Finally buying a new computer

juker · Post by **juker** » Tue Jun 05, 2001 1:34 pm

No need for flames gentlemen!

It is very, very, very tempting to build my own. I've done the homework already and have installed enough hardware to know I can do it but my thoughts are like LikeLinus' on the warranty and the one-stop shopping. Price either way is roughly the same so the only difference is time and warranty. Also, I already have a second hd to install and later some form of DV editing solution so I will still get to tinker to some degree.

What I didn't see was any horrible experiences with Dell so as much as I don't want to admit to it, I probably will go with the prebuilt and spend that extra weekend I gained on the golf course.

Kakarot · Post by **Kakarot** » Tue Jun 05, 2001 2:06 pm

I'd go to gateway's website(or even a gateway country store if theres one by you) just to check out what they have to offer on the AMD side of things. Tho I'm not a big fan of the P4 myself... that aside if you have to every upgrade the ram you'll have to buy expensive RDRAM... and a P4 1.3 is going to be way slower than a Tbird 1.33 or even 1.2.

LikeLinus · Post by **LikeLinus** » Tue Jun 05, 2001 2:32 pm

I wasn't flaming, he just has no right to say my opinions are moot. I read what you post, and wrote accordingly to it.

Since you are leaning towards OEM..Kak does make a good suggestion to look at Gateway. I personally dont know about their warranties or their products (but they get good ratings). An 1.1gig AMD system that i just "looked" at real quick was around $1100, not to shabby. You could probably get a 1.2 or 1.3 around the same $1300, which will perform better than an 1.3 Intel CPU clock for clock. I think the only thing that Intel is going to be quicker at is Photoshop and DV. But if you play games, AMD will be faster. With Office programs. it's a wash, both processors are so fast it doesnt matter. Either way, at 1.3gigs you will be able to run anything under the sun. AMD is faster in general though.

Dell probably doesn't have many horror stories. The only time i had to rely on them was with my monitor, and they were VERY quick at replacing it. They are always at the top of the pcworld and pcmag top companies on customer service and support. Gateway is usually at the top 3 also

LikeLinus · Post by **LikeLinus** » Tue Jun 05, 2001 2:33 pm

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,16633,00.asp

hammer01 · Post by **hammer01** » Tue Jun 05, 2001 2:50 pm

I must say that as a systems and network admin I also made all of the purchases of PCs in our company for years, and while I started out with Dell I did have trouble a number of times getting in contact with them. I recall sitting on the phone for quite literally hours waiting for someone to talk to me. Now in all fairness the same thing has happened to me with Seagate, Maxtor, Wester Digital, Compaq and HP, and this was 3-4 years ago, but I got fed up with it, and went locallly for my purchases from then on.

I must also say in fairness that if I were ever to buy a new prebuilt I would definitely buy a Dell regardless of the fact they only handle Intel.

My .02 centavos worth.

Magexx9 · Post by **Magexx9** » Tue Jun 05, 2001 8:42 pm

Another reason for you to build your own is that you can put only ONLY the software you want on it. Most of the times those computers come with software that you don't even use. Also someone mentioned compaq.... just my personal experience don't get one.

juker · Post by **juker** » Tue Jun 05, 2001 9:43 pm

I plan on an immediate reformat from the git go.

juker · Post by **juker** » Tue Jun 05, 2001 11:26 pm

Done! New PC on the way! Too bad I'll be on vacation next week when it arrives!

LikeLinus · Post by **LikeLinus** » Wed Jun 06, 2001 9:13 am

Congrads! Hope you like your new pc.

That sucks you'll be out of town when it gets there! Ha, what luck

What vendor and model did you end up getting?

juker · Post by **juker** » Wed Jun 06, 2001 12:08 pm

Dell Dimension 8100, same specs as above

Btw, they threw in a free pos Epson printer also. I will use it to sweeten the deal on selling my old system.

nexus_7 · Post by **nexus_7** » Wed Jun 06, 2001 12:12 pm

what is this 4year old OLD system you have?

Greg

LikeLinus · Post by **LikeLinus** » Wed Jun 06, 2001 12:41 pm

very nice system indeed. Hey! you calling Epson pos? hehe i have an epson. might not be the greatest...but they get the job done..heh

juker · Post by **juker** » Wed Jun 06, 2001 4:36 pm

Old sysytem

PII Celery 433
Intel AL440LX mb (AGP and 2 USB)
128M ram (64 is PC 66 and 64 is Kingston PC 100)
4.2 gig Seagate hd
3dfx 3000 AGP vid board
17" monitor
Astec Lansing speakers w/ sub
PCI soundcard-soundblaster equivalent

I originally bought from Quantex 3+ years ago. Updated vid card, ram, and processor along the way. Trying to sell for the price of a decent 19" monitor (approx. 400). Will even throw in a printer for free. I'm not sure if it will be my old HP 722 or the new one. Depends on if I like the new one or not.

LikeLinus, I say pos printer only because its a cheap one.

sethpa · Post by **sethpa** » Wed Jun 06, 2001 5:36 pm

those newer Epsons' print pretty spiffy, cheaper ink than most too. Even the "cheap" ones

sethpa