Which computer to buy?

[bk43]

Well my old Dell has so many registry errors and other glitches it's not worth try to save. Looked at the Dell site and then gave them a call with a couple questions. Went through three automated menues and talked to four people(two of which may have been speaking English, not sure as it was hard to tell). Still couldn't get an answer so giving up on Dell.

Any thoughts or recommended brands? Thanks.

Bob

 

[angel71rs]

Well my old Dell has so many registry errors and other glitches it's not worth try to save.

Unless it's ancient, I always recommend a format/reload 1st. Most times the owner of the computer will be happy at how quick their computer suddenly is.

Just save any data you need, have at it, just takes a little bit of time/effort. If you still aren't happy, you spent nothing.

Also some Dells, especially laptops, have a restore section that makes it even easier to go back to factory fresh. You have to hit certain keys on boot up, see your owners manual. This isn't a Windows system restore, running this restore re-images your hard drive's C drive. Puts computer to the way it was when you took it out of the box.

 

[cmort666]

Other than laptops, I build ALL of my PCs.

I get exactly the features I want, usually without things I don't want. I usually get better quality and reliability.

I mostly use ECS motherboards.

I don't know about now, but about five years ago, Dell QC went straight down the toilet. I had customer's machines that didn't run long enough to install their applications software. Power supplies, motherboards, you name it, it went out, and in very benign environments too.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Old Computer - System Restore to an earlier date... and if that doesn't work reload your original Windows disc (will erase everything).

New Computer - I have been a Dell devote for about 15 years. I buy Dells cuz they are cheap and easy to configure how I want at purchase. Never had any problems with em other than eventually being outdated by new tech. That said, my wife recently purchased an Apple MacBook Pro. Suffices to say.... my next computer will be an Apple. Not even considering another Windows system.

 

[rondo]

I've used Dell PCs for many years, but finally gave up on them three years ago. I needed a new PC for my business & decided to take a chance on a start-up company based on good reviews. The company was named Solaris PC, and it worked out great. Turns out, the company was threatened with lawsuit by none other than Sun Microsystems (Solaris is the name of one of their operation systems), so the name has changed to Maxforce PC.

I will be purchasing all of my PCs from this company from now on. Tell them what you will be doing with the computer and they will spec and quote something that meets your needs. Quality components, great support, fair prices.

I highly recommend.

 

[loutent]

I have used Macs since the 80's - have never had a breakdown - yes they are a little more expensive initially, but they are high quality. Usually I can keep one for 10 years by simply updating memory/drives etc as time goes on. I now have a G5 now that I bought in 2006 to replace a power-mac that I bought in 1997 that still worked, but the newer software that I wanted to use didn't (they always get you that way.)

Worth checking out.

 

[ldausmc1369]

Get a MAC

Been a PC user from the git go. Company provided a 13" MACBook. Resistant at first, but now will never go back to PC. Unix based OS much more robust that MS will ever be. My 5 year old Dell was smacked by lightning last weekend and took out the power supply and fortunately, hard drive not damaged. Able to gen up with a Rocketfish Auxillary drive. All data there! Yeah! Now in the process of porting over MS files to Apple. As the Raven said in the great Poe poem "Nevermore!" to a PC/MS based product. Same with iPhone. A Blackberry user from the git go. Have had a iPhone for over two years now and am anxiously awaiting the 4G availability. I seldom carry a laptop any more due to the iPhone's functionality.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I don't know what y'all are talking about but I do know it's way over my head. Don

 

[Rule3]

My last and present system is from Velocity Micro. I took a standard version and upgraded a few parts. Never had a bit of trouble but if you do, they have excellent online and telephone support. The sell some standard versions at big box stores. I had a semi custom built and delivered for less than the HP's, Compaqs, Gateways, Dells etc plus no of the "free" trial garbage to weed out.
Here is their web site. It's easy to navigate and customize from basic to over the top or whatever you want.

Velocity Micro - Custom Computer Systems - PCs, Gaming Computers, Notebooks, Desktops, Business Workstations

 

[Dave from Pa]

I am not very computer savvy,but at the urging of a friend purchased a Mac.We could not be more satisified.Turn it on,fast and simple,no virus scans or worries. More money but satisified up to this point.

 

[SEQOV]

PC - Vision Computers in Atlanta
Mac - Macbook pro - loaded. Expensive but, it's only money! Buy the best!

 

[redlevel]

Mac = S&W = Cadillac Eldorado

Dell, etc. = Taurus = Chevy Biscayne (you got to be old to remember them)

 

[Capt Steve]

Buy a Mac!

Our nine year old Dell was about where yours is. We bought the I-Mac, 21.5" screen and could not be happier. They are only a couple of hundred more than a comparable Dell. Buy the Mac you won't be sorry!

 

[Grog]

You guys must be made of money, I sure could not sink that kind of dough on a Mac. My laptop is a $349 Toshiba I got a year ago and my desktop is a .gov surplus Dell I got for $60 over a year ago.


With NetTops running as low as $179 new, they are to the point of using it a year or so, tossing it and getting something else.


IF (big if) I wanted a Mac, I'd grab a Mac Mini.

 

[venomballistics]

Laptops not withstanding, anyone can build a PC.
If you can see yourself screwing in 15 consecutive lightbulbs without failure and can tell that a plug will or will not fit ... you will not have any trouble putting a PC together.
Yes, its that easy

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I sure could not sink that kind of dough on a Mac. My laptop is a $349 Toshiba I got a year ago

True, Apple stuff is a bit pricey. Wife's MacBook Pro was about $1300 with a couple extras. She likes the Apple a lot more than her Windows laptop, and if she keeps it for a 3 years that's about $35/mo -- less than a lot of folks pay just for high speed internet.

 

[cmort666]

Laptops not withstanding, anyone can build a PC.
If you can see yourself screwing in 15 consecutive lightbulbs without failure and can tell that a plug will or will not fit ... you will not have any trouble putting a PC together.
Yes, its that easy

I find it interesting, people who think nothing of building not just an AR15, but a Kalashnikov (from flats, no less), tremble in fear at the thought of building a PC.

 

[K38]

I have a 4 year old iMac and it's still working very well. I will buy another Mac when I need one. The iMac is really nice and does not take up much more room than a regular flat monitor. If you like to tinker with things a PC is probably better, and they are much cheaper.

Dwight

 

[Rule3]

Before buying my semi custom system or built to order from the company I mentioned above, I priced out building my own. The system I had built for me cost less than if I did it myself using the same parts order on line from the least expensive places. Granted, if you have some major parts box, power supply HD, etc , already you may be able to do it for a little less. But not worth the time and effort IMHO. Although you can call yourself rather than India for Tech Support.

 

[max]

I just got a MAC and have had no problems.