which brand name computer?

[jojjoj]

which of the following brand name computers have non-proprietary parts: dell, compaq, hp, sony, e-machine, or gateway?

[daveleau]

Only compaq has proprietary stuff or requirements. This has only to do with the sound card. You can only use their speakers with it. I have tried many 'powered' speakers that they say work and only found a pair of $30 SB that work. I have also tried to disable the sound card and install Ensoniq Audio PCI and a SB 16, both of which woudl not allow system shutdowns. Go with anyone but them. I personally would buy Dell. ...or build my own.

[Vampiel]

yes dell or gateway

[C.C.]

I've got an HP Pavilion 6556. Although I've not tried amy other memory, Comp-Usa (or chump-usa as I prefer) told me that the memory is propietary. I figure they had no reason to lie becuase if they can sell you something, they will. They told me that the only place to get it was direct from HP. If it's true, then that sucks cause they are way expensive, but other than that I am extremly pleased with HP. Hope this helps. C.C.

[Dominus]

HP used to use proprietary DIMMs in there older P-MMX computers and servers, but I'm not sure about their current practices.

Our school got a shipment of their proprietary memory by accident, and we couldn't use any of it, even though they're supposedly PC66 128MB 168-pin DIMMs. That really sucked because we really needed the memory and we got it free, right in the middle of the RAM price hike.

If you want your own computer, have you ever thought about building it yourself? It's not that hard and it's a great learning experience.

[Underclocked]

As an alternative, I believe Quantex puts together some nice machines using Intel. Cybermax advertises some very nice packages, particularly the AMD stuff (Athlon!!).

[Cyclops]

Go with the Dell... /forum/smile.gif

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Cyclops o-)
it's all in my profile!

[jojjoj]

thanks for your input! i'm currently doing comparisons on which computer to buy for a friend of mine. dell seems to be the best choice. goodnite folks!

[DLazlo]

Have to differ w/ you daveleau. In an emergency I have hooked a set Sony 6 in. car stereo speakers to the speaker leads on a set of R.S. powered cheapies and they sounded fine. Not a practice I would recomend but the guy needed some sound bad for the weekend and was willing to take the risk, so. They did eat up a set of c batteries pretty quick though! Anyway, Be brave! Build! Compaq used to be good for the everyday "keep his hands out of the insides user" & small buisness, but I fear corporate policy has changed somewhat. I working on a new toy now. Athlon, 20 gig hd, so I can dual boot when the new BeOS release comes out soon. Should make computin' fun again!

[Andre]

With a Dell comp you can´t cahnge the mobo, cuz´ they have their own PS. If you then decide to change the PS, you can´t cuz´ they have their own cases, so normal PSes wont fit.
And in some, i don´t know if it´s all, they have a card where all the PCi, ISA and AGP slots are on.
BTW you can´t overclock, cuz´ they only use 66 and 100MHz buses. Well you could go for a Celery.

[cment]

I don't have a E-machine, but know you can add what you want withing limits of the 2 isa and 2 pci. Friend of mine and I canabalized his e machine. 16mb banshee, extra hard drive, cd burner (hp), 128 meg ram. pulled the modem and external zoom. network card, however didn't seem to work so good. Really depends on what you want it for. We couldn't OC it. But sh*t happens.

[Nutcase]

I myself would go with a Sony. They look really cool and well I dont really like Dell's or Gateway 2000's. I ABSOULOUTLY HATE COMPAQ's! Please tell your friend not to get one of them. The biggest drawback with "branded" computers is that they arn't upgradeable.

Just my .02 cents.

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Nutcase

[Warthog]

GO WITH DELL!!!! I spent the same amount of money on a Dell as did a friend did on a Compaq. I got a better hard drive, soundcard, monitor, speakers, mouse, MUCH smaller mini tower, 3 year warranty (can't put a price on it), excellent phone service, and a CD-RW drive.