Computers will depend on what you're looking for. Personally, I'm a firm advocate for either Gateway or Dell...mostly Dell. Gateways are supposedly a bit better for gaming, though I never used one for that purpose. I guess I like Dells better since we customize them to how we want them. We generally order them pretty bare and put in some of our own stuff. Haven't used an HP or Compaq in quite a while, but unless they've improved drastically since about 2000, I'd steer clear of them.
As for the smaller desktops, they wanted too much more for the slimlines, just to get a smaller machine???? No way. I put my case in the floor under my desk and have plenty of room on the desk...and saved a bundle of money to boot.
I have a HP laptop and desktop, and I've not had a single problem with either of them (both bought within the past year). Well, I did have a problem with the laptop, but that was that it was stolen! And the replacement is as fine as the original was (both HP).
I don't use them for anything particularly hard for it - just for lots and lots of web surfing and a bit of playing with photos, maybe if I needed it for games or anything like that I'd want something whizzier, but they're fine for me.
Get an Alienware. Do it. You know you want to. Aliiieeenwaaaare.
*ahem* Sorry. They just look so neat. I want an Aurora ALX.. Must get a job.
My current computer is lame. I used to have a really pathetic HP Pavilion, but the HDD gave out on me. So, my mom, being the computer mastermind she thinks she is went out without me to get a new 80GB one. Not long after, the rest of the computer gave out on me (moral: never buy HP). So she called this guy who works with computers, who took her out to buy what I need (again, not with me). For the mere price of $250 I ended up with everything I need, a 1.8GHz processor and 512MB of RAM, which was awesome when I got it. Of course, now it stinks and FFXI lags. But, yeah. Replacing your hardware might be cheaper. And you can buy a cool new tower, you don't have to settle with whatever your computer comes with!
If you can afford it, I'd say get a Mac. But I know Macs are way expensive and out of a lot of people's price range (I have a powerbook, but I got it as a graduation present, and there's no way I could afford it otherwise!).
But if you're set on a PC, Dell I think is pretty reliable. If you're looking for the cheapest possible, I'd suggest going to a computer show/fair if they have one in your area -- usually at those type of places, there are cheaper brands that will put together a custom computer for you in about half an hour. I bought a PC at one in 2000 for about half the price of what a name-brand version of the same would be (like, my computer is a "Biostar" and it has an Athlon processor instead of Intel). OTOH, if you buy them this way, you will not have a warrantee or any support.
So I guess if you want a whole package deal, I'd suggest getting a Mac (iMac is definitely space-saving) or if that's too expensive going with Dell. I personally can't stand Circuit City (WORST customer service I've ever seen), so I'd buy it online, but maybe your local Circuit City is better than mine.
I use Dells at work and they are fantastic - as long as you will not want to upgrade, they are made using mostly dell hardware and so not very compatible with other systems.
HP arefantastic we used to use them at work, we only swapped because they couldnt meet the price, however they are one of the mfew companies that have managed to maintain the best of two when they have merged (HP/Compaq) the customer service is brilliant, I have an Ipaq 5550 that I spilled orange juice on the cradle (a speck and didnt relaise) like one of those one in a million chances it went in exactly the wrong place, despite it being my fault hp replaced the entire unit, and cradle as the problem wasnt obvious at first to their own cost, i have since purchased a print on that basis and couldnt be more pleased.
Depending on where you live and the quality of local computer shops consider building your own system, as you already have a system you dont actually need to buy a monitor, mouse and keyboard (and possibly hard drive, cd-rom etc) and you can actually save alot of money this way, I recently upgraded and paid £400 for a system that is top of the range as i already had exisiting sator drives, floppy, 13 in 1 reader, dvd-wr etc. and remember that although TFT monitors look great they have up to 5 points in them (this is like 5 blind spots) where as crts have less and are clearer,m you actually buy flat screen crts for a fraction of cost i.e. for a 19" tft you are talking in excess of £300 and flat crts are £150
I use Dells at work and they are fantastic - as long as you will not want to upgrade, they are made using mostly dell hardware and so not very compatible with other systems.
