Raise your hand if you think Dell is s***

[Gunbuster]

and the reason dell is able to offer such low prices is BECAUSE of proprietary hardware . . . . if they didn't, their prices would be MUCH GREATER!

Wow what a load of FUD. The only proprietary hardware in current mainstream dell desktops is the Mainboard mounting tabs/tray that saves field techs a MASSIVE amount of time.

All the rest in commodity hardware. No one does proprietary crap like the old dells and Compaq?s because the R&D costs too much and new hardware comes out too fast.

 

[thegimp03]

they're ok for average usage...but their "gaming" machines are overpriced imo. for the average user they're good machines with great warranties.

 

[wakawaka]

Originally posted by: thegimp03
they're ok for average usage...

Pentium 4 Processor 520 with HT Technology (2.80GHz, 800 FSB)
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
256MB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (1x256M)
FREE! 17 in E173FP Flat Panel Display
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
40GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Integrated Intel PRO 10/100 Ethernet
48X CD-ROM Drive
Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio
WordPerfect, Powerful Word Processing

For average users, this is excellent! at a price of $499!

 

[fishmonger12]

i saw an ad for one with 512 mb ram, 17 in lcd display, 2.8 ghz p4 proc, onboard graphics... 550$...

that's a pretty good deal... anyone that doesn't play new\intensive games (ie 80% of the computer market) could easily get by with this. with one of the sick coupons floating around, even their xps series can be made a good deal. and all this + the fact that you don't have to do your own tech support makes it a pretty damn good option.

i'd still rather build meself though. it's more fun

 

[Insomniak]

in before lock?

Dell's systems aren't terrible for the money, but you should be aware of two things:

1) They use proprietary equipment, so no upgrades, and repairs/replacements have you going back to Dell.

2) The systems come loaded with bloatware. First thing you should do to a new Dell is format the hard drive and do a clean Windows install.


Also, their monitors are rather nice.

 

[imported_Reck]

better hope something doesn't go wrong with your dell, phone support is impossible to deal with.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: wakawaka

Originally posted by: thegimp03
they're ok for average usage...

Pentium 4 Processor 520 with HT Technology (2.80GHz, 800 FSB)
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
256MB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (1x256M)
FREE! 17 in E173FP Flat Panel Display
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
40GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Integrated Intel PRO 10/100 Ethernet
48X CD-ROM Drive
Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio
WordPerfect, Powerful Word Processing

For average users, this is excellent! at a price of $499!

That system doesn;t include the flat panel display, its $229 extra.....

 

[bigboxes]

Haha... Salvatore has a "Planning to build" sig! Classic.

Back to the topic at hand. Dells do suck. If you are on AnandTech you already know that, but not for the reason that people buy them. If I had a business and I wanted a cost-affordable pc with tech support then Dell would be the way to go. If I was a clueless Joe Schmoe that only needed the use of a word processor and check e-mail then Dell would be the way to go.

If you are on AnandTech discussing overburning, overclocking, and fragging then Dell is probably not for you.

Dells ship with 128mb of ram. Totally crippled on XP, but their owners wanted something cheap and delivered fast. You get what you pay for. Bless Dell owners. They keep me in business.

 

[wakawaka]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
That system doesn;t include the flat panel display, its $229 extra.....

http://slickdeals.net/#p5701

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: malak
I have 3 machines here. One is emachine, one is Dell, and one is Alienware. I find good qualities in all 3.

Do they argue amongst themselves when you leave the room? Which one is the "leader" of the gang?

The Alienware, duh!! The eMachines doesn't have enough upgradeability to fight with, and the Dell can't find proprietary parts to work with!

Actually the other 2 are silent while the alienware is around. He is twice the size of the other two afterall. Before he got here though, the emachine and dell duked it out all the time.

 

[ingenuiti]

What's the point of Dell bashing? No one is forcing you to buy one and being able to build your own computer does not make you l33t.

 

[Kishan]

This thread sounds like Phillipine Mango made a new username or has a long lost brother

 

[Boldgamer]

I just got my dell a few weeks ago. So far so good. I got my pc from them because I didn't feel like waiting and saving up to build my own. Plus I am a little behind the times in keeping up with new pc tech. I got the 8400 with

P4 550 (I was supposed to get the 540 but they put the 550 in)
1 Gig DDRII (400MHz) (I wasin't paying too much attention. I could have gotten 533MHz for $15 more)
250GB Maxtor Hard Drive
16x DVD Rom
16x Dual Layer DVD +/- RW (Phillips)
Radeon x300SE (I don't do too much gaming)
17 inch Flat Panel Monitor
Color Printer
2 years In home tech support
Floppy Drive (yeah I still use it. Only for drivers though)
Roxio Easy Media Creator

I paid a little over $1,400 for this system (shipping included). I know I probably could have gotten a better deal If I saved up and built my own but I have a problem with putting money away lol. When I opened the case it looked pretty nice inside. It's a screwless case and everything is color coded. This computer is a whole lot quieter than my old Compaq (Duron 750, 30GB HDD, 448MB PC 100, ATI Xpert 128, Thermaltake 480 watt PSU). I can't even tell it's on sometimes. I did notice something that I have never seen before though. Over the CPU was like an exaust system going from the CPU to the back of the case. I thought it may be the new BTX form Factor but I doubt it.

