Dell Online has nothing i want! ARG

[-=RWA=-Justin]

Im looking to buy a new computer in the near future (grades and dad willing) hehe. Living at home w/ the folks is truly hell. Anyway, i have 3 and 3/4 more years of college left, if im lucky. I digress! I know a good deal about the physical aspect of computers (i.e. video and soundcard upgrade, ram and cd rom drive installed), but put me in BIOS and im about as usefull as a fish thats been smoking crack. Thats why i wanted to buy a pre-assembled system online from an established vendor. Unfortunately, Dell's top of the line computers use RDRAM when i want DDR SDRAM. Plus, they are in kahoots with Intel and only use Pentium processors. I was wondering if you guys know any other online vendors that wont end up selling me a $1,000 cardboard box. MMMM cardboard

thx, and WEEZER is cool - Justin

[Jumby]

Check out http://www.buyabs.com/index8.shtml Great systems, great prices.

[-=RWA=-Justin]

thanks for the link, i checked it out. BUt those systems look a little too pricey. I dont really need a Geforce 3 and 60 gigs of hard drive space. They look like systems you'd see on the home shopping network or something, so many add ons that the "bang for the buck" so to speak starts getting pretty weak. i have some pretty computer savy friends that built their own systems, but i dont want to MAKE them do anything.

[mjc]

DO you play any games?

Well, what ARE you looking for in a machine?

Try Alienware (http://http://www.alienware.com/main/main.asp)...their systems are configurable and they have some good stuff.....

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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.

[robinson7]

JUST AN IDEA, I BROUGHT MY COMPUTER NOT TOO LONG AGO AT THE POMONA COMPUTER FAIRGROUNDS, CASE, MB, HARD DRIVE, ETC. ETC. YOU NAME IT, FOR 995.00, AND THATS BECAUSE I WENT TO VIEWSONIC AND PRE-ORDERED A 19 IN. CRT MONITOR ONLINE FOR AROUND 225.00.(BIG MISTAKE) I SHOULD'VE WAITED CAUSE THEY HAD PLENTY OF CRT DEALS AT THE FAIRGROUND, ANYWAY, MY COMPUTER HAS THE WORKS FOR A GAMER, P4 1.5 GHZ, 40G HARD DRIVE @7200, 256 RAMBUS, GEFORCE NVIDIA 64 MB, CREATIVES LAB 5.1, COMBO DRIVE, CDROM, WINDOWS XP, JUST TO MENTION A FEW AND I INSTALLED IT MYSELF. OF COURSE, IT'S UP TO YOU FOR WHAT KIND OF FUNCTION YOU NEED YOUR COMPUTER FOR, BUT THEY HAVE A VARIETY OF THINGS THERE,-MINUS THE CRT I GOT FROM VIEWSONIC, I PAID EVERYTHING FOR 775 BONES.(AND THEY ALLOW BARGAINING THERE) IF YOUR NOT TOO COMFORTABLE INSTALLING YOUR OWN, YOU COULD BUY A BAREBONE COMPUTER THAT HAS THE MB ALREADY INSTALLED FOR YOU, YOU JUST NEED TO ADD THE MULTIMEDIA DEVICES, SOUND CARD,ETC..., AND YOU COULD ALWAYS COME HERE AT PCGUIDE FOR ADVICE. MY SUGGESTION TO YOU IS GO TO YOUR LOCAL COMPUTER FAIR OR THE ONE I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, IT'S 7 BONES TO GET IN AND A YEARLY PASS FOR 25$, GO INTO YOUR BROWSER AND TYPE COMPUTER FAIRS, THEY SHOULD COME UP WITH A LIST OF MOST RECENT SHOWS, YOU SHOULD JUST GO THERE TO SEE WHATS UP, IT COULD MAKE YOUR DECISION A LOT EASIER FOR YOU WHEN YOU DECIDE TO HAND OVER ALL YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY.

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ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES,
TOMORROWS A NEW DAY!
-------------------- http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif

[bassman]

Hey Robinson, help us out and turn off the Caps lock http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif . It is kinda hard on these old eyes http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Thanks

Hi Justin, I think Robinson's idea is a good one. You did say you were not comfortable building your own though.
You could try any of the many vendors out there for Barebones systems and just add the simple things as already mentioned.
You could start with Pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com) and New Egg (http://www.newegg.com)
Good luck

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Please go HERE (http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000225.html)

[en4cer]

Hi justin and everyone else. I'm new and certainly no computer expert.
I did recently purchase a computer though. Your situation sounded familiar,
justin. I didn't want to build one from scratch. Knowledge and cost were
the 2 major reasons. I wasn't happy with dell or gateway or any of the
other packaged brands. I ended up purchasing online through ebay.
AMD XP1600 512DDR/40GB 7200/DVD/CDRW/GeForce2-64mb/
$649.00
I went ahead and bought XP for the OS..another $129..
Might be something you would be interested in. I'd be interested in what
some of you other posters on this thread think about it.
Did I screw up? My money is hard earned so it wasn't an impulse buy. I shopped around for awhile but couldn't find one I felt was put together
right for what i needed. I do want to be able to game a little bit..
Anyway, This seems like a great board. Lots of helpful advice.
Thanks in advance...en4cer

[BigBlue66]

En4cer,

Did you get a warranty with that computer you bought off of ebay? Chances are you didn't. Let's hope you don't need one.

