Oustanding Value from Dell

  • Thread starter Thread starter roger.valentine
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roger.valentine

I am opening a new office in Glasgow

I need to kit out my office (20 computers) with large displays and
printers

Dell appear to be the best value and have an excellent reputation.

Should I buy locally?

I was toying with the idea of using Macs. I have 2 graphic designers on
my team that recommend them very highly. I think I disagree - I have
always used Windows and compatibility is a big issue for me. I may
purchase one PowerBook but apart from that, I think I'll go for Dell
boxes.
 
If the two designers are tech savvy enough, there is no reason why they
couldn't be on Mac, while the others are on Windows. That's a fairly
common setup. I didn't catch who is going to be doing the system
maintenance in the new office.. A dedicated person?
On the other hand, it is perfectly possible to design on a PC.

One of the really great things about Macs is that they *very* unlikely
to get infected by a virus - unlike Windows.
This also goes for Linux, which runs on standard PCs, e.g. a Dell for
instance.

As a business owner, you don't want viruses, obviously, because their
effect on productivity. You also may not want to pay the extortionate
prices charged by anti-virus companies, and pay somebody to maintain
this. Macs and Linux boxes basically do not get viruses or spyware
through normal usage, whereas Windows does. So this is worth taking into
consideration.

There are also companies here in the UK that let you hire machines
according to a set of criteria. Basically, you'd pay them a fee in order
to always have 20 fully functional machines according to a certain spec.
A lot of people like that setup, and it makes it less painless to
upgrade hardware when you need a higher spec.

Nobody in this group likes Dell, but to be fair, they make perfectly
adequate office PCs. I am not sure about the competitiveness of the
pricing. I would not go to Dell without looking around though. And don't
forget that you can negotiate with Dell. Unless I am mixing it up with
HP, their sales guys work on comission, and their corporate prices have
a varying margin.

In fact, 20 PCs is not that much, and I'd look locally. You want a
medium-sized local shop that would be delighted to get your business.
(whereas you are peanuts to Dell).

I'd also seriously consider giving the developers/designers high-end
machines, and the rest of the staff low end machines.....
Those who need to use development tools, graphics apps and Microsoft
Project need 19" or larger monitors.

Another factor is - how likely is fast growth of that company? If you
think it might double in the year,then you need a solution which would
allow for that with minimum hassle and strange extra charges. You'd be
surprised how long it can sometimes take to get a PC delivered to a
corporate account on a short notice.

Hope this helps
Johanna ( I am an IT project manager for large software dev projects)



There is now also an Intel based Mac on the market
 
(e-mail address removed) rattled this off his keyboard on 10/6/2006 :
I am opening a new office in Glasgow

I need to kit out my office (20 computers) with large displays and
printers

Dell appear to be the best value and have an excellent reputation.

Should I buy locally?

I was toying with the idea of using Macs. I have 2 graphic designers on
my team that recommend them very highly. I think I disagree - I have
always used Windows and compatibility is a big issue for me. I may
purchase one PowerBook but apart from that, I think I'll go for Dell
boxes.
Click to expand...


Hmmmm, Dell, the box from Hell.

In general it is a good notion to stay away from propriety driven
computers and Dell in particular. I'm sure you can find competitive
pricing in generic systems and hence not have to deal with all the
grief that comes when something goes wrong with a propriety system.
For example:
....The BIOS is generally fudged and only gives limited access.
....The drivers are specific to the manufacturer's machines.
....Usually the OS has been changed to protect the manufacturer's
requirements.

I would simply suggest that you make your decision based on information
you receive from an expert in computing as for your type of business.

I'm sure Dell will not top the best 10 list. ;-)

--
From the most powerful man on the planet:

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
George W Bush, Reuters, May 5, 2000

Senex
 
Personally, I like Dell's for a corporate machine. But I wouldn't have one
for a my personal machine.

Clint
 
Senex said:
(e-mail address removed) rattled this off his keyboard on 10/6/2006 :


Hmmmm, Dell, the box from Hell.

In general it is a good notion to stay away from propriety driven
computers and Dell in particular.
Click to expand...

propriety - noun: conformity to established standards of good or proper
behavior or manners

Yes, he really wouldn't want a computer that works.
I'm sure you can find competitive
pricing in generic systems and hence not have to deal with all the grief
that comes when something goes wrong with a propriety system.
Click to expand...

Problems arise with proprietary motherboards outside of warranty. Within
warranty your as likely to get bad service with a small shop as with a
big one (in my experience, more so).

