Where should I buy a new computer?

[El Fuego]

I got this one at Best Buy in 1999 and it's about to die. I want a new one, but I'm not sure where to go to get the best deal and a good computer. My friend ordered one from Dell, and I was thinking about doing that. I want to know where the computer gurus buy their computers!

My computer is going crank...crank...crank...grind...crank...then the inevitable blue screen of death. I fear I won't be able to post on DU much longer! :(

[ghostsofgiants]

1. Build one yourself

And use http://www.pricewatch.com to find deals.

That's what I'd recommend.

[seemunkee]

2. agreed, its not that hard and you will know how to fix it later

If you really can't do that try Alienware. If you are into games there is practically nothing better. They can be a bit pricey though. I have one and it has been on 24/7 for the last 4 years without any problems.

[El Fuego]

4. Are you serious?

You think I could do that?

[ghostsofgiants]

5. Yep

It's really not a hard process and finding instructions is pretty easy.

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

[El Fuego]

8. Thanks, I will check it out!

[ghostsofgiants]

10. No problem

[Rick Myers]

13. It's really not hard at all...

There's tons of online help...

The ONLY prebuilts I can recommend are from Alienware. Check out their web site.

www.alienware.com

[democracyindanger]

3. Build your own

Not nearly as difficult as you think.

[purr]

6. I agree with building your own..

but if you just want a 'off the shelf' model, I would steer clear from Dell. I had to threaten them with a lawsuit to make them help me with my laptop.

Theres a few local places around here that build custom made computers so I'd check to see if theres any around you.

[El Fuego]

12. Thanks for the tip on Dell.

[Mojambo]

7. I'd put in another plug for Alienware

Especially if you're a gamer.

[democracyindanger]

11. Alienware's great, but $$$$

I enjoyed your firefighting about McMillan at the Sonics forum, BTW.

[Mojambo]

14. Thanks!

Yeah, Alienware is very expensive. I want to buy my next box there but I've got a lot of savin to do.

It's been a rough time in Sonics country the last few days.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. Tiger Direct

has some good build kits. My husband builds ours, using new pieces and bits and parts from older computers to save money. They work great, and since he built them, he has some idea what needs fixing if something goes wrong.

[LeftyMom]

15. Costco has a 6 mo return policy

I wanted to buy LD's computer from them, but he wanted a gaming-oriented computer, which they didn't really have. I got his computer from ibuypower, and we've had only very minor issues with it, but I got his monitor and whatnot from costco.

[greenman3610]

17. If Apple goes to using Intel chips

does that mean I could build my own
Mac?

[LeftyMom]

20. You're asking the wrong girl

I'm not a mac enthusiast (although I do appreciate thier attention to design) and haven't played with one since I left school.

[notadmblnd]

16. Comp USA employees get paid commission

so the customer gets paid attention to there. I found them very helpful when I bought my last one. Basicaly I just told them what I wanted to do with the machine, there were many options. From package deals to customized machines. I found their sales people knowledgeable and eager to work with the customer.

[sam sarrha]

18. I got F'd at Comp USA.. BUILD ONE, you can fix/upgrade it

[sam sarrha]

19. im getting good MB and Chip set and putting my CD/CD-RW, 1/3 floppy

etc into it then replace that stuff later..

I am also making my case out of wood..

[DS1]

23. SCREW Compusa!

Really! If you need, go ask them to help you configure what parts you should get, then go home and logon to www.newegg.com and buy them much cheaper, with a better return policy.

[Wcross]

21. Check out Cyberpower (they don't contribute to the RNC)

I bought a system from them, I am very happy with it in every way.
You can "build" your dream system or order from the standard models.

http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/

I have heard Dell contributes to the rethuglican party pretty heavy.

[Maddy McCall]

22. Stay as far away from Gateway as you can.

Gateway has marvelous "potential customer" service. They're all to eager to answer your questions and tell you the wonderful features of their computers.

The problems start as soon as you place your order.

Customer service becomes, shall I say, much less than helpful.

And you'd be better off getting tech assistance from your ten-year-old computer-familiar cousin than from the idiots they employ in tech service.


And god forbid you have to send it in for service. I received a laptop back from service that wasn't even mine. I had to raise holy hell to get my laptop back.

The warranties suck, too. My son has a Gateway. It was only four months old when the monitor went out. I called Gateway to exercise the warranty on the monitor. They told me, get this, that the monitors have a one-year warranty, BUT if you buy the monitor as part of a system, they only have a ONE MONTH warranty. That's when Gateway got the big "FUCK YOU" from me.

I made it my point to spread news of how much they suck as far and wide as I can. Gateway in 1998 was a great company. Gateway in 2005 is the devil's bain.

I will NEVER EVER EVER purchase another PC from Gateway.

[Xipe Totec]

24. Hewlett-Packard, all the way

That is, if you want something that is solid.

I am a great fan of HP. I've built my own systems and there is a lot of enjoyment in that, but if you want a solid no-fuss machine that just works then get it from the company that caters to engineers.

Plus, you can order it on-line and have it dropped at your front steps knowing that it will work straight out of the box.

[El Fuego]

25. Thanks everyone! This is great info!!

:D