Are Dell really computers as bad as everyone says?

Question

People says that theirs always break and stuff.

Answer 1

I don't know what "everyone" is saying about Dell, but I work in a computer repair shop and here are the issues we have:

It is hard to get technical support from Dell. We charge our customers (who have a valid Dell warranty) an hourly fee to contact Dell for them to try to get their issues resolved.

Once you do get someone to give you support it is hard to get the correct part. On one poor customer's computer it took us FOUR tries to get the correct part from Dell (which was a MONTH total for the repair). That case was unique, but it is not unusual for it to take two tries to get correct parts from Dell.

If the computer is out of warranty it is easier to get parts from Dell than it is from HP/Compaq, Toshiba, Averatech, Alienware, etc., which most of the time we cannot get parts for or the parts are too expensive.

I would also like to address another issue brought up by someone in their answer:

The only manufacturer who uses industry standard parts on some (not all) of their machines is eMachines. If you have an HP, a Compaq, a Dell, a Toshiba, an Averatech, an Alienware, Acer, etc. they ALL use proprietary parts. That means the only way to get a replacement motherboard for your computer is to go through the manufacturer or try an aftermarket seller (like eBay).

And if you have a laptop ALL MANUFACTURERS are proprietary. Which means you can't put any major component from an Acer into a Dell.

Usually the only way to get a computer that uses all industry standard parts is to go to your local computer store (most towns have one) and have them build you a computer. The store where I work gives a one year parts and service warranty on the computer, and most of the components we use carry 3 year manufacturer warranties. Our prices are a little higher, but our warranty is comprebable to anything you will find at the big manufacturers.

Answer 2

I was happy with my dell, then it broke and I found their support went to India. I spent hours connecting to a person that I could not understand. The information I received was all wrong. Even though I purchased the extended warranty they told me my problem could not be fixed unless I creamed the hard drive. This should not have been a problem, but even though I had been doing regular backups, the dell was giving a good return code when it was not successfully writing a backup. I was about 85% done with my thesis at that point and not happy.

I paid someone $150 to do what Dell told me could not be done. My thesis was recovered off of my hard drive. I contacted Dell, feeling that they should pay the bill. I feel by doing backups I did my part to keep my data intact and the Dell did not give me an error. They also told me the data could not be recovered. They told me getting the work done by someone else was my choice so tough.

I now am a very happy Apple owner. Love talking to an english speaking American.

Answer 3

I can't believe all this negative stuff about Dell. I have had one for 4 years and all I have had to do is wipe the drive a few times because of all the junk that I accumulate on it. That's not Dell's fault. The other folks I have talked into getting one are very satisfied. I can't tell you about the service because I have never used it, but I understand that it's hard to get satisfaction out of any company. However I do have one complaint: I have added hardware over the years and they sure make it hard to get into the thing. The hinged case is for the birds.
Don't go for the baloney about building your own. I did that too and spent almost twice what a factory PC would cost with the same features.

Answer 4

I definitely have a Dell too, and that they artwork somewhat nicely. i think ppl think of Dells are undesirable because of the fact on most of the fashions which you purchase, they decrease corners in some places. working example, whilst people seem for a working laptop or laptop the 1st element they seem at is processor velocity. Dell factors a variety call processor, yet frequently each thing else, such because of the fact the motherboard, or community card, or pix card, or memory, come from very much less costly high quality sources. it is how most of the costs on Dell laptop's are so low. besides, a clean Dell laptop is chock crammed with preinstalled utility which many purchasers locate ineffective.

Answer 5

I think dell are great! i have a Dell for over 2 years and it still works great from when the first day i got it. Dell are just as good as any other pc. I love my Dell anyways!

Answer 6

I have purchased several Dell computers over the past 5 years and I really don't have any complaints. Only one 3 year old machine had a CDWR problem I have to replace it.

Dell is fairly priced and if you don't have any special requirements you won't be disappointed.

Answer 7

My dell lasted 2 days..but it all depends on who or what was making ur computer at the time.

Answer 8

i currently work at panasonics national service center for the panasonic toughbook. a very tough laptop that the military, police, fire department, ambulences, etc. etc use.

well a few of the techs used to work at a dell service center. they said the dell laptops are very cheap inside. very easy to brake. they also mentioned the cooling system them on ALL of their laptop models are very inefficient. They are not well designed laptops. Our daily pickup guy for ups, or fedex, or dhl or something (cant remeber) mentioned that he has LOTS of pickups for people using dell laptops to have them shipped to their service center.

overall, i wouldnt buy a dell laptop. I have no clue about the quality of their desktops.

Answer 9

No Dell Computers are good they are just hard to repair. YOu have to get Dell only products, where Gateway and Hp are universal.

Answer 10

the products are usually good, but service and support can be trouble. i purchased two dell systems and had problems with the second, and it took months to get the right part sent. i won't go with them again. it's all HP from here out