Desktop computer?

[sissybells]

I am afraid that our desktop computer DH and I got in 98' is coming to the end of it's life. We have a laptop, but we would like to get another desktop. Any advice or certain desktops that any one would reccomend? We know that the more money you spend the better a computer, but we really only need a basic computer, so we would like to keep the price resonable. I know there are some very computer savy people here and the advice would really be appreciated. Thank You all for your time and help.

 

[DennisP]

Get a Dell computer. My DD has one and she loves it. As for me, I have a 3 year old HP plus a 1 year old IBM thinkpad.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hard to go wrong with a Dell. I currently heve 2 desktops, one laptop, had one other DT in the past, all have been great, well priced (you can go low or high, depending on needs) and service is super. Good luck.

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

[Amberle3]

My mother has a Dell PC, and I have a laptop. The only bad thing I can say about Dell is that their customer service sucks. The computers themselves are just fine though.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I'm an HP fan

 

[Elwood Blues]

If your monitor is still in good shape, you should check out some of the deals Dell has. My SIL just bought a basic system (including the monitor) for a little over $400 (after a rebate) about 2 weeks ago. That deal is now dead.. Now is the time to look as they are having back-to-school specials. In fact, they have specials all the time.

 

[Towncrier]

Another alternative is to check out Dell's refurbished computers. I picked one up about 6 months ago and am very pleased with the performance and the savings.

Go to the Dell website and search for "outlet" or "refurbished". Then you can search the Dell Outlet Store for a system that matches your needs. The inventory changes constantly, so keep hitting that refresh button.

Have fun shopping.

 

[inaminute]

My husbands refurbished Dell looks brand new! It's faster than my Dell and it was significantlyl less expensive. My son also has a Dell in his room. I just bought a Dell Inspirion Laptop, and when I'm ready to hire an employee, I'll buy another Dell.

Obviously, I'm a Dell fan!

 

[airhead]

We love our Dells!! Our old Gateway lasted almost ten years,so I can't complain.

 

[Disney_1derland]

I happen to live with a very good Dell salesman

Truly we love ours and just had to use our warranty for the first time this week. Yes it took a few hours on the phone with tech support and yes we were frustrated but they replaced everything that needed replacing within 3 days and now my computer is back to being it's wonderful self! Can't beat that complete care warranty! I could pour coke on the thing and they'd still fix it

Good Luck!

 

[Pooh67_68]

A Dell

 

[katerkat]

Build it yourself.

Well, if you're not willing to do that (though we built a comparable system to Dell for at least $1000 less), I would go with Dell. Our laptop is with them and we've had good service through them. Cruddy service from Gateway.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just got a new Dell notebook before the specials went off. I got free shipping, $100 off the price and a free Dell printer. I also got 6 months free dialup with Earthlink for the notebook.I have a Dell account, so I think I also have no interest for six or nine months. Forgot to check that out.

If you check out the Dell website, they usually have all sorts of special deals on desktops, laptops, printers, etc.

I also have a Dell desktop that I got about 18 months ago and I love it. When I signed up for Cable modem, I got an $80 rebate, plus half price for service for three months. I love my cable modem.

 

[oogieboogie]

If you're capable, build one. It's cheaper. But if you're not, then get a Dell. Great computers - wouldn't put to much stock on their customer service since it's in India, but otherwise - good value for the price.

 

[LisaSt]

DO NOT BUY A DELL just a friendly word of warning. They are ok if you never plan on doing any upgrades to them even if it is RAM you have to get Dell specific memory at nearly 2 times the price of any other ram available. Go to a reputable shop in your city/area and have them build you one then you specify exactly what you want in it and you know the parts are of atleast better quality. I have had nothing but headaches with Dell computers and laptops.

 

[diznygirl]

There are as many different experiences as their are people....

Just a warning - My aunt had one built by a local store, and no one else can touch it cuz it's just not normal! My other aunt, my DH - both in the computer field - can't help her cuz nothing is where it is supposed to be, or named what it should be named.....I'm not in the computer field but I hear them complaining all the time cuz they can't help fix the problems she's having.

(As for us - we all have Macs and LOVE them!)

 

[Disney_1derland]

just to clear this up. This is simply not true. Yes, there are different types of RAM but Dell does not sell a Dell brand of RAM. They sell all the different types of RAM available and to upgrade you just have to know what type of RAM your computer uses. Then you can purchase that RAM at any computer store.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

actually disney_1derland they did do that for a while as well as a number of other tricks they have pulled over the years. Any of the recent dell's use standard memory but the power supplies.....

 

[Disney_1derland]

I didn't say it was NEVER true that they did that. I just stated that they don't do it currently (and they haven't done it in the past 2 years). Every company has their tricks, it's what makes the industry stay alive. And, for every good story out there there are bad ones as well. I could tell you nightmare stories about gateways and HP's.

I guess I should know by now to keep my mouth shut around here, doesn't pay to try and be helpful.

My dh has worked for Dell for 2+ years and that has never been true since he has been there that he is aware of and we have NEVER had a problem upgrading our computer.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I upgraded my old Dell, which I replaced with my current one a few months ago, from 256 to 512 RAM. I just read off the type I had, went to Best Buy and bout it. Went home, plugged it it. That was on a Dell which I purchased almost 5 years ago. On a very early Dell, actually a PC Limited, (what Dell was called before name was changed to Dell), I added drives, cards, memory, all snap in, plug in, screw in.

As for service, excellent. On the aforementioned one, I did have the need for a service call, by a tech, next day, at home. That service call, at the time, was handled out of Manila. Most recently, about 4 months ago, I had a noisy DVD drive on my laptop. Called service, 800 number, India somewhere (makes no difference to me, it's a phone call, I am not walking there), the tech listened to the drive over the phone. It was 6 PM. The next day, 4 PM, less than 24 hours later, FEDEX delivered a new DVD drive with a prepaid return FEDEX. Swapped it out, all done. I like Dell service, and I think it is definitely one of their strong points.