Would you buy a Dell PC?

Question

If not Dell who else (Self building is not included).

Answer 1

I used to hate DELLs, but of 3 DELLs that I have had, I never had one single problem with them. You might want to look at a customer review site...like CNET (see sources)

It lets people say what they think about a specific product...

Answer 2

Interesting this one.

The organisation I work for uses Dell exclusively. I am responsible for looking after the 40 or so desktops and Laptops that are on our installation. They tend to be left on 24 hours a day and only get switched off when we have a power outage. Hard ware wise they're not too bad, although when the apprentice drops one onto the deck that does tend to slow them down a bit.

As for buying one, I did for my daughter. The flat screen threw it's hand in after a couple of hours, but after a Live Chat session with some one in Delhi, it got swapped out. Number 1 daughter hasn't had any problems and it does all the stuff she wants iPod etc.

The purchase experience might put you off though, especially if you do it over the phone (Delhi again, with some very persuasive sales people). I got what I wanted by working out the spec online printing it off and then saying "No, Thank you" quite a lot until we got to the payment bit.

Just read some of the other comments, Dell support is patchy at best. But where I work (middle of the North Sea) I AM the Dell support. But after 20 years as a Systems/Tiffy/Sparky I'm pretty good now

Answer 3

Have worked in IT for last 15 yrs, bought my first home PC last year - a Dell (from Dell Outlet) and I also did a stint as one of their on-site warranty engineers like 'pcreamer2000'.
I am one of those that likes to wait for new technology to settle in before I get my credit card out, so am not bothered that my Dell may be using an old chipset or motherboard. It's better than the PC my employer gives me! If you really want the latest 64-bit quad-core gaming machine, then there are other PC s to look at, but if you want a straight forward, proven piece of hardware then Dell's not bad. I have many friends (some running websites & businesses) using Dells, and they would all buy another!

Personally, I wouldn't set foot in PCWorld or one of its sister stores (Dixon's/Curry's) for a PC or a radio - you can get much better value & service on line. Their after-sales is worse than Dell's anway, according to friends.

Apple are certainly a prime candidate (very likely my next purchase), but if you need a Win/Intel box, then HP are worth a look. As already suggested, look at the review sites.

The exploding batteries - Dell just happened to be the first manufacturer to get publicity, with Apple second. Hitachi & Fujitsu-Siemens are now launching recall programmes for their Sony-supplied batteries!

Answer 4

After seeing the state of the nasty (yet brand new) ones at work and my dad's laptop (NOT one of the spontaneously combusting ones - that was a freak 3rd party part issue) ????

No, not at all. Nasty, bargain basement junk made from lowest-tender parts, that's supposedly a budget price but still overpriced for what it is. Plus any tech support, as they don't have any physical shops, has to be return-to-sender...

I've been a self builder for a while, but I have recently bought a HP laptop, and apart from some minor (software/driver based) teething problems, i'm perfectly happy with it. I'd also give IBM a try (well, ok, Lenovo - IF their build quality hasn't dropped following the takeover) as their stuff is legendarily solid, full of pioneering technologies, and - though not cheap - good value, or Acer... who are also bargain bucket, but at least offer genuine value for money and fairly good machines. Toshiba are also a good, middle of the road bet, though their cases always seem to be a bit too chunky.

For desktops? Haven't a clue. Most of the companies that I would have reccomended in the past have folded or have been swallowed up into larger, big-name but low-quality brands. Would still reccomend a self build - if not yourself, then a good trustworthy geeky friend. If that's not an option, hunt out a reputable local shop that specialises in, prides itself on and is known for quality in-house machines or can reccomend a brand they resell... they'll know far better than 90% of PC World staff. (Alternatively, try as many large-chain stores as you can and see if you find a customer adviser who's in the 10% remainder after you've weeded out the gimps).
If HP or Compaq (well, ok, same company these days - see what i mean?) are still into making desktops, you could do worse than to check them out, but they may charge more than you're willing to pay.

Answer 5

I would buy a dell pc or laptop...but I would never ever consider their athome service..

Why? - Because as a former field tech for Dell contractors...these contractors are often lowend lowskilled techs who can barely do the work requested...and are often not qualified..

I myself am a highly qualified desktop person...very much a dell expert on desktops... but know virtually nothing about laptops.

Yet, major Dell warranty suppliers in my area would send me out all the time... I had to learn on the job, often what to do.

Answer 6

I had a Dell, bought support contract, had hard drive problem, they told me I would have to rebuild it myself and there was no way to recover anything that was on it.

I took it to someone who in 30 minutes had recovered the last 3 days work that was on it.

The person I talked with for support was an Indian I could barely understand. When I told them what needed to be done, they said I was wrong, (I did not have the necessary hardware to do it myself). Then they told me that I would have to try and rebuild it myself before they would send someone out to work on it. I paid for desk side support.

I went to Apple and I love it. I called up for support the other day, was on hold for less then 2 minutes, got an English speaking person who not only took care of the problem I had, but stayed on the line making suggestions about other questions I had such as setting up conduits for my Palm.

And I also have to option of face to face if I want, I can talk to a person and show them a problem or have them answer a question.

Now what other company offers that kind of support. The only people who bash Apples are one that have not used one recently or people who ar hardcore gamers.

Answer 7

Right now, Dell is in deep **** trying to sell outdated desktops n laptops so if you want a PC that already out of date, buy one as they're cheap, but you'll be buying something else next year!

Answer 8

dell is a very good overall pc. you'll definitely get mixed reviews about them so it's really what you value most in a computer/laptop. they have a wide range of products that should suit anything you need. however if you want the biggest bang for the buck and don't care about name brand. check out tigerdirect.com or newegg.com for their computers built in-house with run of the mill parts. still work effectively but since there are no name brands associated with them, no heavy price tag to pay either.

Answer 9

nope i will not buy a dell desktop or laptop top coz if something goes wrong like the motherboard die off dell ask for $600 to fix dell ask to much and there
Technical Support. is nothing at all they cant build a pc to save them look what happen with the laptops booommmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Answer 10

No way! Dell are known for selling outdated crap! The motherboards and the processors are all old ones that they are selling as the new "Got to have it" bees knees, dogs danglies, when in reality they have been out for years and are outdated. They haven't got a very good reputation. I'm not sure about who I'd go for as my system was built for me by my Other Half who owns his own computer company.