What PC to Buy? Dell or HP?

My nickle's worth . . .

rondon,

When I purchased my Gateway, part of the reason for doing so was the fact that there was a CD shipped along with it for everything that was installed on it at the factory.

Although I didn't get much 'documentation' for the software that was installed, I did get the disks. That alone has saved me a lot of time and effort over the last four years.

Shortly after I bought my computer my son and daughter-in-law bought an HP. What they got was a box with a computer in it and nothing more. When he has a problem, he goes to the store and buys a 12-pack of beer and calls his favorite computer geek to come over and fix it. That has been faster, easier and cheaper for them than dealing with HP Support.

IMHO you should talk to any computer manufacturer you may choose and ask some "hard" questions about what you're going to get "in the box " along with a new computer.

That's my 5 cents worth and I hope it helps.


Mike

One last thought - Don't let anyone sell you any software, as a package, that you may never use. Another 2 cents worth.

Good luck !

 

If you buy the HP, don't expect any knowledgeable support whatsoever!! I know this from experience having had three HP computers and three HP printers. There is NO support! You will waste countless hours on their website; you will receive interminable irrelevant email from support people who cannot understand or read the English language and if you call on the phone it will be difficult, if not impossible, to understand the accent. And if you are able to understand the accent be prepared to have them give you the wrong information. As Dell also uses outsourced support, you may run int the same problems.
For support, your best option would be this forum right here!

Good luck!

 

Indutch: Your son in law is my kind of guy!

Martin

 

Hi random,
You sound like an intelligent person, capable of building your own computer. My whole extended family uses home built machines and we all have learned a lot about computing. I have 20+ years building them and I can tell you that if you can use a screwdriver and plug in a lamp without getting killed, you can build your own computer. It's simpler nowadays than installing a grounded socket in your old home.

Anyone here can list the parts you need. If you can find someone locally to hold your hand, fine, but I never had a hand holder and never had a failure either out of dozens of computers. It's a great hobby, and keeping up to date on the state of the art is great therapy for aging.

Any computer you purchase will be satisfactory, but you'll lose out on the fun of a learning experience.

Mike

 

I heartily agree with Mike. It's easier than programming a VCR. There are some tidbits that are gained from experience such as:

- which components rock and which stink and which are compatible
- making sure to guard against electro-static discharge
- use only a tiny bit of thermal compound
- how to put on a heatsink w/o stabbing your mainboard to death
- how to set settings in your bios - there are few that still default to ancient settings

But those are all things that you can ask about on the forums. Aside from them it's just physical assembly and just not that complicated.

Gary

 

Gary: you said:

I have so many BIOS settings that are still mysterious to me even after looking at them a million times and changing many. Is there a good site that can explain what the devil they all are for?

Martin

 

Martin

BIOS guides:
www.wimsbios.com
http://www.rojakpot.com/Speed_Demonz/BIOS_Guide/BIOS_Guide_Index.htm

Matt

 

Thanks Mattman. Maybe I can learn what this is really all about.



Martin