Gateway vs. Others

[x35Agent]

I was wondering. I always hear **** about Compaq But never anything about Gateway or Dell. I want to know what everone thinks about the other name brands. I am thinking about buying a computer from the gateway store here in town. I would like to know what Ya'll think.

x35Agent

[wtp]

**** it, name brands suck!!! build your own, so u it's custom and u know what u get with your deal, or get a generic one (don't get ripped off)!! Generics are better cuz they have custom parts, u know.

[Megabyte]

I'm on a Gateway proformance 550. I've had it for a little over a year now with no problems. Actually the only problem I have found is that with the Intel motherboard in my system along with the P3 550MHz processor, overclocking is next to impossible. Basically aside from that, my Gateway is a well built, fast and dependable machine and I would recomend it to anyone.

As far as Compaq goes, I havent got a clue. And for Dell, well I've heard that there technical support dept. is rated right up there at the top.

MB

[Megabyte]

My gateway specs.

Processor: Intel 550 w/512 Cache
memory: 128 100MHz SDRAM
video: 32MB nVidia TNT2 AGP
HDD: 13.5 gig ultra ATA
cd-rom: 6x DVD ROM

Boston Acoustics BA735 digital speakers w/subwoofer, soundblaster audio, 3com 56K PCI voice modem

3 year Parts & labor limited warranty

not bad for name brand,
MB

[x35Agent]

I have seen the layout of a Dell and Compaq but not Gateway. I do not like how Dell and Compaq have their motherboards setup in a T type configuration. I also don't like it when they have some of the stuff built into the board. Does anyone know what the general layout of a Gateway looks like?

[Axel]

Of the three you have listed here, the Gateway typically in the past has had the least amount of original equipment proprietary technology within it. By that I mean it is typcally easy to get other parts for it that will fit. It has fewer driver conflicts and people who used to support the brand on their help number buy their equipment. I can't say the same about Compaq - most of the people I know who have supported Compaq PC's would never own one. I don't know anyone who has done Dell support, but, having looked at their stuff and been to one of their factory stores, I'm not inclined to buy one for myself.

I can tell you Gateway is easy to do business with - ordered a PC for my wife 2 years ago to get her off my own system. She didn't want it and I returned it for a refund - no problem - no complaints - got my money relatively quickly. I can't say that about too many other companies either.

Gateway makes some nice packages, but you pay a little more than you would building it yourself, but you also get their support which has been, generally speaking, pretty good. Expect less trouble out of a cow box. ;-)

[UncaDanno]

I agree with axel.
I've had 4 Gateways at home. Only prob with the 486 was a dead HDD after 6 mos. The new one was on my doorstep 3 days later. My PII laptop has had no real problems (but tech supp talked to me for an hour and a half, just to be sure!). My P 120 desktop was the subject of some marathon calls w/ tech support (just as the 3 years ran out). They sent me a new power supply, sound card, and mobo/CPU/memory. Blamed it on lightning letting some of the magic smoke escape from that big, flat thingie with all the doodads and whatzits.
The wife's P 75 has been hummi'n along for almost 5 years with no problems whatsoever.

Tips: Get one of their refurbed units if price is an issue. Just as good as new (most of em really are new).
Get the Gateway Gold plan. Gets you a toll-free number that I have never waited more than 5 minutes to talk to a real person. Who gives you a tracking number and, in almost every case, could handle the problem the first call.

My other box at home is a Frankenstein box buit from a barebones cheapie plus a new case, mobo, HDDs, CDR/W, Sound and Video cards.

[This message has been edited by UncaDanno (edited 04-27-2000).]