When was the last time you bought an off-the-shelf computer?

[Mixolydian]

Yesterday at work I loaded half a dozen HP PC's that were being delivered to a local business. Made me think - I haven't bought an off the shelf PC in years!

So when was the last time you bought an off-the-shelf, name brand computer (non-laptop of course)?

 

[Ketchup]

1997, and my Dad bought it for me. I have never.

 

[Matthiasa]

Not counting a laptop... never.

 

[darkxshade]

Members of AT are likely to be ones who hasn't in a while but the rest of the world are still filled with people who don't know any better.

 

[Jumpem]

Probably about 1992 for a PC. Three and a half years ago for the laptop.

 

[Crono]

Desktop would be... a Dell back in 2002 or so. Actually, my parents bought that one for me. I've built all my computers since then, with the exception of a CyberPowerPC back in 2008 or so that happened to be a good deal. I didn't have it for long, though, ended up giving it away. And that's after I upgraded the CPU and video card.

EDIT: Forgot about another Dell I had in 2006. I ended up selling that one fairly quickly.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Never. Build my first when I was 10.

 

[lxskllr]

2002, a Dell. It was my first computer after taking a break from computing. I've built all subsequent machines barring portables.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Never..

WAIT now that I think about it I did buy a Dell Poweredge during some hot deal years ago. Was like $200 shipped for a pretty good server.

 

[waggy]

got my wife a Dell desktop a few years ago. i was actually impressed with it. The cost for what she got was a good deal.

also got my dad a dell about 8 years ago. he just replaced it last year.

 

[jpeyton]

Last week. Quad-core Ivy i5 desktop from Lenovo for $275. Can't beat that

 

[Crono]

got my wife a Dell desktop a few years ago. i was actually impressed with it. The cost for what she got was a good deal.

also got my dad a dell about 8 years ago. he just replaced it last year.

Dells are alright if you can get a good deal. I've bought about a dozen Core 2 Duo SFF Optiplexes in the past 2 years for coworkers and friends as they make decent low-end basic computers that are easy to transport. Less than $50 on ebay usually.

The downside to Dell models are the the generally crappy PSUs they use and how picky some of their motherboards are when it comes to RAM. Some of their more expensive desktops are better, but I've never seen as much value in their gaming or higher end business models.

 

[brainhulk]

All laptops i guess are off the shelf

compaq something in 1995.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Desktop? 1994

 

[nickbits]

10+ years ago...

 

[SlitheryDee]

My first pc was a packard bell pentium machine. Eventually I took it apart to see what was in it and I've built every pc since then. I guess that was around '97-'98.

 

[IronWing]

If you mean literally off-the-shelf with no customization then an HP form Best Buy in 1997. If you are including buying online where I select the components then 2011.

 

[Arcadio]

Never. I've always built mine.

 

[jaqie]

1984 or so. TRS-80 model IV. Not sure on the year, as I bought it used from the high school. Maybe it was closer to 1989~1990.

 

[JamesV]

Never.

My first PC was a 286SX 25MHz that I got 'as is' for $200, secondhand, and that is the only time I've ever bought a complete system. Motherboards used to have actual fuses like christmas lights, and that was the problem... so for $210 I got a $2000 PC.

After that, picked the parts and built my own.

Well, *edit*, I did buy a TRS-80 Color Computer 2 when it came out, complete with cassette tape drive. Don't really consider that a PC though.

 

[shortylickens]

Packard Bell, 1995.

 

[brianmanahan]

2004, dell had a free 19 inch LCD monitor (which was amazing at the time) with the purchase of a decent P4 3ghz system, all for like 1000$. i calculated the price to build and couldnt get within 300$ or 400$, so i bit. with gpu upgrades that thing lasted me a good 3 years as a primary pc.

prior to that i hadnt bought a premade since 1998.

 

[brianmanahan]

Packard Bell, 1995.

aww yeah, got my 486 sx 33 packbell in 94. parents paid 2000$ for that thing it kicked some major butt though. 170 mb hdd, 512k vram, and a freaking DOUBLE SPEED CDROM DRIVE. also had 4mb ram, eventually paid 200$ to buy another 4mb. supafast.

 

[wirednuts]

never. the store bought machines are made terribly cheap and usually somewhat proprietary

 

[DAGTA]

Desktop, bought a Dell back in 2005 or 2006.

I've actually been thinking about buying a new laptop lately and was looking at this one this morning:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus---1...specifications

If any ATOTers know of a better deal on a gaming laptop, I'd appreciate hearing about it.