If you're setting up an office you want to get all the systems at one
time to the same specs, and Dell are good for this.

For home use, get a design-your-own (or build it yourself) from a local
business.
For example:
...The BIOS is generally fudged and only gives limited access.
Click to expand...

This is a business, he's not going to be overclocking.
...The drivers are specific to the manufacturer's machines.
Click to expand...

Drivers are usually hardware specific, what's surprising about that?
...Usually the OS has been changed to protect the manufacturer's
requirements.
Click to expand...

"protect the manufacturer's requirements" .. what exactly do you mean?
You're not getting a retail version, and you won't get a retail version
from a small shop either unless you want to fork out extra $$$.
I would simply suggest that you make your decision based on information
you receive from an expert in computing as for your type of business.
Click to expand...

So, not you.
I'm sure Dell will not top the best 10 list. ;-)
Click to expand...

Yeah, Joe's Washing Machines and Computer Gadgets will be right up there
at number one.


*sigh*

Ari


--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/
 
spodosaurus rattled this off his keyboard on 10/6/2006 :
propriety - noun: conformity to established standards of good or proper
behavior or manners

Yes, he really wouldn't want a computer that works.


Problems arise with proprietary motherboards outside of warranty. Within
warranty your as likely to get bad service with a small shop as with a big
one (in my experience, more so).
Click to expand...

And your point is???
If you're setting up an office you want to get all the systems at one time to
the same specs, and Dell are good for this.
Click to expand...

Or not
For home use, get a design-your-own (or build it yourself) from a local
business.


This is a business, he's not going to be overclocking.
Click to expand...

Access to BIOS gives control over many things other than friggin'
over-clocking. I've never over-clocked a system in my life but I have
changed other parameters as needed.
Drivers are usually hardware specific, what's surprising about that?
Click to expand...

Hardware specific as related component parts? Yes but not *system*
specific as in hp, Dell. compaq etc.
For example: generic intel chipset drivers will not function properly
on a Dell. You must get the Dell 'fudged' version.
"protect the manufacturer's requirements" .. what exactly do you mean? You're
not getting a retail version, and you won't get a retail version from a small
shop either unless you want to fork out extra $$$.


So, not you.
Click to expand...

That's why I don't suggest *what* to buy but suggest what *not* to buy
based on personal experience only. That's permitted no??
Yeah, Joe's Washing Machines and Computer Gadgets will be right up there at
number one.
Click to expand...

I've never purchased from "Joe's Washing Machines and Computer Gadgets"
but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last week.
*sigh*

Ari
Click to expand...

Oh dear, I guess I touched a sore spot with a
"You got a Dell dude". I'm sooo sorry.

I owned a Dell. It was crap.
I owned an HP. It was crap.
Compaq? Not worth a comment.



*sigh*

--
From the most powerful man on the planet:

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
George W Bush, Reuters, May 5, 2000

Senex
 
Senex said:
And your point is???
Click to expand...

Which word didn't you understand?
Access to BIOS gives control over many things other than friggin'
over-clocking. I've never over-clocked a system in my life but I have
changed other parameters as needed.
Click to expand...

I've entered Dell BIOSes...what precisely is your beef with them?
Hardware specific as related component parts? Yes but not *system*
specific as in hp, Dell. compaq etc.
For example: generic intel chipset drivers will not function properly on
a Dell. You must get the Dell 'fudged' version.
Click to expand...

For which boards? I was under the impression that Dell bought their
boards from a third party manufacturer that also produces retail boards.
Strange that they'd redesign a board just for Dell. In any event, you
can download these from Dell, right?
Well?


That's why I don't suggest *what* to buy but suggest what *not* to buy
based on personal experience only. That's permitted no??
Click to expand...

That depends on the personal experiences. You can even use others'
experiences if you can be sure that it was the provider and not the
purchaser.
I've never purchased from "Joe's Washing Machines and Computer Gadgets"
but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last week.
Click to expand...

Are they in your top ten computer suppliers?
I owned a Dell. It was crap.
I owned an HP. It was crap.
Compaq? Not worth a comment.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't touch HP or Compaq after their warranty reputations became
used toilet paper. Dell have had some issues that I've dealt with
regarding use of Maxtor hard drives, but that's more Maxtor than
anything else - Dell fixed the problem in a very acceptable way. I have
yet to have an experience with them that left me turned off. I have
however seen morons blame Dell for their screwing up their own systems.
Actually, I should say people ignorant of computers. Well, maybe not.
DOS I guess.

