Advice For The Clueless

Carneliat · Post by **Carneliat** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:22 am

I have been wanting to upgrade my system for a while now and have been checking out a few places.(Locally and online) I just have a question for you guru's of the chip. I have been looking at the dell website and they seem to have some really good deals. Is there a really good reason they are cheaper than everyone else? Are they that low quality or is it just cause they crank them out in such high volume that they are cheaper? Another guy I've been recommended does the stuff at my workplace but for a comparrible system he's almost twice the price. So if I get a cheaper system from dell or a similar place am I rolling the dice as it were on whether the system is shit or good? Any thought's?

Rack Fu · Post by **Rack Fu** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:17 pm

Dell systems are normally not that cheap. Usually they're on the higher end of the scale compared to their usual competition. They're running a lot of deals and stuff right now which makes their prices more competitive. I still say they're the best of the big manufacturers.

What gets me is the guy at your workplace that is trying to poach you. A build your own computer will ALWAYS be much cheaper than a Dell, Gateway, Compaq, etc. I can guarantee that I can go down to Fry's and buy the same exact components that the Dell system uses and it would be at least 40% cheaper. He's trying to fuck you over.

ElTaco · Post by **ElTaco** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:08 am

I disagree with you big time Rack Fu. You can easily buy a computer that is cheaper then if you built your own system. The only good reason to build your own system these days if you want to make sure it has the high end parts you want. If you like Intel Mobos, go with Dell. If you like ASUS, go with HP. Part of the reason that this is the case is that PC stores get parts very very cheap from out of country and then build them and sell them for very cheap, cheaper then if you go online and buy the same parts and build them yourselves.
The second part of your question is why Dell can sell PCs so cheap? Its not just because its the holidays (although right now that does mean deals across all of Dell's divisions). If you look at Dell small business, they sell PCs with huge discounts throughout the year. The reason is that they sell the hardware at a slight loss and overprice all the optional parts and warranty. Its the same idea as gaming systems.

Rack Fu · Post by **Rack Fu** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:59 am

ElTaco wrote:I disagree with you big time Rack Fu. You can easily buy a computer that is cheaper then if you built your own system. The only good reason to build your own system these days if you want to make sure it has the high end parts you want. If you like Intel Mobos, go with Dell. If you like ASUS, go with HP. Part of the reason that this is the case is that PC stores get parts very very cheap from out of country and then build them and sell them for very cheap, cheaper then if you go online and buy the same parts and build them yourselves.
The second part of your question is why Dell can sell PCs so cheap? Its not just because its the holidays (although right now that does mean deals across all of Dell's divisions). If you look at Dell small business, they sell PCs with huge discounts throughout the year. The reason is that they sell the hardware at a slight loss and overprice all the optional parts and warranty. Its the same idea as gaming systems.

To be honest, I've only built high end systems - comparable to Alienware, Falcon-NW or Dell's new XPS rigs. I usually go and configure a system on one of their sites and go buy all the same components and it's always half the price.

You're right though - If you're buying a value priced system, it can't get much cheaper.

Carneliat · Post by **Carneliat** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:44 am

ElTaco wrote: The reason is that they sell the hardware at a slight loss and overprice all the optional parts and warranty. .

This another thing I've been warned about. I've heard that they will push the warranty and sell shitty systems. Kinda like buying a KIA, sure it's got a ten year warranty, mostly cause your going to need it.

What I'm looking at on the website.
http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/product ... l=en&s=dhs

Something like one of these systems.