nomad_spirit

I'm over Dell for so many reasons, not the least of which is that their XPSs are being delayed for the third time.

So I'm willing and wanting to buy an HP desktop - top of the the line. I know they are sold at Frys, at Best Buy and online.

Does anyone have any advice on the best place to buy a top of the line HP, if price really isn't an issue?

Jeffbx

What do you want to do with it? Gaming machine?

I'd never recommend that ANYONE buy an HP PC, especially if they're looking at high quality hardware & cost is not an issue. Too many quality problems.

What about Alienware? If you're looking for a high end gaming box & you have cash to burn, that's a good place to start.

BigJon

I'm not big into the latest computer technologies...but I can tell you that I wouldn't go with HP either.

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nomad_spirit

It is not a gaming machine. I'm really looking for a beefy mutlti-tasker for things like the net, word, xcel, and some graphic programs.

I would rather go with a company like HP because, since this thing is going to my parents, I want the 24 hour service.

If I had my drothers, I would build it for them, but I'm not going to do that in this case.

So I go back to my question, do you really think HPs suck? Or if not, where do you suggest I buy one?

Agent Plissken

You will need that 24 hour service that they offer if you get one. HP is junk, it will only frustrate your parents.
If you have the know-how to build yourself a rig, go with that route. Make sure its stable first and then hand it over. I would say if there are any issues with a home-built, they ususally come to the surface right away. No 24 hr service required!

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DarkFury

Might as well build your own if you are considering an HP.


HP = refurbished Compaq = SUCK!!!

If you GOTTA have service, I'd take my chances with Gateway before HP. But honestly, I've never had a problem with Dell.

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nomad_spirit

HPs can't be that bad. They have better service ratings than Dell...and yes...I think Dells suck..especially their service.

Is there nothing good to be said about HP's PCs?

ray

No. But i could give many compliments to the business-line HP laptops.

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Jeffbx

OK, first off, you don't need a high end machine like an XPS if all they're doing is general computing. Net, office apps & some graphics are all low end requirements.

If I understand correctly, this is for your parents, you don't want to be doing the tech support for it, and you're not that limited by budget, correct?

If so, here's my suggestion:

Get a Dell from the small business store. The Dimension 9150 is an excellent choice - lots of high end components for a reasonable cost (including a 19" LCD). Don't go higher than the 2.8GHz dual core - you won't need it. Get 1GB RAM, the free HD upgrade, a burner if they want. Probably worth the $40 to upgrade to the 256MB video card.

Now here's the important part - add the 3 Year On-site Business Standard Plan. This is what gives you direct access to the high level tech support guys, rather than the guys in India reading the scripts. Harware support is on site, so if anything breaks they send a tech over to the house to fix it.

See, most people who are unhappy with Dell service have never tried the upgraded business level service. It's pricy, but WELL worth it if you can afford it. With this system, you're still under $1200, and that includes the 3 years of service and the 19" LCD.

Cripes, Dell should give me a kickback for all of the pimping I do for them.

DarkFury

Yeah... too bad most folks want the "cheapest" Dell they can find then want to complain about the basic warranty service that comes with such a "cut rate" computer.

Sometimes... you really do "get what you pay for". However I don't honestly think that I'll ever buy an HP over a Dell. That's just crazy talk. (Although I will buy an HP printer over a Dell branded printer anyday. )

PoorAvatar

I totally agree, plus the telephone support is excellent!

InfiniteNothing

Buy a mac pro. Apple service/reliability is #1 and the computer is fast/multitasky as hell. Infact, try before you buy. Go into an Apple store and test it out. The thing is seriously powerful.

kimchicowboy

i second the apple service. when the HDD on my laptop died, i called whatever 800 number i needed to and i spoke with a good old american tech who was extremely helpful without having to choose any special kind of tech support.

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Kevster

I have an HP/Compaq nc6220. It looks solidly built, but don't let that fool you. The screen seriously sucks with a max resolution of 1024x768 (on a 15"), there are no firewire ports and three oddly placed USB ports. The built-in 802.11G works ok, but that is to be expected.

Should I mention I have already had to get service on this laptop to replace part of the motherboard and I've only had it 2 months?

I really miss my old dell P4 laptop, even though it was 4 years old and weighed a ton. I once thought about an HP laptop, but this one that I have for my new job has turned me off of HP completely.

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LPMiller

HP desktops are actually not that bad. Most of them use Asus mainboards and infinion memory, HP dvd drives (whcih are actually quite good). They aren't near as 'custom' as dell machines, and are fairly easy to work with, hardware wise. I work on literally hundreds of them a week.

Having said that, the cases are VERY fragile (especially the cdrom doors), and they load up windows with about twice the amount of crap dell does...which is saying something. Also, you need to keep in mind their 24 hour tech support is in India. While they turn around pretty quickly, just working with them is a major pain in the ass.

If you are hellbent on an HP, I'd go with something from their business line - those things are sturdy as hell, come with actual restore discs, and are free of any preloaded crap. Again, using mostly Asus mainboards, etc.

Their laptops look nice, but always seem to have mainboard issues, especially where the ac adpater meets the mainboard.

Personally, I'd consider a smaller company like ABS computers or something. or yeah, apple.

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raimin

At our company we used to order the HP Business line, and they were solid machines. agree with the critism about the consumer line. We currently use IBM/Lenovo Desktop and Laptops, and their desktops are quite nicely built, with quality parts

guiseppewv

I would avoid HP like the plague.

GuruX

Need any servicing done on your machine? Hope you don't need it for a couple weeks.

(While this is directed at HP's consumer laptops, I doubt their support is much different for desktops).

My brother had a DVD drive fail in his laptop -- Best Buy couldn't fix it on the spot, so he had to wait three weeks for it to come back -- THREE WEEKS to swap out a DVD-ROM drive!

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_=DeltaForce=_

Get an Asus Notebook.. They are rock stable and really good

redcolours

if those are the only things that it needs to do, apple gets my vote.

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nomad_spirit

thanks...not interested in a laptop. i want a good destop with good service. hp. dell. is there anyone outhere that can help me?

Chgoman

You ask for advice, there are a dozen people here who have given advice and yet everytime you post, you ignore eveything everyone has said and keep asking the same question. Here's a recap. Yes, pretty much everyone thinks HP's suck except the business line. Yes there are other options people have given you (ABS, Gateway, etc.). If you want to keep ignoring the answers, why are you asking the question?

DarkFury

Thank you for summarizing what I was beginning to think as well.

InfiniteNothing

Consider this:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...00&nclm=MacPro

kimchicowboy

imac or mac pro with pro care service.

nomad_spirit

oh chill out. I'm fishing for a number of answers and I've got them. I do appreciate the honest responses...to all those who did.
Thanks. it means a lot.

nomad_spirit

Screw it. I'm going to have Club PC build a shuttle system for me. Too bad Dell and HP.

Airencracken

Dude why not just pick up some parts from Newegg and mwave and a few other places and build yourself a system, that's what I did and I've been really happy with it. Being my own tech support has forced me to learn quite a bit and it's a good thing. Oh and switch to linux

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