Dell Hell?

[Manny Calavera]

Hey all,
can I get the opinion of those that are using Dell computers here or maybe have some experience with Dell. I want to purchase and Inspirion 8100 but looking at the Dell Talk forum there seems to be many dissatisfied customers. My theory is that only the ones unhappy with their computers are those that are returning to the Dell forums to voice their opinions. The specs on this notebook are really great and I don't have to spend an arm and a leg to buy one. However, I don't want to get shafted on my purchase either. Thoughts and comments welcome.

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Question Everything

[Rick]

You are correct in your observation about the talk back forums
In many cases the only people who visit these areas are those who have a problem.

I have seen this in many of the hardware and software sites.
Think about the number of times you have gone to a site to tell them how well it works or how much you like it.


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To ERR is HUMAN
To REALLY screw things UP, YOU NEED a COMPUTER !

[sea69]

I say go for it.

I like dells.

allot of times the difference in the knowlege of the user is as important as anything else.

you can take a great machine and not have it configured to it's full potential.

The forums you mentioned are where you will usually find the inept. Which I was at one point too, but instead of going there and bit**in I came here and learned something.

hehe

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif


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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)


[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 12-25-2001).]

[BigBlue66]

Hey,

I second and third the previous posts. Dell is a mighty fine machine and I think their tech support is as good as most. As was mentioned about the talk back forums, you seldom find people commenting on what good tech support they get. Just the opposite.

I work with a lot of programmers who have never frowned on the idea of using a Dell. And in fact, our sales manager just bought the Inspiron 8100.

You could do a whole lot worse than Dell.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.
- Pamela Vault Starr

[Manny Calavera]

Thanks all, your comments are most appreciated. Yes sea69 looking through the Dell talk back forums I see people wanting to send their computers back because some minor software problem is annoying them that they could fix themselves with five minutes of their time and the proper know how. I'd recommend the pcguide board over there but I think that would be a bad idea http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif. I'll just go with Dell and if I run into a shoddy hardware problem I'll just deal with it.

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Question Everything

[not_fred]

Dell makes a pretty good machine. We use t'ousands of 'em at work.

Take a brief glance at the "corporate" machines. Dell makes separate, but related line of PC's that are intended to have "stable" configurations - few changes over long periods of time. They tend to lag the cutting edge, but have significantly fewer problems. On a student's budget, they might be a good way to go.

[TheAnt]

Yes I agree, Dell machines maybe are not bells & whistles fancy stuff, but seem solidly put together with good components, to last. I bought a Dell desktop about 2 1/2 years ago and just got another desktop this September. Through the Dell forums it is difficult to see the "big picture" and you can get a false perception whether or not Dell's products are good/bad. I would imagine Dell's computer sales & customers are substantial, and the forums perhaps represent only a very small fraction of their customers.

I am happy with Dell.....i had a 3 year warranty and my computer monitor was acting-up....with minimal effort....they immediately shipped me a replacement monitor....they covered shipping both ways! The only slight criticism I may have with Dell, is their phone tech support....it can vary sometimes and you occassionally may get somebody not as knowledgable. If it is not an emergency, i prefer to use their email tech support.....they have time to research or think about your technical problem before they respond.

[This message has been edited by TheAnt (edited 12-27-2001).]

[Pianorak]

<<If it is not an emergency, i prefer to use their email tech support.....they have time to research or think about your technical problem before they respond. >>

I'll second that. Some time ago I had a problem with a new (non-Dell) microphone. Received, almost by return, full instructions on how to test microphone, connections and properties, how to reinstall Windows multimedia components and a day later full instructions on how to install Sound Blaster Live and card drivers. The Dell Dimension XPS T600-MT itself has been working perfectly for the past year or so.


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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[Paleo Pete]

I'll put it this way...

I worked in a computer shop for about 6 months a while back, and the two machines we didn't see were Dell and Gateway. Everything else came our way now and then, but only one Dell, for more memory rather than repairs.

Gateway has since gone the way of el cheapo components, integrated everything etc, and from what I've seen the quality just isn't there any more. Dell uses integrated boards from what I've heard, but at least they haven't sacrificed quality for a dollar...they still make a good machine.

But I'll still go for the Ibuiltit every time. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif OK except for a laptop, I don't think I could manage to build one... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

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