Prebuilt computer recommendations

E

Elemental

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Apr 22, 2003
Messages
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A friend asked me for a recommendation on what sort of computer to buy to replace an old Windows 98 box :)p). They are not looking for anything fancy. The computer will just be used for the internet, email, documents, and other basic tasks.

Spec wise, I know what I am going to recommend. My only issue is reliability and customer service. And before anyone tells me to build one for them, although I have always built my own computers and am perfectly able to build one for them, I do not want to become free tech support for life so that is out of the question. Brands I am considering: Anything sold at Microcenter, on Newegg, or select direct companies. (HP, Compaq, Gateway, Acer, Lenovo, Sony, and Dell all come to mind)

So basically, I do not need a specific computer recommendation, simply a brand recommendation based on reliability and customer support. Any suggestions?
 
For my money, you can't go wrong with Maingear.

However, you also might want to check out SolidWave. They're a new company that's really looking good. Great model, really good value. Chris Morley is involved with it, and not many people in the landscape know integration better than him. Worth a look, for sure...
 
If they are cost conscious and just want a basic machine, honestly you cant beat Dell or even e-machines (if they are still made) Acer is also a very good basic machine.

If you delve into the boutique builders, you will spend more money for the same product, BUT the support may be a bit better.
If so, VelocityMicro would be a good choice, sold at BestBuy and backed by Velocity's support.
 
DNA_Doc said:
For my money, you can't go wrong with Maingear.

However, you also might want to check out SolidWave. They're a new company that's really looking good. Great model, really good value. Chris Morley is involved with it, and not many people in the landscape know integration better than him. Worth a look, for sure...
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Those look like great computers and the components and warranties look top notch, but they are probably overkill for the basic tasks.

magoo said:
If they are cost conscious and just want a basic machine, honestly you cant beat Dell or even e-machines (if they are still made) Acer is also a very good basic machine.
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I have looked a couple of Dell computers. Their small business line looks like it is pretty high quality, and is reasonably priced. I spec'ed out a nice Optiplex 360 C2D machine, 2GB ram, XP Pro with Vista Downgrade :p, 20" widescreen monitor and some other nice stuff for around $650 with a deal that they are running at the moment. They also come with a 3 year warranty. I do not know if this warranty differs in any way that would affect having it in a home environment as opposed to a business environment though. When I build one of the Inspirons meant for home use, it comes out quite a bit more expensive with the same options.

I will probably just end up recommending a dell of some sort. Thanks for the advice. :cool:
 
If you're looking at Dell systems take a look at the XPS Studio. It has the latest intel processor and triple channel RAM. Your friend might not need that fast of stuff but it brings a little "future proofing" and will serve them well for years...which I'm assuming your friend likes to keep a computer a long time since they're still on a Windows 98 system right now.

I don't know what the budget is, but that computer is at a really good price for what's in it. Just keep in mind that if you go with it that it only has a 370 watt power supply so upgrading to a new more powerful video card sometime down the road might require changing out the power supply as well. But it doesn't sound like that will be a problem since your friend isn't a gamer from the sounds of it. Other suggestion is to go with Vista 64 bit on it and upgrade to 6 gigs of RAM. You're friend will be amazed at how quick it is.....
 
largefarrva said:
If you're looking at Dell systems take a look at the XPS Studio. It has the latest intel processor and triple channel RAM. Your friend might not need that fast of stuff but it brings a little "future proofing" and will serve them well for years...which I'm assuming your friend likes to keep a computer a long time since they're still on a Windows 98 system right now.

I don't know what the budget is, but that computer is at a really good price for what's in it. Just keep in mind that if you go with it that it only has a 370 watt power supply so upgrading to a new more powerful video card sometime down the road might require changing out the power supply as well. But it doesn't sound like that will be a problem since your friend isn't a gamer from the sounds of it. Other suggestion is to go with Vista 64 bit on it and upgrade to 6 gigs of RAM. You're friend will be amazed at how quick it is.....
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Future proofing is not cost effective and his friend really doesn't need quickness.. I think it would be best to go with low end dell even though I've never owned one but I'm sure its warranty and customer service can't be bad.
 
Kelv said:
Future proofing is not cost effective and his friend really doesn't need quickness.. I think it would be best to go with low end dell even though I've never owned one but I'm sure its warranty and customer service can't be bad.
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I actually did think about future proofing but as Kelv said, there is no reason to go with something high end. A Core 2 Duo will be plenty for the future imo. I think I have narrowed it down to either a nice low-mid range Vostro or Optiplex.
 
If they are running Windows 98, anything with XP Pro is gonna look amazing.
 
I made the mistake of building my friend a computer and now I get all the blame for any stupid thing that happens, deffinately not worth it to build for a friend especially when they don't live geographically close to you so good idea on choosing pre built.
 
The XPS Studio isn't Dell's high end really. As far as future proofing....I was thinking that it would be good for your friend because with the introduction of the i7 into the market, programs are going to be designed to utilize the hyper threading once again. It made a big difference back in the day of the P4 and I'm willing to make a bet that it's going to make a difference here in the future.
 
the OptiPlex's are nice.
that's all we use.

check out delloutlet.com if they're on the cheap. Just need a monitor, but I've seen 'em as low as $349 for a decent system.

the tech support is not all bad. A few weeks ago we got a new 760 that had a bad mobo (Windows would BSOD, but only when RAM running in dual-channel mode). I used the online chat, told them I thought it was the motherboard, told them why, and they sent a replacement motherboard (well, once they got more in).

I've also called 'em a couple times; granted, we have their Gold support (or whatever it's called), so obviously it will be a bit different, but even with that we can still get stuck with somebody from India you can't understand.

But out of the hundreds of machines we've gotten, very few have had issues. And the delloutlet.com machines still come with a standard warranty.
 
For OP's post and needs - Dell, or HP. Both have good warranties and I would steer completely clear of any of the gaming vendors unless you think they might upgrade soon or do any gaming. This is a classic case where a non gaming vendor and PC fits the bill.
 
I'm still kind-of a fan of Dell. Our XPS laptop isn't as high of quality that I'd expect, but it's still nice, and dell's customer service is still one of the better ones IMO.
 
Dell or HP for sure, we use them for laptop orders here at work and usually they are decent. the sad thing is nowadays anywhere you go the support isn't as good as it used to be. But I think Dell and HP, brand names, something they have heard of before would set them at ease and make them comfortable with the purchase. just an opinion.

also, I know you just want to know good brand names with good support and not specs or technical stuff, but recommend getting an lcd if they don't have one, for browsing the internet and working with text it will be better on their eyes. In case they were thinking of keeping the old monitor if they have one. A dell basic dual core with 3 gb and a monitor would come in at right at 500.
 
How have things gone so terribly wrong when people think Dell has good support?

Of the Tier I's, if that's what you want, Gateway has the best. If support is a major concern, though, you will REALLY want to look at a boutique builder.

If you're just looking for a cheap machine, I'd take a look at Acer. Seem to be building some okay stuff. If you want a larger brand, Dell would be the next cheapest. I'd suggest Gateway, but they've totally changed their presence in the market. The only way to buy them is in-store - there's no way to customize your builds on their website anymore. That's extraordinarily disappointing.
 
The economy needs help so get 'em a nice one.

If you buy 'em a Dell or something clear out the bloatware, or just switch hard drives. Give 'em a 40 GB SSD, lol.

"Man this thing's fast! And I can save over 1000 pictures!"

here, SolidWave $679, Core 2 Duo E5300 and 7200 RPM, 2 GB DDR2 800
 
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