Mind if I weigh in on this?
Couple of things to consider...
If you deal with a clone builder, chances are you're getting a machine with
the operating system, and nothing else on it... no Works, MS Office, fax
software, no drawing programs, etc.
At Best Buy back in Nov., I got a 1.5 Pentium 4 Emachines desktop, loaded
with software, 256 mb RAM, 40 GB hard drive, 17" monitor, printer, blah blah
blah... for around $550 after rebates (with a year of MSN free too). Now, I
hate the friggin' rebate BS, but the net cost of a way fast up to date
system was pretty damn cheap, and Best Buy seems to have a pretty good
service dept. and satisfaction guarantees... and they're local.
In a previous life, I sold about $2,000,000 worth of clones to Panasonic...
(they were digital audio work stations... but PC's in reality)... so, I have
lots of experience with clones. A good choice if you're already sitting on a
pile of software... but most of you will find you'll need updates to run on
XP anyway. So, look at Best Buy. Don't get suckered into higher priced HPs
or Compaqs either. At $500, you can treat a CPU these days like a disposable
lighter, and get a new one every year.
Also, one more thing... regarding hard drive & power supply failures... it
used to be when manufacturers got huge $$$ for hard drives, their quality
control was far better. These days, storage is a commodity item, and the
failure rate is upwards of 20%. They can't affort to QC them. So, since
we're not paying the high price anymore for storage, we're paying for it in
a lack of reliability. If the drive survives the first few hours of burn in,
then usually the mean time between failure will be in the hundreds of
thousands of hours (which is the the standard spec...).
WST
----- Original Message -----
From <Ajhsys at aol.com>
To: <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: NO LBC: Someone was looking for a new PC....
> Not with that site, but we check www.pricewatch.com regularly for deals.
We
> found some great software buys at www.directdeals.com. Mostly OEM
software
> with no books or retail packaging, but who needs a book!?!
>
> I think Frank has the best idea. Find a small computer clone builder near
> you so you have someone close by if you have a problem. I usually check
the
> computer show/sales at www.marketpro.com. They have a big one in Valley
> Forge, PA regularly. Then I may buy something from a local vendor.
>
> Allen Hefner
> SCCA Philly Region Rally Steward
> '77 Midget
> '75 Midget "The Project"
> '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport
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