What PC to Buy? Dell or HP?

I can buy a Dell Desktop with a Pentium 4, 2.66 GHz or a HP Desktop with Athlon XP 3000+( "QuantSpeed" architecture) and would appreciate comments on which way to go. The HP includes a 17" Flat Screen Monitor and 512MB DDR Ram memory and the Dell has 128MB shared DDR SDRAM at 333MHz and standard 17" monitor. I can upgrade memory to 512MB Shared DDR SDRAM for $150. This tech stuff is all gobbledegook to me.

MY computer use is rather modest since I don't play games or watch movies and primarily use the internet for research and some proprietary programs that work fine with my current 4 year old computer. I haven't gotten into digital cameras yet but might do so in the future. I plan to go to DSL with a new computer. Now using dial up.

There is not a big cost difference between there computers. Is there a benefit to one over the other?

 

I'd buy the Dell if for no other reason you get a real Windows disk along with a recovery disk. A lot of the companies only supply a recovery disk with which the only option is to format and start over from the beginning. Others (HP is included in this) only have the recovery files on a hidden partition on the hard drive and don't come with any type of recovery disk at all. This works fine as long as your hard drive is functional but what happens if it dies on you? HP will supply you with a new drive with Windows already on it but unless you're willing to fork out extra money and purchase Windows you're pretty much stuck having to buy the hard drive from them (if the puter's out of warranty). No doubt it would cost you more than one purchased at a store would. Whatever you do, ask if they provide Windows disk and insist on it. If they won't provide one I'd go somewhere else.

It would be even better if you can find a local computer shop that can build one for you. You can have it built the way you want and when it's done you won't have all the extra baggage that comes with an OEM computer. Have you considered this?

Just my two cents worth.

 

If you do decide to get the Dell, get the 512 mb memory. It will have WindowsXP on it, and it will be incredibly slow with only 128 mb of memory, and XP runs better on a minimum of 256 mb.

 

Based on your comments and intended use, the correct answer is neither - understanding that I will draw the wrath of countless others, your best buy is a sub $400 emachine.

 

Thanks for the reply. Not interested in the best value but rather the choice between the 2 computers I've mentioned and the processers they have.

 

Hi rondom,

The speed of the processor is only one factor (it is no use having an ultra fast processor if everything else runs like a snail). Another and maybe more importantly to you is the harddrive. Check out the specs on their drives, they should be 7200rpm (5200's will waste your processors time). What size are the HDDs,
your photos will take a fair amount of space? I would doubt they would have and 8mb cache (they will probably have a basic "bulk buy" HDD)

The amont of RAM is important, but they may need "special" (expensive) types for upgrade, should you find you need to increase it.

Do they have enough PCI card expansion slots? Are you going to need quite a few?

I know it seems "gobbledegook ", but the other parts of the PC will probably determine how well your system works. If you want to post some model/package numbers, the people here may be able to determine what else they have to offer.

2.6gHz or 3.0gHz will handle anything around these days. It's the other interacting parts that will play a major role.

Anyway, have a look at what else is part of the package and what is important for your future needs. It seems to be very hard/expensive to change/upgrade something once you have purchased an OEM machine (that's where you will get stung).

Matt

 

I concure with Markp62 and Zander, they are correct. Plus, you will get much better tech support from DELL, hands down......
I would get 512 meg of memory as a must with XP. Good luck with your new Dell....

Houston

 

Wow, is Dell really selling a computer with only 128MB? That's like selling a car and saying the engine is optional. Maybe they're just doing the "configurator thing" where they start with a low price but add to it as you add components. Not knocking it but you should have at least 512MB in your box. With prices as they are, anything less is very pennywise-poundfoolish.

Dell may have better tech support but if you head over to www.resellerratings.com and look up Dell and HP you'll see that both of their overrall customer satisfaction ratings border on "cat barf" - lower than some of the cheesiest fly-by-nights. Now isn't that utterly contradictory to their respective positions in the marketplace?

For what you want your PC for, either cpu would be fine. You'll need to compare all the other features included and price. Or you can just do like everyone else and buy Dell because...they're Dell.

I just got an HP laptop and it rocks. Came with an Windows XP CD and driver/software CD and no special partitions. I immediately wiped it and reloading was a cinch.

 

Here is what the specs say on the memory:

Memory
128MB Shared DDR SDRAM at 333MHz (Performs at 266MHz for 400FSB systems)

I have no idea what that means.
I would upgrade to 512 anyway. Do you think the AMD processor is equal to the Pentium 4?

 

Athlon 3000+ means that it's equivalent to a 3.0Ghz Pentium 4. And from the benchmarks I've seen, AMD was even a little conservative with their "plus" naming system. So simply on a cpu comparison basis, the Athlon will give you greater performance.

That sounds like you'd get only 128MB of memory that runs at the 166FSB speed (333 effective).

