mholtz@sactoh0.UUCP (Mark A. Holtz) (02/02/90)
I am currently saving up for a PC-AT System. What I would like to
know is which companies to avoid purchasing a computer from. On my
list to avoid is:
Dell
Additions would be welcome.
--
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NOTE: If mail does not get through, it probably got SyndEx-ed.sukenick@sci.ccny.cuny.edu (SYG) (02/03/90)
>I am currently saving up for a PC-AT System. What I would like to good for you! >list to avoid is: >Dell why? We have one of their '386 systems; while pricey, it works fine.....Their software support stinks (ie: human support) but their hardware support is ok.
marshall@wind55.seri.gov (Marshall L. Buhl) (02/03/90)
mholtz@sactoh0.UUCP (Mark A. Holtz) writes: >I am currently saving up for a PC-AT System. What I would like to >know is which companies to avoid purchasing a computer from. On my >list to avoid is: > >Dell I be interested to know what is wrong with Dell. I've been pretty happy with them. I've given up on Compaq, Everex and, of course, IBM. Poor or nonexistant support being one reason (all three). Lack of reliability for Compaq and Everex is another. Proprietary BS from Compaq and IBM is a third reason. -- Marshall "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C. Clarke
bb16@prism.gatech.EDU (Scott Bostater) (02/03/90)
In article <1990Feb2.200827.24792@seri.gov> marshall@wind55.seri.gov (Marshall L. Buhl) writes: >mholtz@sactoh0.UUCP (Mark A. Holtz) writes: > >>I am currently saving up for a PC-AT System. What I would like to >>know is which companies to avoid purchasing a computer from. On my >>list to avoid is: >> >>Dell > >I be interested to know what is wrong with Dell. I've been pretty We have quite a few Dell's here (thanks to a purchasing agreement). We bought one Dell 286 12 MHz machine back when it was the fastest thing going. It's worked like a dream. We've since bought 2 dozen or so 310 and 325's (20 MHz 386 and 25 MHz 386 respectively). They haven't been quite so trouble free. To be fair, the hardware support response time has generally been good, but the field technicians are not too hot. If replacing the HD controller doesn't work, then call Home, replace the motherboard, if that doesn't work call Home, replace hard disk, if that doesn't work call Home, replace controller board again, etc. The guy the send out knows less about PC's than I do. (and that's not a whole lot :-) Dell seems to be having some trouble with quality control. If you happen to get a good computer off the bat your fine (~60% success rate here). If you do get a lemon, be prepared to drink a lot of lemonade for the next six months while you *wait* for the repair cycle to complete. The only other company that I can compare service with was a West Coast distributor of 386 motherboards. We bought a dozen of them to upgrade some old PC's with. We had a terrible time working the bugs out (1 man service dept., *very* strong Japenese accent) but they're all working fine now. They were just a 24-hour burn-in test and ship outfit selling boards made in Japan. They really didn't have a full fledge service department. I'ld just as soon deal with Dell's service department, but I rather not have to deal with any of it (the other board's problem was pretty trivial once we figured it out.) All things considered, I agree with the original poster. Stay away from Dell. DISCLAIMER: These are my own opinions. I don't speak for Ga. Tech, GTRI, The State of Georgia, or anybody else. In fact, until I clear this with my wife, I'm not sure even I speak for myself :-) -- Scott Bostater GTRI/RAIL/RAD (Ga. Tech) "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him" -Ps 62.1 uucp: ...!{allegra,amd,hplabs,ut-ngp}!gatech!prism!bb16 Internet: bb16@prism.gatech.edu
mholtz@sactoh0.UUCP (Mark A. Holtz) (02/04/90)
In article <1990Feb2.191221.6707@sci.ccny.cuny.edu>, sukenick@sci.ccny.cuny.edu (SYG) writes: > >list to avoid is: >Dell > > why? We have one of their '386 systems; while pricey, > it works fine.....Their software support stinks > (ie: human support) but their hardware support is ok. I based that assumption on the "Bad Experience" info posted on the net. -- {ames att sun}!pacbell! \ <-> America OnLine: Mark Holtz ucdavis!csusac! -> sactoh0!mholtz <=> GEnie: M.HOLTZ uunet!mmsac! / <-> Home Phone: (916) 722-8522 NOTE: If mail does not get through, it probably got SyndEx-ed.