Dell, Gateway, Micron??

[Jackson3D]

Which company builds the best computer for the buck? In the near future I will be purchasing a performance pc with all the bells and whistles and I would like to know anything good or bad about building your own from one of these guys
Thanks for all the help!
JaCkSoN

[AndreBranco]

those are expensive companies i think, i bought my computer at www.tigerdirect.com it don't look very good but it's working fine http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by AndreBranco (edited 08-06-99).]

[Dominus]

Ever thought about building your own? You might save a few (very few) bucks, plus you're bound to learn something.

The last time I bought a brand name computer, (9 years ago) I got completely jipped & the service was horrible. The case was organized like horribly & the company used all proprietary parts so you HAD to get service & parts from them.

At least if you build it yourself, you control everything that goes in there, and all support & parts can be supplied locally (or by yourself).

[Mitch]

Hi, Micron is one of the few major computer manufacturers that isn't proprietary....Best warranty that I know of and pretty good tech support..Also my son works for the company..There's alot to be said for building your own, but nowadays with the price of software..etc.Micron is not a bad way to go...Mitch

[Steve R Jones]

If you want to go with a name brand, buy Dell. My company has purchased 500+ Dell's and will continue to do so. Tech support is out of this world.(if you need them)

[walter]

I bought a CyberMax a about 1 1/2 years ago, good price and good service. I have sence built my own and gave the CyberMax to the kid.
Walter

[Ygor]

I'm with Dominus, had the same problems and came to the same solution.
However, if you really want to buy from one of those you mentioned, Consumer Reports has had Dell in first place for several years now I think.
Micron and Gateway are also up there with CR.Sounds like you have done some homework already, but continue to do so with reviews from the various magazines online.

Just be prepared in a couple years to buy again when you find you can't just upgrade...

[Perce]

I have done business with all three of these vendors. I'd go with the vendor that has the exact parts that you want http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif All have the 3 year warranty http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif All 3 use quality components http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif And I have had various good and bad service and support from all 3. The final decision should be based on the components and the software you want. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Perce (edited 08-07-99).]

[This message has been edited by Perce (edited 08-07-99).]

[a Bill]

Dell is the one to choose.

[Jackson3D]

Thanks for all the comments!!
Only thing I can really say is that my research will continue. As far as building my own from scratch Nah, thats okay no support no warranty no software and many headaches. Add it all up and the cost is out of this world.

I'am looking forward for the ongoing support from you guys THANKS A MILLION
Me

[Kichigai]

I've been basically happy with the Dell I purchased 20 months ago. Arrived intact, installed fine, no hardware issues at all.

The price was comparable to that I would have paid if I had built my own AND paid for the software that came with it. A lot of folks will say that it is quite a bit cheaper to build one, but they are often spending $0 on OS and software.

However, since Dell systems are not exactly OC-friendly, I will likely build my own for the follow-on system.


Kichigai

[Nathan]

Jackson3D

I've been doing support on websites for well over two years now. So let me pass something on to you, no charge (hehe). No matter what system you buy, you have the potential for many headaches. There is a grave yard of computers that never will run because the user tried going through the tech support department of these large companies. It, of course, doesn't happen all the time, but it does believe me. I wish I had a quarter for everyone I saw that posted on the different forums complaining about how lousy the tech support department is and that they couldn't solve my problem. This is probably one area of your life where buying name brand can hurt you.

And yes it's a **** shoot. Go ahead and roll the dice. Hopefully, they'll roll in your favor.

[beller6]

I used to buy only Zeos (Micron's sub) till Micron told them goodbye. Since then I only build my computer with all the bell's and whistles. Last year built (3rd time) a P2 with dvd, tv, fm, and a great graphic card.
but it is only a 266 Celeron
Now I am building a P3. If you go this route, do your homework. The user reveu here is a great place to start. Check websites like intel, etc. I wanted the best, I only buy the best, but I don't pay full price. If you want more information you can email me at
beller6@Yahoo.com

[Nathan]

Consumers Reports isn't worth the paper it's written on. They did "their" comparsion of different products many years ago in a different industry I was working in and they got it all wrong too. They were comparing apples, potatoes, and meats. And when our industry came to them to try and straighten out the error in the different product comparsions, they wouldn't talk to us. They didn't hurt the industry, but did GROSSLY mislead many consumsers into buying a product that was not the best for their needs. So as far as I'm concerned, they sometimes do a great mis-service. So the question is what are they messing up now? Reader beware!!!!!!

[This message has been edited by Nathan (edited 08-07-99).]

[GB]

.

[This message has been edited by GB (edited 08-19-99).]

[MrT]

Gateway. they have outstanding CS and they build exactly what you want. I have a Gateway and any problems I have ever had with the system they either sent me a new part and or they will send you a completely new system 2 day service if you are unhappy with the one you have(within a certain grace period). My system is excellent. No problems. And I am VERY picky. So I have gone thru the system from top to bottom and I am very pleased. I just purchased another Gateway system the other day. That makes 2 systems from them. If your looking to get a system to OVERCLOCK AND TINKER AROUND WITH then I would build my own system. But if your just interested in getting a good system and letting someone else worry about the problems with it then GATEWAY. But Don't take my word for it. Check around.

