I know no one really reads these thing but what the hell right?
I was wondering what everyones opinions on Dell computers. some people think there paper weights and some think their the greatest thing since beer dispenser hats!
What do you think?
My opinion: The first Dell I owned was when I was in college a Dimension 2400. Say what you want about dell but this thing was stable. only problem I had was when lightning hit my phone line and fried my modem (answering machine and phone as well). I played Diablo and a bunch of tom clancy games on it all the time. After a few years it was outdated. I decided to get a new computer and dell I chose the dell E 510 because of a promo they had. I havnt had any problems with it so far except trying to upgrade it but dells are notorious for being impossible to upgrade.
Stick with mid to high-range models and you're good. I am surprised the Dim 2400 lasted you so long, its a low-range model. As for upgrading Dell systems, it is not impossible, but it depends on what you'd like to upgrade, and what model you have.
The majority of my Dell experience was on the job. The company switched from very problematic Gateway systems in the mid 90s and found our Dell's to be very stable.
Spent so much time phoning Gateway tech support that my preliminary diagnosis was exactly what they needed and reduced our phone time, but not enough that I could deal with the repetitive issues (bad monitors, bad drives, stuck power buttons, and even some of the replacement came in DOA.
But after switching to Dell's, tech calls were reduced to about once a year. The only universal problem with them was/is that they seemed to slow down noticeably a couple of years before the end of warranty, but besides that, very few hardware issues. Reinstalling Windows usually took care of most slowing system. Also, we had faulty power running through our building, so some systems experienced continual fluctuations and needed UPS to regulate. As far as Dell problematic areas, mainly have had issues with the Dell power supplies (anemic and several in the GX270 would fail to boot the PC). Also a few keyboards with failing keys. Monitors, mice, speakers, and the overall hard drive units have been solid performers, and when sending to surplus, we've kept several peripherals and hard drives to add to newer systems or as backup for damaged newer components. We gutted Gateways just to keep ourselves afloat between service calls, we gutted Dells to have good components on hand for an emergency or to boost another system.
As for the home, have had more problems with them and service for them. Bad memory slot, bad video card in newer unit that wasn't resolved to satisfaction and resulted in an out-of-pocket expense. But despite it, they've never completely died and in the wake of some extreme heat conditions. I've had to remove most add-on cards (TV tuner, modem, and fire wire cards) to get nonBSD behavior out of both PCs, but for units that are five and three years old and not their best (Dimension 4550 and 4700) configuration, I'm surprised they've taken the use given and still perform well enough (web surfing, basic gaming, office, full video/audio ripping, viewing, transcoding, etc.
Finally, yes, hate the modless nature of Dells. Bought a higher capacity power supply for work Dell, but did not at the time realize Dell used a proprietary connector and I could have fried the system (thankfully no way to properly connect/fit the standard PSU in the Dell POS case. Also, when using my existing multiple drives, the lack of an expansive drive cage made for a unique opportunity to squeeze a third drive into the previously occupied floppy drive area. You wanted expansion, you bought something other than a Dell, they had their space all tied up with their clam shell design.
After reading the responses I'm not sure if this is about Dell or Gateway. If you want to upgrade, go gateway. I'm with a company that uses Gateway only and we have them by the thousands. I have my own network at home with 6 Dell systems and 4 Gateway systems. All are online 24/7, and all are working on Boinc projects 24/7. One of the Gateways has been upgraded to a duel core and it was very easy. I tried to upgrade a dell and found if you want to do that you had best be buying Dell parts. As far as problems I have very rarely called a help desk on either system. I use dell mostly because they are a little cheaper, that matters when you are replacing 9 computers every few years.
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