Computer Brands
Discussion
Just wondered what pre-built computer brands people have the most respect for.
We've always used Dell for both laptops and desktops, but they are very over-priced and under-specced compared to other brands, but on the other side they are reliable.
Dell and Compaq used to be the staple brands, but who are the players these days?
Thanks,
Rob
We've always used Dell for both laptops and desktops, but they are very over-priced and under-specced compared to other brands, but on the other side they are reliable.
Dell and Compaq used to be the staple brands, but who are the players these days?
Thanks,
Rob
Re Dell: I am looking for a 19" TFT, and I decided, that the Samsung offers best value for money.
I compared prices only to discover that Dell offers a 19" TFT, which looks very similar to the above; but it is marked as 'Dell', and there is no information, which is the original manufacturer.
I haven't found white papers for the Dell; but I would like to find out, if they're identical, because the Dell is a whole lot cheaper!
Anyone a clue or experience?
I compared prices only to discover that Dell offers a 19" TFT, which looks very similar to the above; but it is marked as 'Dell', and there is no information, which is the original manufacturer.
I haven't found white papers for the Dell; but I would like to find out, if they're identical, because the Dell is a whole lot cheaper!
Anyone a clue or experience?
Bodo said: Re Dell: I am looking for a 19" TFT, and I decided, that the Samsung offers best value for money.
I compared prices only to discover that Dell offers a 19" TFT, which looks very similar to the above; but it is marked as 'Dell', and there is no information, which is the original manufacturer.
I haven't found white papers for the Dell; but I would like to find out, if they're identical, because the Dell is a whole lot cheaper!
Anyone a clue or experience?
BODO, my only experience is with the Samsung TFT. I'm looking at it now - this thing rocks. Tiny footprint on the desk and great graphics performance. No degrading of performance for gaming.
My personal preference is Toshiba for laptops. I've trialled Dell, IBM and Compaq (not Sony admittedly) and have been pretty happy.
It should be noted though that Dell offer a better warranty period than alot of the other kit suppliers (3 years rather than 1 year). So for a personal purchase, given that laptops break more than desktops (and are harder to repair), maybe a Dell is worth paying the extra for.
Have I just assumed we're only talking laptops?
Hmm, Ok, I buy a mixture of either HP/Compaq or Dell depending on which is current spec at the best price when I need something. Both are pretty good, however lower spec Dells lack expansion ports.
It should be noted though that Dell offer a better warranty period than alot of the other kit suppliers (3 years rather than 1 year). So for a personal purchase, given that laptops break more than desktops (and are harder to repair), maybe a Dell is worth paying the extra for.
Have I just assumed we're only talking laptops?
Hmm, Ok, I buy a mixture of either HP/Compaq or Dell depending on which is current spec at the best price when I need something. Both are pretty good, however lower spec Dells lack expansion ports.
I've always used Dell, especially for business. They always use quality components, and their support is fantastic. Their phone support is poor, but if you need an engineer out they'll be there when they say, and will be competent.
The Dell monitors have always been rebranded other makes. The trinitrons have usually been Sonys, the normal CRT are phillips i think. Not sure about the TFTs though. If it looks the same it probably is.
Edited to say: The actual computers look very nice too. Dell seem to be about the only make to let you have anything that isn't a tower.
>> Edited by Agent006 on Monday 20th January 17:39
The Dell monitors have always been rebranded other makes. The trinitrons have usually been Sonys, the normal CRT are phillips i think. Not sure about the TFTs though. If it looks the same it probably is.
Edited to say: The actual computers look very nice too. Dell seem to be about the only make to let you have anything that isn't a tower.
>> Edited by Agent006 on Monday 20th January 17:39
Mesh Computers get consistently good write ups in Personal Computer World, in terms of specs, value for money, after sales and so on. They always seem to come out top. If I were going to buy a brand new system, it'd be a MESH.
However, I'm about to build a new one for myself from components....unfortunately very expensive ones
Steve
However, I'm about to build a new one for myself from components....unfortunately very expensive ones
Steve
We use Dells and Compaqs at work, toshibas are good for Laptops and the sony TFT monitors work well and look good. Tablet PC's are the latest addition and are utterly superb...
We use some generic stuff we build ourselves too, but would not recommend it unless for specific server application.
On balance Compaq tech support and care is far better, but also more expensive. Dell seem to just send out the nearest idiot with a screwdriver. I usually get one of our engineers to stand over the Dell one or if he'll agree, just do his job for him (to keep in warranty)while he drinks tea...
We use some generic stuff we build ourselves too, but would not recommend it unless for specific server application.
On balance Compaq tech support and care is far better, but also more expensive. Dell seem to just send out the nearest idiot with a screwdriver. I usually get one of our engineers to stand over the Dell one or if he'll agree, just do his job for him (to keep in warranty)while he drinks tea...
In this case we're looking four two top-spec developments desktops, 1GB memory, big disk and processor etc. and are happy to spend up to £2K each (not my money
woodster said:Have I just assumed we're only talking laptops?
). I've already got six machines in my office I've built myself, and keeping them up to scratch is too big a headache for me these days, as I'm out of touch with the "in" motherboards and current processor/memory/bus speeds, i.e. all the techie stuff.
