine and doing great! Dells and work....doing bad......

 

[Kitty 34]

Before you invest in a brand new PC, you might just try tweaking the one you have. Also, a memory upgrade might give you the performance you need. If you need some help/ideas, let us know.

Also, it is important to periodically "dump the cache". Basically every icon, photo, and webpage you visit gets stored on your HD and is known as the cache. Periodically you need to erase them off or it will bog down your web browser.

Had my son do this and (knock on wood) I think it worked!!! Thank you!!!

 

[CarolA]

Have had both. Had more problems with the Dell then you can list. Finally just tossed it and purchased an eMachine. It has done great!