View Full Version : Dell computers..any good?
Hello anybody :lol:
It has to happen, my old banger here is seriously on its last legs and I am thinking I really ought to get a bit more clued up about pc's so I can buy one...I have my eye on something from Dell cos they seem to be so cheap - but does it mean that it comes at a price, ie poor service or performance?
They also seem to do so many different kinds - I only really need yer basics like internet, word/ office , email...
I'd love anyone's input if you have any experience of Dell :) .
Annabel
18-07-06, 08:09 PM
my home pc is a Dell and a few of the work ones are as well.
when i got the home one about four years ago , my boss at work advised me to buy as much harddrive and ram as i could afford, i spent £1500 quid on my pc, including the printer and speakers, i have 60GB hardrive and 586 megabytes of RAM (I think :blink: I get easily confused with techy things)
now i am pretty sure you can now get all that for probably half the cost now.
i also paid for a three year service and parts thingy and was glad for it as the modem did bust after about a year and i had to be sent another one. dell have their call centre in india and back then it had a lot of teething troubles, hopefully they have ironed them out by now.
otherwise very happy with dell, and i like their stuff, it looks good and does the job :thumbs:
We've got them at work and I was so impressed I got one for home, I've had no bother with either of them, great machies, never had to use customer service, I'm happy with mine :D
Bonkers Mad!!!
18-07-06, 08:35 PM
i agree that they are good PC's at a good price.
personally i wouldnt have one but only because they are a B*gger to upgrade yourself, you tend to need Dell components.
I've got a Dell, and after 9 months I have had very few problems, the only biggy being that the DVD r/w went kaput... personally I felt this was more the fault of my 3 yr old rather than the pc, you've just got to be careful with the amount of upgrades that are offered, for example you can buy a soundcard much cheaper elsewhere and it's not too difficult to install.
sesentayuno
18-07-06, 11:25 PM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Annabel @ 18th July 2006 - 7:09 PM) 180623</div>
when i got the home one about four years ago , my boss at work advised me to buy as much harddrive and ram as i could afford, i spent £1500 quid on my pc, including the printer and speakers, i have 60GB hardrive and 586 megabytes of RAM (I think :blink: I get easily confused with techy things)
now i am pretty sure you can now get all that for probably half the cost now.
[/b]
I am afraid besides cars, PC is the next asset you can have that depreciates the moment it left the shop :)
Built my own home PC but uses Dell at work, they are fine so far except that my laptop just went kaput today (and I read somewhere in the news that a Dell laptop exploded in a conference in Japan, luckily no one was hurt :o) The desktops are great, never heard anything from anyone complaining that they are bad from work so far.
Dell is a huge company that's why they can transfer those savings to the customer because they buy in BIG bulk and operate in cheaper countries, the medium size company transfer the savings by using cheaper parts. My experience on warranty with big companies has been positive so far.
Ses
:notworthy: Cor, thanks everyone - looks like an overall thumbs up for Dell then. I think I will have a good sniff about their site plus follow up the ads they seem to run on TV and in the papers....if I start seriously looking now, I might have sussed it all out by Crimbo! :wacko: :lol:
Doktor Jon
19-07-06, 12:59 AM
Very useful thread mazza.
I know someone that may be looking at a lower end Dell, and I'm currently thinking about the possibility of a new Apple Macbook. My old Mac is getting so grumpy these days, I'm almost scared to turn it on.
I'd better get off quick, before she realises what I just typed :lol:
lightyears
19-07-06, 02:39 AM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sledge @ 18th July 2006 - 7:09 PM) 180625</div>
Hi Mazza,
I've no personal experience but their customer service centre is in India and I've heard that some customers have had frustrating experiences.
[/b]
hi mazza
yeah i have had personal expeiriance with dell
there customer servises are liers, they tell you need to by heaven knows what, when you dont, i found them most unhelpfull
the computer itself is pretty good thow
love shechem & mummy
Dell are Ok so long as you never need them fixed - I've had quite a few repair shops tell me they won't touch them - parts are hard to get anything compatible for and tend to be very expensive. And like others have said, don't expect much in the way of customer service!
They have often been described to me as "throwaway" computers. But I have had one for a few years now and it has been fairly reliable, but you should be aware of these issues before making a decision.
I'm with Doktor Jon on this one - give me a Mac any day! - but have a PC on hand too, there are still too many internet sites and prgrammes that haven'tcaught up wiith Mac's superior technology :cry: - one day, one day.....
[/quote]My old Mac is getting so grumpy these days, I'm almost scared to turn it on.
I'd better get off quick, before she realises what I just typed laugh.gif[quote]
:hihi: :lol: :hihi: :thumbs: Poor old girl!!
Oh Dok Jon, my computer is exactly like yours - really grumpy!!! it just switches itself off whenever it feels like its had enough!! :lol:
That's interesting about the Dell parts being hard to get and pricey, I knew there had to be a catch!
I s'pose I am thinking along the lines of a 'throw-away' computer for all that they cost (at the lower end anyway)...I guess I am cautious in case it is faulty from the start and needs reapirs or replacing...I have no patience AT ALL with call centres!!!
visit www.ihatedell.net has a forum full of disatisfied customers and ex employees and even a few current employees lol.
Matthew
19-07-06, 12:51 PM
For parts, accessories, pre-built PC systems and build-your-own systems, etc, etc you could try CCL Computers (http://www.cclonline.com) too - delivery and order online, non-rip off prices and reliable service.
I've used them a number of times and have been happy. B)
My second machine is a Dell, which I have had for five years and never had bother with. I was happy with it as my main machine for ages, very solid ... like the VW of computers ... affordable and reliable and well built.
I have never had to use the service centre mind you so that may have changed my opinion (my partner is a total geek and sorts all my comps, she made my main one ... what a star!)
Copperfox
19-07-06, 09:54 PM
Mine is i Dell and i have never had any trouble with it touch wood :D my old pc was giving up the ghost so i brought my Dell online had no hassle at all delivered quickly does us for what we need :D
Oh Copperfox, that's all I ask for too!!! :D
Annabel
20-07-06, 12:15 PM
forgot to mention that dell will install the pc when they deliver as well, if you wish and get it all internetted up. i found that very handy! :D
Neighboured
24-07-06, 04:33 PM
I would advise caution with Dell! :o
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/334/C8791/#
And the Office of Fair Trading do not like Dell very much, over the way they treat customers
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2159964/...ed-change-terms (http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2159964/dell-forced-change-terms)
My advice? Avoid Dell, like hell! :lol:
We use them at work.... and I need a new PC at home asap.... this one is dying!
I have been looking at Dell ones for home... they have some good deals on! :)
Other 'arf
26-07-06, 12:05 PM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Matthew @ 19th July 2006 - 11:50 AM) 180813</div>
For parts, accessories, pre-built PC systems and build-your-own systems, etc, etc you could try CCL Computers (http://www.cclonline.com) too - delivery and order online, non-rip off prices and reliable service.
I've used them a number of times and have been happy. B)
[/b]
I also use CCL for all my parts (computer :)) " They are based not too far away from me.
I build my own machines and have found CCL to be well priced and extremely helpful.
Another good company is Aria. http://www.aria.co.uk/ They are based in Manchester.
Like CCL they are well priced and offer goood advice via an online community board.