I have had good experiences with both www.computersurplusoutlet.com (http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com) and www.accessmicro.com. (http://www.accessmicro.com.) They will both build your system to specs, burn it in and guarantee it for at least two years and sometimes three years.

Reason I ask about the warranty is I have seen many posters on here that bought something off ebay and then had problems, but their options for tech support/warranty were either limited or non-existent.

Good luck.

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

[rond36]

You can try http://www.micronpc.com/ they use both Intel and AMD processors you can tell them what you want and they will build it. as far as support I would say they are as good as Dell or Gateway. They are well known for their RAM. Micron is the Parent company of Micron PC and Crucial RAM.

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Alright who messed it up this time!

[Shotiba]

Check out local computer dealers. Smaller companies and make sure they are well established. I been waiting and looking at pre-made systems and either the RAM aint right or the video card. Its frustrating. I called a local dealer and talked with him about the exact specs i wanted. Everything from CPU, mobo, HD make and all. Really nice. I know my hardware and threw in some technical questions and he was on point. Very nice, indeed. He even called back to let me know about price drops and new when hardware were gonna release.

All that, plus, they would give me on site service. Its fantastic. I haven't ordered yet, due to money, but its the way to go.

[fixrupr]

Justin,
Just how much moola is provider of your shelter and calories gonna fork out for this toy? You obviously have a word processor now, so just how big are your dreams?

Jumby’s link had the system that follows.
your reply was thanks for the link, i checked it out. BUt those systems look a little too pricey.


ABS Panther
AMD Athlon XP 1900+(1) $859 #1839
AMD Athlon XP 1800+(2) $819 #1838
AMD Athlon XP 1700+(3) $779 #1837
AMD Athlon XP 1600+(4) $749 #1836



· 256MB DDR SDRAM PC2100 · Maxtor 30GB Ultra ATA100 HD · A-Open 52X CD-ROM · ATI Radeon 7200 64MB AGP Video Card · Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 Sound Card · Altec Lansing AVS500 Powered Stereo Speakers w/Subwoofer · Zoom PCI 56K V.92 Technology Data/Fax/Voice Modem · PCI Ethernet 10/100 Base-T Card · Microsoft Intellimouse · Microsoft Internet Keyboard · 3 Years Limited Parts and Lifetime Labor Warranty

The only way you’ll find anything cheaper is doing B&Es http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
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"You got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there. "
----- Yogi Berra-----


[This message has been edited by fixrupr (edited 12-22-2001).]

[Whyzman]

Jumby, nice link...you did your homework! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

fixr, wonderful job laying this one out. I too would challenge you Justin to search out the individual components (http://www.pricewatch.com) in any one of these bad boys and see if you can come close. Also, don't forget to factor in a case, PSU, and...looks like you get XP (minimum $99 upgrade at retail). And, don't forget individual shipping cost on the parts...assuming that you'll not be able to get the best deal on all parts from one vendor.

Then, look at the assembly time and XP load time involved and warranty.

Fixrupr is right...B&Es would probably be cheaper...and, even if you do get caught, Hey....24/7 security, free computer use, law library, free weights and gym, 3 squares a day, place to stay, Cable TV ...did I mention Bubba the roommate! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 12-22-2001).]

[en4cer]

Got my new comp yesterday. Very satisfied. Quick service, easy to deal with. You guys gotta realize I'm going from 3.1 to xp here...
BigBlue...Warranty was 2yrs with receipt. I'm not sellin' comps here
but i'm happy so far with this one. My old one was an sx50 packerdbell that i tweaked
with about 48mb ram and this comp is way quicker http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif .
Anyway, great site and great group here. JUSTIN, keep readin' and researchin' here and you'll get the answers your looking for...hasta e

[pentachris]

Check out Auction Depot (http://www.auctiondepot.com) for great (I mean, really great) prices on older systems. They usually have a better selection than what's there right now. Yes, they are sometimes P2 systems at 300 mhz, but they often start at $35.

Before ordering from a company you find on Pricewatch, I'd check them out at the Better Business Bureau (http://search.bbb.org/national/search.html). Lots of companies I've found at Pricewatch return an unfavorable rating there.

Two that are BBB members and have reasonable prices are Digirex (http://www.digirex.com) and PC Supply Source (http://http://). I have dealt with PC Supply Source, and I recommend them. Digirex has more flexibility in their "configure-your-own" department.

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...
If my computer were the eighth dwarf, it would be Dumpy.
-Chris