Dell - the best choice for a basic machine?

[julianhj]

I'm currently looking around for a fairly simple machine for my mum - the main criteria is that it has a 19" digital panel and a wireless k/b & mouse! She's been using my relatively well-spec'ed machine and doesn't want anything 'slow' - though since she only ever uses it for the net (on broadband) she'll never need more than a basic spec I think. I spec'ed up a system for £678 which met the criteria: Is this worthwhile?



>> Edited by julianhj on Saturday 29th October 14:32

[Kinky]

J,

Just sent you a mail.

K

[puggit]

Well if she's technically illiterate then it seems around £100 too expensive.

A Dimension 1100 with 19" is £574

What else did you chuck in to raise the price?

The joy of Dell is the price. The downside is technical support in India and they're not the easiest to upgrade, which might not be a problem

[victormeldrew]

The joy of Dell is if you aren't looking for the latest whizz bang spec, they do regular "specials" which are well worth checking out. You can often get an awful lot of computer for £399. The minute you start speccing your own the price becomes less attractive. If you can live with not quite the fashionable CPU, or slightly less memory than it takes to run all of MS Office at the same time, they are a good deal.

I think the promotion they have at the moment include a 19" TFT.

[puggit]

victormeldrew said:

I think the promotion they have at the moment include a 19" TFT.

17" for the price of 15", and double memory from 256 to 512MB (so still not enough )

[zumbruk]

If you're not after the "latest and greatest", then something from Morgan Computers is quite often acceptable;

www.morgancomputers.co.uk

[CommanderJameson]

The Dell Outlet is a good place for a bargain; it's refurbed kit (often due to overpurchasing, so it's actually brand new but has just made the return journey to Dell).

It's hard to say what's going to be on there, so a good plan is to decide your budget beforehand and then just go and have a look.

If support's an issue, get an OptiPlex; the support for those is in Ireland, not India.

[z4monster]

Can recommend the Outlet side of Dell. Got my laptop for around £900 and to spec it today would cost over £1400. Totally mint and hadn't even been powered up. Customer service is a bit dodgy though.

[cirks]

For your requirement, I'd definately go for the Outlet. My Inspiron 9200 laptop was <£900 instead of £1400 new at the time. My Dimension 8400 with high spec was £550. Got a new 20" for £220 with it.

No issue with their support unless it's not a clear cut software or hardware issue (ie if one causes an issue with the other then there is no easy 'log in one place and get support irrespective' option :-( )

[GregE240]

I'd agree with all previous - for simplicity and price, they are pretty hard to beat.

UNTIL you spec it up a bit, then you can buy items such as memory cheaper elsewhere.

UNTIL the bloody thing breaks, then you suffer, sorry experience, their Technical Support.

Which frankly, is utterly dire. Yes, its in India, but its piss poor. And expect to be on hold for at least 30 minutes.

[julianhj]

Well, I've stuck the order in for the Dell. £762 all in for a machine that's pretty much identical to mine. I built mine myself in August last year and despite weeks of hunting down the best prices it still cost me £1450! So basically half the price I paid 14 months ago and none of the hassle of a self-build.

Thanks for all your assistance, I just hope I don't get any issues with it!