We've actually never found any problems with upgrading our Dells. Just bought new ones in March as we'd had the others since 2000. Plus, the cases are much easier to access with a roomier interior than others. Easier to add hardware IMO.
We used to provide in-home warranty service on computers and worked on MAC, HP, Compaq, PBell, Tandy, IBM, and a some others I can't quite recall. HPs, Compaqs and PBells (which are moot these days) are all "decent" machines, but not good for excessive use, for lots of gaming or huge hog software programs. If you plan on doing a LOT on the PC, you want one that's going to hold up. I've exerperience using Compaq, PBell and HPs. Of them all, the PBell lasted out the longest. But still, it couldn't hold up to the demands I made of it. But then, hubby and I are both a couple of computer junkies and I will ultimately test a lot of freeware plus run quite a few program hogs on my PCs.
Of the warranties, I think Dell is best as they have next day. The others may take several days to get repaired. Now MACs, they're good if you don't know much about a PC, because they're basically kinda foolproof. Had a co-worker who could've benefitted from a MAC so he'd stop fiddling with his autoexec.bat and screwing his PC up.
As for buying a custom built from a show, while you can get something you like and may be good there, I'd thoroughly research any company selling them before I'd ever do it. Like how well will they service it, where are their service locations, are they a fly by night, and are their PCs reliable?
Last edited by almostheaven; 06-23-2005 at 10:17 AM.
I had been a long time IBM user at home. I had to since I come from an IBM family. When the last IBM died on me wayyy too early, I decided to look at something else. I found Emachines. I think their url is emachines.com. Anyway, I bought mine over a year ago at Circuit City and I just love it. it was much cheaper than Dell, Gateway, IBM etc that I had looked at. I am very pleased.
A great place to get opinions about anything you can imagine is Epinions.com
I had been a long time IBM user at home. I had to since I come from an IBM family.
Happy computer shopping.
Remember with IBM desktops that they have been sold to an unproven chinese(?) company, and i am not sure if IBM are honouring their warrenties on old systems or if the new company is.
I am a pc/network specialist and have worked with many different types of pc's over the last couple of years. I have to put my 2 cents in....I really like local support and we have a large pc company here in Wisconsin called "Milwaukee PC". They are great with helping the user design the contents of the pc according to it's use. Their local support is fantastic. This isn't an ad for them, but I'm suggesting that if you live in a metropolitan area, search out a larger, local vendor. Then, you won't be boxing up your system for mailing if there's a problem.
I just wanted to thank everyone for your ideas and give you an update.
A couple of years ago I looked in the yellow pages and had a techie guy come to the house to fix my computer. I recently called him up again and asked for advice. He told me he could get me a good deal with Dell since his company has a contract with them. I got a Dell Dimension 4700 and I now have a flat panel monitor instead of my big monster crt monitor.
So I ordered it thru him and he came to my house to deliver it and install it for me. He has to come back one more time to transfer some of the files from my old computer to my new computer.
I have only been using it for a couple of days but so far so good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all continues to go well as time goes by.
Computer buying advice
HPs, Compaqs and PBells (which are moot these days) are all "decent" machines, but not good for excessive use, for lots of gaming or huge hog software programs. If you plan on doing a LOT on the PC, you want one that's going to hold up. I've exerperience using Compaq, PBell and HPs. Of them all, the PBell lasted out the longest. But still, it couldn't hold up to the demands I made of it. But then, hubby and I are both a couple of computer junkies and I will ultimately test a lot of freeware plus run quite a few program hogs on my PCs. 
Had a co-worker who could've benefitted from a MAC so he'd stop fiddling with his autoexec.bat and screwing his PC up. 
Emachine
When the last IBM died on me wayyy too early, I decided to look at something else. I found Emachines. I think their url is emachines.com. Anyway, I bought mine over a year ago at Circuit City and I just love it. it was much cheaper than Dell, Gateway, IBM etc that I had looked at. I am very pleased. 
Thanks I have my new computer....
