Who Owns A Store Bought Computer?

[Spindulik]

DELL, Gateway, hp, etc...

Every store bought computer I have come across has a plethoria of useless software. I don't know how many times I had to remove AOL icons and FREE trials. Then you have a bunch of crap software that you just don't use, and it is a pain in the as to remove and uninstall. Then there is the Microsoft OEM version that you deal with. You just can't recover or install bare bones Windows. You are stuck with the recovery disk.

As ageneral rule, or maybe out of neccessity, 2 or 3 times a year I have to re-install Windows, just to "clean house", make sure my system is running well, and no wasted files floating around.

It used to be cost effective to build your own PC, but with the prices of pre-built computers coming down, it alsmost costs more to build your own. Then you you bascally have no software for it. Does Microsoft give giant companies a copy of Windows at a drasctcally cut price? Why can't I get the same price break when I manufacture my own PC?

[Shinigami_[R.I.P.]]

I have a Sony Vaio... so much stuff to uninstall and whatnot when I got it, I just gave up. Oh well, as long as it turns on in the morning, it's ok :P

[random nut]

I would never buy a compaq/dell/or other name PC. I know someone who has a (I think Compaq) PC which is about 1-2 years old and she can't use XP because it doesn't support the sound card. It's about 1 year old, for god's sake! Bastards.

I want to decide exactly what HW I have in my PC and there's only one way you can do that, build your own (or let someone build it for you).

Compaq/Dell PCs (not counting servers) really are for newbies who don't know much about anything other than that you use a keyboard and a mouse to surf the web. All they care about is where's my email and how do I start the web browser.

[fallenknight308]

GATEWAY can suck me!!
Bad customer support (some of those key crunchers can't even speak proper english),
And my 633 essential is the biggest pile of shit ever conceived (Upgrade issues). :angry:
But since I ditched my old OS (ME) for XP, I'm happier. Even with some resource trouble, it is FAR superior to What it was with ME :o

[adamp2p]

I got a Dell computer, but I sure did not buy it from a store...

I ordered it online.

I reinstalled the OS on a new HD and because it was my first computer, I got a couple of years of their tech support, which is excellent.

Some of their support staff walked me through hours of step by step processes when my computer got hacked.

And the 19' FD Trinitron monitor they forgot to send me so they gave it to me for free (I am not complaining).

By far Dell is the best for the dumb first computer user, and I would definately recommend anyone to buy their first from Dell, because they sell their system components to their customers for less than newegg.com. When my CD ROM broke, they even sent me a new one, and payed for shipping to boot (hey hey). And it is no problem selling Dell either, people are comfortable with them (it is no wonder they sell more computers than anybody else).

Now that I know a bit about BIOS and the way the sytstem works, I think I am ready to build my own.

So, do I sound like an advertisment for Dell, who knows, maybe I am Mike? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Edit; continued: Yep, take a look at the Dimension XPS. Dell is the first company to release the 3.06 w/800 MHz system bus.

I know a lot of you computer freaks are way AMD happy, and it seems like their PR pitch works, but everyone I know who built one with AMD had overheating problems. But the price difference makes me think twice. It is true that it costs almost the same to build your own Intel machine as to buy one w/support and at home warranty from Dell, so the only way you can get your dolllars worth is to build AMD, dual proccessor, of course.

That is what I am going to do---because you can build a powerful AMD machine and make sure not to overheat it with dual processors...

Bla Bla Bla I know that I am going to hear much flaming from you AMD freaks... <_< <_< :o ;) :D

[zapjb]

Bought mine wo software. Cheap. :lol:

[balamm]

Duties are not performed for duty&#39;s sake, but because their neglect would make the man uncomfortable. A man performs but one duty - the duty of contenting his spirit, the duty of making himself agreeable to himself.
Mark Twain

[Livy]

my first computer was bought of my dads mate, he builds pc for parts plus £50. and i now how to do it myself, so ive been doin the upgrades myself.
but i just bought i compaq laptop, athalon 1500. and im very happy with it, and it didnt come with a load of crap on it, infact it barely had anythin on it. windows, couple of folders with diver stuff in it, and there diagnostic tools. :)

[Buffalo]

Every Computer i&#39;ve had has been others people&#39;s outcasts, i&#39;ve had to work hard to get life back in, But i have ended up with a good computer, Yes i would like a new one "out of the box" but were not all rich.
But in that statement the pricecs are droping like so quick now.
I am pleased with my pc, though it looks odd.
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/Pumpencum/celebs_are_us_n00b.gif

[Buffalo]

Originally posted by CELEBS_ARE_US@16 May 2003 - 12:48
Every Computer i&#39;ve had has been others people&#39;s outcasts, i&#39;ve had to work hard to get life back in, But i have ended up with a good computer, Yes i would like a new one "out of the box" but were not all rich.
But in that statement the pricecs are droping like so quick now.
I am pleased with my pc, though it looks odd.
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/Pumpencum/celebs_are_us_n00b.gif
Sorry for second post, but had to show you
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/Pumpencum/super_computer_40.jpg

[random nut]

Is that your computer(s)? Specs?

[Schmiggy_JK23]

Originally posted by random nut@16 May 2003 - 00:07
I would never buy a compaq/dell/or other name PC. I know someone who has a (I think Compaq) PC which is about 1-2 years old and she can&#39;t use XP because it doesn&#39;t support the sound card. It&#39;s about 1 year old, for god&#39;s sake&#33; Bastards.

