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> Gateway Vs. Dell, advice, opinions for our new computer
Elspeth 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 07:47 AM
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ZodiacReed


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We need a new computer. Actually we need a new moitor due to an unfortunate candle accident that happened 4 years ago, melting the off button so that the thing has been on basically all of the last four years. For some odd reason, it is starting to fade out. Imagine that.

Anyway.... At four years old, it seems prudent to replace the system instead of components.

We have a Gateway and it has been good for us, especially the Gateway go back feature. But others tell us Dell is great as well.

Anyone have opinions? Stories? Advice?

What do we really need on a system?


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tsargent62 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 08:26 AM
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I have a Gateway and have had a lot of trouble with it. Fortunately I know how to do most of my own work so I haven't had to send it back. If I had it to do over again I would definitely go with Dell. I have yet to talk to anyone that wasn't happy with one.

Do you have any technical questions, i.e., what components you might need?
I would make sure the system has enough power to last a while. At least 512 MB of RAM, 60-80 GB hard disk, 16-32 MB of video RAM. In other words, buy the most powerful system you can afford. Programs are taking up more and more system resources and you don't want to get caught short in 2 - 3 years.

We're about ready for a new system, too. It hit home when my son bought a new game and our system couldn't run it. I'm trying to persuade my wife to let me use part of our tax rebate on a new one.


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Elspeth 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 09:28 AM
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We had that same problem. Our son got a game at Easter and we can't install it. Yes, I definately need all the tech specs you can give me. Thanks! It's all just alphabet soup to me. rolleyes.gif
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Mailagnas maqqas Dunaidonas 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 09:39 AM
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I'm not familiar with Gateway, but bought a Dell for my son when he went off to college a couple of years ago. When we received the Dell, we discovered that it had a bad internet card. Within a couple of days, Dell sent someone to our house to replace the card, which I thought was excellent customer service.
I can't help but think there's a relationship between Dell thriving, and Gateway shutting down its brick-and-mortar stores.
I've also had good luck with eMachines--we have a desktop and a laptop, both of which we have been extremely happy with. I did upgrade the memory on the desktop to 640 mg--the laptop came with 512. I definitely agree that there is no such thing as too much memory.


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Eamon 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 09:46 AM
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Dell has gotten ALOT better since they brought much of their customer support back from overseas. My company got to audit Michael Dells flight department, and his personal jet...let me put it to you this way...he makes WAY too much money.

I hear Gateway is good as well, but everything we run at work is Dell, and it is very reliable.

Eamon


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Annabelle 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 09:52 AM
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Sis, I've never had a Gateway but I have 3 Dell's. My Laptop had a small modeum problem and they sent a tech down from Atlanta (100 miles) to service my laptop within 24 hours I called them so I'm pretty impressed.

The only thing I usually do when shopping for computers is I always buy extra storage. Usually if you buy more when you order the computer the extra storage is cheaper than when you add later. You can go into their website and custom order exactly what you want.

More is better!


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maisky 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 11:35 AM
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Look for an MDG computer store near you. Their prices are better than Dell OR Gateway and they keep in-store service. Nice to be able to take the 'puter into the shop where you got it!


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Blue_Rogue 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 12:02 PM
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Sorry can't help with the question between Dell and Gateway.

I have always built my own (I know thats not a option for most poeple).
I would suggest that if you know someone or someplace that can do this, that is the way to go for several reason.

1) You can get exactly what you want/need from a computer without all the BS your going to get from a packaged unit.

2) I know from experiance that with Gateway and HP, if you run into a programming problem, you have to have the programming disc that come with the computer, because Gateway and HP embed their programming with Microsofts.

And one other nice thing about building a computer (if your into it), you can customize everything, can be a lot of fun!!

And that's my opinion.


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MDF3530 
  Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 03:42 PM
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I know I'm going to be in the minority here, but if you're just gonna get a computer for personal use, forget Dell and Gateway. Buy an iMac. You can buy them at Best Buy (although they still won't sell Apple software censored.gif ), CompUSA, or the Apple Store. I don't know about Best Buy, but both the Apple Store and CompUSA do repairs on-site.