So, I figure just go for a machine with high motherboard and memory speed, and built up around it..
I can quite understand why - I've seen Mel's and it is a superb piece of kit - every toy and a brilliant 1600x1200 screen..
M@H said: Imy Sony VAIO
Provided you don't buy the very budget end of the range (eg HP Brio), HP, Compaq, Dell all good - sturdy, standard devices & chipsets with broad OS support, good platform specific tools for tweaking hardware, long term tech support and regular driver/firmware updates via internet from a single source. If you want one with good gadgets, Fujitsu are nice.
Avoid pieces of cack like Packard Bell.
If you want the generic PC route, via which you'll get the best hardware for the money, but without many of the above benfits, then Mesh and Simply are very good.
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Monday 20th January 20:50
SGirl said: I've found Evesham Micros to be very good. The one time I had a hardware failure they came out and replaced the faulty bit within a few hours - but that said, in three years of using their machines I've not had any major problems at all.
Evesham get my vote too, went to their place in Armley Leeds to buy my PC a few years ago .. tempted by the fact that every mag seemed to rave about their build quality and customer care. In the end I've never needed to call them up over anything - despite being a complete computer numpty it all worked straight out of the box with no problems. Wouldn't hesitate in going back to them again if ever i needed a trade-up.
10/10
I can recommend Dell kit, i've used it for the past 7 or so years on and off and have never had a major problem with them, only HDD's, 1 or 2 motherboards and 3 or so laptop displays out of hundreds. And because you get 3 years warranry, by the time you have to pay to get it fixed, everything that's going to go wrong has already gone wrong.
Compaq/HP are just as good but seem to cost more.
It's a shame Dell account managers seem to try their hardest to stop me buying their stuff. Incompetant oafs.
Dell LCD displays are made by LG at the moment and the laptop displays are made by Samsung and are the best LCD displays I've ever had the pleasure of using.
Compaq/HP are just as good but seem to cost more.
It's a shame Dell account managers seem to try their hardest to stop me buying their stuff. Incompetant oafs.
Dell LCD displays are made by LG at the moment and the laptop displays are made by Samsung and are the best LCD displays I've ever had the pleasure of using.
Ive been a PC support engineer in various cantations for 15 years, so I know my stuff. Buy Dell. To keep the price down, avoid there add ons, printers, screens, graphic cards, sound cards etc. source them from cheaper co's.
You will get reliability, no hanging, no blue screens, and reliable compatibility with add-ons. Its worth the extra.
note: lower specs, doesnt mean slower. eg. double memory can be slower on kit if there not using high speed bus, or other components.
many dealers sell more memory, but its a cheaper slower processing chip, that is now out of technology range, and cannot keep up with the latest intel procs. Thus creating bottlenecks, so its slower! Dell kit is all modern, and works together well.
To get cheap dell, use there outlet factory, and watch it day after day, some good stuff comes by. or if you want new, get the lowest spec they offer. They dont keep stock of very old chips anyway, so it wont be far behind, and they sell the latest at massive premium, so not cost effective. whatever you get its "out of date" in 3 months anyway.
FYI: I got a 2.5Gig P4 with 512mb mem, and 200G HD, CDRW+DVD+21 TFT for £950 at the outlet factory, two months ago.
toshiba laptops were my pet hate, always failing, in dramatic ways, the support was appalling for the hardware, took weeks to get them back.
IBM thinkpads were good, but they went wrong every now and again.
Sony laptops are spot on.
HTH
You will get reliability, no hanging, no blue screens, and reliable compatibility with add-ons. Its worth the extra.
note: lower specs, doesnt mean slower. eg. double memory can be slower on kit if there not using high speed bus, or other components.
many dealers sell more memory, but its a cheaper slower processing chip, that is now out of technology range, and cannot keep up with the latest intel procs. Thus creating bottlenecks, so its slower! Dell kit is all modern, and works together well.
To get cheap dell, use there outlet factory, and watch it day after day, some good stuff comes by. or if you want new, get the lowest spec they offer. They dont keep stock of very old chips anyway, so it wont be far behind, and they sell the latest at massive premium, so not cost effective. whatever you get its "out of date" in 3 months anyway.
FYI: I got a 2.5Gig P4 with 512mb mem, and 200G HD, CDRW+DVD+21 TFT for £950 at the outlet factory, two months ago.
toshiba laptops were my pet hate, always failing, in dramatic ways, the support was appalling for the hardware, took weeks to get them back.
IBM thinkpads were good, but they went wrong every now and again.
Sony laptops are spot on.
HTH
CarZee said:I can quite understand why - I've seen Mel's and it is a superb piece of kit - every toy and a brilliant 1600x1200 screen..
M@H said: I
for me the best part of it is I lug it about all over the place, sling it in and out of the car etc etc. and it has never gone wrong (in 2 years).. Plus as the CD and disk drives are external you don't have to carry the weight around when you dont need them and it keeps the size and weight of the unit right down.. plus, it has built in modem and network ports and a Memory stick slot so I can get the stick straight out of the digital camera and into the laptop, no messing about downloading from the camera..
And its purple
Matt.
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