New Computer ?? Dell vs HP ??

Ruthe Jubinville_2

and now have 2 dell pc's and a dell latitude 2.3 lb notebook. Love the service I have had from them when needed.
Ruthe

ScottMP

I want to buy a new

PC for my office.

I have two Dells in the office and I am replacing a Dell laptop ( latitude D600 ) that has givin me touble from day one ( think blue screens ).

I am thinking another Dell has the others have been fine, but a friend likes H.P.

???

Scott

PS: Regardless of what Brad says, I Do know how to use a computer .

PSS: This will solve my music problem as I plant to buy an external hard drive and a good set of speakers and run everything of the PC. " Been along time since I Rock and Rolled .... "



To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Brad White_9

How About....None of the Above?

Scott-

I have never bought a brand-name or at least major brand-name computer. My first was an NPC (Needham Personal Computer, now out of business) and my current one is a house-brand from MicroCenter in Cambridge. Regardless, you can get just the components you want, built for you, at any number of places. Probably for less money.

Yes, I know you know how to use a computer, Scott. How I know is because you exist....

Dave_4

dell

If you don't want to spend a lot of time thinking about it, then I'd suggest Dell. Go to the site, configure, order and be done. We have a lot of them here, all kinds of different flavors (single core, dual core, single processor, multi-processor, 32-bit, 64-bit, etc.), and they are generally reliable and perform well. Prices reasonable and features adequate. Configuations options good. When/if they do fail, it is generally within the warranty period [insert sound of can of worms being opened...] and we at least have had acceptable experience on warranty issues.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

I've used computers since the day of the IBM Mag Card--a recording typewriter, worked as a computer repairman in the days of the 80X86 processors and have specified many along the way for work, family and friends.

Have had zero problems with HP and only problem with Dell was a hard drive in a laptop that failed early and was immediately replaced at no cost. The vast majority of computers are replaced well before they have any problem--personally I think about 3 years or two operating system upgrades is the usuable life for a computer in an office-type situation.

My present personal work computer is a fairly tricked-out Dell Optiplex 745. REALLY LIKE the Intel Core 2 Duo processor!!! Nearly but not quite the fastest availalle at the time (last Nov.) Things that used to tie up the computer and make it virtually useless until complete are now done in the background with no problem working with things pretty much as normal.

Since you'll likely have Windows Vista on the new computers I'd suggest 2 gig of memory as a minimum with an outboard 256 meg (minimum) graphics card. The sky's the limit in both of these if you play state-of-the-art computer games.

Definitely get a DVD reader AND writer. VERY handy for backups and the cost of recordable DVDs is way down.

Unless you plan on swapping the 2nd hard drive between computers, I'd suggest an inboard 2nd drive with at least double the storage capacity of the main drive. That way you can keep full backups of the main drive on the secondary and still have room for LOTS of music.

A 10,000 rpm (or higher) main hard drive really speeds up disk-intensive applications.

Jerry_15

Yeah, we all know how to use the computer, change the oil, cook the bacon, change the diapers and... wait a minute; wrong tune.
You clearly have too much time on your hands.
My advice is to hook up with a neighborhood techy who's incredibly knowledgeable and actually enjoys fooling around with this stuff. There's plenty around who are way sharp, and are available 24/7(Retired, moms, can't survive in a cubicle.). Check around and find someone you like, and then let them design and set up your system the way you want(load up all that tedious stuff), and be available
for problems, troubleshooting. They tend to available on short notice. Good Luck

Dave_4

What it usually comes down to..

Whatever you can get cheaper!

If you look at the warranties, they are usually exactly the same.

Given that there are no blatant problems with the quality of either brand, price will rule.

One thing to check out is the shipping. On to identical systems, an additional shipping fee can be 10% of the cost.

Offers of free shipping are a plus!

Tim

ScottMP

Brad

"My first was an NPC (Needham Personal Computer, now out of business)"

Thats exactly Why I won't go with a local small company. I use to do that but as a small business I need someone who is there for me.

Looks like its Dell. I've had good responce when we did have problems.

And I don't have too much time on my hands and thats why I am asking here. I don't have time to look at every system.

Thanks

Scott

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Brad White_9

Dude... Your'e Getting a Dell....

I put in the "NPC out of business" note as part of full disclosure, Scott. Understood. They were in business for 20+ years and recently sold to Dell to make systems for them locally. Hah! But it is true.

My point being, you can get good local computers with exactly what you need or want. Just an option, because I am your friend, look out for your and want to give you options!

I bet you even will have Solitaire installed, won't you?

Brad

realolman

Been buyin dells

I bought several dells for one reason only... they had excellent service.

I have had some problems in the past few years, though and have had to talk to techs in el salvadore and india, both of whom gave me mucho crapola.

I had determined that I was not buying another one, but my son recently had problems with his and they shipped it out fixed it and had it back within 3 days. free. That's the kinda stuff I been buyin their computers for... so now I don't know. Somebody told me that the guy who used to run it ( Mr. Dell? ) came back to run it again and that's the reason for the return to service. I dunno.

I have an HP notebook at work for 2-3 years now... I like it. no problems. I think much has to do with the operating system. I think 2000 professional seems very stable... XP pro seems kinda wacko to me. Does weird things.


