DaveLewis
02-20-2001, 07:37 AM
My company has just announced a program where the employees can purchase Compaq Presario or IBM NetVista computers directly from the manufacturers at what looks like an OK (not great) discount. According to the quick research I've done it looks like we're getting about a 20-30% price break over what's listed at the manufacturer's direct sales web sites.
As a faithful member of Sysopt, I'm beyond buying low end machines for internet access but I know that people at work are going to ask me about these machines and will want my recommendations.
I'm very familiar with Compaq's and my advice has always been for people to stay away from them. The hassles with Compaq boxes and their customer service are pretty well known and it seems to me that Compaq has become the Packard Bell of the 00's.
Now I need the help of my fellow Sysopt'ers (is that a word?) with the IBM's. From reading IBM's propaganda it looks like the NetVista is even less expandable and more proprietary than the Compaq if that's possible. "What you see is what you get and don't open the box 'cus its all on one board anyway". Am I correct in my assumptions?
Given the choice of a Presario 5000A or a Netvista A20i which would you go with? Please don't bring up another choice as these are the ONLY options available. At the "company" price we're talking $600-700 for systems with 15" monitor and low end printer. Right now I think I'll tell people to save up a couple of hundred more and buy a real machine.
As a faithful member of Sysopt, I'm beyond buying low end machines for internet access but I know that people at work are going to ask me about these machines and will want my recommendations.
I'm very familiar with Compaq's and my advice has always been for people to stay away from them. The hassles with Compaq boxes and their customer service are pretty well known and it seems to me that Compaq has become the Packard Bell of the 00's.
Now I need the help of my fellow Sysopt'ers (is that a word?) with the IBM's. From reading IBM's propaganda it looks like the NetVista is even less expandable and more proprietary than the Compaq if that's possible. "What you see is what you get and don't open the box 'cus its all on one board anyway". Am I correct in my assumptions?
Given the choice of a Presario 5000A or a Netvista A20i which would you go with? Please don't bring up another choice as these are the ONLY options available. At the "company" price we're talking $600-700 for systems with 15" monitor and low end printer. Right now I think I'll tell people to save up a couple of hundred more and buy a real machine.