New Computer... Suggestions?

[k28la]

Looking for a new system, around the $5-600 range. I saw a Compaq with 64mb/533K62/20hd/CDR for $549 shipped (too bad the $50 off is gone). But Dell Outlet sells similar for around the same price (their shipping, however is $95!) Is a Celeron better than K62? Any good for games (as long as I have an AGP card)? All replies graciously appreciated. Thanks as always.

[Bluto]

I have yet to find anyone who is happy with a Compaq computer. After this post I'm sure I'll find a few though :-).

Personally I like buying the pieces individually, and putting it all together myself. That way you can get it a little cheaper for the most part, and get the best deals on the best equipment, and have it custom fit for what you want.
If you really want to buy a complete system shipped though I'd stay away from Compaq as I've had several bad experiences with them from helping various friends on their computers...
I was talking with a guy who was interviewing with the company I work for, and he was telling me about when he interviewed with Compaq, they pretty much told him THEY even thought there computers stunk.... LOL

[hapoo]

i dont like compaq's very much myself, i'd rather have a dell or hp

[mahalo]

Dell. No question. Really good customer support, once you wait for an hour to talk to someone.

[tseng99]

most brand name systems such as HP, Dell, Compaq, Sony, etc..have proprietor equipment..so that when it comes time to upgrade or add equipment that requires you to open the case...you're gonna run into some difficulty or in some cases not even be able to do it yourself! b/c they want you to buy parts from their company and also have their technicians or authorized service stations do the service for you and collect the big $$$ Fees...you're really better off buying the parts online and getting good deals on them..then put it together yourself..or then again..you could ask around and see which of those common small pc shops people recommend to get from...
and most of them are willing to uh...um...pay the tax for you..right! that's what I mean...=P~

[k28la]

957 posts?!? Anyway thanks for the advice. Is Dell's support toll-free? And do they know more than other companies (ie. not using the restore disk to correct any problems)? I know Compaq's are iffy. Just bought a laptop (1600-XL145) and the damn DVD ROM didn't even work, so I sent it back. But Dell seems like the logical answer, though the $95 shipping sucks! Oh well.

[MadCool]

I just got me a nice athlon 900 system... If only the 1 gig mhz was in stock else where beside compaq!

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Check out www.MadCool.com (http://www.MadCool.com)

[nwarawa]

DON'T DO OEM!!!! Get a custom build!

Go to pricewatch.com for the best deals.
Here's what you should get for cheap:

Celeron 566 $100
Asus CUBX $130
17" Case w/250W PS $40
Logitech/MS Key+Mouse $30
128MB PC133 $130
Quantum 15G LM $100
52x CDROM $40
Geforce SDR $130
SB Live Value $40
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$740

That is a rough estimate. All you need after that is a monitor, speakers, OS, and an internet device (modem or NIC, depending on whether you get dial-up or broadband), and a floppy and the cables. If you have the computer company build it for you, expect to pay $40 for labour. Yes, it's more expensive then doing what you were thinking, but it's better quality and better performing. If all you do is e-mail and word processing, then go with the Dell. If you want to do multimedia, go with my recommendation. Cheers.

[pjh12]

Compaqs suck... dont know what is worse.. Compaq or Packard Bell.

[spigidygak]

Has to be Compaq since Packard Hell Chaptered 7 a year ago.

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And at band camp. . . http://www.geocities.com/bandtour99

[Tuvi]

i'm never gonna get a comp from dell or those places cuz they inflitrate your computer with dell stuff.. you just dont have the freedom with doing stuff to your comp as you do when you build it yourself. nevermind that doesn't make any sense.

[k28la]

Yeah, I'm thinking of just building the damn thing. So, now it's just a matter of figuring out which Fry's store to deal with. Any suggestions on that one? I'm close to Burbank and Manhattan Beach (gasp!).

[The Rock]

I would definitly stay away from Packard Bell, or NEC (which merged with PB). I've worked in the electronics manufacturing industry for a while and it was known that before all the motherboards were shipped overseas for manufacturing, PB would buy boards that wouldn't pass the quality standards of higher end OEM computer retailers (For example, a board manufacturer makes motherboards for IBM, if the boards don't pass thier standards, the boards get sold to Packard Bell) This happens all the time in the electronics manufacturing business, by the way. That's why you have $600 DVD players and $150 DVD players. They're not selling you bad product, however, the reliability is suspect. By the way, someone gave me a Packard Bell computer years ago, and other than not having a lot of room for expansion, I never had any problems with it.

[raimin]

I personally would not get a Compaq desktop.

I was a technician and we worked on Compaq's half the time, with a lot of mobo and hard drive failures. Not worth the time or the headache

[DaNewbie]

yup, don't go w/ the Compaq; build your own! or, if you really don't want to, get a comp from Dell or Micron

[Jago215]

Im with DaNewbie. If you know enough to build your own you should do that. Otherwise go with a dell or a micron. And if customer support is one of your highest priorities go with gateway. But dell and micron have more than adequate customer service.

[AJ]

Dell far and away is the best computer company...the OEM parts are all made by major brands(IBM, etc.), and unlike what was said before, they are common parts that don't need to be replaced through Dell. Customer support is free and good.

A great company too is CyberMax (www.cybmax.com), they are very cheap for nice machines, and have good tech support.

And they are stocking the 1000Mhz Athalon for mid $2000's... for whoever was asking about the 1000MHz...

[This message has been edited by AJ (edited 06-28-2000).]

[DaNewbie]

I like to get my computer PARTS from OEM's.... http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[AJ]

damn you newbie....