We are looking into buying a Dell Laptop...

[nrsldy]

We have 3 Dells one is a laptop. Love them. Had a Gateway pc had some problems with it. Good Luck!

 

[inaminute]

We currently have two laptops, and three desktop computers. All Dell.

I've had the oldest computer for about five years now, and have never had to call customer service about anything. After everything I've heard, I'm glad I never had to.

Based on my experience with these comptuers, I will never buy anything but a Dell.

 

[Taylor]

I have owned Dell computers personally, and we use them at work. I get a new laptop about every 6 months, and we have never had problems with the product or the service of Dell.

 

[inaminute]

Now we're looking into Gateway, anyone have any major issues with them

DON'T DO IT!!!!!

Both of ours died at the two year mark. I do use the computer a lot, and thought I was just tough on computers until we started talking to others who owned Gateways. They ALL had problems at the two year mark.

I switched to Dell and have been very happy.

 

[bicker]

Now we're looking into Gateway, anyone have any major issues with them?

Yes. Gateway has far more complaints against it than Dell, as compared to the number of customers each has. Stay away from Gateway.

The Dell Dimension E510 was hailed last year as the "Best family PC" by c|net. As the "best" it still garnered only a 6.7 rating. There simply are no "great" personal computers available in the budget category.

In the mainstream category, there are some better choices: Apple iMac (if you can live with all the software incompatibility, that is), and a computer by Velocity Micro Gamer rated better than Dell's XPS line.

If you're willing to spend a little more than that, the best business computers are Lenovo's ThinkCenter (these are the folks who make the best laptops -- they make good desktops too), HP Compaq dc7100, and Dell's Optiplex line.

Yes, Dell sucks. So does everyone else who sells personal computers at a reasonable price.

 

[Galahad]

We have 5 Dell Latitudes and have been very happy with the computers and the service.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Guess I won't go with the Gateway then. Good Grief why do they make this so difficult? I looked at Lenovo, but they don't have any financing available. I already have an account with Dell, Gateway has 6 months same as cash, anyone else have any good financing options for me?

 

[yeartolate]

Some of Dell's laptops are very highly rated.

I am in the market myself and it is tough to get past the crappy customer service.


I agree with the poster about the 4 hour phone calls. I had a disc drive that was fried and it took 90 minutes to get to a living human being. By the time I finsished with the voiced activated system, my voice was hoarse - it began not understanding me "I am sorry, my mistake, please say the number again" from a computer generated voice is enough to make me go postal. Then I was on the phone with the tech for well over an hour trying to fix the problem (hint I am a nurse not a technician). I was on hold for an additional long period of time trying to get appropval for in home service. . Once it was approved, they were out in short order to replace the drive.


Was it worth the aggravation for the cheaper price - at the time of the repair I would have said no. But now I am softening on the idea - now that it is time for a laptop.

 

[Galahad]

I'm not entirely sure how this works but:

We bought our Dell laptops through the university DW works for. They came with a support agreement already in place. 3 years complete on-site support, etc. We always get "domestic" support people on the phone and the 2 really sticky issues we've had they met me at my office and made it right straight away. If I were to buy a Dell another way (through the website, etc) rather than through an employer, I would say it is VERY much worth the price to buy the on-site service agreement. Dell isn't the only brand that will have issues that need addressed (all do). The added service/support agreement seems to be the difference between what we experience and calling the generic support line.

 

[DVC-Don]

I'm using my 2 1/2 year old Dell desktop that has not had any problems at all. And I also have had a Dell Laptop (600M) for a year now, also without any problems.

Had a Gateway prior and got to know their service # by heart. They always helped me, but I called them a lot.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I have a Dell Inspiron 5150 and I hate it. I just replaced my hard drive this weekend, as a matter of fact. My touchpad broke (after the warranty was up) so I'm using a wireless mouse and there are problems with the internal cooling system. Apparently, it's not that great and the computer will overheat and shut off without warning - even with the extra fan I purchased.

When I'm in the market for a new notebook, I may actually consider getting another Dell, just a better model.

 

[MidNite]

I'm using my Dell Inspirion 1100 laptop right now. I've never had a problem with it in over two years.

Our desktop computers we didn't buy from a major retailer. They were custom built by my husband. (just a little geek brag. )

 

[MoniqueU]

Dell must of missed me and heard me talking about them. My 5150 that I JUST got back less then 2 weeks ago from out of warranty mother board repair has the exact same problem with it I sent it in for. So I just paid 479 bucks for them to fix it for a week. Granted they will pick it up and fix it again for free but how long will this next fix last? You know if you get a lemon with these people you really get a lemon tree.

 

[horseshowmom]

I guess it's like anything else - anybody can have a problem with anything depending on the unit.

That said, I only buy Dells (on a Latitude right now). So far this year, I've bought 5 Latitude laptops, 5 Inspiron laptops, and probably 60 desktops.

All of mine have a 3 year warranty - no matter what (including being dropped). So far, I've had three problems (and they were solved very quickly). Two involved them sending us replacement parts, and one involved an onsite visit (for the laptop that was dropped on a tile on concrete floor).

I love Dell equipment!