Need Opinions - E-Machines T4155

[MrP]

This sounds like a great deal. Does anyone have opinions on the E-Machines brand. Are they total crap? For $800 the specs seem pretty impressive. However, I have not been able to find any reviews on this particular model:

T4155
Pentium IV 1.5ghz
265 MB Mem
60 GB HD
12x CD R/WR
12x DVD
GE force Card with 32 MB
56KB modem
Sterio Sound and Speakers
Ethernet card
Windows XP

What do you guys (and gals) think?

[mjc]

If they have fixed the power supply problems that plague many of their models, upped the memory, done a few other things...like improve tech support they might make a half way decent basic/first machine......(opinionated??? sure...you try working with a mchine that comes with only 32MB of RAM, a weak power supply and WindowsME preloaded...)

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[ranchdog]

Let's see here. $75 bucks shipping. $300 bucks - plus or minus - for a decent monitor. You didn't list a keyboard and mouse but they should come with the box.

Pretty soon it's in the neighborhood of $1200 bucks invested and you own an e-machine. To each his own. Have to get that printer and scanner so now the total expenditure is up there with the big boys.

Suggestion: Sit down with a local PC shop. Hash out with them what your needs are for a PC. Something can be built for you with - quality - components for the same money. It will be upgradeable. And you'll have a turn key job with Tech Support.

Luck.



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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 11-30-2001).]

[MrP]

Ranchdog,
1. The shipping is Free.
2. I already have a 17" Dell monitor.
3. There is a $50 mail in Rebate bringing my total cost to $750.
4. eMachines is the third largest retailer of PCs.
5. I check around, nobody can come within $200 of this deal.

This seems to have everyting I am looking for.

I wanted a Dell, but the best Dell could do was $1050 plus $95 for shipping.

For the extra $400, I'm half way to a Kimber Eclipse.

mjc,

Why do you say that this would be a good first machine? It seems to be loaded. Ok, it only has one free PCI slot, but 4 free USB slots. I can upgrade the memory to 512 MB for $37 or go to a Gig for a bit more. A better sound card might be necessary, but other than that???

Both,

Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate the info.

[mjc]

eMachines are not all that upgradeable...yes you can put in more memory, yes you have one open PCI slot but chances are you have a low to mid quality on-board video setup, and probably no AGP slot. Most likely a software mode that may not have decent driver support (a standards cahnge is in the works) okay you say I have cable...and a USB setup. Fine you have four USB ports but is that one bus or two....power in a USB system is very limited and is shared by all the devices on a bus. Alot of the devices in it are not top quality, but the cheapest around (not just price wise)

This isn't going to be the best but just a quick sample:

P4ITA - with cpu - Intel Pentium 4 1.5GHz with heat sink and fan Price for w/Sound 4Rimm DMA 100 5P1CNR 4xAgp ATX $ 232

SAMSUNG 256MB RDRAM 800MHZ 128X16 NonEcc SAMSUNG 256MB RDRAM 800MHZ 128X16 NonEcc $ 78

Inno3d nVidia GeForce2 PRO 64MB DDR AGP nvidia Geforce2 PRO 64 MB AGP, 5ns 64mb ddr memory $ 94

IBM 60.0gb 60GXP HARD DRIVE EIDE 7200RPM ATA100 Deskstar 60.0GB EIDE 3 Year Manufacturers Warranty OEM $ 121


that comes in around $530...of course you need to add the other stuff but most of what is listed will be higher quality/better than what is in any off the shelf machine.

but for between 4800 and $1000 you can build a sytem that will kick the eMcahines into the middle of next week.....and if you want cheaper then more bang for your buck would be an AMD system

K7S5A Retail Box 2 yr warranty SOCKET A MB w/AUDIO/LAN 2 DDR/SDRAM 5P,1AMR,1A, UDMA100 with cpu - ATHLON XP 1500+,1.33GHZ 266MHz, AX1500DMT3C w/ Heatsink & Fan $ 170

256MB $53.09 Crucial CT3264Z265 DDR PC2100 • CL=2.5 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • 2.5V • 32Meg x 64

with the rest of what I listed the same.......it comes in around $440

The key is with a machine you build yourself you control the quality level and you know what each part is and hopefully does....no, it is not easy or anywhere as quick but for the most part it will be BETTER!

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Whyzman]

MrP,

Quite satisfying to build your own too! With the support offered by the Big Kahunas like MJC and others here on PC Guide Forums if you run into a glitch...should be a walk in the park! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[fixrupr]

read somewhere recently that E-machines are on VERY shaky ground and just avoiding chapter 11 or 13, but even if they go under, support Quality won't change.

Who ever wrote "you get what you pay for" did not type it on an E-machine keyboard.

BTW, hate to admit it but I bought one because I thought it "sounds like a great deal".

[BigDaddyJ]

http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2Fhardware%2F2001%2Fh 0411%2F06h11%2Easp&guid=9q1w2vl0&searchtype=0&WordList=Emachines+T4155

[mjc]

Oh, yeah, I forgot certain HP models are just eMachines in disguise.....but least HP had some measure of support that didn't cost money after the first 90 days...

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[MrP]

Originally posted by mjc:
Oh, yeah, I forgot certain HP models are just eMachines in disguise.....but least HP had some measure of support that didn't cost money after the first 90 days...

mjc,

Upgrading: The only things I think I might want to upgrade are: Add memory, maybe a better sound card, and a cable modem.

The T4155 comes with one year parts and labor. For $89 you can upgrade to 3 years. I called the tech support line to see how long it took to get through. My wait was 4 minutes.

I did order the T4155, but I have not received it yet (maybe tomorrow).

All,

As to building my own, I'm afraid that I just don't have the time. I own a small farm and all of my spare time is taken up working on fixing the barn. However, if the T4155 does not work out (I have until Jan 15th to return it for a full refund), I will certainly come here for advice.

Thanks all.

[gossamer]

hey mjc!

where did you find the K7S5A and an Athlon XP 1500+ with a 2 warranty for $170?

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The internet? Is that thing still around?

[mjc]

Pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com/) Motherboard Combo

MrP

On my in-laws eMachines computer it too came with 1 yr but you only got 90 days free support, after that you had to pre-pay $25 and if the it was judged a "real" problem they then refund your $25.....his mouse went out at about 100 days...didn't even bother with the support, for $10 including shipping grabbed an new Logitech mouse....the month or two they would have the $25 wouldn't have been worth it. I am not a fan of proprietary computers, and especially those that are one of the cheapest of the breed (not as inexpensive...)
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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.


[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 12-03-2001).]

[fixrupr]

MrP,
Why bother to request advice when you have no intention of giving it any heed.

[ranchdog]

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

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[MrP]

Originally posted by fixrupr:
MrP,
Why bother to request advice when you have no intention of giving it any heed.

fix,

I had intended to wait. However, after talking to Outpost.com about the return policy, talking to eMachines tech support and reading mjc's first relply, I ordered the computer Friday night.

If there any significant troubles in the first 30 days, or eMachines policies are different than I have been led to understand, I will return the machine.