This post has been edited by MDF3530 on 19-Apr-2004, 03:49 PM


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kidclaymore 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 04:49 PM
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I have had both. I like the Dell the best. I had some trouble with the gateway, But mostly because it likes its own name brand components and just any brand won't do.


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Aaediwen 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 05:08 PM
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Personally, I build my own and would recommend nothing less for anyone with that as an option. That way you get exactly what you want, you know exactly what you're getting, and you can make it as high or as low class as you want it. If that's not an option, then I'd go with Dell for a pre-built box, and indeed I'm planning on getting a neighbor who runs a business to order me a Latitude when I get ready to buy a laptop (as I understand, you have to be pretty handy with a soldering iron if you want to build your own laptop, And I'm not)
Top 10 in order of prefrence (with some vacant spots left out):

1. build your own
2. get someone you trust to build you a box
5. Dell
8. Gateway
10. E-machines (halfway decent budget machine, but I've seen some quirks in how my mom's machines run. Don't quite trust them myself.)


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gandster 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 05:15 PM
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Takes deep breathe !!!!!


Ok i bought a Dell first thing i did was completly strip it back down...repartitioned the harddrive and nuked all the Aol software they were so kind to install for me ...(reformated the harddrive../w the xp cd they were kind enough to send along...by the way...a bootable 98 cd will help by nuking off the ntfs and repartinoing the harddrive to fat 32..then converting to ntfs again....no lag..no spyware ...and a clean system ...and nothing but what ya want on it....after a repation tossing in the xp cd ...itll format the harddrive for you...all pretty easy really...i really wish people would lean how to do this...takes 10 minutes to learn and a lifetime to get over the fear of realizing its just SOFTWARE!...and can be replaced...)even though i was promised a clean harddrive...after that..have had no problems cause i wont let there techs touch it wink.gif
gandster


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Aaediwen 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 05:40 PM
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Sounds about right. Although I don't see the sense in the visit to vfat (Fat32). Just remove the partition during the XP reinstall, rebuild it there, and you're clean as you're going to get with Windows. I remember that right before I started building my own machines, my procedure with a pre-built box was...

First thing when I got home, track down installs for anything they had on it I might want, and nuke the sucker. Fdisk is your friend.
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mingkee 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 06:37 PM
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QUOTE (Elspeth @ Apr 19 2004, 08:47 AM)
We need a new computer. Actually we need a new moitor due to an unfortunate candle accident that happened 4 years ago, melting the off button so that the thing has been on basically all of the last four years. For some odd reason, it is starting to fade out. Imagine that.

Anyway.... At four years old, it seems prudent to replace the system instead of components.

We have a Gateway and it has been good for us, especially the Gateway go back feature. But others tell us Dell is great as well.

Anyone have opinions? Stories? Advice?

What do we really need on a system?

besides of these
I'd prefer to build myself
both NEVER sell AMD version
and I built one myself, and really like it

shuttle xpc SN41G2V2 barebone
AMD XP 2500+
2ea corsair value select 256MB PC 3200 RAM
maxtor 120GB HD
lite-on DVD play/CD-RW combo drive
XP pro

I have monitor already

if you're interested to build, go for that
just 800 bucks


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mingkee 
Posted: 19-Apr-2004, 06:43 PM
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QUOTE (Aaediwen @ Apr 19 2004, 06:08 PM)
Personally, I build my own and would recommend nothing less for anyone with that as an option. That way you get exactly what you want, you know exactly what you're getting, and you can make it as high or as low class as you want it. If that's not an option, then I'd go with Dell for a pre-built box, and indeed I'm planning on getting a neighbor who runs a business to order me a Latitude when I get ready to buy a laptop (as I understand, you have to be pretty handy with a soldering iron if you want to build your own laptop, And I'm not)
Top 10 in order of prefrence (with some vacant spots left out):

1. build your own
2. get someone you trust to build you a box
5. Dell
8. Gateway
10. E-machines (halfway decent budget machine, but I've seen some quirks in how my mom's machines run. Don't quite trust them myself.)

exactly
actually, my desktop is a part of my audio system
then I have a high requirement
since I have a good DA convertor, I'd prefer digital output (SPDIF)
and most of system don't have it
that I have to build myself to get it
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