I've been messing with computers for 20+ years... the most absolute trouble free computer I ever had, I got at Circuit City and it had no brand name that I could find. I think it was made in Korea. I built circuit boards and stuff for that thing and never had one problem. I still have it in my basement.... I don't know why... I guess because it was so faithful... So don't knock the no names

Jerry_15

While I have a grudging admiration for anyone who would go through this kind of effort and aggravation when you could get someone who knows what the hell they are doing for four hours opposed to your one hour, doing what you do well. Snap out of it!! Spend some time with the kids, chase the wife around the house,(a nice dinner together never hurts), take a vacation. Don't waste your precious time pushing the wrong buttons. Having a tutor and a set-up is money well spent (cheap too). Good luck

PS How cum everyone on this site sez hire a pro when it comes to their trade, but always go looking for a deal.
"Everybody's crying mercy, when they don't know the meaning of the word." Mose Allison

eluv8

Computers

You might check out the local computer guys and ask them to build you a computer on a asus or intel motherboard to your specs. very reliable,local service and support and still customed to your needs, may even save you a buck or two. If you are in the market for a notebook check out powernotebooks.com My salesman was donald. they have alot of stuff to choose from and if you call and talk to a salesman they can set you up with exactly what you need. I love my new laptop and have had no problems with it. 3 year warranties included with next day air service if they cant fix it over the phone with you. American support and built computers. I owned a dell inspiron 8200 laptop and hated it nothing but problems and then once out of warranty same problem and their answer was you should have bought the extended warranty. My family has purchased 3 dells and 2 friends set up their offices with dell servers and optiplex stations. The one had his server crash on him twice and lost a ton of info and the other has a networking nightmare. Not saying its dells fault but they seem to be very quirky at best and my experience with tech support was reformat the hard drive or did you try and update the drivers yet. essentially followed a list of questions and then said I guess we will have to have you send it in. Sorry for the rant just really not happy with dell and my 1500 dollar paper weight they sold as a laptop.

Jerry_15

Getting the local guys is right on, and I prefer getting them on the front side, and getting their advice in advance. Also having someone who can drop in on a week-end, and lives up the street is large. I may be spoiled, but you might be surprised at how easy it is to find these kinds of folks. Ask around.

John Barba

How about a Mac?

Pricier, but no spyware or viruses to worry about -- they run all the MS office software. Don't know about any business operating software or estimating software, if that's what you're using it for. Do any manufacturers offer Mac design software? But for music -- they ROCK!

Steve Ebels_3

Dell? HP?

Ya don't need either one of 'em laddie. I simply plugged an external 300GMB hard drive and a keyboard into the Vitotronic 200 control on my Vitola and presto!!!! Instant Cray Brainiac Mega Byte Mother Of All Computers. I'm now leasing its tremendous power to NASA, the CIA, NSA and the county dog catcher for $10 per minute while I type this on the Wall. I'll be able to retire off the residual income in about a week and a half.








Whoops......... Wrong month.......April fools day was in April....................Right?






Too much coffee again or somthin'..........

ScottMP

Jerry

Just so I'm clear .. I never asked about price.

I don't see a difference between the two and wanted to know if the guys here knew of any differences.

Looks like there is'nt and I'll buy the dell. Then again maybe I'll go talk to a local guy.

Scott

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

ScottMP

Steve

That would be a good idea, except the operating instructions would be too confusing and I don't want to type in BCCB everytime I log on.

I'd also get more computer than I could possible use.



Scott

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Jeff Lawrence_25

For a desktop

go local. Find a customer that does computers and sit down with him. Tell him what you need and what you want to do (these two may not be the same). He'll build you exactly what you'll need for a good price. Someone mentioned a DVD burner and a gig of RAM, that's a good start.

Dell will sell you a monitor, a mouse, and a keyboard along with a "free" printer with their packages, do you really need all that?

My desktop crashed in November of 2006, right after some major files were backed up (whew!) I really missed it for a while, but have been going strong with my Dell Latitude D600 that I'm typing this on. This notebook is my main business computer now. The gent that recommended this one is now a former employee of Dell. He and I spoke at some length about what I needed and would need in the near future. He did suggest that I go with Dell's gold tech support and Next Business Day repair service. It was a few extra dollars that really wasn't in the budget, but I did it anyway. That was a good decision, since I've spent numerous hours on the phone with them ordering 3-4 keyboards and one replacement hard drive(so far). The other times were for user errors....

Just my opinions.

Bill_68

PC

Macs are neat, but stick with a PC. Stick with the Dell Small Business Division (Optiplex or Latitude)and configure your machine on-line based on your budget. Try to get one with XP PRO, but configure it to handle VISTA later. Don't spend all of your time helping Microsoft get the "vista bugs" fixed...let the others create the "fixes" and save the frustration.

If not sure of your config. decisions, just call Dell Small Business and get advice. Stick with Dell.

Bill



To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Xc8p2dC

GO HP

Had 4 of them over the last 8 years> None have ever failed for hardware issues can only think of one time where i needed Tech support>> thier generic so hdw and sftwre upgrades are a peice of cake>> Dell is propriatary, so many have issues upgrading things, that is why they need tech support

My sister owned a dell lappy>> SHE IS NOW LIVING IN A TRAILER IN HER DRIVEWAY,[3 months and probably another 7] because it caught fire and caused $200,000 in damage to her home>> good luck

Dave_4

Using a local guy is fine, just make sure the service is there.

We used to have a local shop (about 100 yards down the road) build our computers. Of course if there was a problem, we got an answering machine. Call usually returned the next day, followed by "we have to order a new xxx". Again, supporting local merchants is terrific, but when your business depends on your computer.. make sure they can fulfill the service end of the deal.

Dell has been good about their next business day service. Only time I used it was for a drum on the color laser.

Tim

Steve Ebels_3

Nobdy forgets

Nobody forgets the BCCB acronym once Jim "explains it at Viessmann school

Timco

I have a desktop Dell & a laptop HP, and love them both. Can't you tell how perfect the Dell type looks? How clean my post was?

Tim