Dell or Gateway or...

S

Sheik Yerbouti

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 6, 2004
Messages
168
My wife and I are getting my mother-in-law a computer. I would normally build one up but I get nailed with the prohibitive costs of the software (O/S, MSOffice, etc). So if you HAD to, would you buy a dell or a gateway or is there another reputable brand out there that is very affordable, and reliable?

Please understand I know there are people who hate both dell and gateway, it's just the only 2 I could think of off the top of my head that have very decent package deals.

Thanks in advance.
 
I would say Dell, But I dont know how their Customer Service/ Tech support is as of late.
 
I work at a Dell Reseller. Please go with them. The crazy Indians on the tech support lines will not bite you. Just keep the conversation short and they will get the job done :) We service any brand of PC and Dell has the fewest hardware issues from what I have seen thus far.
 
Thank you for the quick replys. I do have one concern with Dell, I heard they are VERY proprietary with their hardware, in other words, I can't go get some RAM and install it, I have to buy it from dell. Also, if I wanted to add a DVD player later, could I? (The one I am looking at only comes with a CDRW...
Thanks again.
 
Dell is proprietary with things like cases, power supplies and motherboards... but their RAM is normal. You can also get RAM from Crucial.com or any online dealer. Dell makes their own crazy cases to save money, but they use regular RAM that you can add yourself.

CDRW, DVD drives and DVD burners will all fit in a Dell. They use normal IDE drives, and there will be no problem adding one. I've done it many times!

Here is an example of RAM for a Dell Dimension 2400. Or, search by manufacturer, product line and model.

Crucial.com - Dell Dimension 2400
 
Dell is not proprietary about most of their stuff assuming you don't buy a really low-end system. Most of their newer power supplies are standard and all RAM and drives are always standard. I am not a fan of their support really, but it is better than Gateway's.

I work in a computer repair shop and I had to file a complaint with Better Business Bureau about Gateway to get my money when they tried to screw me out of $160 and a hard drive.
 
Dell it is. Thanks again. I have heard horror stories of Gateways tech support, and was really wary of them. I have had personal experience with Dell's and hung up on them (it took them 45 mins to NOT understand I wanted a package delivered to the apartment complex managements office because I wouldn't be home to sign for it and the management does and can).
 
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