The only thing that annoyed me was all the extra software that came on it. But after the initial 20 I didn't have to worry about that anymore because I uninstalled it all. My computer did come with installation discs for XP that would just install the OS (None of the other stuff), a CD with the drivers on them, and a CD with Word Perfect on it (Something I will probably never use because I have MS Office and prefer Word). I would try to do a clean install and get rid of the hidden Restore partition but I am a little worried that when I reinstall the drivers for my motherboards onboard sound and ethernet will not work (I have heard stories from their forums talking about drivers not working).

Originally posted by: Insomniak
in before lock?

Dell's systems aren't terrible for the money, but you should be aware of two things:

1) They use proprietary equipment, so no upgrades, and repairs/replacements have you going back to Dell...

The only Proprietary parts they use now are the motherboard, and the PSU. You can easily install another PSU though if you do a case mod (Dell PSUs don't have a switch so the case covers the part where the switch would be.

 

[SunSamurai]

Dell is fine if youre too lazy or simply dont want to deal with building a computer. I'm sure building a car is cheaper than buying one too. What I think is shit, is when people come in saying how cool their dell is and how they got such a good deal they they dont think you could build it for less. Ignorance.

 

[InlineFive]

I love their products, all of the business systems especially are very good quality. The only place they are lack in is telephone support. But if you are comfortable with fixing a computer (and don't need major upgrades done) then they are fine.

I think that some people just complain about large companies, well, because they are the largest. You can see this plainly with Dell and Microsoft.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Well, the Michael Dell success story -- they guy selling computers out of the trunk of his car during the 1980s-- is a "nice" story.

I stuck to buying OEM until after 1995. Before that, I remember spending $3,000-something on an NEC 386 desktop; another $3,000 on a Gateway 486 full-tower with SCSI controller, and a comparable amount for another Gateway Pentium 100. I later discovered that I could do better for half that price or less.

True, now OEMs are selling machines in the $400 to $600 range. I've looked inside these boxes -- including those by Dell, HP and Gateway. The power-supplies are low-end and marginally adequate. The cases are flimsy -- they were much better in the mid to late 1990s. I'll never buy OEM again. Unless I absolutely have to.

I can understand where people need a computer for work or school, and it comes bundled with software and some sort of comprehensive warranty. On the other hand, given the pains and futility of "upgrading" an OEM box like a Dell, I actually believe you spend less in the long run by spending a bit more in the short run and taking the responsibility for mistakes that are more likely to occur in the hurried environment of a computer factory -- the loose motherboard screw floating around in the case, for instance. If you take pains to "DIY", those things are less likely to happen, and so you don't need to fall back on a warranty agreement to begin with.

 

[Gerbil333]

Originally posted by: Chaoticknight16
I just want to know if people are with me on this one.

Dell is so popular and any average person that needs a computer automatically thinks Dell. I've worked with a bunch of Dell computers for friends, and found them to be terrible. They mess with windows and fill it up with so many Dell logos i feel like i'm going to close my eyes and see them. They ship out computers with XP and 256mb of RAM. They're a major computer company, they have to have a few smart people there that know there is no way in hell to run XP and open word with any kind of decent speed with 256 mb. They take advantage of people that don't know better. (like my friend) and then when you open the case to put in the stick of Ram you had to go out and buy, there is no room for it, because they make it so nothing that isn't ordered from them can fit in the case. He had to buy an external floppy drive...because you couldn't fit a standard 3.5 in the case and they didn't send him a computer with a floppy.
I just feel that all the hype out about them is complete bullshit, they use friendly commercial to take advantage of the customer that doesn't know enough about computers to know how much RAM they need, or that CELERON is completely useless also.

Your points aren't very valid. For an average user, they're great. And what's this deal about 256mbs of RAM? I have 3 IE windows open right now, and I've been using the computer all day: Total memory usage at this moment: 193,796 Kb. I use up well over 950MBs when I play HL2, but average computer users don't play HL2. I've run Windows XP on 128mbs, and it works. It's slow, but it works. 256mbs is hardly any slower than 512mbs until you start running a bunch of crap all at once.

Dell doesn't include floppy drives because they have deemed them obselete, and I agree with them. I don't have a floppy drive. I've started flashing my BIOS from CD-Rs/USB sticks/Windows. That was the only time I used a floppy drive, and I've only flashed ONE BIOS in the past 2 years, because I've had no trouble with any of my boards (I needed a feature on that one BIOS though). Floppies are entirely obselete, and I'm glad that Dell is trying to get rid of them.

Dell may make proprietary computers, but how many average users bother upgrading? Most will use a computer for 3, even 4-5 years, and then buy a whole new system. Even if a typical user does want to upgrade, they aren't going to swap motherboards or anything drastic. They'll pay someone to install more RAM, or something simple...there will be no problem with that.

