Need a new system - Any builders out there find that it is cheaper to buy pre-built now from Dell?

[jkellynewyork]

I have not built a system for a while but I need one for my brother in law who is going to start college. I have been out of the loop - but from my occasional checks in hot deals I have seen some amazing Dell systems for like $350 with nice stuff -

- Is it more pratical to jump on one of these Dell deal systems - when looking at the fact that you get Windows XP - a very nice case-keyboard/mouse-all pretty much matching color?

 

[MikeMike]

yes

 

[mechBgon]

Do make sure that you get a system with an AGP slot, if you go that route. There's a general sentiment around here that the Dell "Happy-Meal" computers (my terminology) are a good thing to get for relatives and friends, because when something goes wrong, it's Dell's problem, not yours

 

[nick1985]

yeah, what he said

all kidding aside, you can get some good deals from dell. and for a person thats not so computer savvy, that is a good route to take

 

[mchammer187]

its pretty much impossible to beat some dell deals

especially after software

 

[MikeMike]

dont forget coupons

 

[jkellynewyork]

Thanks so much everyone!!!! - Although it is so much fun to build, I'll wait for the next Dell deal.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Although it is so much fun to build, I'll wait for the next Dell deal.

Fun to build, Not so fun to tech support, And you know you will have to.
Unload tech support to Dell.

 

[jackschmittusa]

If any of my kids or grandkids ever bought a Dell, the first time they got put on hold by tech support or told to use a restore disk and lose everything that they didn't back up, they'd call me anyway.

 

[jkellynewyork]

Originally posted by: GonzoDaGr8

Although it is so much fun to build, I'll wait for the next Dell deal.

Fun to build, Not so fun to tech support, And you know you will have to.
Unload tech support to Dell.

Yes I do know what you are saying - I had an aunt call me all upset about the computer - YEs I will be right over so you could get your internet back up (thats all she cares about) - TUrns out she flicked the back power supply switch by accident. JUst an example of the small annoying things they call you for.

jackschmittusa - I know what you are saying also - but I dont think I would feel as bad to say call Dell, that not my problem, when you did not build the system. I guess there is that personal THING that you get when you build one and then something goes wrong with it, you have to see what the heck is going on - becuase then the people you built it for may start talking about you bad or something-so you want to iron out whatever the problem is to save your reputation. Or even if you dont make them go for Dell support - at least you dont feel bad if something goes wrong - blame it on Dell.

 

[Boogak]

The past week I've been spec'ing out a new computer for my sister after her existing one croaked. Even with a stackable 10% and 15% coupons, I found I could get more bang for the buck buying the parts separately from Newegg.com (slighter slower AMD Athlon XP (2200+ vs. a P4 2.53) but better integrated video, better audio, 2x more memory, 50% more hard drive space, modem, 4 channel speakers, etc.). Of course, this is w/o a OS though and here in Tx I get charged tax from Dell, but I still felt that the money was better spent on a DIY AMD/nForce2 setup. But like everyone said, there is the tech support factor...

 

[LordMorpheus]

If you already own all the software you need, its cheaper to build. But if you don't, Dell gets a better deal and can give you all that stuff for way less than retail. Building is worth it completely, many Dells are hardly upgradeable

(story: my sister bought a Dell a while ago, and wanted me to add in a CD drive for her .. but the case had only one big bay, so I couldn't. Recently, I was going to put in an extra harddrive, but the mobo only has one (ONE!!) IDE channel. Who ever heard of a single IDE mobo? its almost ridiculous. no RAM upgrades possible and there are almost no PCI slots. Its insane what Dell will do to keep their prices low.)

Note, this single IDE channel is not just on the cheaper models, my mother bought a giant workstation with SCSI HD, so they only gave here one IDE channel. And it wasn't a cheap mobo, this thing had onboard wide SCSI and dual Xeon slots (only one is filled at the moment) AGP and the whole nine yards, but when I needed to add a storage HD (networking it to the other computer is too slow) I had to buy an IDE controller . . . and the case is set up in such a way that it is a nightmare to fit it and run the cable.

Just a couple things to keep in mind. If you are using Linux or already own XP, doa homebuilt. Hell, switch to Linux. Then everything software is cheaper. or free.