Jump to content

Recommended Posts

tbh, I just went with Dell (online) last time. They're very configurable and pretty reasonable, and the service is pretty good.


I've built before, best for cost, terrible for hassle and support.

I've gone premium, brilliant piece of kit, beautifully built, but will still go obsolete just as quick for the extra grand or so.

I've bought cheap from small online suppliers and far too much hassle getting anything done when things go wrong (for instance, I had a faulty CPU in one).


So for my last one eneded up plumping for Dell because its easy, and been very happy with the end result. Good piece of quad core, hyperthreaded kit (Core i7), been very reliable, all for 700 notes (they start about 300 odd i think; dell, not i7 stuff).

Apple.


My Apple Mac is now 8 years old, has had a memory upgrade but is otherwise still very very good, speedy and capable (and has never been hit by a virus). Cost per year is, arguably, better than any Windows based PC where a change every 4 years seems about par.

Dell online for me too - you only get what you want and after 7 years trouble free use, adding extra memory as increased demands required was dead easy (although small fingers useful). Useful help pages written by intelligent humans. Only time I've ever needed support they were really helpful (especially as the problem wasn't their kit but a cheap printer I'd bought.)

MM - I knew somebody would suggest a Mac. I actually have a macbook which I use for music, but I want to keep the installation clean... so I need something else for everyday use. I'm not considering another one, the price is pretty outrageous, and I do specifically want to run Windows software.


MP - cheers, but I'm not keen on Dell. Maybe because I've only previously bought from the budget range, but I found the build quality was dubious. And just as importantly, it was pre-installed with various trial versions and a load of other shite that I didn't want. At all.

Fair enough Jeremy, I've heard similar complaints from others.


I think the XPS range has better build quality, perhaps using some of that bought-in alienware expertise, and is fine, though it is all a bit small, hot and plasticky after my beautful (now dead) pre Dell buyout alienware PC.


Also the install was pretty clean, just vista 64-bit, and that was about it. There was no dodgy dell malsoftware, hell there wasn't even office (still isn't it) and certainly none of those annoying trial versions of everything.


But I'm not doing a sales pitch, just saying my experience with them was pretty good.

I know you said you weren't interested in building your own, but how about a custom build? I got mine from these guys years ago. All brand name components assembled to your spec and excellent customer service (at least it was when I bought). Dell are an easy option, but they do seem to have slipped in customer surveys of late and anecdotally speaking, two members of my family have had component failure problems with them on three different computers.

I bought a Dell about 4 years ago.. and it's quite noisy, and almost from the start I've had blue screen problems at start up. Sometimes I have to restart it a few times before it finally logs in (no problem once logged in)... that is probably down to software I have installed.


From my experience I'd recommend you purchase by telephone (but beforehand work out exactly what you want online) as I managed to get an extra 2 or 3 hundred off online price. At end of call show your disappointment with the price they have quoted... they'll ask what is your budget and will then consider it with their Superior before coming back with a reduced price... or at least that is how I got my discount. Whereas when I'd bought a laptop online a few years earlier their Sales rang me a few days later asking whether I wanted to upgrade which meant my order had not gone straight to the production line and so delaying delivery.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • There will always be kids pushing the envelope as the saying goes, but having some boundaries should help most understand what they can and cannot do. I think dedicated, daily park wardens is exactly what is required...with a hotline to SNT teams on the beat. Is there no way money made from Gala or from Park parking fees can be diverted to provide that funding? I feel it would be a really good use of money. The principle aim being to maintain the park as a safe and relaxing environment for all. If funding really cannot be found I wonder if there might be funding to at least train volunteer park wardens?
    • Its almost the same as Grove Vale School , now Goose Green School.
    • They used to have dedicated park wardens, who I'm sure used to look after the parks and locked and opened the gates. Years ago I knew someone who was one. I thought they were based in that hut by the toilets. Are they not there any more? The community wardens are attached to the police rather than a specific park, aren't they?
    • Yes, sad how Rye Lane has taken a dive, interesting to see those pics CPR Dave. It's shocking how the section between Choumert Road and the Nag's Head in particular has lost its vibrancy, meanwhile the next section to the top of Peckham Rye Common has gentrified. Wonder why such a distinction in fortunes? Anyway the station square plans have fallen behind yet again, demolition won't now start this summer. The only "work" that will now take place this summer is surveying of the arcade, which they've had 10 years since planning permission to do. At least the replacement TSB branch has progressed but the Blenheim Grove corner building still looks unfinished, despite claims it "is now complete". https://www.southwark.gov.uk/planning-environment-and-building-control/current-and-future-development/peckham-and-nunhead-2
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...