Lew,
What does your friend do with the computer? If it is just web surfing, ema=
il, occasional doc, etc, I would just go to a big box store near you and pi=
ck one up. I don't know if they have Best Buy stores near you but you can =
usually get interest free for 18 months if (s)he doesn't want to lay cash o=
ut. Then if something does go wrong with it you aren't on the hook to supp=
ort it. I do this for a living and have really gotten over spending my tim=
e at parties and gatherings looking at friends computer issues.
You can get more for your money building it your self, but is that what thi=
s person really needs?
-Jim
Dell makes garbage by attempting to lock you into their custom modified O/S
software.
If you think otherwise you have never tried to rebuild one from the ground
up, software wise. If you can't identify all the drivers by their secret
codenames the regular versions of Windows will not install, either.
I won't touch them again after years of attempting to get tech help from
their Pakistan office people.
--------------
"Bill" wrote in message news:[email protected]...
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "jtpr" wrote:
>
> Lew,
>
>> What does your friend do with the computer? If it is just web
>> surfing, email, occasional doc, etc, I would just go to a big box
>> store near you and pick one up.
> I don't know if they have Best Buy stores near you but you can usually
> get interest free for 18 months if (s)he doesn't want to lay cash out.
> Then if something does go wrong with it you aren't on the hook to
> support it. I do this for a living and have really gotten over
> spending my time at parties and gatherings looking at friends computer
> issues.
> --------------------------------------
> You have described 80%-90% of her applications.
>
> BestBuy, HP,& Compaq are non starters.
>
> Do me once, shame on you, do me twice, shame on me, applies to them.
>
> As a result, most of the chain stores are eliminated.
How bad was your experience BestBuy and HP (who acquired Compaq in
2002)? Just curious.
Dell gives you quite a few options in building a system. You might also
look at some of their pre-built (returned, I guess) systems for a good
price. To do this click on "outlet" towards the right of their main menu
at dell.com to see if you can find something suitable.
Bill
> ---------------------------------
> You can get more for your money building it your self, but is that
> what this person really needs?
>
> -----------------------------------
> Have done it both ways.
>
> Specified the build list, then purchased it assembled or assembled it
> myself.
>
> This is definitely a buy it assembled task.
>
> Just want to be able to specify the build list.
>
> Does that provide more useful info?
>
> Lew
>
>
"jtpr" wrote:
Lew,
> What does your friend do with the computer? If it is just web
> surfing, email, occasional doc, etc, I would just go to a big box
> store near you and pick one up.
I don't know if they have Best Buy stores near you but you can usually
get interest free for 18 months if (s)he doesn't want to lay cash out.
Then if something does go wrong with it you aren't on the hook to
support it. I do this for a living and have really gotten over
spending my time at parties and gatherings looking at friends computer
issues.
--------------------------------------
You have described 80%-90% of her applications.
BestBuy, HP, & Compaq are non starters.
Do me once, shame on you, do me twice, shame on me, applies to them.
As a result, most of the chain stores are eliminated.
---------------------------------
You can get more for your money building it your self, but is that
what this person really needs?
-----------------------------------
Have done it both ways.
Specified the build list, then purchased it assembled or assembled it
myself.
This is definitely a buy it assembled task.
Just want to be able to specify the build list.
Does that provide more useful info?
Lew
"Leon" wrote:
>
> Dell is great if you never need to talk to the service people. I
> threatened to return my dad's Dell 3 weeks after receiving if they
> transferred me to another department to answer a simple question.
---------------------------------
I had a hunch, thanks for the confirmation.
Dell is a non starter for me.
Lew
On 7/16/2011 8:49 AM, Swingman wrote:
> On 7/15/2011 8:07 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
>> "FrozenNorth" wrote:
>>
>>> I am *very* happy with my current toshiba laptop.
>> -----------------------------
>> My friend also likes hers.
>
> Been patiently waiting for my six year old Dell XPS M1210 laptop to die
> so I could upgrade, but it just won't quit.
