Dell is Awesome

Hmmm...I wouldn’t buy a Dell simply because I am into making my own Frankenputer systems.

However, if you must buy a pre made system, you can't go all that wrong with Dell I suppose. If I was in that position though, I would buy the system from Alienware or Voodoo.

As an aside, a local tech friend working in one of the computer shops showed me 9 Dells of various vintages and makes in for servicing. I will say though that their cases are getting flimsier and cheaper then ever. They used to make a real sweet case. Guess they had to cut cost somewhere...so now their new cases can shift if you lean on them a little...not good. Reason I know this…. I could compare the new ones to the older P II vintage Dells. A real shame.

He also told me that he is seeing more and more Dells and that he and others in the local tech business are starting to rank them with Compaq on a quality basis. Guess they are seeing more and more Dells in the repair shops. Mind you, more and more Dells are out there.

So with that in mind, I do not doubt Shaggy for an instant on why he doesn't like them.

On the other hand, I never owned one, and don't doubt they are like most computers...awesome when they work...crap when they don't.

Ah...got to love electronics.

The best computers are custom builds. You can select the best memory, graphics, sound, and motherboard just for starters. And a custom built system with a nice case reeks of awsomeness to everyone around you.

And local computer shops generally suck. It's not an easy business and they also cut corners to try and make a bigger buck.

quite true. but dell serves the same market niche as gateway, and does a decent job of it. they make inexpensive comps for people who cant service them themselves.

so, while custom builds are great, if youre short on money or knowledge, dells would do reasonably well for you.

And local computer shops generally suck. It's not an easy business and they also cut corners to try and make a bigger buck.

Time to defend the local computer business (including mine)

Supporting local business is important for any economy. However, as a local dealer, I know that other companies in my area do indeed cut corners. It p!sses me off because the average consumer is not too knowlegable.

I always get the question :How come you are $XX more expensive then those guys? Trying to tell a customer that I'm more expensive because I only use top brand parts (Gigabyte, Maxtor, Powercolor, Logitech, LG, AOC etc)... most people only see the dollar figure.

Education is important. I find that most of our customers are expericnced computer users or people who have been burned by the big stores.

Originally posted by Chako

As an aside, a local tech friend working in one of the computer shops showed me 9 Dells of various vintages and makes in for servicing. I will say though that their cases are getting flimsier and cheaper then ever. They used to make a real sweet case. Guess they had to cut cost somewhere...so now their new cases can shift if you lean on them a little...not good. Reason I know this…. I could compare the new ones to the older P II vintage Dells. A real shame.

I like my Dell casing way better than than other casings on previous computers I owned. It is black/grey and sturdy and matches well with my surroundings. There is also a button u press to open up the casing so u don't have to unscrew everything if you want to open it (other companies have this too). In no way is it flimsy. On another note Chako, my friend had bought a different series of Dell computers over a year ago and the casing looks ugly and cheap but I do not know about its overall quality.

I have gotten great service from Dell but recently people I have known have been complaining about their not-so-great tech support from Dell with their new computers. The most common problem seems to be that the clock is always showing the wrong time and that if you reset the time the next day when u turn the computer back on it will not show the right time again.

Also, someone I know sent their comp to Dell (had a problem with partitioners I think) and she was on the phone for a long time and Dell didn't help much.

DELL FOR U', NOT FOR ME.

My Dell Inspiron 7500 makes an excellent trot line weight. It more than adequately secures my string to the bottom even in heavy currents. It attracts mostly bottom feeders but otherwise functions flawlessly in an underwater environment. Just the way I like it ... out of sight, out of mind.

Nfested...if you have the same case as the one I just saw last weekend at a friends house....then
no...it is cheap. If what Bobaroo tells me about your memory is correct in another thread..then your computer is no speed demond. Fact is, Dell has effectively crippled that P4, cliped its wings...and used the fast CPU as a selling point alone.

Back to the case:
You can't even open the case fully. hard to work inside I tell you. I am not looking forward to
working in it personally.

Lets see...press a top and bottom bottom while computer is flipped on side. Now with both
buttons pressed in mind you...you have to open the darn thing. Once done...you realize that it
opens like a giant clam, and that it doesn't fully open at that. The drive bays are attached to one
side, the motherboard etc...to the other. There isn't a screw in the whole thing (a plus), but access
to everything sucks big time. Furthermore...it is cheap and flimsy being all constructed from
plastic with a small metal frame inside. I mean, once closed..I could flex it by placing some
weight on the case and wiggling side to side. A good solid case is that...solid.

Blech!

Now if they used a half decent case with proper sided that come off I won't have to work in the
cave that I saw when we opened his computer up.

Now, I am sure Dells top of the line machines are better. But they would cost around $4000
Canadian or something.

I do not at all like the MicroATX cases that Nfested has. It is so small that you can only have 1 5.25" bay and 1 3.5" bay. It is way to small.

On the other hand, Fenix's case is not that bad, it is a normal ATX case and is bigger and has more bays. It is seems pretty sturdy but I haven't really checked it out that much.

Chako my casing is the one you are describing. I like it because I had to take all the screws out on my old computer case, whereas now on my Dell casing I just have to press two buttons. I know other manufacturers include this as well.