Namebrands scare me!
* runs and hides *

Gary

 

Chiles:
I'm glad you said it. I was going to keep my mouth shut after being rebuffed for my emachine comment but have to lend concurrence re: 128MB and service. Perhaps rondom would be better served by reading about the 20,000 plus Dell laptops shipped a year ago January with defective motherboards. Sure, they recalled em all - just forgot to tell the owners of these fine machines. Garbage in, garbage out.

Rondom, Buy the label if you want, but talk to a few owners (nope, I'm sure not) before you finalize any decisions. I think you'll be surprised with what you hear.

Side bar- I have yet to see a P4 that can outrun my fastest Athlon machine.

 

Rondom... thought I'd donate my 1.5 cents of thoughts....

There will come a time when service, whether simply information or repair needs will become a reality. Have been involved with computers while Bill Gates was still in college. Have always bought locally. IBM (System 23, 36, As400) was not built in my back yard, but support and repair was... which taught me an important lesson... local has many advantages. Over the years have purchased over 30 PC computers (business and personal), have ALWAYS worked with local builders. Being an informed purchaser requires time and commitment. If you prefer not to be involved, find a friend who has a good relationship with a local builder. It has many rewards.

 

Rondon: "All" that computer stuff was gobledegook to me too, but now that I have built my own machine, (and three others) only "most" of the computer stuff is gobledegook.

So, my reccomendation is build your own machine.

Buying the components, assembling them and installing the operating system will give you a much greater understanding of how it works and what is what.

You can get a lot of good advice on building a machine on this bbs and come back for tech support that is so far superior to anything Dell or HP has to offer, makes their tech support laughable.

For me at least, after assembling a machine, plugging it in and having it actually light up and work is one of the greatest satisfactions I have experienced.

Although compared to the people on this bbs I still know next to nothing, my local computer friend users think I am a computer guru and come to me for advice and support.

No matter which oem machine you buy, you will have your share of breakdowns and crashes. My first machine was an IBM that their tech support had me reformat and reinstall with their recovery CD no less than 10 times in 2 years. That means wiping out everything on the machine that you have done in the intrim.

Believe me, the advice of having your machine built locally or building your own is well taken. Then become a contributing member of this bbs. You will never regret it.

So, take the specs of the machines you are interested in buying to a reputable local builder and discuss all those components and listen to their reccomendations. Then you will have a better basic understanding of this gobbledegook and will be better able to make a decision of which way to go.

Good luck to you and happy computing. And, even if you decide buy a dell or hp, this bbs will welcome you back and lend all the support you will ever need.


Martin

 

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. It has been very helpful. I'm not one that would be interested in building my own, so I will depend on HP, probobly. Actually, I have had a good experience with an IBM aptiva for 4 years plus, with no problems, except for windows 98 recently. Hopefully the HP will be OK.


Ron

 

Rondon: Ok, I'm happy you have been able to make a decision, and I wish you the best of luck with your new HP computer.

But don't forget this board, if you have a problem, do not hesitate to post here.

Become a contributing member, you will not regret it.

Martin

 

If guys are adding their 2 cents then I'll add my 1p (exchange rate being what it is)

HP supply Cds with all of their machines now, the days of having the rebuild files on a hidden partition are long gone (3 years or so)

Personally I build my own Pc for home for all of the reasons already stated

BUT

If someone wnats a PC to use and not "tinker" with like some of us then I'd always respect that decision and say the comfort of dealing with a tier 1 manufacturer like HP or Dell (or IBM etc) is that they will be there to help you when you need it.

The important point about Dell v HP comparison here in the UK (may be different in the US but it leave that to others who are better informed) is tha Dell sell direct, HP do but also use a channel.

This means that with Dell you are at the mercy of their tech support hotline, with HP (if you buy through the channel) you still have a local point of contact.

Before anyone pulls my profile I will state at this point that YES I do work for a HP reseller (although we resell Dell to Business also but thats another story).

The point is that rondom's original question had nothing to do with price so I'd argue that Tier 1 is the way to go and IMHO, HP is the way forward for him.

Sits back and waits to be shot down in flames, but hey, thats what a BBS is for

 

AndyO,

Must only be out of the U.S. that HP started supplying disks according to this thread. Something alot of folks over here run into. But an informed purchaser can make sure they get an OS disk with a new PC, be it a Dell or an HP, by choosing where to by it. A small reseller could be coerced into providing one to make the sale.

 

noahdfear,

Had a feeling that regional variations may come into play, I stand corrected as I knew I would be

Musing on my earlier post I realise that my HP desktop experience is limited to the "business" side of their range (e.g. Evo) rather than "home" (e.g. Presario).

I probably should also clarify that the O/S disk that ships is not a full copy of XP but rather a mate to the Quick Restore Cd that contains all the drivers etc.

Definitely better than a partition on the HD and still an anti-piratism measure as the XP that is bundled is OEM after all, and has no transfer rights

 

FWIW, I know a couple of people (my mom for one) who have bought HP computers in the last 8 months or so. Neither of them received any discs at all. No windows disc, also no discs for the programs it came with. They're all on the hard drive. Yes, this is in the states. Even my mom wouldn't listen to me.