stillrunnin
So What? You Gotta Problem With That?
Premium
join:2003-12-27
Frederick,MD
clubs:
 ·Comcast
| computer
ours gave up the ghost this time for good. it was a dell that we had for 5 yrs. it went through three hard drives in that time. and had to replace a bad stick of ram. so we are using a community computer.hehe. so I dont know about dell. anyone have any suggestions? know of any deals? (black friday???) |
|
DC DSL
Stays crunchy even in milk
Premium
join:2000-07-30
Washington, DC
 ·Covad Communications
·Verizon Online DSL
| I've sworn by Dell for 20 years. These days, only order OptiPlex (desktop) or Latitude (notebook) models through the Small/Medium Business channel, *NEVER* the Home/SOHO channel.
Dimension/Vostro/Inspiron have more appealing purchase prices, but that comes at the expense of using the cheapest parts available at build-time. Support for them is also off-shore.
Some mighty good bargains can be had through Dell Outlet's Business department. OptiPlex, Latitude and PowerEdge units all carry the full, original warranty (typically canceled corporate orders, though there are customer returns for not liking it, or units that have minor cosmetic issues). They're pre-configured but you can easily buy "more" stuff if what you want isn't included.
I always advise folks purchase the extra 2 years of NBD on-site service and "all things that can go wrong" accident coverage (units come with one year). It usually is an extra $150-$300 depending on the model, but it's worth it, especially if you have kids in the house, move the machine around a lot (like a notebook), or just happen to not have good luck with electronics. I've put scores of Outlet boxen out to clients over the last few years and there hasn't been a single lemon.
--
There is no giant fur-bearing trout. |
|
grobinette
Premium,Mod
join:2001-01-27
Springfield, VA
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
Host:
Home Repair & Impr..
Millenicom
| reply to stillrunnin
I'll second the Dell business models. We use them here at work and have had few problems with several thousand of them deployed and college kids banging away on them.
Much better build than we are currently getting with HP.
I've also looked at refurbished Dell's coming off lease at Ubid
»www.ubid.com/
Picked up a refurbished Dell Optiplex for my mom, clean install of XP Pro without all the Dell junk (That in itself was refreshing). The thing was spotless inside and is still running like a champ.
I see they have some HP's and not a lot of Dells right now but
--
Team Discovery |
|
Rxdoxx
Premium,Mod
join:2000-11-03
Middle River, MD
clubs: 
·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
Host:
Software
Washington & Balti..
1 edit | reply to stillrunnin
LOL. and I have sworn off Dells for years.
Ever since they sold me a system that was basically problematic with extended life (for everybody, not just me, but that info came out later as the systems were farking).
Now I have a friend who builds them for me.
Latest one has the Intel i7 quad processor
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7
There are basically 3 types and I got the cheapest ($290)
But it hums and my F@H totals are climbing rapidly »Team Helix because it is not only fast, but I can run a folder for each core 
Mobo will run about $110 to hold that chip
Need at least a 750w power supply and to make sure a case will hold the Mobo, that ran me about $85 for both.
Cannibalized my old system for drives, graphics, keyboard/mouse, monitor.
Bought a couple of fans (cheap $10-14) for extra cooling.
Couldn't use my old memory, needed DDR3, but those prices are good, can get 4GB for under $90 »www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···20145260
So ran about $700 for a pretty incredible system.
One wonderful bonus. I used my old OS drive, and when on first boot, it loaded (WinXP Pro) saw all the new environment and configured itself, so I was up and running surprisingly fast. And didn't have to tweak or re-load my programs.
DVD/CD burners are cheap ($30) so depending on your budget can get a new one of those if you want.
You can buy a system from somebody but you aren't going to come close to that kind of innards for that price. And you don't have to spend hours cleaning off all the crapware that people like Dell are paid to stuff on your system. You say you had a 5 yr old Dell, so I know you got things like AOL trial membership etc, but it has gotten a lot worse since then. Part of their gravy profits comes from being paid to fiost crapware on people.
--
Was a Cruise Fanatic, one cruise on Princess cured me. Bleah |
|
nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA
·Cox HSI
·Speakeasy
| Rage3d often has discount codes posted for various vendors' computer systems. They're often stackable and can knock several $100s off your final price. I'd still go with either Dell or HP, just based on the service (onsite) you can get if something does go wrong (or someone drops it in water or runs over it with their car).
--
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell |
|
stillrunnin
So What? You Gotta Problem With That?
Premium
join:2003-12-27
Frederick,MD
clubs: | reply to stillrunnin
we had the dimension. maybe thats why. did not know about the cheap parst at build time. |
|
Robotics
See You On The Dark Side
Premium
join:2003-10-23
Louisa, VA
·Comcast
 ·Verizon Wireless B..
| reply to stillrunnin
All I can suggest is NOT to buy a Toshiba laptop.
