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Originally posted by MAYBE aliasfriend:
DO NOT GET A DELL! I have had and heard of so many problems from them. I run a small business repairing computers, the majority of computers I get that have major problems are Dell's. In my experiance, I have found their primary problem is the hard drive failing.
I agree. I hate Dell desktops 100% but then again I hate anything not custom built because most new systems nowadays are junk. Why do you think prices keep dropping and dropping yet speeds are not climbing and climbing at the same rate? They use really good parts for one thing and then total junk for the next.
Dell's are most prone to HD failure. For almost all systems they use Maxtor, Quantum, and IBM. Enough said.
The laptops are another story. I absolutely love the laptops. Being a computer technician, I've found that they are very very easy to work on because of the design, cheapest replacement parts of any brands, etc. But again, same issue with HD failure. Can't even count how many Dell hard drives I've replaced on laptops less than 1 year old. Fujitsu and Toshiba hard drives explain it all.
Bottom line, I would build your own PC if you or someone you know has the knowledge of doing so. If not, buy a Dell, but no base models. Just be prepared to spend alot on a good Dell. I would really stay away from other brands of PC's. They have really gone downhill with quality and for the most part are overpriced.
FYI - A $299 Dimension 2400 cost $150 just for shipping and doesn't even come with a floppy or speakers. So the next time someone said they bought a $299 Dell, you know it's straight bullsh*t, because in the end after upgrades and shipping, they payed around $700.
Also whoever said Dell tech support is great. What are you on??  They have the worst support of any company. Unless you like talking to someone in India that you can't understand, just reading lines off a screen not paying attention to a word you are saying. In the end, all they tell you to do is "System Restore". They offer no actual computer knowledge to you.
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Joined: Jun 2000
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Originally posted by CSVT1214:
Dell's are most prone to HD failure. For almost all systems they use Maxtor, Quantum, and IBM. Enough said.
Funny, in my 5 years of working day after day on Dell machines I have never seen an IBM or Quantum drive in any of them. Not to mention the year i spent as a Dell next business day on site tech.
Originally posted by CSVT1214:
The laptops are another story. I absolutely love the laptops. Being a computer technician, I've found that they are very very easy to work on because of the design, cheapest replacement parts of any brands, etc. But again, same issue with HD failure. Can't even count how many Dell hard drives I've replaced on laptops less than 1 year old. Fujitsu and Toshiba hard drives explain it all.
If you are replacing harddrives on Dell laptops that are less then a year old then your customer is an idiot in the first place because it is still under warranty.
Originally posted by CSVT1214:
Bottom line, I would build your own PC if you or someone you know has the knowledge of doing so. If not, buy a Dell, but no base models. Just be prepared to spend alot on a good Dell. I would really stay away from other brands of PC's. They have really gone downhill with quality and for the most part are overpriced.
He said he can't build one, he doesn't have the time. Base models are great for doing everyday tasks if you plan on replacing every 2 years or so.
Originally posted by CSVT1214:
FYI - A $299 Dimension 2400 cost $150 just for shipping and doesn't even come with a floppy or speakers. So the next time someone said they bought a $299 Dell, you know it's straight bullsh*t, because in the end after upgrades and shipping, they payed around $700
Funny, my dad picked up a Dell for $400 total after rebates for a low end Dell and it runs like a champ. He's had it about a year and not a single problem yet. He's on it constantly and it has a celeron and everything.
Originally posted by CSVT1214:
Also whoever said Dell tech support is great. What are you on?? They have the worst support of any company. Unless you like talking to someone in India that you can't understand, just reading lines off a screen not paying attention to a word you are saying. In the end, all they tell you to do is "System Restore". They offer no actual computer knowledge to you.
Shows again how biased and how little you actually know. Dell has great technical support, though not as good as it used to be before they outsourced. Still, if it's something that is Dell's fault (ie hardware), you can't beat the turnaround time their tech support gives on replacement parts. They shouldn't have to offer knowledge to you as far as software problems go. if they did that, then their tech support would really be bogged down. Do you have any idea how many people call in with stupid spyware problems and such? The easisest and fastest solution to software problems is to tell them to system restore, if that does not work, reformat the machine.
- Tim
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Tough to beat even if a starting point. If no DVI required, the 3000 w/ 19" LCD for $429 is good. 4700 would be better w/ HT & better integrated graphics and upgrade to 1905FP is only $50 more. Just need $25 of extra memory from another vendor for either machine.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Check out Acer ... they are awesome machines, and very well priced to boot!
