best PC brands

[Tbag]

what is the best brand of pc to get and why............or why not?

thanks

[greymalkin]

packard bell!!!!??? Do they even still make pc's? I remember they were junk back in the day.

[Grain]

Build it yourself, you get better parts for less money.

[Tbag]

Build it yourself, you get better parts for less money.

I have trouble upgrading ram i wont even go there with building a computer

[redwudz]

From your list, I would place Dell a little above HP, because they will let you configure the computer the way you want it. (Usually. ).

But the more important question is: What do you want to primarily use the computer for? Editing, encoding, Internet surfing, audio, DVD backups, gaming?

I would figure out what you want or need and see if they have it available and at a price that you can afford. There are many smaller companies that make good computers, with good warranties that may suit your particular needs better.

[oldandinthe way]

I believe Packard Bell sells PCs in Europe today.

At various points in time, the old Packard Bell built some of the best PCs in the world! Actually Intel built them for Packard Bell. At other points Tatung built quality machines for them. And of course after the NEC/Bull deal their machines suffered from the tower of babel effect.

PB got a bad rep because of the deliberate actions of a major Compaq backer, and because the were early adoptors of the form factors for PC motherboards and cases which bame standard. You couldn;t put an AT motherboard in a PB case and this offended many. Now of course you could find a motherboard to fit an AT case.

They also were the pioneers in how to ship software without shipping media, and tech support which was pretty much limited to returning the system to its factory state. Pretty much today's norm.

If you are not looking for a gamer's or other special purpose machine, I'd buy the fastest machine, with most standard memory and hard disk I could afford at a convenient big box store.

Read the ads for a couple of weeks and the price sweet spot will be evident. If the sweet spot configuration fits your budget and needs, buy it. You will probably overpay over what thins sell for next month, but if you wait the situation will be the same.

[classfour]

I can't build a machine from scratch for what I can buy a Dell. One item to be certain to include is the restore disc: Their about $10 but absolutely required. You can always add your own drives, burners and memory later.

Not to thump HP or PB, but I've had an issue with HP since they bought Compaq and orphaned me on support. I do know of two siblings who purchased Packard Bell machines that failed within the first year. PB must've spent a ton on replacing parts on those models, they were nearly completely rebuilt; still died right after the warranty failed.

[jagabo]

I can't build a machine from scratch for what I can buy a Dell.

You can't beat Dell's price on their base systems. But by the time you've configured a system the way you really want it (upgrading memory, hard drive, video, etc), you can build your own for less.

[Bodyslide]

Build it yoursef first, But then get a Dell. I have bought 10-15 for different family members and everyone likes them. I have never had any issues with their Customer Support over the past 7 or 8 years.

[edDV]

The sad history of Packard Bell is summarized here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packard_Bell

I'm surprised the trademark is still alive in Europe. Trademarks can be licensed or purchased by anyone.

[laspis59]

I have never been shown how to put together a PC myself but I've still managed to do it twice and its a much better way because you get to choose what components you desire as long as all is compatible.It may seem hard,but if you look inside the PC case,there's not much to it.A motherboard first,mounted onto the case,then the CPU clipped into the motherboard,wires from case to motherboard ect....

Being as the question is which brand is better,I have put a vote in for Dell.

[Super Warrior]

My primary comp is a laptop, Dell Inspiron B120, and its great. Handles all video editing, ripping, DVD burning, internet, etc.

Only cost $450 total(free shipping) direct from dell.

Another neat thing about Dell comps is they seem to be made to be easily upgraded/repaired/etc, by using standardized parts. Upgrading ram&disc drive was a snap.

So for good entry-level comps, especially NICE and affordable laptops, Dell seems to be the best.

[mats.hogberg]

None of the above. Pick your components (case, mobo, gfx card, mem...) and put it together yourself (or have it put together for you where you buy the components). May not be cheaper, but absolutely better if you know what you want.

/Mats

[Super Warrior]

None of the above. Pick your components (case, mobo, gfx card, mem...) and put it together yourself (or have it put together for you where you buy the components). May not be cheaper, but absolutely better if you know what you want.

