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Thread ID: 60448	2005-08-02 04:15:00	Seeking a new PC - the neverending story...	Tony (4941)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
377537	2005-08-02 07:42:00	Just had a look on dell's website and found this (www1.ap.dell.com) ,I know most people are going to slag Dell off, but for what you want perfect.. I could have suggested a Mac Then again there are these (www.dse.co.nz), although they have just been updated, so you would want the new model	plod (107)
377538	2005-08-02 08:43:00	Hello Tony, You would be wasting your time to even try sourcing a similarly specified PC from a reputable PC builder for that price. The only way it could be matched is by something of the same specification in terms of warranty and support, using all OEM Hardware and software which is exactly what your buying anyway. There is no margin in that system for anything other than bare minimum support and warranty obligations ( common example, anything software related, either run system recovery to take back to factory default or cannot help at all, if your hard drive needs replacing during warranty it will be replaced no problem and free of charge, however if you would like your data back, that happened to be on the old drive the last price I heard was $150.00 inc GST (Hewlett Packard) plus more for Reinstallation of any utilities needed ) The system itself is not bad in what it offers, the 3.1 Sempron is the fastest Sempron around at the moment. The Ram is also fine (although as already stated 512 MB would be much better, do not get it upgraded at time of sale, you can take it to any PC shop and get it upgraded for a fraction of the price quoted without harming your warranty) The bottlenecks will be the slow hardrive and the customised motherboard and of course the "User friendly software" install complete with links to all of Compaqs partners. The Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse & Printer etc also will be of a good quality. So analysing all of the above, if you go ahead and purchase the system. You will end up with quite a well specified system, held back by a slow HD and customised Motherboard. However the main drain on the system will be the custom software install, this will have an effect no matter what hardware is installed ( I can strip out 1.5GB of unnecessary software on a HP or Compaq without a problem ) If you have the ability to configure the system as it should be rather than how Compaq thinks it should be to minimise any foreseeable problems,and are willing to risk the warranty and support issues. you will end up with quite a reasonable PC for the money. Regards AC	Alan Cotrell (6634)
377539	2005-08-02 09:06:00	A friend of mine recently bought a similar Compaq from Noel Leeming, it was as slow as a 486 or slower. Trying to load a CAD program from a CD took forever and a day, and trying to do almost anything else was the same. Other machines in the shop had the same fault. So there was something chronically wrong them. The machine was returned for a refund. So maybe before committing to buy, give it a good trial in the shop first. Edit: the machine was far slower than the old HP 166Mhz they were upgrading from.	Terry Porritt (14)
377540	2005-08-02 11:53:00	TL systems isn't know for good pricing either. Try PCTronix for instance.I wouldn't expect TL systems to be the cheapest, but I have always found them extremely good for support, warranty issues etc - the old balance between price/performance/support again. I had a problem with a failing HD under warranty and they went to extraordinary lengths to rescue the data. I'll have a look at PCtronix - what sort of support do they have?	Tony (4941)
377541	2005-08-02 12:05:00	You would be wasting your time to even try sourcing a similarly specified PC from a reputable PC builder for that price.I think that is what is being demonstrated in this thread. You will end up with quite a well specified system, held back by a slow HD and customised Motherboard. However the main drain on the system will be the custom software install, this will have an effect no matter what hardware is installed ( I can strip out 1.5GB of unnecessary software on a HP or Compaq without a problem ) Yeah, I'm confident I could do it, but (a) do I want the hassle and (b) what is going to happen if my friend calls for support down the track - less than full co-operation I suspect. The thing is, I think, is that we are all enthusiasts and want the fastest/smartest/coolest system we can get. For most people, all they want is something that will do the job and that they can get help with if they need it. My job here is trying to find such a system for a price my friend can afford. I don't think she needs a 3+ ghz athlon, or 1gb RAM or a superfast video card, but she does need ease-of-use and reliability. So although I may be able to source something for <$1000 (say), is it going to fill all her criteria - I suspect not. I accept all the criticisms of the Compaq PC I started this thread with, and I don't think I will go there, but I don't think I will get anything cheaper that will do the job.	Tony (4941)
377542	2005-08-03 00:52:00	The thing is, I think, is that we are all enthusiasts and want the fastest/smartest/coolest system we can get . For most people, all they want is something that will do the job and that they can get help with if they need it . Yes, WE want cool, fast etc . But I think we realise our customers want cheap basic boxes to do interent and home office stuff . I know mine mostly do . And I give them that . Yes, not quite as cheap as the likes of those you mentioned but as I point out to them they get after sales support and decent warranties and I refuse to put rubbish components in my systems . As for PCTronix- they seem to be good with their service, I can't vouch 100% for them but so far this is the feedback I have got from people who have used them .	pctek (84)
377543	2005-08-03 01:23:00	As for PCTronix- they seem to be good with their service, I can't vouch 100% for them but so far this is the feedback I have got from people who have used them.I just looked at their website and rang them and they certainly seem OK. Worth a further look, certainly.	Tony (4941)
377544	2005-08-03 02:24:00	Hello Tony, Have a look at this system from DSE www.dse.co.nz It is a much better system than the Compaq deal and at $998.00 you cannot go wrong (forgot how aggressively DSE is marketing electronics nowdays when I said previously you would not beat the Compaq deal) , it runs an Athlon 3000 CPU and even includes a DVD Rewriter and a 80GB 7200 RPM HD plus a multi card reader, the system specification fully itemises the parts used which are of good quality and as a added bonus it is also assembled and supported in NZ and is fully upgradeable (8 x AGP slot etc) Regards AC	Alan Cotrell (6634)
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