Dell's have a worse rep than they really shoud for some reason. I have business clients who are entirely Dell outfits. Not a single problem on the desktops! Laptops, well that's another story, personally I always go Toshiba if I can ... worldwide warranty is awesome. Fuji and Acer would be my next choice, not much after that. One thing Dell's do have is that their cases are awesome! Screwless, and a joy to work in. Upgrading is a cinch as long as you don't mind paying a little extra for RAM.
I might be wrong, but I believe that Dell use re-branded Intel motherboards in a custom layout. If this is true, then I can say Intel have some totally rock-solid boards that blow away the likes of ASUS and ABIT.
As far as custom built machines ... they aren't always best. I see a lot of custom machines that are just plain 'wrong'. Cheaping out on certain things, and going overboard on others. The biggest problem with custom built is that people get their information from guys on gaming forums ... hate to offend anyone who is that type of guy, but I would personally rather let a monkey build a machine for me than some of those guys. I've read enough threads from people who's "awesome" cooling tricks actually go against the pricinples of air cooling and the thermal dynamics of cases. There is a LOT of misinformation on those types of sites, and hence PC builds aren't as good as they could be. Personally I would always be wary of someone who calls themselves a 'system builder' because they can plug a card into a PCI slot, there's a lot more to it than that ... afterall how many guys on this board would call themselves a mechanic just because they can change oil and filters!
Don't get me wrong, a lot of custom systems are great, but there is a lot of mis-information that you can follow.
Any way ... check out Acer systems, rock solid and 3 year warranties as standard.
1998.5 T-Red on Midnight Blue SVT
Build Number 5320 of 6535
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Originally posted by Corbett:
Funny, in my 5 years of working day after day on Dell machines I have never seen an IBM or Quantum drive in any of them. Not to mention the year i spent as a Dell next business day on site tech.
I'm just telling you what I've seen. I work on them every single day and that is what I see. How far back do the Dells that you repair go? I work on anything from PII to a P4.
Originally posted by Corbett:
If you are replacing harddrives on Dell laptops that are less then a year old then your customer is an idiot in the first place because it is still under warranty.
And my customers come in and the first thing they say is the called Dell because it was under warranty and they spent 5 hours on the phone with tech support trying to get a replacement and got no where.
Originally posted by Corbett:
He said he can't build one, he doesn't have the time. Base models are great for doing everyday tasks if you plan on replacing every 2 years or so.
Why would anyone plan on replacing their computer every 2 or so years? Such a waste of money.
Originally posted by Corbett:
Funny, my dad picked up a Dell for $400 total after rebates for a low end Dell and it runs like a champ. He's had it about a year and not a single problem yet. He's on it constantly and it has a celeron and everything.
I never said you can't get it for less then $700. I said the most common final price is around that. I don't doubt that he got his for $400.
Originally posted by Corbett:
Shows again how biased and how little you actually know. Dell has great technical support, though not as good as it used to be before they outsourced. Still, if it's something that is Dell's fault (ie hardware), you can't beat the turnaround time their tech support gives on replacement parts. They shouldn't have to offer knowledge to you as far as software problems go. if they did that, then their tech support would really be bogged down. Do you have any idea how many people call in with stupid spyware problems and such? The easisest and fastest solution to software problems is to tell them to system restore, if that does not work, reformat the machine.
How little I actually know?  How could you give a statement like that and then turn around and say that they should not offer tech support for software? Regardless if it is users fault for the computer problems, they are there to help with any problems. That's what tech support is for. It's not called "Hardware Support". I can't even remember how many times I had a customer come in and I've had to run data recovery on the hard drive because Dell had them run a recovery on Windows and not once mentioned they would loose any data. Sure, they sound like an idiot to a computer person, but someone with little to no knowledge doesn't realize that's the result. Years and years worth of documents, databases, financial information wiped out just like that because Dell told them to format the drive to fix the problem. Good tech support? HA 
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Originally posted by CSVT1214:
I'm just telling you what I've seen. I work on them every single day and that is what I see. How far back do the Dells that you repair go? I work on anything from PII to a P4.
About the same. I've worked on PII's never seen an IBM or Quantum drive in them.
