Most reliable desktop manufacturer

What computer company is the most reliable?

I was trying to make this a poll, but couldn't.

I am going to replace our older Dell Dimension desktop in the next 2-3 months, and the last three Dells I've purchased all share two characteristics: 1) they were significantly cheaper than any other brand, spec-for-spec, and 2) they all have had hardware problems of some kind or another. I am beginning to think that the time and money I've spent on replacing parts really hasn't justified the 50 bucks or so that I've saved on each computer, so I want to try another model.

Is HP or Lenovo a step above Dell, in terms of reliability?

Or is this entire thing a crapshoot, and I could get stuck with a lemon from HP or Lenovo or Asus as well?

What brand has been very reliable, in your own experience?

I've given thought to building my own, but I'm not too keen on paying for a retail version of Windows 7 and Linux is not an option for me at the moment. Neither is Apple. When I bought this Dimension we currently have, I was pricing out parts on TigerDirect and the license for Windows pushed the price above that of an already-assembled computer. I'm not a gamer, and I don't plan on upgrading anything (the only thing I upgraded on the Dimension was an extra stick of RAM in the 6-7 years we've had it). This will be used primarily for basic surfing/watching videos--nothing too demanding.

 

FWIW, if I had to buy one right now, this is what I "m thinking about--in terms of price range and power: the HP p6330f. It has an Intel i3-530 cpu and 6 gigs of DDR3 RAM, with a 1 terabyte hard drive, with a DVI input for video card, for 650 USD.

If I were to build my own, 650 is about as high as I'd want to go, and I'd like to get the same specs.

I would not be interested in anything other than a desktop--no monitor or printer needed.

 

So you would say that Dell is just as reliable as HP, as reliable as Lenovo, etc.?

Even so, Dell couldn't beat HP on that desktop I linked to.

Man I am unpleasantly surprised at how expensive DDR3 RAM is. Every time I've checked, its about 50 bucks a gig. Although I have to say, several gigs of DDR3 is very tempting, and would be quite a step above our current 756 megs of DDR2. RAM is one of the things that make that HP so sweet. It has 6 gigs, and a video card that can handle DVI input. At least the units I've looked for at Dell's small business site can't approach that price with that hardware.

OK then I'll price out a mobo/cpu combo and Windows 7 and then see if I can come in a good 100 bucks below HP. I really have to say that I'd have to save 100 bucks if I "m going to go to the trouble of building it myself--which I'm beginning to doubt I can....

 

OK I can get an Asus mobo/with Intel i3 cpu combo for 230, WIndows 7 Home Premium for 100. 330 and I still have to get everything else, and stay under 550.

There's no way I can get 6 gigs of DDR3 and a video card and a fan, etc., for 220 bucks. OK forget building my own.

 

Hi psaulm119,

Where do you live? The reason I ask is because if you have a Big Box store near you, you can keep your eyeballs peeled and buy the parts as they go on sale. I rarely (if ever) buy computer parts online because if they come in DOA, there's the hassle of RMA'ing it. I prefer purchasing in-store.

If you check out my Specs, my MoBo & CPU cost $50.00, RAM was $52.00, the Vid Card was $39.00 — all after rebates. I've seen 350GB SATA drives for less than $60.00, too. You didn't mention anything about a case, but, you can get a good case with PSU for less than $50.00. As far as a sound card goes, I use the built-in sound and it's great for me.

All of the above puts you in the $250.00 (appx.) price range.

Now, as far as the OS goes: Win7 OEM is about $110.00. The problem with that is that there's no tech support other than install help. Anything else you'll have to go to a community for support.

Then there's the Upgrade Version (which is about the same price) but you need a Windows XP disk.

Then there's the Home Premium full package for about $200.00.

Anyway, that's my 2¢.

p.s. If it's only going to be "used primarily for basic surfing/watching videos ", why would you need 6GB of DDR3 RAM?

