Retail PC's bundled with ISP contracts.

[Toadman]

I'm surprised no one has touched on this subject yet. You open the Sunday paper and you see these high-end systems for sale requiring 3 year Internet access with (insert favorite here)to get the $400 rebate. How much longer are they going to direct their marketing at "first-time" internet newbies? I might even be interested in getting one, but I'll stay with my cable ISP, thank-you-very-much. You gotta really read the fine print nowadays. How about just giving the specs and a firm price, then maybe a coupon in back for the rebate? I know, CompUSA,BestBuy,etc. reserve the right to advertise anyways they want, but I just find it annoying. Guess I'll stick with the trade magazines for complete systems. Any other thoughts out there?

[daveleau]

I agree. You are getting cheaper hardware (on board everything, instead of add-in cards) and locked into a contract with a dying technology for an extended period of time with these contracts. I think it is a bad idea.

[U-96]

Don't forget the harm these free PC deals have done to the component prices and supply for us regular Joes who like to put our own together!

U-96

[Ygor]

I think the phrase is "caveat emptor"...

[pickel]

If you have a businees telephone service, you can get hooked for $99.00 for the whole year with Bellsouth.net. That's like $297.00 for three years and buy/ build whatever computer you want. I wouldn't doubt other "Bells" have a similiar deal. And it goes from year to year, so if you decide to get ASDL sometime during the year , you'll only lose a few bucks and not be committed to a long term agreement. Just wanted to post an option. I get connected consistently at almost 50,000bps sometimes higher and have excellent Tech support. Couldn't ask for more /forum/smile.gif

the pickel

Welch Wizard: If everyone who had a computer would come to this site and learn about the
finer points of computer mechanics, then everyone could upgrade their own rigs and really put the pressure on the manufacturers.
A do-it-yourself frenzie, parts would be cheaper because of demand and the high priced
repair shops would take in laundry to make ends meet. Not likely, but at those prices you never know. Hope you're feeling better and have a fine summer( that is if you're still " Down Under") /forum/biggrin.gif /forum/biggrin.gif

the pickel

[This message has been edited by pickel (edited 11-16-1999).]

[welsh wizard]

Thanks Pickel
some one has finnally noticed that it's cheaper to get your own sys then hookup to your choice, but also these contracts in the long term will damage everyone not just your local OEMs and computer stores (they draw in new users who would normally upgrade within the year to some thing more state of the art)
the main thing these deals will do is slow development down, by ptting a lot of old tech out there on 3 year contracts thats a long time look at what you used three years ago 486's were still selling well, imagine what we'll have in three more years Pentium 6 or 7's and what speed, tye your buyers up reduce demand and why push the development!
Have a nice day or have a good future tech /forum/wink.gif
/forum/smile.gif /forum/smile.gif? /forum/smile.gif /forum/smile.gif
WW