Originally posted by CSVT1214:
And my customers come in and the first thing they say is the called Dell because it was under warranty and they spent 5 hours on the phone with tech support trying to get a replacement and got no where.
So they come buy one from you? Those people are idiots. Why not call back again or stay on the phone. Why pay when you can get it for free?
Originally posted by CSVT1214:
Why would anyone plan on replacing their computer every 2 or so years? Such a waste of money.
Because if you work in computers for so long you should no that the technology is leaps and bounds better then it was 2 years ago. Not much of a waste when you spend $400 every 2 years.
Originally posted by CSVT1214:
I never said you can't get it for less then $700. I said the most common final price is around that. I don't doubt that he got his for $400.
Doubt all you want, he did in fact pick it up for $400.
Originally posted by CSVT1214:
How little I actually know? How could you give a statement like that and then turn around and say that they should not offer tech support for software? Regardless if it is users fault for the computer problems, they are there to help with any problems. That's what tech support is for. It's not called "Hardware Support". I can't even remember how many times I had a customer come in and I've had to run data recovery on the hard drive because Dell had them run a recovery on Windows and not once mentioned they would loose any data. Sure, they sound like an idiot to a computer person, but someone with little to no knowledge doesn't realize that's the result. Years and years worth of documents, databases, financial information wiped out just like that because Dell told them to format the drive to fix the problem. Good tech support? HA
Ok I retract how little you actually know, sorry about that. I'm in an argumentative mood today. I can't think of one computer company that would atcually go through whats wrong with your pc when its obviously your fault. IE, if you have spyware, they are not responsible for helping you with that. They have online docs for that. And if they do tell them to blow away the PC they shoud tell them to back up any important data onto CD or other device. You are right, it wouldnt be good tech support if they told them to just wipe the drive and not back up important information.
Again, Dell is the best bang for the buck. Tech support is awesome. Quality is good. Can't beat the price.
- Tim
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Current Dell tech support is spotty--at best. My 2 month old machine is waiting on a new power supply fan right now. Spent over 2 hours on the phone on Sunday "troubleshooting" with a rude, ESL, retard in India who kept saying it was the hard drive. It was really nice when he dropped the call about an hour into the process; was on hold for 30 minutes when I called right back.  The nearest tech in my area is an hour away and if he shows up on Friday that will be 5+ days of waiting for a warranty repair.
-- 1999 SVT #220 --
In retrospect, it was all downhill from here. RIP, CEG.
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Dell tech support is a total waste of time. Unfortunately they are all script readers. It's the same with most places though, so you aren't really losing much more. The good side is that the tech-return centres are generally staffed by intelligent and competent techs. Unlike your average 'computer store' where they employ monkeys there too.
Dell are particularly hard on following flow-chart analysis though, they are not able to skip parts and will get into trouble if they are caught doing it. Your best bet with any brand name system is not to rely on their tech-support, unless you have to.
I will say, however, that if you can describe your problem extremely accurately it will get resolved quicker. The more accurate you are, the less they look at the general flow-chart. If you have error messages, the best route is to e-mail a screendump and wait for a response, quite often you get a name you can pounce on too.
If you need a replacement part, and you know what it is, try skipping support and call the parts number. You can usually cross link to an asset tag there, not sure about Dell, but I've done it with IBM many times.
In regards to waiting for warranty repair, review your warranty contract and you should see the service agreement will dictate a time. Over 2 hours troubleshooting is crazy times too ... if it were me I would complaining and quoting the ticket numbers on how long it took you to get some resolution. I complained extensively once about a new business machine that a client had which had a failed NIC in it. I [censored] up a real storm and he ended up getting a new 15" TFT free, plus they refunded to him the cost of my invoice.
1998.5 T-Red on Midnight Blue SVT
Build Number 5320 of 6535
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Originally posted by bigMoneyRacing:
Current Dell tech support is spotty--at best. My 2 month old machine is waiting on a new power supply fan right now. Spent over 2 hours on the phone on Sunday "troubleshooting" with a rude, ESL, retard in India who kept saying it was the hard drive. It was really nice when he dropped the call about an hour into the process; was on hold for 30 minutes when I called right back.
The nearest tech in my area is an hour away and if he shows up on Friday that will be 5+ days of waiting for a warranty repair.
I love when they do that. I'll be on the phone with them for 2 hours and when they get sick of talking to you, they put you on hold and don't come back. Happens on a weekly basis to me when I order parts from them.
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