What are the advantages of buying a complete computer?

[tigersty1e]

So what are the advantages of buying a complete computer from say Dell?

 

[chizow]

Tech support, product replacement/warranty, compatibility/ease-of-use out of the box, included OS + software. There's also arguably cheaper prices on lower-end systems, but once you start adding stuff on you lose most if any price advantages.

Downside is lack of upgradability and customization options. Components can be inferior quality as well.

 

[BernardP]

I had my parents buy a Dell E521 with A64 3200+ last fall. My father was all set on paying very little, because all they do is surf the web and e-mail. Tried to configure an equivalent built-to-order system at a low-price local shop, but the Dell was about $150 cheaper.

There was also the fact that my father wanted a Dell because many of his friends have Dells and were recommending it to him.

Prices of such low-end system are hard to beat. One must beware of overpriced "mandatory upgrades" for memory or optical drives. So I waited for the +512 MB memory upgrade to become the weekly special, and passed on the overpriced $55 combo DVD reader/CD burner to DVD burner upgrade.

One should also beware of Windows backup/restore choices made by the manufacturer. Dell now provides a true Windows install CD in addition to the hidden restore partition. Others might only provide a restore CD, or worse. For an Acer system that one of my colleagues bought, there is no Windows disc, no restore disc, no hidden partition. There is only an installed imaging program one can use to burn a restore DVD.

And finally, these pre-builts come with a lot of trialware/crapware. When I first ran my parent's computer, I had to restart in failsafe mode to remove McAffe trial which was incredibly agressive.

 

[tkistre]

I agree with most of "BernardP" statement, but after assisting many people with purchases and support of "Cheap" computers, I want to add a few things.

I generally do recommend Dell over other manufacturers. Not because I feel the product is better, but overall, I personally have had better luck with them as far as support goes. Be aware though that Dell did drop software support, so unless you purchased some type of extended or Gold warranty that covers it, you will probably not be happy with support. When you call with a problem, they will try and convince you it is a software problem and charge you for assistance, even when the computer has an easily detected hardware problem. But if you do have a hardware problem, once they agree, in my experience, Dell has had the quickest turnaround in getting the problem fixed.

Unless something recently changed, Dell does not always include a true Windows install CD on the cheapest models. Make sure you check your order before placing it. It is usually an option for an additional cost.

If you do order a Dell, Compaq or whatever, do check some of the software it comes loaded with. They do add quite a bit of trailware/crapware as "BernardP" said because it is free. The latest ones I've seen have been putting on McAfee and it is a drag on resources.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: tkistre

Unless something recently changed, Dell does not always include a true Windows install CD on the cheapest models. Make sure you check your order before placing it. It is usually an option for an additional cost.

Yes, it has recently changed. In fact, it changed around last October, the week before I ordered the computer for my parents. I e-mailed Dell because the $10 option to get a Windows CD had suddently disappeared, and they confirmed that a true install CD would be included...And the Windows install CD was indeed enclosed in the box the computer came in.

However, Dell has been known to repeatedly change its mind about this in the past. So if I was to order a Dell today, I would definitely make sure of what reinstall / restore options are provided.

 

[MichaelD]

I read all of the above posts and they're all correct. Yep, we've finally gotten to "that point" w/OEM systems.

If you don't already have a decent monitor, KB/MS and speakers to reuse, a complete OEM Dell/HP is the CHEAPEST you can get. Sure; the hardware is cheap, but for Joe Email AOL Chat User, it'll last a few years at least.

The best thing you can do, however, to avoid the vastly inferior standard OEM, spyware-infested, trial-version hamstringed loads is:

Buy the Dell/HP PC complete kit.

Wipe it and start from scratch before you ever boot it up. I'll leave the "where do I get an operating system?" question to be answered either by self-discovery or whatever. PURCHASE an anti-virus program with a year's worth of updates and download all the free anti-spyware apps you can find. Problem solved.