Which computer to get?

I've had good experiences with a small shop atually. I've had my computer for 3 years now (and it was a floor model before that) and I've never seen a blue screen on it. Seriously. The only thing that ever crashes on there is IE. It's starting to act up though, just getting old so I'm starting to think about what I want and where to get it (once I can afford it, of course). I've never had good experiences with mass produced computers so I'll most likely go the custom route this time.

Thanks for starting this thread Marc!

I've used Gateway, Dell and Sony VAIO. All seem good. I'd probably go with a Dell for a new desktop and a SONY for a laptop.

I don't fancy buying new computers as I am basically a technical person, I just shop at the computer stores and buy the neccessary components and built it myself.

Now I don't have the time anymore when I started getting involved in web designing and have virtually abandoned computer repairs and building computers to sell to customers.

Actually, I've been looking at laptops. I hope to be 'in the market' for one by the summer. I've had me eye on Compaq and Sony. I want one with all the trimmings...
DVD CDRW
256+ MB RAM
UXGA TFT Active Matrix Display (15")
30GB HD
software doesn't matter, I have everything I need on CD's

above features from Compaq:
800 MHz $3,242
850 Mhz $3,342
900 Mhz $3,542
1 GHz $3,542

With these features, I'm looking at $3,000 to $3,600. So I want something that will definately last. I get more for my buck with Compaq, and we have several Compaq desktops in my house. But I've never owned a laptop.

What do you think?

With Dell, you pay that extra $200 for service and reliability. They blow Gateway out of the water on both categories. But if you're technically adept and don't need handholding, you might be better off saving the money and going with Gateway. You also should try dickering a bit with Dell. They've gotten a lot more aggressive with their pricing and have finally admitted that they need to get sales from the budget-conscious consumer to be able to survive. Let Dell know that you can get an identical machine from Gateway for $200 less. If there's wiggle room in the price they might come down. Or maybe they'll toss in a bigger hard drive or more memory at the existing price to make it a better deal. Computer sales is a cut-throat business and it never hurts to ask.

Quote: Originally posted by Maverick
With Dell, you pay that extra $200 for service and reliability. They blow Gateway out of the water on both categories. But if you're technically adept and don't need handholding, you might be better off saving the money and going with Gateway. You also should try dickering a bit with Dell. They've gotten a lot more aggressive with their pricing and have finally admitted that they need to get sales from the budget-conscious consumer to be able to survive. Let Dell know that you can get an identical machine from Gateway for $200 less. If there's wiggle room in the price they might come down. Or maybe they'll toss in a bigger hard drive or more memory at the existing price to make it a better deal. Computer sales is a cut-throat business and it never hurts to ask.

Thanks for the detailed reply. I will try that. I plan on getting a new PC for the first time since 1998 this summer.

I've used Dell machines for years, and have had nothing but good experiences. There are a few tricks to getting the lowest price from them:

1) When configuring your system on the Dell web site, first start with one of their "recommended systems", and make the changes you want. Then, try starting with a different "recommended system" or use the "customize" button to build it again. I've seen the prices vary by as much as $200 for the EXACT same machine - the only difference being which link you used to begin configuring it.

2) Have patience. Build a system, save it to your cart, and check back in a few days. Chances are, the price has gone down. Dell is always coming out with different promos (free printer, free CD burner, free shipping, etc.). A new promo is out nearly every week. I saw at least 3-4 promos go by in the month that I shopped for my Dell, and finally made the purchase when they had a promo that appealed to me.

3) Order by phone. Even though I had put my machine together online, I called and spoke to a sales rep, and she configured the same system for $200 less.

Basically, don't just configure a Dell and buy it on the spot or you'll likely be paying more than you should.

If the Dell price is still higher than a Gateway or Compaq, I'd still go with Dell due to their excellent customer service, support, and warranty coverage.

I would also recommend building the machine yourself. Not only is it a great learning experience, but as Bob pointed out, it will definetly save you some money.

There is so much support on the web (I would personally recommend forums.anandtech.com) that if you run into problems setting up the new box, there will be dozens of people willing to guide you through your troubles.

Quote: Originally posted by extrmbob
Why not build your own.

Why? Because in my case, I don't have the time, dedication, nor patience to build one. I would rather assume buy one from a brand name dealer and customize it from there.

I'd be too afraid that it wouldn't work once I got it together.

Webmonkey's monkeybite today had this really cool site showing pictures of cool cases that people made. It would be fun to do that. There probably wouldn't be as much danger of screwing up too badly with that..

Maybe once I get a new machine I'll try something with this one.

