Why is this computer so cheap?

[garybeafl]

Do you have to sign up for three years of AOL?

[kandgmazzella]

No internet contract required. If you do, it's another $400 cash back! Do you know what the Brio is? I didn't realize that HP was ****. Are the printers ****, too? Or should I go with Lexmark?

[Eli]

Are you sure you don't have to sign up for like three years of internet service at a rather high fee as part of the deal? That's quite common here. That could also explain the salesman's "slow on the internet" remark.

Edit

Sorry, looks like I was beaten to it. The old fingers get slower when they're a little sliced up after work...

[This message has been edited by Eli (edited 09-26-2000).]

[OuTpaTienT]

Yes, HP's, Compaq's, and the like are ****. I wouldn't touch one with the proverbial ten-foot pole.

[Mr. Mojo Risin]

I agree with Warthog, go with Dell. Even though I have been a Gateway customer for years, I have done some comparison shopping at work for a few new systems that we need and Dell seemed to come out a few $100's lower with the same specs... and their service has to be better than Gateway...


If it sounds to good to be true... it usually is.

[Rat]

Brio is the bottom of the line for HP. Your'e better off having someone build you a system with all the right stuff.... You may spend a couple hundred more, but it would be well worth it.

[Cebu]

I would recommend that you go out and buy you a generic box w/ a badass cpu, mobo and harddrive of your choice. Then deck that baby out with 256 megs of PC-133 ram running alongside a GF2 and/or ultra. To top it off you need to get you a 17" or 19" Flat Screen monitor. Also throw in a SBLive soundcard and cheapass CD-ROM, and you are ready to rock. I have always steered clear of any computer made by those types of companys. If something goes wrong later on then you are fuked because you have to buy the replacement from that **** company. I personally prefer goimg to my neighborhood compter store and buying the part. I hate them all because if something goes wrong then they will all pass the buck. Mainly it's like Best Buys statement about fixing a computer you bought from them. They say: The warranty you have is a manufactuers warranty, therefore, you need to try and seek recourse from the manufactuer. They all do it: CompUSA, Best Buy, Cicuit City, Gateway, Compaq, HP, all of them. Beware when buying a computer!!!! Stick to the generic one and if anything goes wrong it can be fixed immediately.

[tonym]

You've got to watch out with deals like this. There are a lot of factory "recertified" systems out there...only the recertified ends up as very small print!

I mean, that system has a lot of high-end goodies crammed into a very low end Brio...HP uses this as their entry-level system along with the MSN or Juno rebate to get folks using an HP-branded computer for pennies.


I don't know about this system in particular, but if it sounds to good to be true -- it probably isn't!

Take the advice of other previous posters...assemble yourself a kicka$$ system from parts. You'll have more fun and satisfaction in the end!


Good luck...


Tony

[Undertow]

SOUNDS LIKE A HUGE MISTAKE, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND FORGET THAT YOU EVER KNEW ABOUT THAT DEAL, BUILD YOUR OWN.

-Undertow

[kandgmazzella]

This store near me has the HP Brio machine with the following: 800 MMX P III, 128 MB RAM, 30 GB HD, built in DVD CD and CDRW drive, 56K KDS fax/modem, 3D sound, 16 MB PCI video, CD bundle, speakers, Pixie 19 inch monitor, keyboard, mouse, HP 930C Color Inkjet Printer, Color Scanner, Windows, D-link USB digital video camera, deluxe joystick, voicelink software, mouse pad, and other misc. items all for $1399 AND a $200 rebate. Can anyone tell me why it is so cheap? The salesman says it is super slow on the internet. What determines that? I always thought it was the video and the internet connection speed. 16 MB of video seems like enough.

[Warthog]

That salesman seems kinda off his rocker. I know HP sells **** cheap, but a MONITOR witht their systems? They don't do that, let alone a 19".

