Are no name computers (Acer, E-machines etc..) Any good? Do they break down after a few months? How is DELL?

Question

Thinking about buying a new computer... getting a fat paycheque for christmas =D

Answer 1

The no-names you mentioned suck. They are made of the cheapest, flimsiest materials available. They will work fine if you don't actually try to USE them (just checking email occasionally, don't transport them anywhere, etc.)

Dell has sent it's customer (dis)service to India. Assuming that you can actually get someone who speakes English well enough to understand your question, they have poor problem-resolution numbers.

HP (still) rocks. Yes, they are more expensive than the no-names, but you have to remember that you get what you PAY for. HP has been around for a bunch of years and they have consistently built rock-solid systems that are designed to last YEARS, not months. Try buying a 3-year warranty on an Acer.

When you are ready to buy a new system, go to www.stupidcheapcomputers.net. I buy all of my stuff from them, and everything is Vista ready.

Microsoft is about to release its latest operating system, Vista, in January. It’s going to make all of these “bargain” computers nothing but JUNK as soon as it’s released. The reason that you are seeing so many cheap systems on the market right now is because a lot of them CAN’T RUN Vista and the merchants are trying to dump them as hard and fast as they can before Vista shows up and everyone learns what a piece of crap they were sold for $500 (or whatever).

Anyway, I bought a complete, new system from stupidcheapcomputers.net with a warranty for LESS than it would cost me to build it myself or order a custom one from the manufacturer. You can use my frequent buyer code: ATX926. That will get an additional 10% discount at checkout.

I have NEVER had any problems with anything that they have sold me and their customer service is outstanding. Those guys blow my mind.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I am currently useing a 4 almost 5 year old E machine. No probs with it yet.... and as far as these being a no name system...i would have to dis a gree there. Acer, Emachines, Dell, and HP are very big names, with excellant customer service and warantees with their products.
As far as Buying a Dell, they have a few good points, but many more bad points.

Good
1) they have great tech support and give you updates regularly
2) Dell gives you a discount for buying another pc through them as long as you turn in your old pc,
3) 24/7 tech support

Bad

1) hard for a D.I.Y hardware upgrade
2) Dell uses a lot of their own hardware
3) price per performance doesn't match anything on the market...they look good on paper, but can't stand up to a real pc shoot out.

Answer 3

It depends on where you purchase the product from. Dell is great no matter where you purchase it, for the most part. If you are purchasing an Acer or Emachine, purchase it from a retailer and make sure you get the extended warranty. Trust me, the $75 is worth an additional 3 years of protection. Especially when it comes to the LCD monitor.

Answer 4

It's a toughie. My computer (I'm using it now) is a collection of very few parts, and has NO manufacturer, but has served me perfectly well (for a view of what I bought, go to http://www.novatech.co.uk and look at the "bare bones" systems), it's more a matter of the parts that are put into it. Dell make sure the parts are good, and provide good aftercare. If you don't feel too confident with a no-brander, get a big name and some coverage after care package.

Answer 5

HP seems to be a hardy computer. I have had my HP XP for 4 years now and works great. I plan on keeping it as long as can. Only had to use the reformat once. There might be problems at first but when fixed they work good. I dont recommend Emachines as they are the very low end. Costco has a 6 month return policy on puters for any reason.
E

Answer 6

I personally have an e-machine. I have had it for a year. I use it all the time. It has windows xp, cd/dvd burner, all the same programs as the Dell computers. E machines are made by gateway. I have yet to have a problem with mine. Got it at wal- mart for $600. Pretty cheap.

Answer 7

My cousin as an E-machine and hers is fine, it's a little slow to open programs but she also has had it for about 3 years and has never really scanned it for viruses or spyware or anything, so it's holding up well. I've never had a dell so I couldn't even begin to tell you how well they work. I have an HP though and my boyfriend has an HP and I can say that they are very good.

Answer 8

Acer is good and will last for a while e-machines just suck and Dell i think is overpriced for a desktop and especially for laptops but other no name computers i would have to look at them but mostly you want to look for a Computer with everything depending upon what you need it for but dell SUCKS

Answer 9

from what ive seen acers are not too bad actually ... but i would stay away from emachine .. dell is dell ... if u dont understand computers and hardware u have a better chance of getting a decent machine going with dell ... but they are overpriced ... if you have a good knowledge of what to look for u can find more for ur money somewhere else ...

Answer 10

my father has had his e-machine for almost 7 years and it still works as good now as it did when he bought it. I have a dell notebook and i hate it. it is a piece of junk, i have also had a dell desktop and it was the best computer i have ever had.