joec@Morgan.COM (Joe Collins) (03/04/90)
Packard Bell is offering an XT-compatible computer with 640kb RAM, 30MB Harddisk, CGA-monitor, 4 slots on an XT class machine, with cpu switchable between 4.77/10mhz. The price was $899, including a 14" CGA monitor. My friend is considering this for his first foray into computers. I welcome any email directly to me regarding, 1-compatibility, i.e. lotus et al 2-relability, i.e. is a good, reliable computer. I hate to see my friend get a machine and then have all sorts of problems with it.... Any help from fellow netters is most appreciated! many thanks..... joec@morgan.com
ries@venice.SEDD.TRW.COM (Marc Ries) (03/06/90)
In article <765@s6.Morgan.COM> joec@Morgan.COM (Joe Collins) writes: >Packard Bell is offering an XT-compatible computer with >640kb RAM, 30MB Harddisk, CGA-monitor, 4 slots on an >XT class machine, with cpu switchable between 4.77/10mhz. >The price was $899, including a 14" CGA monitor. > >My friend is considering this for his first foray into >computers. I welcome any email directly to me regarding, >I hate to see my friend get a machine and then have all >sorts of problems with it.... While I can not speak for the XT-Class machine, I can say that I have had MONUMENTAL TROUBLE with their 286 class machine, so much so that out of frustration I (luckily) got my money back and basically vowed to never to purchase a PB computer again. What I can say about PB as a whole is their HORRENDOUS technical support. I've had two different techs give two differents answers within minutes of each other. You will NEVER get a technician on a first call and I've had them wait for over a week to call back when I had a machine that was DEAD IN THE WATER (bad mother board - for the second time) and I needed it. Don't be fooled by their 120-day, 72-hour or less on-site support, either. Cause that 72-hour or less is a contract between you and PB's outside service contractor's -- not between you and PB. If PB doesn't get back to you in week, it's your tough luck. etc. -- Marc Ries ries@venice.sedd.trw.com (ARPA) somewhere!trwind!venice!ries (UUCP) #include <std.disclaimer>
todd@locus.com (Todd Johnson) (03/07/90)
In article <765@s6.Morgan.COM> joec@Morgan.COM (Joe Collins) writes:
;
;My friend is considering this for his first foray into
;computers. I welcome any email directly to me regarding,
;1-compatibility, i.e. lotus et al
;2-relability, i.e. is a good, reliable computer.
;I hate to see my friend get a machine and then have all
;sorts of problems with it....
My sister has acquired a Packard-Bell 286 clone with VGA display
and so far (since November) has only had one problem: sometimes
the hard disk doesn't want to boot. A power cycle solves the problem.
I've seen this on my own Seagate 4096 disk and suspect it's a problem
with temperature changes affecting tracking (I haven't noticed similar
problems at work but we simply don't turn off our machines), so I don't
count it as a major worry.
She also got a Packard-Bell modem which has had no problems except
that the original power supply was marginal.
--
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