I want to decide exactly what HW I have in my PC and there&#39;s only one way you can do that, build your own (or let someone build it for you).

Compaq/Dell PCs (not counting servers) really are for newbies who don&#39;t know much about anything other than that you use a keyboard and a mouse to surf the web. All they care about is where&#39;s my email and how do I start the web browser.
*nods*

My first machine was a compaq... i swore never again... now i build my own, and machines for others, to their, and my own specs... too much bs with buying a machine like that from a major retailer... too much unwanted shit, lower quality parts, etc... the one i would think of buying from would maybe be like alienware, or falcon northwest, if i was a rich bastard...

[adamp2p]

@Random Nut, etc. If you have a minute, please show me how you could achieve significant savings on this configuration by builing your own:

Friday, May 16, 2003 1:54:35 PM CDT
Catalog Number: 29 19
Dell Dimension XPS Series: Pentium® 4 Processor at 3GHz with 800MHz front side bus
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz 1GB4
Keyboard: Dell® Enhanced Multimedia Keyboard
Monitors: 19 in (18.0 in viewable) M992 Monitor M992
Video Cards: New 128MB DDR ATI RADEON™ 9800 Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI
Hard Drives: FREE UPGRADE&#33; New 200GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive 200P
Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices: 3.5 in Floppy Drive FD
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition WHXP
Mouse: Logitech® Optical USB Mouse LOM
Network Interface: Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet
Modem: No Modem Requested
CD or DVD Drive: 16 Max DVD-ROM Drive
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy™2 premium sound card including FREE MuVo MP3 Play
Speakers: Altec Lansing® ADA745 4.1 Surround Sound Speakers w/ Subwoofer
Software Bundles: No Productivity Software
Security Software: No Virus Protection Requested
Digital Music: No Digital Music Software Requested
Digital Photography: No Digital Imaging Software Requested
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options: 1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year At-Home Service
Dial-Up Internet Access: No ISP requested
Multi-Media Players: No RealOne™ Player Selected
Secondary CD or DVD Drive: New 4x DVD+RW/+R Drive w/CD-RW including Roxio&#39;s Easy CD Creator®
Special Offer: &#036;150 OFF Special Offer 150OFF

&#036;2,350

[zapjb]

Wish you had given us the price of whats just in the tower. Instead of monitor, speakers, OS etc. IMO that looks ~&#036;500 overpriced. ;)

[adamp2p]

If that is the case, how much do you think it would cost to build just the tower including (but who is gonna but my old system without a monitor, speakers, etc)?:

2.66 GHz w/ Hyperthreading (to be released later this month) with 800 MHz system bus

1 GB 400 MHz DDR SDRAM

Radeon 128

Ethernet Card

DVD-Rw 4X with CD-RW capabilities

16X Variable DVD


But once again, I know a couple of people who want to buy my old system and they want every part to keep the remaining 1 year warranty, so I do need to but monitor, speakers, etc.

[Spindulik]

Originally posted by CELEBS_ARE_US@16 May 2003 - 13:57

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/Pumpencum/super_computer_40.jpg

Holy crap&#33; Is that flex duct between two towers?

[Spindulik]

Originally posted by Schmiggy_JK23@16 May 2003 - 17:30
...now i build my own, and machines for others, to their, and my own specs...
When you build a computer for somebody, like a friend or relative, do you sell them a legal copy of Windows? Or do you let them test drive a copy of Windows, that you install ontheir PC?

[Schmiggy_JK23]

depends on who it is, and what they are comfortable with... if its a close friend or family, who doesnt mind a pirated copy, ya... but for the most part, i recommend them paying for a copy...

[Eggo60]

I brought my "Medion" from shop purely because i got it cheaper there then i could have buying the parts seprate and building it. Also yes it did come with a lot of crap but soon got rid of all of that :P

[Tyke]

I learned the hard way with my first machine. Factory-direct and useless after 6 months with odd parts, obscure MoBo, etc..

This one is still store-bought but I did get a decent deal on it as a base unit, pre-owned, goodwill return. Don&#39;t know why it was returned, but not really bothered because I knew I was going to rip the guts out of it, swap, change and upgrade and stick into a nice new case within a week&#33;

So I don&#39;t know if it qualifies for "store bought" really, it was just a good priced pile of bits which happened to be already assembled&#33;

But yes, the recovery disk is a pain, must get a full OS from kazaa sometime.

Only pre-installed software apart from the usual windows stuff was Cyberlink DVD, Nero, M&#036; Works and yes, the obligatory ISP sign-up,

[ijc_2003]

Everybody gets conned with their 1st computer i bought my 1st 1 in 1995 it was £1200 for a usless
piece of junk top of the range pentium 100, free £400 software wich it i added it up must have been worth £50 because most of the software is cutdown to f*ck, so i was basicly paying for the £400 sotware in the overall price.

i always prefer to build my own now, and will never buy a computer from any manufacture never again
my mate just bought but a Time computer and it 1 piece of junk for £999 the motherboard is like worth £40
and they also sold him a digital 5.1 sound system even though he did,nt have a digital sound card as his sound on the comp was onboard crap wich was,nt digital.

[adamp2p]

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/mod..._xps.htm#tabtop (http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/model_dimen_3_dimen_xps.htm#tabtop)

Complain about the hardware in this. A little pricey, maybe, but this machine is not cheap on hardware.

All software (except OS is optional)

Much is optional.

w/ Chipset: http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/875P/...ome+spot1_text& (http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/875P/?iid=ipp_home+spot1_text&)