/Mats

What about laptops though? Not as easy to build youself.

Plus if one only wants an affordable, quality entry-level laptop for basic purposes like DVD burning, internet, movies, etc. Dell's selection is pretty good. Similiar entry-laptops compared to the one i have, go for around $550-$650 at other places like gateway and toshiba. Mine was only $450 total and performs like a champ.

Actually the ONLY thing my laptop can't do is gaming, due to its intergrated graphics. It can handle EVERYTHING else though.

[mats.hogberg]

Agree - when it comes to laptops, there aint much choice. Bought my significant other an Acer 1.5 years ago, not to have her in front of mine all the time. Runs Internet, Office apps and "GameHouse" type games without ptoblem, but I wouldn't run Doom III on it. The day they can make laptops with replacable gfx cards, I may actualy buy one myself!

/Mats

[Super Warrior]

Yeah Dell's entry-laptops now cost as much as an entry-level desktop did a few years ago. Thats pretty good.

[FulciLives]

I would buy a Compaq or HP at a store like BEST BUY or CompUSA or Circuit City.

Just make sure that the computer has a PCI-E slot as you will need to upgrade the graphics at some point if not right away. Most store bought computes do not come with a decent video card.

Here are some decent choices:

1.) Compaq Presario Desktop with AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor 3800+ (Model: SR2034NX)
This has everything you need but you will want to upgrade the video card. It does have an open PCI-E slot for that. Also it appears to not have FIREWIRE IEEE-1394 but it does have 2 open PCI slots so you could add that if you need it. This computer also says that it is "Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Ready"

2.) Gateway Desktop with AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Processor 3800+ (Model: GT5220)
For $20 more than the Compaq above this might be an even better choice as it already comes with FIREWIRE IEEE-1394 support and also has an open PCI-E slot for a video card upgrade. This computer also says that it is "Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Ready".

3.) Hewlett-Packard Pavilion Media Center Desktop with AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Processor 4200+ (Model: a1610n)
This one is just a bit more than the 2 above but you are getting a faster processor and it also has built-in FIREWIRE IEEE-1394 plus an empty PCI-E slot for a video card upgrade. This computer also says that it is "Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Ready"

That is all the searching I am going to do for you but it gives you an idea of what is out there and what to look for.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[lordsmurf]

I just got an awesome laptop from HP for an excellent price to boot!

The same specs were 50% more expensive through Dell.



edited for typos

[Faustus]

In all honesty they are all about the same these days as they are pretty much using the same components so its pretty much luck of the draw as far as problems go usually.

The new HPs are quite nice however, as are Sony though Sony is usually over priced.

I would build my own for sure that way I get to PICK everything that goes in, but if you are not up to it I would go with whatever killer deal turns up first.

[dfisher052]

My first was a Packard Bell (when I was an innocent newbie). My second was one I built. My third (that I now use) is a Dell refrub that I have greatly rebuilt. I changed the video card, added a sound card, replaced the hard drive & added one. Replaced the cd drive with two DVD-RW drives. And installed XP pro. It runs great & will do just fine till I feel like doing something else, like when I need more power or something else to do the video things I like to do.
Dell refurbs are a good deal that you can get on ebay, but do your homework so that you get what you need to work with. The GX series business machines seem to be very reliable & I feel are a better buy then the regular consumer machines.

[Abbadon]

I have never purchased a brand computer, all of my former machines were home assembled (home made sounds cool).

I must admit that picking up the parts could become tiresome, and you must be sure the different pieces are compatible. But, as several members have mentioned, you save money and learn a few things.

Now, I have used HP computers at my office and they have not given me any problems, neither to my co-workers.

[jagabo]

The last fully assembled PC I bought was in 1984. An IBM PC with a 10 MB hard drive.

[FulciLives]

The 3 computers I linked to a few posts up ... I dare anyone to show me (with links) how you would put together a computer with the same specs and WinXP OS for roughly the same or cheaper.

I say it can't be done.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[TBoneit]

I'm guessing Dell UK does the same as Dell USA?

On the Dell website keep watching for short term specials.