I'd never buy a Dell myself, but for the average Joe, they offer a great value. They're cheap, and "Joe" doesn't need the powerful machine that you or I require.

Dell also sells fine LCDs...what's wrong with those?

 

[ponyo]

I did notice something that I have never seen before though. Over the CPU was like an exaust system going from the CPU to the back of the case. I thought it may be the new BTX form Factor but I doubt it.

Dell is using duct system cooling on that system. Dell 400SC used that method. Basically the CPU has passive heatsink and the heat is removed via case fan in the back. Since the cpu heatsink doesn't have a fan, it makes for much quieter system.

Quiet computing is great and quite expensive.

 

[Sniper82]

Well I ain't a big fan of any company built computer. I also will never own one even if I have to spend a extra $100 or so to get the same PC by building my own. I've had ppl ask which company computer they should go with and I tell them none of them, but if they must get one go with Dell. I would built them one but don't want the hassle trying to fix their problems so I figure I'll let Dell deal with them.

 

[ponyo]

Raise your hand if you like building computer for people and playing free tech support 24/7?

 

[Alex]

:frown:

 

[Boldgamer]

Originally posted by: aeternitas
...What I think is shit, is when people come in saying how cool their dell is and how they got such a good deal they they dont think you could build it for less. Ignorance.

Hope I didn't offend you or anything. I was just posting because so far it seems that I have had good luck with Dell.

Honestly, I would have rather built my own machine. I would have gone with the A64 and not Intel. I just have a big problem with haveing money "in my hand" and not being able to spend it. I would have never gotten a new machine if I hadn't gotten a Dell. Hopefully this machine will last me a while though. I plan on using it to learn C++ (as soon as I figure out how to work with Dev C++).

 

[dethman]

hello troll boy.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
Well, the Michael Dell success story -- they guy selling computers out of the trunk of his car during the 1980s-- is a "nice" story.

Does that mean that he started the same way that the "white van speaker guys" did? Wonder if they're an offshoot of Dell or something.

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
I stuck to buying OEM until after 1995. Before that, I remember spending $3,000-something on an NEC 386 desktop; another $3,000 on a Gateway 486 full-tower with SCSI controller, and a comparable amount for another Gateway Pentium 100. I later discovered that I could do better for half that price or less.

Yeah, the markup and margins of PCs back then, especially store-bought branded ones, was insane. Then again, your average joe had no idea how to put one together, or to obtain the individual parts cheaply. (Well, the back pages of Computer Shopper was your best bet, or a local computer fair/show.) I used to buy a 'shopper and drool over the $$$ parts (that I could never afford) for weeks, when I was in grade/middle-school. (Plus, they had some good articles, like the one about the "Frankentosh". Don Lancaster's columns were great too.)

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
True, now OEMs are selling machines in the $400 to $600 range. I've looked inside these boxes -- including those by Dell, HP and Gateway. The power-supplies are low-end and marginally adequate. The cases are flimsy -- they were much better in the mid to late 1990s. I'll never buy OEM again. Unless I absolutely have to.

I recently happened to look over an old HP Vectra (Pentium-75/90) machine, and they were built really solid, like tanks, better than my recently-purchased Chieftec case. Too bad that they were also generally pretty heavily proprietary in many ways too though.

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
I can understand where people need a computer for work or school, and it comes bundled with software and some sort of comprehensive warranty.

Bingo. The biggest selling point of a name-brand OEM computer, and probably the most difficult point to compete on, if you're a "little guy" trying to sell a PC to a client. Add up the cost of the OS, bundled software, and the overhead of dealing with the warranty, and you really can't quite compete, at least price-wise. That's one reason why I do recommend (some) local white-box shops though - they have to compete on service, and most of them, if something goes wrong with the PC, you can take it in and they'll fix it for you in the shop. So as far as potential hardware failure and replacement, most are pretty good. As far as a hand-holding the customer through software training - well, that's why most first-tier tech-support is outsourced to India, unfortunately. It simply costs less, and thus has lower overhead for the company. It has nothing to do with brains or skill level, simply the prevailing wage/cost of living of paying someone in the US vs. off-shore. Dell has been successful, largely because of them being able to cut costs to the bone.

 

[beany323]

Originally posted by: aeternitas
Dell is fine if youre too lazy or simply dont want to deal with building a computer. I'm sure building a car is cheaper than buying one too. What I think is shit, is when people come in saying how cool their dell is and how they got such a good deal they they dont think you could build it for less. Ignorance.

i doubt building a car is cheaper then buying one... (yugo).

what i think is sh1t is when people who post in ignorance thinking that they are way better then others. Some people are afraid to build something. Some of them are afraid to set their vcr. So is dell a good deal for them, probably. Can they build something on their own, yea but they are those who say its worth a few bucks to not have to worry about it.

I plan on buying a outlet dell so my kids can play, and probably break it and all it cost me is a few hundred dollars, well worth not having to worry about it..

either way i myself don't like dell (i am getting a amd for real gaming) and buying this dell and gonna build a oc'ing comp later on...

to each his own..

laterz