Computer buffs help.

[Ein]

I'm looking to buy a computer, preferably 2.4ghz p4 and up. I've ruled out almost all the major brands (personal exp, and stories) except for Dell.

Dell's prices seem reasonable, but I've seen lower on sites such as newegg and such. My only problem with those sites is the quality of the components (when I'm not going for brand name I tend to prefer Abit Mobos and other well built components).

So here is my question. Have any of you guys have bought a computer from a site like newegg or other price savvy sites? What brand was it? What components, etc? Was it GOOD?

AND/OR

What would you guys recommend? $1500 max.

[Noordam]

1. I hand built my last two puters

:evilgrin:

But my next one will be an Apple :D

[Ein]

2. I could....

but I'm seriously too lazy, and pretty rusty at it too. Been about 3 years since I last built a computer :(. I hear you on the Apple, if I had 3k I'd already have a G5 :)

[alfredo]

20. Still you can get a fine G5 for quite a bit less.

the problem with Dell is customer service. I have heard some horror stories about rebates and tech support.

I like the quality of the apple hardware and the UNIX underpinning of the OS.

If you want a PC, get some beige box shop in your town to put a package together for you. Check around to see which shop is the best in your area, and pay them a visit.

Set aside a partition for Linux, just so you have a backup OS if for some reason XP screws up, or gets too intrusive for your tastes. Any tech worth his weight in salt is a Linux fan. If they insist on only windows it could be a sign of inflexible policies or narrow experience in PC's. The best techs are very curious, and not afraid to try something new.


MS is closely tied to the GOP, and Gates was an Ashcroft supporter and probably still is due to the gift Ashcroft gave him during the DoJ case.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Take your requirements...

To a bunch of people, in your town, and see what they quote you. Consumer Reports says that going with a local builder is the best way to go. I say so too.

The other possibility? Buy bare-bones and build it up. Not a shabby way to go. I did it and the thing is rock solid.

Of course, running Linux might have a bit to do with that. ;-)

[Ein]

6. Linux is one of the reasons...

I'm going for a new computer, gonne set this 1.7 ghz up as a Linux box to learn the OS (I've had it on this computer 3 times, each time I ran into diffuclties emulating some Windows FPS games, so I formatted).

2 good ideas on the barebones and local builders, thanks.

[Syrinx]

4. you might want to look at pricewatch.com

It will help you find the lowest prices for mail-order systems and components. But be careful when ordering anything over the net or through the mail!

EDIT: I just looked and p4 2.4's start at $314 including shipping.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

5. I got mine from

http://www.ibuypower.com , and I've been happy with it ever since the day I got it. I paid $1000 for it, and it was definitely worth it. I strongly recommend that you check their systems out.

[Ein]

9. WOW

I am really loving the site and the prices, taking it into consideration, thanks.

[caledesi]

7. I am a Mac person, but

because of my biz, I have two computers...Mac and Dell. I must say I love the Dell for a PC. Their tech support is really good as well.

I would highly recommend the Dell, for the price and tech support.

[BlueJazz]

8. Want to save yourself about 500-1000 dollars?

Buy a book or two on computers....learn the language and ins and outs of motherboards, drives, memory ..etc

Spend a week doing this (it's really not that hard to learn the basics)

Build your own computer and chances are, you'll blow away 95% of the stuff offered on the shelves.

Before you say no, just go to this site and browse around:

http://www.motherboards.org/

Good luck

[Ein]

10. Took a HS course, and built 3

I CAN do it... but I really just don't want to.

[nuxvomica]

11. I bought my previous machine from an online seller called Titan

I had a lot of trouble with the Windows license and could never get tech support. I had to call their sales number to get anyone to listen to me. I now have had a Dell for a couple of years and I am very pleased with it. I got a better deal from Dell buying the system as a small business instead of as a home system.

[Systematic Chaos]

12. Save money and go with an AMD system

You can get a very nice Athlon XP setup for hundreds less than a Pentium 4, and lose only a little bit of speed. I rebuilt my system earlier this year, carrying over only my two 80GB hard drives, floppy drive and Antec case, and all the other stuff was only $1150.

That included an Asus mobo with dual onboard LAN, 6.1 sound and RAID onboard also. I got an Asus Geforce4 TI 4800 video card which isn't as good as the $400 Radeon cards out now but it's still very nice. I got a new CD/RW and DVD drive, both from Sony. I got an Athlon XP 3000+ processor and I got two extra fans for my case. If I were to also buy the same case I have and a 160GB hard drive, I would still not have spent any more than $1400.

[newyawker99]

16. Congrats progrocker69!! 600 posts

:toast:

[tsipple]

13. Shopping Site Recommendation

Check FatWallet.com for some shopping advice. They describe all the coupons and rebates available at Dell and other vendors.

[Bossy Monkey]

14. A buddy and I both got lucky getting good machines cheap at Ubid

his a notebook, mine a Vaio desktop. Might be worth a try, but this was 2 years ago, so things may have changed. Worth a look at least.

Girlfriend has Dell laptop and loves it to death. Echoes earlier comment about excellent tech support; was extremely pleased with warranty service as well.

[DieboldMustDie]

15. I don't know if this is a consideration for you...

but I've heard that Michael Dell is a major Bush contributor.

[retread]

17. Take a look at this web site. I bought a computer from them

years ago and was quite pleased with the price and performance.

http://www.buyabs.com

[DemNoir]

18. Build it yourself..its worth it

In the end you will have a higher quality machine for less money. The
competion is so stiff in the PC market now that the quality of all the brands is poor in my opinion. I really cannot believe the low quality of components I see in OEM PC's these days.

Its really not hard to do at all and newegg is a great place to buy from.

[JCMach1]

19. Dell supports Repug causes-- the commercials alone

are enough to make me :puke:

If you must go BIGBRAND commercial go with HP

[alfredo]

21. And MS is a big contributor to the GOP.

they gave Ashcroft $5,000 for his failed 2000 bid. Ashcroft repaid him by giving him a get out of jail card during the DoJ case.

buying MS products is supporting the GOP.