>
> (that oughta do it)
>
It will be longer, remember you had a new mother board replaced a couple
of years ago.
m II wrote:
> I have a similar experience
>
> I've been patiently waiting for Dell to produce drivers that work
> with my six year old laptop. Their Indian BS tech help installed the
> wrong drivers, as substitutes when the thing was a month old and it
> has never worked properly since. The proper drivers have never become
> available as far as any tech helper can find. The LCD screen is
> installed upside down so you have to almost close the lid to see the
> two levels upgrade screen to display clearly.
>
Drivers are provided by the device vendor - why do you expect Dell to
produce them? Dell is very good about supporting the stuff they ship, so I
don't buy your statement that they did not provide you drivers to make your
system work. Something else at work here?
> After shipping to repair in the box they sent me they sent it back
> loose and told me they didn't authorize any repairs. It sat in some
> shipping depot for three months, lost until I produced tracking
> numbers.
D'OH... so - you did something stupid and you expect them to just jump
through hoops for you? No surprise there, from what I've seen from you
here.
>
> Dell! Never again.
>
I'm sure Dell is quite pleased to hear that from you.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
m II wrote:
> asshole
>
Same intelligent comment we've seen from you here, directed to a number of
posters. Thank you - I enjoy being in good company.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On 7/14/2011 10:01 PM, Bill wrote:
> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>> "jtpr" wrote:
>>
>> Lew,
>>
>>> What does your friend do with the computer? If it is just web
>>> surfing, email, occasional doc, etc, I would just go to a big box
>>> store near you and pick one up.
>> I don't know if they have Best Buy stores near you but you can usually
>> get interest free for 18 months if (s)he doesn't want to lay cash out.
>> Then if something does go wrong with it you aren't on the hook to
>> support it. I do this for a living and have really gotten over
>> spending my time at parties and gatherings looking at friends computer
>> issues.
>> --------------------------------------
>> You have described 80%-90% of her applications.
>>
>> BestBuy, HP,& Compaq are non starters.
>>
>> Do me once, shame on you, do me twice, shame on me, applies to them.
>>
>> As a result, most of the chain stores are eliminated.
>
> How bad was your experience BestBuy and HP (who acquired Compaq in
> 2002)? Just curious.
>
> Dell gives you quite a few options in building a system. You might also
> look at some of their pre-built (returned, I guess) systems for a good
> price. To do this click on "outlet" towards the right of their main menu
> at dell.com to see if you can find something suitable.
>
> Bill
Dell is great if you never need to talk to the service people. I
threatened to return my dad's Dell 3 weeks after receiving if they
transferred me to another department to answer a simple question. I was
transferred all over India no less than 15 times in a 90 minute period.
I did get my answer but I was boiling mad. My previous 9 computer
purchases were Dell and the phone service has been going down hill for
quite some time.
asshole
-------------
"Mike Marlow" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Drivers are provided by the device vendor - why do you expect Dell to
produce them? Dell is very good about supporting the stuff they ship, so I
don't buy your statement that they did not provide you drivers to make your
system work. Something else at work here?
D'OH... so - you did something stupid and you expect them to just jump
through hoops for you? No surprise there, from what I've seen from you
here.
> Dell! Never again.
I'm sure Dell is quite pleased to hear that from you.
I have a similar experience
I've been patiently waiting for Dell to produce drivers that work with my
six year old laptop. Their Indian BS tech help installed the wrong drivers,
as substitutes when the thing was a month old and it has never worked
properly since. The proper drivers have never become available as far as any
tech helper can find. The LCD screen is installed upside down so you have to
almost close the lid to see the two levels upgrade screen to display
clearly.
After shipping to repair in the box they sent me they sent it back loose and
told me they didn't authorize any repairs. It sat in some shipping depot for
three months, lost until I produced tracking numbers.
Dell! Never again.
-------------------
"Swingman" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Been patiently waiting for my six year old Dell XPS M1210 laptop to die
so I could upgrade, but it just won't quit.
(that oughta do it)
On 7/15/2011 8:07 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "FrozenNorth" wrote:
>
>> I am *very* happy with my current toshiba laptop.
> -----------------------------
> My friend also likes hers.
Been patiently waiting for my six year old Dell XPS M1210 laptop to die
so I could upgrade, but it just won't quit.
