Need Opinions On Emachines

[Makaveli]

What do you guys thing about an Emachines PC? I find a nice deal on one at Best Buy, and may buy it.

17' monitor
Printer
800 mghz
128 Ram
48x cd-rom
Intel Direct AGP 3D Graphics
20 gig HDD
Stereo Speakers
V.90 56k Modem

$446.97

Sound good?

-MaK

[Makaveli]

Well, I found out that Machine Listed above is out of stock and they won't be in untill Friday. Im a very impatiant person.. Tommorow I will be going to Circuit City and picking up this bad boy..


Compaq Presario 5000 Series Desktop

Processor Brand Intel®

Processor Type Celeron™

Processor Speed (MHz) 800

Frontside Bus Speed (MHz) 100

Level 2 Cache (KB) 128

RAM (MB) 128MB SDRAM

System RAM Expandable To (MB): 512
(SyncDRAM DIMM required)

Hard Drive Maximum Capacity 20GB Ultra DMA

48x CD-rom

Drive Bays Available 3

Total Expansion Slots 4

Available Expansion Slots 3 PCI

Keyboard Compaq Internet Keyboard

Pointing Device Internet Scroll Mouse

USB Ports 2

IEEE 1394 Port NO

Parallel Port 1 EPP/ECP
Serial Port 1

Other Ports RJ-11 Phone Jacks(1-In, 1-Out), Audio Ports(Line-In, Line-Out, Microphone-In), 2 PS/2 Ports, 1 VGA Port

Video Memory Up to 11MB

MPEG Playback

3D Graphics Support Integrated Direct AGP with 64-Bit Hardware-Accelerated 3D Graphics

Modem V.90 High-Speed Modem

Audio Card ESS Allegro Audio

Sound Enhancements 3D Stereo Sound

Operating System and Vendor Utility
Software Microsoft® Windows® Millennium Edition

Productivity Software Included Money 2001, Windows® Media Player 7, Works 6.0, Selective QuickRestore
Internet Software Included Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.5, AOL, NetScape Navigator 4.7


What you guys think should be different besides this setup? Anything that is a MUST change??

-MaK

[NavyDood_ F/A18_Mech]

They are fine systems for the price, IF you don't plan on extensive demanding gaming. For word processing and internet purposes it works fine.

Jim

[RayH]

I told a guy to buy an eMachine about a year ago. I couldn't build on that cheap. A 17" monitor, printer, and a legal copy of Windows and probably some programs....its a good bargain.

[emcron]

With out OS, you can build one for that price.

[Surfer55]

Stay away from them!!!
Believe me, my first computer was an Emachine and everything was problems since the first time I turn on that computer. Everytime I call their tech Support they were misleading and rude. They`re cheap for one reason. Buy yourself a HP or a Compaq(for that price you get the same and better). Anyway don`t take my word and go here:
www.emachinessuck.com (http://www.emachinessuck.com)

[sharder8]

E-Machines are cheap -- JUNK!!!

Compaq's are a little better, BUT not much!!!

At least E-Machines are up-gradable to a point, adding third party componets, but when you own a Compaq, you basically can only add Compaq components! Try adding an HP932c printer to your Compaq, see what happens, or try replacing the modem with a US Robotics internal modem! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

I fully agree with Surfer55 Stay away from them!!!

Harder

[This message has been edited by sharder8 (edited 08-27-2001).]

[Surfer55]

Generally Speaking:

BUILD ONE YOURSELF!!

If you don`t know how do some little research but you will love it.I did build one myself and since then no more company build computers for me. Just imagine no one but you having control of your own computer.

FEELS GOOD!!!

[stylin19]

I must be one of the lucky ones.
My wife is running WinME on an EMachine.
It's been rock solid. She's heavy into digital photo's and photo editing, plus other artsy/farsty stuff. It's taken eveything she's thrown at it.
It's a celeron 600. It cost 300 bucks plus there was a $75.00 rebate. couldnt beat the price.

[NDC]

Unless you plan on using the E-Machine the way it is without future upgrades, I wouldn't recommend them. Most of them seem to be very limited when it comes to expansion. Especially the ones that use MINI-ATX mainboards...

