Buying a Computer

[Azyael]

Soon I'll be buying a new computer.

I've heard only good things about Dell, and I've had nothing but problems with Compaq's.

I'm looking for a reliable computer with a decent Tech support. I'm a gamer, so the comp has to have some balls, but I could care less about the Burners/DVD players

Any advice?

[Kerio]

Some advice ...

1. Determine your budget.

Since you don't indicate the price range, it is difficult to suggest alternative sources that fit with your needs. You can easily purchase a cheap mass market system (i.e. Dell, Compaq, IBM, etc.) that will satisfy your desires. However, there are numerous companies (i.e. Voodoopc, Falcon-NW, Alienware) that specialize in building custom 'gaming' systems that offer greater flexibility in choosing exactly what _you_ want in system performance and hardware.


2. Visit their Websites

Before commiting yourself to any one company, visit their websites and explore the different system options. Furthermore, some have their own forums where you can ask questions of staff, owners, and the public at large. The best approach is to ask actual owners their experiences ... both the positve and negative - especially if you are going to spend thousands of dollars.


3. Research their Reputations

Using www.resellerratings.com you can determine where the companies stand with respect to others in their field and read some personal accounts of dealings with them. Note that, like all on-line polls, only a fraction of the actual owners have posted messages or votes and the ratings can easily be inflated (or deflated) by others.


4. Phone/E-mail their Sales Department

One way of determining their level of customer service is to actually contact them with specific questions -- do they promptly answer your questions completely and provide you with reasonable alternatives for your hardware selection or are they just trying to sell you a pre-packaged system. First impressions are important -- if the sales department isn't knowledgable or takes days (or weeks) to respond to e-mails; then perhaps you should be searching somewhere else for your system.


5. Final Thoughts

If you are going to do business with any custom manufacturer (even if it is the corner computer store near your neighborhood), you will want to know exactly how long they have been in business -- especially if you are concerned with on-going tech-support rather than the initial purchase. Last thing you want to have happen is needing that support only to find they have gone out of business.

[Aristotle]

They are expensive, but I cannot recommend Alienware highly enough.

Their machines are TOP NOTCH and the tech support is excellent.

The reason they are expensive is not because of any brand name markup like you might find with other types of products. The value is enormous. The cost tends to be high only because you are getting top of the line components. You can actually build a more "value" oriented PC via their configurators.

You can also call them up and tell them you want some suggestions on where to cut costs and they will help you.

I have been using my current Alienware for almost 2 years which is a miracle. I haven't had a computer this long since back in the days before I had a full time job and could hardly afford food.

[Azyael]

Originally posted by Kerio

1. Determine your budget.

Since you don't indicate the price range, it is difficult to suggest alternative sources that fit with your needs.

I've got about a grand to spend. Sorry, should have mention that right off the bat. =)

They are expensive, but I cannot recommend Alienware highly enough.

I've heard this from other people, as well. I would jump on them in a second if it wasn't for the expense that makes me double-think. However, if there reliable and last for awhile then perhaps I may just go this route. There website has been the best I've seen so far as well. =) Very helpful

[Azyael]

Originally posted by Aristotle
Their machines are TOP NOTCH and the tech support is excellent.

At first, I really did not want to go with this suggestion because of the cost involved with alienwares. However, I decided that if I was going to buy a computer, I might as well go with quality since I've had horrid luck with my previous computers.

While I haven't recieved the computer yet, I've been extremly impressed with the service they've provided so far. Thank you for the suggestion!

[Zyth]

Yeah Alienware are great - I know people who get these things shipped in from the states (using Enermax changable power supply 115-230)

They always -look- sweet also, and run well. I prefer building my own, but if something goes wrong it can cause me a lot of time finding the problem. Hope it goes well for you.

[Savaric]

Yeah the alienware (from everything ive heard) are indeed what they are cracked up to be. If your a hardcore gamer (aaaaand who isnt?) and got the bucks that would be a very cool thing to have.

As for computers I like my dell very very much. Ive had no problems with it. I just asked around and everyone said dell was good, thats how I chose. I dont like gateway, one of my roommates had one and it sucked, but who knows maybe it had all kinds of crap on it.

Ive had my dell almost three years.