Dells

[catacon]

My family needs a new computer bad! Our current one is on it's last leg and doesn't seem to have much time left. So we were looking at Dells. Specifically the cheap deals that they have. I was wondering if those are any good. I have heard sometimes they use older hardware and I noticed now they only have 256MB or RAM, which is kind of low. Thanks!

[Stevevai9]

I got one of those for christmas once, It was slow out of the box :mad: . I was very disappointed. I wouldn't suggest those computers at all. If anything, go to best buy and look at what they have.

[ComputerNut]

I got one of those for christmas once, It was slow out of the box :mad: . I was very disappointed. I wouldn't suggest those computers at all. If anything, go to best buy and look at what they have.


I have to disagree, Steve. Im running a dell dimension 8300, and it runs very smoothly for me. Heck with the specs I have, it can pretty much run HL2. I've never heard of the idea of dell using older hardware. when I got my system, they were all fresh new components. (most of the components are from actual brands except, the mobo (which I heard is actually made by intel), and the case. For RAM, it all depends on what you pick. I ordered mine with 512MB RAM, and it runs ok. To make a long story short, dells are pretty much the best brand name computers you will find. But if you want to save money, the simplest solution is to build your own :D.

HTH,
CN :)

[Stevevai9]

I have to disagree, Steve. Im running a dell dimension 8300, and it runs very smoothly for me. Heck with the specs I have, it can pretty much run HL2. I've never heard of the idea of dell using older hardware. when I got my system, they were all fresh new components. (most of the components are from actual brands except, the mobo (which I heard is actually made by intel), and the case. For RAM, it all depends on what you pick. I ordered mine with 512MB RAM, and it runs ok. To make a long story short, dells are pretty much the best brand name computers you will find. But if you want to save money, the simplest solution is to build your own :D.

HTH,
CN :)

He was talking about tha cheaper systems...like the one I got. I know plenty of people who got dells and they were awesome, but the value systems they have are crap. They limit you expandability wise aswell. Mine came with a crappy 200 watt power supply, I don't think I could even put a cheap quality video card into it.

[lokifalcon]

I agree I have a dimension 2350 and there is no comparison with the top of the line Dells that work pretty good. Mine doesnt even have an apg slot. The cheaper ones like mine serve as a basic home pc. If you are into building and adding components, stay away from Dell. They have too many propriety (however it is spelled) parts that are not compatable with basic systems. And if you get a Dell make sure of all the avaliable slots and I recommend a memory upgrade to 512. I had to do that just to get mine to work half smoothly.

[neochivers]

i have two dells a xps and a demision 2400 ... the xps is 6 years old(got u thinking i had a good computer), 500Mhz, 256MB RAM it now has benn running fine except about 6 months ago the hard drive got very loud so i replaced it (12Gb) witha 40 Gb one and even put on XP.... now 2400 i have had 1 1/2 years and no probs at alll. I HIGHLY RECOMEND DELL

[catacon]

But if you want to save money, the simplest solution is to build your own.

So the good Dells and the home built ones would even out? I want to do that, bu I don't know if my dad likes the idea.

If anything, go to best buy and look at what they have.

Aren't those fairly poor too. I know they use 5400RPM hard drives and sometimes slow memory and off-brand mobos. I don't think I trust those.

[glc]

You get what you pay for with a Dell - the cheap ones are not powerful and are not really upgradeable - but they are reliable and a good value. Even the bottom end ones accept memory and hard drive upgrades no problem. For general home use without games or heavy multimedia use the bottom end integrated video ones are just fine if you choose factory upgrades carefully - like more ram, a suitable size hard drive, a processor upgrade, and the optical drives you want. You want games and/or multimedia, you pick a more expensive model with more capabilities, that's all. Anyone who buys the $299 Dell with the idea of upgrading it into a gamer and multimedia workstation is operating under delusions - it ain't gonna happen. It's gonna do just fine doing homework, websurfing, e-mailing, chatting, etc. and it WILL play music and videos okay - but don't try to do heavy audio and video editing or creating.