Ok, just configured almost that same comp at their website. It turned out to be $1663. This is without the printer, software and scanner. I don't think there is a way it could be that cheap without some sort of catch. There HAS to be a catch. Must be.

Anyways...

HP is ****.
http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/offers/specials_3x_special01.htm

Go with Dell.

The quality of the parts is superb. Their service is excellent. You cannot go wrong!

Warthog

[UKLee]

The way I look at it, there are only two viable options for getting a PC. Either custom build your own or buy one from Dell or possibly Micron. have 2 Dell systems and I can recommend them, although now my favoured option would be to build my own next time around.

[UKLee]

The way I look at it, there are only two viable options for getting a PC. Either custom build your own or buy one from Dell or possibly Micron. have 2 Dell systems and I can recommend them, although now my favoured option would be to build my own next time around.

[Redskins91]

I'd go with Gateway or Dell if I purchased something like that. I wouldn't get near HP or Compaq. Is there still a Packard Bell? I think about as much of HP and Compaq as PB. I've had some problems with a DMI program from Dell but once it was removed. The computers were fine.

[Savant]

every HP iv'e used has been hell, stuff doesn't work, or breaks and you have to buy it from hp ussually at about 2-3x what it's worth, dell's a little better though not a very good deal they do ussually work well. although they're kinda off my list for using proprietary parts that couldn't be replaced with standard ones, that was in the p100 was top-end time though.

Build your own!
it's cheaper, faster, and standard!
or if you're not up to it local stores ussually will do it for less than $100

*edit* spelling

[This message has been edited by Savant (edited 09-28-2000).]

[Win_98]

Some do it for only 30 dollar! I may be wrong but that what I was offered last time to build a complete system, but I couldn't trust them well I didn't like having to wait a few day for it. Im sure they know a little more then us little guy who put it together ourself but then again, you be afraid to touch your computer like most folk who have someone built for them. funny thing is they dont want you to know anything about computer period, this way you have to come to them everytime you need something so they can make money off ya. but um if you buy seperate stuff to have them put it on for you, it cost just as much as best buy charges.

[Missing the point]

A Couple places around me install it for free http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Axel]

I've had few troubles from HP's corporate line of PC's like the Vectras & Kayaks that have come out in the past 6 months.

I think the price is actually a bit high. If you have ANY spare parts laying around the house - you'd be better off building your own. A warning is that you typically don't save a lot of money doing this - but you do know exactly what's in the box - you do have the support lines of the manufacturers and us to help you out.

About the money - a benefit is you don't need the whole chunk up front - you can buy parts as you come across the change to do so.

Also - you'll end up spending more because you will buy quality parts new and that costs more.

Also - the operating system won't come bundled with the parts and that will cost you at least $100 more than the sum of the parts.

Builders also tend to put in more fans than come in the off the shelf model which is a smart thing to do.

Then there's your time - My first PC several years ago took me more than 72 hours to put together - partly because I'd never done one before and partly because I was getting a few used parts to work.... My second one only took me 18 hours - my next one will probably only take me a long saturday.....

You learn a LOT building your own.... and even though it can be more expensive and extremely frustrating at moments - I probably wouldn't go any other way....

[voogru]

Build a system you never know ho may be giving you a POS.

Im getting a Voogru Pc they rock!(im building it myself http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif )


[This message has been edited by voogru (edited 09-29-2000).]

[Southern Belle]

and REMEMBER THIS!!

when you build your own..Your STILL GETTING THE MANUF. WARRANTY!!

instead of paying the store your buy it from the extra $$$$$ for the extended warrenty that they make you bring it in to them to send to the maufacturers.

Well I guess you have had the word DON'T BUY IT!

kinda like Pac Bell's hate them hate them bad and if its always on sale???? geeez they dont want them lol

[Southern Belle]

hi,
sorry my windows changed pages and I posted in wrong one lol


[This message has been edited by Southern Belle (edited 10-03-2000).]