I'd recommend Dell. I've had nothing but good experiences with the company. Delivery is fast (for a custom system), price is unbeatable (if you research and get a good sale), and their support is great. The only company that I've found to offer better support and service is Fujitsu (notebooks only).

Dell's RAM is still a bit pricey. You can find good RAM these days for pretty cheap. I just got two sticks of PNY PC100 256MB SDRAM for $69 each.

My Compaq has never failed me so I will say Compaq.

Compaq's are good machines if you get a higher-grade system. I've heard horror stories about their $800 and below systems though. I've also heard bad things about their support. A couple of my clients are Compaq dealers and they've told me that Compaq's support is by the worst they've experienced.

I personally do not like how HP, Compaq, and a few of the other manufactures use non-standard hardware. One of the reasons I picked a Dell was the ease of upgrading. The case is high quality and easy to open. You've got plenty of bays. Everything is STANDARD hardware.

extrmbob, you remind me of my cousin... he's got about 8 or 9 PC's that are online right now at his house. I think only 2 are bought, the rest were built. And he's got a ton of old parts in the garage that could probably be put together for another 1 or 2 machines.

I might build my next machine. I'm on my second Compaq now. And now I want a laptop.. can't build those, can you?

Quote: Originally posted by Parker Trasborg
My Compaq has never failed me so I will say Compaq.

On the subject of Compaqs, my grandparents (complete computer newbies) got one last summer and it has been pretty good for their meager needs. However, the first system they got was flawed and it crashed in like a week... so that goes without saying.

Compaq has a couple of different lines, Presario for the home & Deskpro for Business. The Deskpro is by far the better machine but it is a Compaq.

I personally started building my own a few years ago so I am ruined for ever buying an off the shelf model. I have also repaired quite a few PC's. I would personally stay away from the Compaq Presario, E-machine, & Gateways. Dell and Micron are two of the best. You could also go local but you may not get the same level of support.

Okay, Extrmbob but how many of those computers have the covers on them. True test of nerdness.

LOL...
My cousin has a computer completely dismembered and hanging on the wall in the garage. The HD has the lid off and he's got plexy glass cable tied to it to keep dust out. AND.. it's fully functional!

That would be fun to have a computer hanging on the wall that works and everything.

I should get a picture, huh?

Yeah, I wanna see some picks of that bad boy

My cuz has one pic of it online right now. The next time I go to his house, I'll get more pics if it's still up.

Go to his site at http://gliebetronics.com Then go the the 'Innovations' section (dropdown top right). It's the fourth pic down.

Thank god for people like your cousin, next time I get someone complaining I spend to much time messing with computers I can give them this URL

Geese, you guys are crazy.

I get the consensus Gateway isn't like very well! Why? I've read you generally "stay away from Gateway" and you know people who had problems with them, but hasn't everyone at some point or another had a problem with a computer? Doesn't make the entire brand bad, IMO.

I have a Gateway. Been running since Dec. 1998 - never needed anything, including reinstalls. Only thing I've done is added 128 MB of new RAM and other goodies on the outside like a cordless mouse, but the point being is that Gateway has been very reliable for me. And when I DID have a problem, their support actually solved it.

I must agree with the general concensus that Dell is among the best. I have had a countless number of computers in the last ten years and recently I have began using Dell. I have built my own in the past for kicks but I have always went with a brand, not really knowing why.

A couple years ago, I was doing an working with the district system administrators for the local schools. My main job was to maintain the computers at the high-school (about 500). They had just purchased brand new Gateway computers (in 1998) when I started maintaining them and within a year, 300 of them had already been returned for one reason or another to be repaired. When I left in 2000, they had a contract with Dell to supply the next round of computers in 2002 - my suggestion.

Needless to say, I have never recommended or purchased a Gateway since.

I think Gateway was an excellent company with an excellent product, at one time. But, I think they grew too fast and made some poor decisions (they just barely broke even last quarter, if I'm not mistaken).

I have a Dell laptop (nearing one year old) which has yet to have a single problem (although, one thing that irritates me is that the cover for the video card on the bottom falls off constantly - only gripe though). In January, I purchased a very expensive Workstation that I have not had a single problem with so far.

I still have three systems that I built on my own though that are running just as well.

I think it's all in the parts until you have a problem.

I don't like Gateway.

Well two things.

(1.) If you never have a problem with a computer then it is a great computer.

(2.) You can see the differences in a company when you do have a problem. The ones with good customer service make a difference.

In saying that Dell is good, I am going merely by averages. They generally have less problems and better problem resolution than the other guys. The same with Gateway on the other side. The components inside a Dell are generally better than Gateway.