Where would you buy from?

[JeffD78]

Okay. My aunt wants a new computer. She doesn't want me to build her one, but wants a pre-built one instead. Not even a custom. Where would you buy one from? Gateway? HP? IBM? Micron? Compaq? Dell? Somebody else I forgot to mention? From what I can tell it looks like Micron's got the best warranty, but what about cost/quality?

[scourge]

If your Aunt is computer illiterate and your not going to be around to fix every little problem, I would go with whoever has the longest lasting, best tech support / warranty / etc. Be it Compaq, Dell, Gateway or whoever.

[JeffD78]

Well my wife and I happen to be renting half of a duplex that she owns, so it's a pretty safe bet that I'll be there. I've been trying to convince her to let me build one, but to no avail. She's somehow got it into her head that it won't be as good, will cost more, and won't have a warranty. So I gave up.

[R[][]FER]

Jeff...

Living in Canada, I purchased an IBM from Staples. The head tech said they have had the least problem with IBM over their other brands. It came with a 1yr. warranty and then I purchased an optional 2 more years. The monitor already came with 3yr. warranty. I've used their tech support 2 or 3 times and I think they are really helpful and accomodating.

It comes with a recovery disk that is very useful but it didn't come with a seperate win98 disk tho. Win98se is installed on the recovery disk.

I've never had the other brands so I can't comment on them.

If she shops around, sometimes they come with a printer and scanner included.

Hope this helps.

[jad1097]

I have been going through the same exact thing with a friend of my wifes. She has her mind set on a Gateway. I feel a Dell may be better.
You may want to check www.resellerratings.com (http://www.resellerratings.com)





[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 01-25-2000).]

[happyhamster]

If your concern is quality, go with Dell or Micron, if price - Gateway or Compaq

Just my opinion

[This message has been edited by happyhamster (edited 01-25-2000).]

[alien_from_io]

One word, "DELL". Gateway is having reportedly with support. see www.consumeraffairs.com (http://www.consumeraffairs.com) , Personally, I don't care too much for "corporate" pc's. The HP, IBM, Compaq etc hide the os(win98)on a cd where you can't find anything if you need to. Recently I saw a Compaq model 9546 that said it had a lifetime phone support. WRONG, the tech said it was expired and asked for a credit card,, GEE THANKS. Hewlett Packards only saving grace is the HP forum where you can ask and sometimes get an answer. The forum is a little hard to locate. I don't know if Dell has such a board to post on or not.. good luck, Take me to your leader.

[bdunn]

MICRON. I used to work at millitary installations and we ordered many PCs. Finally stuck to Micron Exclusively because Out of the hundreds we bought I only remember 1 RMA.

They are also less proprietary than the biggies (IBM and Compaq) and their support to us was good.

[jlewis]

Gateway all the way baby!!!!Great tech support, software bundle, and reasonable prices.