I know so many people that have those and have overheating problems. Internet searches confirms this issue.
I have several home made PC's and they are all solid.
I own a HP laptop, and so far so good after 2 years.
And a HP mini desktop I have had for 9 years...knock on wood, no problems at all.
I can't stress enough to do in-depth background searches on any one that might look interesting to you.
--
Long you live and high you fly and Smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be. |
|
seaquake
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-23
Millersville, MD
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to stillrunnin
said by stillrunnin  :we had the dimension. maybe thats why. did not know about the cheap parst at build time. I've had 2 Dells: Dimension XPST500, bought in Spring 1999 and my current Dimension 8300, bought in March 2004. I'm typing this on the 8300. Never had a problem with it aside from having to replace the case cooler fan and the power supply (because of the fan going bad).
Optiplex's are very nice. I'm just not sure if they offer the highest end components on them for gaming since they are a "business class" computer. |
|
DC DSL
Stays crunchy even in milk
Premium
join:2000-07-30
Washington, DC
·Covad Communications
·Verizon Online DSL
| said by seaquake :Optiplex's are very nice. I'm just not sure if they offer the highest end components on them for gaming since they are a "business class" computer. If one wants a high-end gaming system, one isn't looking at anyone's business-class systems in the first place. The strong points of OptiPlex and Latitude as workstations are the quality of the build and service/support.
The marketing lifecycle of a model in those lines is typically at least 3 years, and original parts availability for at least 6. The consumer and SOHO systems can come and go within one year, with parts on a "best effort" basis from day one.
--
There is no giant fur-bearing trout. |
|
nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA
·Cox HSI
·Speakeasy
| reply to Robotics
said by Robotics :All I can suggest is NOT to buy a Toshiba laptop. As much as I hate them, they're decent "throwaway" computers. They're cheap enough that when they inevitably fail, you can run out and get another one. That, and getting them serviced is an utterly asstacular experience.
said by Robotics :I know so many people that have those and have overheating problems. Internet searches confirms this issue. Chronic problems with their wireless NICs, too. Prone to disconnections and stalls, particularly when under a high network I/O load. Makes doing speedtests (e.g., speedtest.net) kind of pointless. There'll be times when you're downloading stuff and it just CRAWLS. You'll hit speedtest and it looks like your ISP is lagging. I've taken to only using my HP when it's looking like an ISP issue. It's usually just the flaky wifi NIC.
--
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell |
|
dunninger
join:2000-10-12
Arlington, VA
| reply to stillrunnin
While you can always search for Dell Coupons, you can get pretty decent deals if you happen to be a federal employee and select Government--Employee purchases:
»www.dell.com/us/en/eep/df.aspx?r···17968071
FYI--I happen to be a federal employee but was not asked for any verification of that when I made a recent purchase. (Studio XPS 9000). |
|
stillrunnin
So What? You Gotta Problem With That?
Premium
join:2003-12-27
Frederick,MD
clubs: | reply to stillrunnin
looked at the optiplex and like what I see. not into gaming. now gotta work this weekend and buy one. thanks for all the info from this forum. |
|
Rxdoxx
Premium,Mod
join:2000-11-03
Middle River, MD
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
Host:
Software
Washington & Balti..
| Cool,
and from a moderator of the software forum 
a freebie that you might want to take a look at
»www.yorkspace.com/2006/04/38
A program called Dell De-crapifier 
--
Was a Cruise Fanatic, one cruise on Princess cured me. Bleah |
|
redhatnation
Premium
join:2005-06-02
Woodbridge, VA | reply to stillrunnin
Lenovo Thinkpad. Get a laptop. Take it with you everywhere. |
|
stillrunnin
So What? You Gotta Problem With That?
Premium
join:2003-12-27
Frederick,MD
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to Rxdoxx
said by Rxdoxx :Cool, and from a moderator of the software forum a freebie that you might want to take a look at » www.yorkspace.com/2006/04/38A program called Dell De-crapifier thanks for this. gonna order the machine next week.
--
(Bob Sanchez R.I.P. 9-27-2007)
the left lane is for people going fast you IDIOT!!!!!
|
|
stillrunnin
So What? You Gotta Problem With That?
Premium
join:2003-12-27
Frederick,MD
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to redhatnation
said by redhatnation :Lenovo Thinkpad. Get a laptop. Take it with you everywhere. the wife has one from work. not to crazy about it though. |
|
redhatnation
Premium
join:2005-06-02
Woodbridge, VA
·Comcast
| said by stillrunnin :said by redhatnation :Lenovo Thinkpad. Get a laptop. Take it with you everywhere. the wife has one from work. not to crazy about it though. Out of curiosity, what about it rubs you the wrong way? And what model? |
|