 

I am trying to get similar specs (to the HP I linked to above). As far as why I'd want that much, two reasons. 1--I have found a big correlation between overall performance and RAM; 2--the Dimension 2350 I bought several years ago was spec'ed good enough for surfing at the time, but now it is painfully slow. I'd like to not have to endure the agony of a slow computer for a couple of years before I buy a new one--or better, I'd like to postpone by a few years, the point at which it becomes painfully slow. I'm sure in 5 years, the specs on that HP will be laughable. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but not much.

 

The 50/gig was going from Crucial. I've always gotten my ram from them before and been very happy.

 

Any computer that works for me is reliable

I always assemble my own computers & they perform much better and are cheaper than branded boxes. I also use only AMD as you can't beat them in bang for bucks dept. The latest one is for my kids where I started with an Athlon X3, unlocked the core & now they have an X4 for the price of X3. Cool.

 

They use Lenovos where I work (several hundred). The reliability seems very good. There are some "issues" with hardware sometimes, but on the whole, I think there are a lot less than I anticipated. I worked with Dells where I worked before now and was given several when they were replaced, not many have survived very long. I have been given a few IBMs (now Lenovo) from where I work now, of the same vintage, and they work well.

I give the OEM computers to family and friends (and I end up as technical support ). I would not use one myself unless I didn't have one of my self-built computers available.

The OEM computers have restrictions, limited motherboard functions, a restricted BIOS and they are not supplied with a "standard version of Windows ", so that the methods of diagnosing problems, etc, are very limited. If there is a hardware problem and the only replacement is an OEM part, you will find it is EXTREMELY costly. That is probably the basis of your current question.

I find building my own computer, selecting the parts I want to suit my needs is very rewarding. I select a good quality motherboard, after that, if I feel like it, I can upgrade or replace any parts I like without restriction or exceptionally high cost. When the motherboard is outdated, it is time to build a new one.

In my opinion, OEM computers are not much more than "workstations ", mainly for the reasons I have stated. They might have "super" models that might compare with a self-built computer's performance (and that is performance-wise, also consider upgrade-ability), but if the motherboard breaks down out of warranty, your eyes might fall out when you see the bill for the replacement.

Matt

 

What does that even mean? These computer "makers" don't even make computers - they "assemble" parts - motherboards from OEM providers like ASUS, MSI, BIOStar, or Intel. They use AMD or Intel CPUs, "branded" RAM made by PNY, Corsair or someone else, drives from Seagate or WD. They don't "make" anything!

I agree with the building your own and I would expect they do perform better because you buy the components that meet "your" computing requirements - and not what the maker, I mean assembler thinks you need. But it is not likely you can do it cheaper - not unless you can buy at a significant volume wholesale discount like Dell does when they buy 10,000 OEM motherboards from ASUS, 1,000,000 hard drives from WD, or 100,000 i7 CPUs from Intel, or 2,000,000 sticks of RAM from Kingston. They also get HUGE volume discounts on Windows that builders of one-off systems just can't get.

I always tell my clients I cannot compete in price with Dell, eMachines, or HP, but I can assemble a better computer in every category every time.

Where it does become cheaper for the home builder is over the long run and with the extras you don't have to buy. I buy good cases, for example, that will carry me through years of "cool" service and hardware upgrades. So when I build a new computer, I don't need to buy a new case. And I can also carry over my keyboard, mouse, monitors, opticals, and maybe my PSU because I always buy quality PSUs too.

Self-built computers can "evolve" over many years by upgrading this now and that later rather than buying all new everything every 3 or 4 years.

 

I have to put my 10-cents in here. Dell is a good and reliable computer. I have had three, two of them I still have. No Problems. My old Pentium III Dell (no longer own) still works (I know who owns it, its used to keep in contact with family).

My school uses Dell exclusively. Both my school laptop and desktop are Dells. Most of the schools in this area use Dell.

From personal experience, HP's customer service is worse than bad. Its absolutey horrible. In fact the HP computer I owned (still Have) was still under warranty and they refused to repair it. (Bad Mother board)

My experience with Dell was just the opposite. I had a problem with a drive (DVD Drive), they sent a technician out to my house, repaired the computer, no charge and the computer was two weeks out of warranty.

These are my own personal experiences others may have had different experiences.