[scotter]

yeah spend $446.00 on it and walk out the door and it's worth $100.00 on a good day
same thing for compaq's and HP's
dont waist your money

[MTAtech]

PROS: They are inexpensive.

CONS: They are cheap for a reason. They use the cheapest components to save money but that hurts performance.

CONCLUSION: If one only needs a PC to do word processing, they are fine. I got one for a client's law firm and it's been up for 2 years w/o problems.

[Makaveli]

Generally Speaking:
BUILD ONE YOURSELF!!

If you don`t know how do some little research but you will love it.I did build one myself and since then no more company build computers for me. Just imagine no one but you having control of your own computer.

FEELS GOOD!!!

Yes, I have one that I have build myself, does feel good http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif ..

same thing for compaq's and HP's
dont waist your money

Actually I already have a Compaq and it runs VERY nice.. Its very good computer. Not a waste of money at all. Maybe you just have to know how to take care of them? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

-MaK

[vass0922]

but have you tried putting in 3rd party hardware?

I had a friend, he had a compaq pc
he couldn't get his sound working...
I played with that thing for 3 hours trying to get drivers from compaq WITHOUT having to reinstall the OS From compaq windows (is it really MS windows after compaq gets a hold of it? lol)

If I buy a manufactured PC it'll be from a company that gives me at least a 98% normal copy of windows, like Dell. If I want to reinstall windows, I want choices.

If I want to add hardware I don't want to go to compaq and see if their compatible!

[Richard_Cranium72]

The Power Supply on the E-Machine is prone to failure.
Problem, the case has indentions to prevent using a standard size PS.

The motherboards are also prone to fail.

PLEASE ,, STAY FAR FAR AWAY.

My pal at Office Depot told me they have a return rate of over 50%.

Here's a much better machine for about the same money, that is if you don't wish to build.

IBM 634420U
Celeron 533Mhz,
5GB,32MB,NIC,WIN98

$349.95 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=I70-634420U


Samsung 17" Monitor
$137.75 shipped Free http://accessories.us.dell.com

add 256 mb KINGSTON RAM while there http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.asp?category_id=3041
$25.60

[Warthog]

One word: POS

[Makaveli]

Well, I went out and got the Compaq Presario 5000 Series Desktop. Its the same thing im using right now only it has 20 gigs less. The computer Im on right now has 40 gigs, this new one has 20 gigs. Also The PC im on now has 256 RAM, this new one has 128. Its up and running perfect. Not one problem as expected. Makes a very nice second computer. Now all I have to do is network them.


NEW

800 mghz
128 Ram
20 gig HDD
Windows ME



Older

800 mghz
256 Ram (added 128)
40 gig HDD
Windows ME
Voodoo3 (added)

P.S. Thanks for stopping me from ever thinking about an Emachine.

-MaK

[Surfer55]

Big Kudos for you!!!

[OC Guy]

There's not much tweaking you can do with a compaq or e-machine! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[thekingofpain]

Well, a neighbor purchased one about 2 years ago now, a 466i for 399$ + added a 100$ 17" mon to it---had a bad h/s fan outta the box replaced for 3$ by me :-)
BUT--- he has used it daily since without incidence at least 6 hours aday, we added some cheap mem to it awhile back for 20$ is all...

It truly has changed his life in many ways (he is disabled, dosnt drive and has a passion for librarys) his mother flipped when she found out how much of his SSI check he spent on something so "rediculous"---he frequents every online library across the globe available now---plus his mom is now hooked and has her own eMachine as well (without incidence)...

I wouldnt buy one myself---I can say they are sorta "cheesy"---there are alternatives now, cant ya get a Dell (w/mon) for 599$ complete with a much better warranty and a years free internet etc? nowadays?

[surrealchereal]

But as ya say tkop,,,
they do have their place, and when a price diff of 50 bucks is a weeks groceries.....

[bhess]

It seems like a moot point now that you already have it. But there is only two brands that I can think of that I would steer clear of. You mentioned both of them. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Good luck

[DAD988]

There is always a reason to save a buck.

If you do buy an eMachine, make sure that you pay the extra $100+ for an in store warranty. That way you avoid the potential aggravation of fighting their support. I know that Best Buy offers the warranty.