We bought a couple of basic Dells, 2.53 Celeron, 256Mb, 80 gb with a 19" LCD. I believe the total was around $349 US. I couldn't build one for even near that price with a 19" LCD.

We bought a couple more 3.06 P4s with 1Gb and I forget what display for somewhere around $450 US.

Dell does funny things they'll have a heck of a deal that only appears on their website for a short period of time sometimes 1 or 2 hours. The deals are real good unless you start changing things. Then not a deal as that is where they expect to make their money.

[Super Warrior]

I'm guessing Dell UK does the same as Dell USA?

On the Dell website keep watching for short term specials.

We bought a couple of basic Dells, 2.53 Celeron, 256Mb, 80 gb with a 19" LCD. I believe the total was around $349 US. I couldn't build one for even near that price with a 19" LCD.

We bought a couple more 3.06 P4s with 1Gb and I forget what display for somewhere around $450 US.

Dell does funny things they'll have a heck of a deal that only appears on their website for a short period of time sometimes 1 or 2 hours. The deals are real good unless you start changing things. Then not a deal as that is where they expect to make their money.

Yeah at the time my dell inspiron B120 laptop, cost about $600(w/shipping) normally. But Dell just happened to have 2 specials going at the same time:

$100 discount off certain laptops, AND free shipping($50 off) for all comp/laptops. So it cost me $450 total instead of $600.

[stiltman]

Same goes with Dell's outlet area. Best time to look is Thursdays by my account. Hit refresh a 1/2 million times until a smokin deal pops up.....I got my 4200 for like $300. No longer the same PC anymore. New Video card, New Ram, New Processor, New HDDs, New DVD burners....etc.

Only thing thats the same is the case, power supply, motherboard

[Webster]

Same goes with Dell's outlet area.

ditto....
Just pick up a C521 (1gig ram, 160GB, 128Meg ePCI. dual layers burner, XP MC) for $379.00 plus tax (free shipping) ( I could get the E520 for $50.00 less but I need a slim case due to lack of space on my bench). I did the calculation for the parts using newegg price. It would have cost me at least $520.00 for the parts alone (using the cheapest priced items I could find.) So for the difference in price, I could pick up an Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor by adding another 40 bucks more to the difference and swap out the processor (already swap out the HD with a 320 gig I have laying around).
So sometime it is better to buy a prebuilt system and upgrade it from there....
I do not care about Dell support these day. They used to be first grade. Now it is the same as any boxes builder these day.

Best time to look is Thursdays

Thank for the info.

[normcar]

If you are buying a name brand computer, wait for Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). You will get great deals on that day. I would buy a Dell.

However, if you buy a system, you will have limits on the upgradability of the system because of warrantee, and because of limits of the system. These cases have fewer fans, and Harddrive slots, and sometimes have onboard video without a video slot. I recommend you build your own system. It may not be the cheapest, but you will have much better parts, than the cheapest parts Dell or another company can find. Dell wants to find the cheapest parts that work, it really doesn't care about speed, except for its most expensive machines. If you are a gamer, you should look at companies that build systems for the gammers.

If you build your own system, you will learn more, and be able to fix problems faster. It may be a headache at first, but learning how your system works will give you greater knowlege for your video editing (which since you are here, I assume you do). Once you buy your parts, upgrading can be done over time, instead of buying a new machine. The case and powersupply should last years, while upgrading other parts as needed. With video editing having more harddrive slots is always good. Better faster memory, and a quality CPU cooler are just some of the good points of building your own system.

Also remember to run memtest or other memory testers when ever you buy memory or a new system.

When buying a new system, make sure that you get a Vista upgradeable system coupon. You may never upgrade to it, but you will have the upgrade available. According to MS, the Vista copy you get from Dell or others will have the 3 limit load, but the standalone copy will not have this limit.

[mats.hogberg]

sometime it is better to buy a prebuilt system and upgrade it from there.

If you can upgrade. Many "brand" Pcs have proprietary solutions, making adding/replacing hardware with std components difficult, and sometimes even impossible. Just the custom chassis may give you a hard time.

/Mats

[Gillies]

Have u considered a Mac?