(that oughta do it)
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
On 7/16/2011 12:17 PM, Leon wrote:
> On 7/16/2011 8:49 AM, Swingman wrote:
>> On 7/15/2011 8:07 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>> "FrozenNorth" wrote:
>>>
>>>> I am *very* happy with my current toshiba laptop.
>>> -----------------------------
>>> My friend also likes hers.
>>
>> Been patiently waiting for my six year old Dell XPS M1210 laptop to die
>> so I could upgrade, but it just won't quit.
>>
>> (that oughta do it)
>>
>
> It will be longer, remember you had a new mother board replaced a couple
> of years ago.
Damn! ... forgot. Wonder if I have any shells left ...
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)
"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
"jtpr" wrote:
Lew,
> What does your friend do with the computer? If it is just web surfing,
> email, occasional doc, etc, I would just go to a big box store near you
> and pick one up.
I don't know if they have Best Buy stores near you but you can usually
get interest free for 18 months if (s)he doesn't want to lay cash out.
Then if something does go wrong with it you aren't on the hook to
support it. I do this for a living and have really gotten over
spending my time at parties and gatherings looking at friends computer
issues.
--------------------------------------
You have described 80%-90% of her applications.
BestBuy, HP, & Compaq are non starters.
Do me once, shame on you, do me twice, shame on me, applies to them.
As a result, most of the chain stores are eliminated.
---------------------------------
You can get more for your money building it your self, but is that
what this person really needs?
-----------------------------------
Have done it both ways.
Specified the build list, then purchased it assembled or assembled it
myself.
This is definitely a buy it assembled task.
Just want to be able to specify the build list.
Does that provide more useful info?
Lew
============
Best Buy just plain charges way too much more than most other sources.
--
Eric
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "jtpr" wrote:
>
> Lew,
>
>> What does your friend do with the computer? If it is just web
>> surfing, email, occasional doc, etc, I would just go to a big box
>> store near you and pick one up.
> I don't know if they have Best Buy stores near you but you can usually
> get interest free for 18 months if (s)he doesn't want to lay cash out.
> Then if something does go wrong with it you aren't on the hook to
> support it. I do this for a living and have really gotten over
> spending my time at parties and gatherings looking at friends computer
> issues.
> --------------------------------------
> You have described 80%-90% of her applications.
>
> BestBuy, HP,& Compaq are non starters.
>
> Do me once, shame on you, do me twice, shame on me, applies to them.
>
> As a result, most of the chain stores are eliminated.
How bad was your experience BestBuy and HP (who acquired Compaq in
2002)? Just curious.
Dell gives you quite a few options in building a system. You might also
look at some of their pre-built (returned, I guess) systems for a good
price. To do this click on "outlet" towards the right of their main menu
at dell.com to see if you can find something suitable.
Bill
> ---------------------------------
> You can get more for your money building it your self, but is that
> what this person really needs?
>
> -----------------------------------
> Have done it both ways.
>
> Specified the build list, then purchased it assembled or assembled it
> myself.
>
> This is definitely a buy it assembled task.
>
> Just want to be able to specify the build list.
>
> Does that provide more useful info?
>
> Lew
>
>
Leon wrote:
> On 7/14/2011 10:01 PM, Bill wrote:
>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>> "jtpr" wrote:
>>>
>>> Lew,
>>>
>>>> What does your friend do with the computer? If it is just web
>>>> surfing, email, occasional doc, etc, I would just go to a big box
>>>> store near you and pick one up.
>>> I don't know if they have Best Buy stores near you but you can usually
>>> get interest free for 18 months if (s)he doesn't want to lay cash out.
>>> Then if something does go wrong with it you aren't on the hook to
>>> support it. I do this for a living and have really gotten over
>>> spending my time at parties and gatherings looking at friends computer
>>> issues.
>>> --------------------------------------
>>> You have described 80%-90% of her applications.
>>>
>>> BestBuy, HP,& Compaq are non starters.
>>>
>>> Do me once, shame on you, do me twice, shame on me, applies to them.
>>>
>>> As a result, most of the chain stores are eliminated.
