Dell or Gateway PC / Your opinion

[sanyd]

Looking for opinion on these 2. We are ready to buy a new system and are wondering how CS and tech support is with Dell. We currently have a Gateway and have been very pleased with Tech Support, but Dell's prices are a bit better and they participate in Reward programs.
Also what are some "necessities" when customizing a new PC?
We will be using the PC mainly for surfing and listening to music.
TIA,
Sonya
PS

[AmRivlin]

I own both Dell and Gateway computers and Stock options, I feel either are solid companys, yet if you want a better computer @ a better price go with Dell... Years ago (Well it seems that way) '95 Gateway was still a baby and would bend over backward to help, recently tech support has lacked, they will always answer, but you can see they are out for a bottom line... Gateways computers suprisingly enough have become less "Solid" On a side I am using a Gateway work station right now... Dell on the other hand has stepped up I believe... Prices, options, you name it! All in all they will end up very similar Options and Price even Tech Support (All techies are the same) My Gateway is running off of a Dell Server so, after blabbering, the decision is yours I would base it on price and who sounds nicer....

My Suggestion (Opinion)
P3 700-800
192 MB Ram
19" monitor
32mb video card
DVD any
Sound any (Unless you need more)
and any option you like...

2000 is an excellent price for high end and "should" last 3-4 years comfortable (Unless you need TOP Notch)

[kick@ss]

Build it yourself, that is always the best solution. Tech support shouldn't be necessary if you have a computer literate person around. Also, no computer lasts 3 - 4 years if you plan on playing games.

[AmRivlin]

MP3 Typing and Internet I can use a computer from 1995 easily, I did upgrade memory and popped in a nic, but it acts as a wrokstation fine as sonya wants

[Jeffbx]

I'm with AmRivlin on this one - I've bought both Dell & Gateway, and Dell is a nose ahead on service and price. I believe that Gateway is currently suffering from AOL syndrome - they grew too big too fast, and they're having a hard time keeping up.

Don't build your own PC unless you're a tinkerer or unless you want to overclock it. It used to be a lot cheaper to build your own, but now with the ultra thin margins that Dell & Gateway operate with, there's really not that much of a difference (unless you buy cheap parts). Plus, you get one point of contact to complain to if you have a hardware failure.

I'd suggest that you consider a Dell refurbished PC. They're actually crazy cheap right now - up to $500 off plus a free color printer. http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfh/default.htm

I've bought both new and refurbs from Dell and I can tell you the only difference is that you are limited to the PCs they have in stock (you can't customize), and the refurb is cheaper. Same warranty, same support.

[sbp]

As AmRivlin and Jeffbx have said go with Dell over Gateway.

Gateway's tech support is not as good as Dell's.

[i6s1]

Buy a cheap Dell. For what you're going to be using it for, spending $1000 every 2 years is better then $2000 every 4.

[Bires]

Dell is a better computer. In my experience trying to upgrade people's computers, the Dells were a great deal more tolerant of new hardware than were the Gateway components.

[pennypinch]

I'll say this: you'll save a whopping $200:rolleyes: or so by rolling your own. Check out http://www.techbargains.com for "proof". Plus, you don't have that safety net guarantee.

You could also check out Micron, I've been very happy with my computer, and I feel I got the best value. They're still relatively small, and build pretty good computers for nice prices.

[sbp]

Ahh but you don't get the thrill of putting your own computer together penny. And that is pricele$$. :D

[pennypinch]

Originally posted by sbp
Ahh but you don't get the thrill of putting your own computer together penny. And that is pricele$$. :D

Frankly, with my "extensive" computer know how, the only thrill would be when I lose my mind and climb up a clock tower...

[Bires]

My favourite part of putting my, my family's, and my friends' computers together is the light-headed feeling I get after bleeding all over the inside of the case because some jerk at QC at the case company missed a few jagged edges. Pure bliss....

[spigidygak]

Gateways are littered with problems. I have too many friends and heard of too many bad things of gateway. Dell is decent, they are probably one of the better prefabs out there. But overall, prefabs suck.

[helius]

One thing to keep in mind about Dell PCs though:
Their cases are custom made for the motherboard that comes with it, meaning that you'll probably have to get a new case if you want to change your motherboard for some reason.

[Grimm]

Dell for sure.
Gateway frequently uses second rate components. Their quality is variable.

[Hot Tub]

Gateway's tech support has gone to hell in a handcart the past couple of years. Use to be great support now they want to blame everything on you or the software if you have any system problems. Dell is the only company that has ever come out to my home and replaced a video card that went bad a week after I recieved the system. Gateway says they will but I have never seen them do it. Only problem I have with Dell is their sales tax practices.

[phlick]

How can you surf and listen to music on a computer?

:)
PCWorld and PC magazine both gave nods to Dell.

I wouldn't touch either one with Leons ___ and Apex holding it though. :)

(upgradablity=impossibility)

I've got a Dell P90 Optiplex for you... if you want you can upgrade it all the way up to a P133!! I'll sell it to you for 1/3 of what I paid for it.... $1100.

It is more fun to roll your own.

[Bluto]

Personally I like putting my own computer together, but at work I got a Dell laptop, which I've had some problems with...

Battery held a charge for about 10 minutes - called up tech support, the next day I had a new battery from them.

My 'Q' key came off, and I broke it trying to put it back on. Next day I sent the laptop off, day after had it back again all fixed.

All these fixes were free of charge, and extremely timely. I would go with Dell just cause their customer service has been awesome for me, and reading the above posts, apparently for everyone else as well. With every computer you get you might have a problem or too even brand new, and its nice to know someone will fix it that fast.

[Booyamos]

Last summer while I was working at MSFT in their hardware compatability lab, we would get all sorts of new machines in from Dell, Gateway, Compaq (Blah!), etc. We would have to test them to make sure they were compatable with all the new stuff etc.. blah blah, but the Dell machines were always the best prepared and always worked the best. And I also have a bunch of friends who have Dell's and Gateways and Dell seems to have a little better tech support. But either way you are going to be ok, it is not a huge difference.

But building your own machine is always the best... and there is no way any computer can last for more than 2 years.. well at least for the people who use it for games :)