There are three eMachines running in the family, with no problems after two years. The in-store warranty is going to waste, but better safe than sorry.

The new 800mHz Celeron eMachines look fairly reasonable and should match the 100mHz memory.

I personally build my own, buying case, MB, drives and all components as I want.

[keabe]

Well, let's shoot the dead horse. An email i sent off to Eeek-machine:

_____________________________________________
HI,
Just yesterday I tried putting on my computer and it wouldn't come on. All it did was the green light on the power switch came on and that's as far as it went. It didn't even go as far as accessing the BIOS. The screen remained totally blank and the HDD light blinked but once and quit. I have tried disconnecting the power cord to the computer for 10 seconds but that didn't help. My computer is connected to an APC power back-up supply and that is working fine. Is there anything I can do?
_____________________________________________

An here's the response:

_____________________________________________
Thank you for choosinge Machines.At eMachines, customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us.

Thank you for writing eMachines. Because your warranty has expired, you will need to purchase parts and repairs at your expense. You can obtain many eMachine parts at www.pcfactoryoutlet.com. (http://www.pcfactoryoutlet.com.)

Another option would be our out of warranty system exchange. For $300 we will replace your system with one of equal or greater value, depending on what is in stock. The standard $20 fee for calling applies, however it is credited toward the $300 if this option is taken.

The replacement computer comes with the 90 day warranty. If you would like more details about this, please call our Technical Support Department at (801-401-1419. They are open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 11 PM, Mountain Standard Time. If you have any other questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to assist you. Should you require further assistance with your
eMachine, please feel free to send another message. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. We love to hear from our customers!

Again, thank you for choosing eMachines.

Sincerely,
Erica
_____________________________________________

And they call that customer support. Classic case of an automated reply, I'd say. And they have the nerve to attach a signature to that. Computer wasn't mine, luckily.

[Blandings]

Keabe:

Hey, that sounds pretty good to me!

My emachines 433i died a few days ago, after some 19 mos of use. I mistakenly hit the power button while it was in sleep mode, that was apparently all it took. I'd set Windows to not use the sleep-mode a long time ago, but it started going into it anyway, about a week or two prior.

The Celeron 800 is now $420, after rebates. Upgradeable to an 850 Celeron and a DVD-ROM, for $100 more.

I admit that the psu is very cheesy! But for the price and for limited pc usage-requirements, I think it's a good deal.

If I do go with the $300 replacement, or with the Celeron 800, I'd either replace the psu or maybe just get a new case with the psu included. I've seen some good deals at www.webuildpcs.com (http://www.webuildpcs.com)

[Blandings]

Just for laffs:

Consumer complaints about defective eMachine power supplies
Address: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/emachine_power.html

[cancer]

I've heard nothing but bad things when it comes to emachines. Why waste $400 on a computer that will die fast rather than save it and invest in a real computer? Makes more sense to me.....

[keabe]

Hey Blandings:

I checked out your link and it was really good for laughs, like you said. I am sorry for these poor people and I found some hard to believe.

An example:

_____________________________________________
"I bought a eMachine from QVC. I paid $1266 for it. It was great for 2 days, then the monitor lost all color. Now the tower is Vibrating like crazy. I took it apart with a eMachine tech on the phone, but it is still sounds like a car without a muffler, plus it won't shut itself down. eMachine wants me to pay to have it mailed to California. I think eMachine should send me one then I will send the old one back."
_____________________________________________

The part that had me rolling over was that this guys computer actually sounds like a car without a muffler. Unbelievable...
I think it's about time the BBB shut this operation down. Seriously...

[bdunn]

If you are buying a machine that you will never upgrade and primarily using for word processing and web browsing they do fine. Other than that I wouldn;t recommend them. I've repaired too many of them.

[CadetStimp]

I know this is too late, but the best retail PC to buy...

Dell or Micron

Why? Reasonably standard BIOS with a closer match to typical 'boxed' components.

[Makaveli]

LoL, Good link Blandings, Sure am glad that I didn't buy an Emachines! Thanks to all who stopped me!

-MaK