>>
>> How bad was your experience BestBuy and HP (who acquired Compaq in
>> 2002)? Just curious.
>>
>> Dell gives you quite a few options in building a system. You might also
>> look at some of their pre-built (returned, I guess) systems for a good
>> price. To do this click on "outlet" towards the right of their main menu
>> at dell.com to see if you can find something suitable.
>>
>> Bill
>
> Dell is great if you never need to talk to the service people. I
> threatened to return my dad's Dell 3 weeks after receiving if they
> transferred me to another department to answer a simple question. I was
> transferred all over India no less than 15 times in a 90 minute period.
> I did get my answer but I was boiling mad. My previous 9 computer
> purchases were Dell and the phone service has been going down hill for
> quite some time.
That may explain it. Last time I talked to them over the phone was 12
years ago. More recently, I bought my wife a laptop from them and never
had a problem with it until she dropped it. That left the screen
unstable, but usable in a desktop configuration, and I never contacted
them about that...
I didn't realize that retail computers had dropped in quality so much.
My Dell (1998) was the only prebuilt one I bought and it worked fine. In
speaking to customer service at that time, two out of three of Dell's
people were helpful, and a third spewed incorrect information.
Bill
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "Bill" wrote:
>> How bad was your experience BestBuy and HP (who acquired Compaq in
>> 2002)? Just curious.
> ------------------------
> An elephant has a shorter memory than I do.
>
> Lew
>
Bad experience, huh? IIRC, Fry electronics used to assemble computers
from parts purchased by the customer. They didn't do it for free, but
(the important thing is that) it would mostly relieve you of needing to
become involved if a component breaks down the road... Hope this helps.
Bill
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "Bill" wrote:
>>
>> Bad experience, huh? IIRC, Fry electronics used to assemble
>> computers from parts purchased by the customer.
> --------------------------------
> Another non starter when it comes to puters.
>
> Lew
You had a bad experience with Frys too? Usually you'd be sitting down
and having a beer by now. You don't hesitate to point me to Harbor
Freight. Why all the trouble with this?
Compared to a few years ago, you can buy a computer and replace it in 6
months if it breaks and still be ahead.
I just went and checked, and I noticed BestBuy has a desktop for $279.
Of course, as you know, you get what you pay for...
I think you'd probably be on perfectly "reasonable" ground with a new
Dell. But if you're not willing to chance it, I can respect that. Keep
counting the hours involved and good luck with your decision.
Bill
By the way, I've heard MaximumPC Magazine puts their issues online for
free after 1 month (I subscribe). If you look through a few issues of
that, it should bring your up to date enough to make some hardware
decisions if you want to build your own. tomshardware.com is another
very good site for helping to design a computer. Personally, I wouldn't
go the liquid-cooling route.
On 7/15/11 7:58 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "Bill" wrote:
>
>> You had a bad experience with Frys too? Usually you'd be sitting
>> down and having a beer by now. You don't hesitate to point me to
>> Harbor Freight. Why all the trouble with this?
> -------------------------------
> I don't do HP which includes Compaq.
>
They make great servers, but PCs and laptops, not so much, from recent
experience. I am *very* happy with my current toshiba laptop.
--
Froz...
The system will be down for 10 days for preventive maintenance.
On Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:45:44 -0400, "Eric" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Best Buy just plain charges way too much more than most other sources.
I bought my last stereo receiver from BestBuy and it died (surround
sound switch on = no sound whatsoever.) The salesman assured me that
they had a repair station at that local store. When I returned it, the
guy at the service depot counter said "Oh, we don't repair those here.
All we can do here is replace knobs and such. It will take two weeks
to repair." Two and a half weeks later, they returned it. It wasn't
fixed. They stated, AS IF, on the repair slip "Resoldered transformer
connections." I've never been back to the lying bastids.
It was and is a transitory problem, about once in 150 turn-ons. I
believe it's an occasionally sticky relay. A few repeated on/off
cycles fixes it, so I've never bothered to repair it properly. I've
seen it maybe 2-3 times a year...for about 13 years now. ;)
--
Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.
-- Robert J. Sawyer