[This message has been edited by MrT (edited 08-08-99).]

[mudoggy]

In '96, fresh out of school, I bought a Gateway (we had them at school.. the mktg reps at Gateway would love to hear this, validating their strategy) and loved it. No problems with any hardware. The only problems I had were caused by me (I knew just enough to get myself into trouble messing around with things.. sound familiar).

I just built my first computer (with a lot of lurking, reading, and a few troubleshooting questions helpfully answered in these great forums), and it was fun (for the most part http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif ). You are correct in taking into consideration the cost of software though, and with the prices dropping every day, you are probably better off buying a pre built one.
Have fun!

[Vidfreek]

it all depends on what you want in a computer, I would never buy retail after building my own. I only go that route anymore. Let me show ya what you can build for 1000 bucks:

www.sunshinestar.com (http://www.sunshinestar.com)
Overclocking kit, guaranteed to run at 550
366 celery, abit be6 mobo with ATA66 support, the coolers and thermal grease
(i just bought one, completely stable and no problems whatsoever, even runs on less voltage then they told me to put it on!)

$235

Floppy drive

$15

Cdrom 50x

$42

Sound blaster Live

$54

Video Card V3 3000

$139

Case

$50

Zip Drive

$50

Ram 128 megs pc 100

$90

17 inch Monitor

$170

Keyboard-Natural Microsoft, mouse-intelli

$50

speakers sound works

$50

Hard drive Western Digital 13 gig ATA66

$150

All added up equals $1095

Now you try and build a system from dell, micron or gateway that gives you 550 performance for around a 1000 bucks. It cant be done, and you wont get the experience of knowing how its put together, how to upgrade it and what you want put in it. Plus using Abit for your motherboard is a great choice also, and you wont get that choice for motherboard if you buy from a company. Your selection for options is still very limited from companies like that compared to what you can get by searching www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) for all the above components that I just listed. Of course that doesnt include shipping, but if you have a computer show that comes around in your area, you can build for sometimes less than what I have if not the same and not pay any shipping.

My system specs built for around that price:

366 celery at 564
128 megs of ram
Abit BE6 motherboard
WD 13 gig ATA66 hard drive
50x Cdrom
Mitsumi 4x2x8x burner
floppy drive
Zip drive
17 inch NEC monitor
Diamond Monster sound M80
Voodoo3 2000
ATX midtower Case

I hope this helps and that I gave you some insight on building your own PC, its definately worth it, in my opinion.

[zskillz]

DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL DELL ..... and more DELL!....
No questions asked. If you want super high quality equiptment along with unfaultering support, look no further. I build my own systems now, but I have a Dell that is 3 years old and has had no significant hitches. I once called in because 2 pixels (i'm not kidding...2!) were out. The very next day, a brand new monitor was on my doorstep, and I didn't have to pay a cent for it or to send the "broken" one back. There was no question about what was to be done. Dell was absolutely professional.
Btw, don't get gateway. My bro just baught one, and if we didn't know what we were doing, the would have shorted us about $600 dollars by giving us a step down from what we ordered in terms of equiptment. 770 instead of 770ultra. something besides the sb LIve that we ordere, and several others. To make matters worse, it's been 2 weeks and we still haven't been sent all of the replacement parts. I also know of a university that will remain anonymous who is sending back 50 gateway systems because gateway once again didn't deliver what they promised. I think that they're expanding to fast to ensure quality any more.
that's my 2 cents!
-Z

[Nathan]

Well Jackson3D. This is what I'm talking about. There are no perfect companies out there.

To get the best that's out there, you have to build your own.

Good luck!!

[brandon184]

DELL!!

I give dell 10/10 stars... An absolutely wonderful company... The ONLY thing I can find wrong with their systems is that they don't o/c EXTREMELY high.

I've had my dell system for 3 years, and I LOVE it! Any problems I've had (caused by me) their tech support people are friendly, and get down to the root of the problem, and fix it quickly and efficiently.

I'd reccomend a dell to anyone. If you do decide to go with Dell, (You have my reccomendation, of course!) I can tell you that you will get a system that you will be proud of, and will be showing off to your friends... And if you upgrade it once or twice a month, you'll still be showing it off in 2 or 3 years! Its an incredible feeling when you first get a dell, because they are SO high preformance. A dell system is something to show off, and have fun with!

Just my opinion!

brandon

[Jackson3D]

It appears as if Dell is the crowd favorite. I have only heard good things about them. If anyone has anything bad to say besides the price post it now for the world to hear Thanks as always!!
Me

[brandon184]

The only bad thing is that it doesn't support oc'ing TOO high..

Some people say they are bad for upgradeability, I don't think thats a problem with the new models tho.