Ari

--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/
 
Senex said:
(e-mail address removed) rattled this off his keyboard on 10/6/2006 :
Click to expand...
Hmmmm, Dell, the box from Hell.

In general it is a good notion to stay away from propriety driven
computers and Dell in particular. I'm sure you can find competitive
pricing in generic systems and hence not have to deal with all the grief
that comes when something goes wrong with a propriety system. For
example:
...The BIOS is generally fudged and only gives limited access.
...The drivers are specific to the manufacturer's machines.
...Usually the OS has been changed to protect the manufacturer's
requirements.
Click to expand...

Oddly enough the wirehead who built my last machine suggested I now buy a
particular model Dell as it delivers performance he couldn't match at that
price.

Are the points you mention above troubling only to hobbyists or are they
something an average user who prefers not to tinker with the guts would be
likely to notice?
 
JAD said:
another reason NOT to buy a Dell...........they will kill you with
their 'help'.
Click to expand...


let me correct that, you will want to kill yourself after you deal with
their "help"
 
DGDevin rattled this off his keyboard on 10/6/2006 :
Oddly enough the wirehead who built my last machine suggested I now buy a
particular model Dell as it delivers performance he couldn't match at that
price.

Are the points you mention above troubling only to hobbyists or are they
something an average user who prefers not to tinker with the guts would be
likely to notice?
Click to expand...

Probably of no concern to the average user at all. However, somewhere
down the line someone (wirehead as someone said) has to fix the thing
or change hardware and the propriety concept becomes a real pain in the
ass.

--
From the most powerful man on the planet:

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
George W Bush, Reuters, May 5, 2000

Senex
 
DGDevin rattled this off his keyboard on 10/6/2006 :

Probably of no concern to the average user at all. However, somewhere
down the line someone (wirehead as someone said) has to fix the thing
or change hardware and the propriety concept becomes a real pain in the
ass.
Click to expand...

Right now you can buy a 2.5GHz, 80Gb HDD, CD-RW, 256MB RAM Dell with a 15"
LCD monitor for $379. For that cheap, you might as well get a new system
in 3-4 years when/if this one goes bad.

Sure, no one who's even a bit of tech head will want one. They won't run
any new games for instance. But if you're just doing office work or email
and web browsing, a system like that is fine.

Personally, I haven't had any problems working on Dell systems since they
gave up using the proprietary power supplies.
 
Probably of no concern to the average user at all. However, somewhere
down the line someone (wirehead as someone said) has to fix the thing or
change hardware and the propriety concept becomes a real pain in the ass.
Click to expand...

Can you expand on that? By "change hardware" do you mean I'd have trouble
adding a burner or hooking up outboard backup drives, that sort of thing?
The configuration I'm thinking of has upgraded audio and video cards
already, I'm thinking they won't be obsolete fast enough for me to worry
about, it's not like I'm into cutting-edge games or video editing or
designing bridges on CAD.

I already own XP Pro, is there some reason I couldn't replace Dell's XP
Media Center with Pro? Thanks for your comments.
 
DGDevin rattled this off his keyboard on 10/6/2006 :

I already own XP Pro, is there some reason I couldn't replace Dell's XP Media
Center with Pro? Thanks for your comments.
Click to expand...

Nope, no problem replacing it at all. Just make certain you save or
have access to all the original Dell drivers. The XP drivers will
*not* do the job. If you don't save the originals, you'll have to hunt
them down after the fact.
I just finished getting through taht piece of misery 2 weeks ago. You
need them for such things as on-board video, on-board audio, chipset
etc.

--
From the most powerful man on the planet:

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
George W Bush, Reuters, May 5, 2000

Senex
 
Changing hardware becomes an issue if you want to change the "proprietary"
parts. Potentially, this could be the motherboard or power supply. The
hard drives, optical drives, memory, processors, etc are standard parts.

XP and Media Center work about the same for most folks, unless you want to
connect to a domain, which isn't an issue for most home users. I'd also
recommend getting a copy of the OS on CD as well, as opposed to relying on
some hidden OS. Also keep in mind that some time fairly soon, the big
manufacturers will probably start offering free upgrades to Vista, if thats
a concern for you.

Clint
 
Nope, no problem replacing it at all. Just make certain you save or have
access to all the original Dell drivers. The XP drivers will *not* do the
job. If you don't save the originals, you'll have to hunt them down after
the fact.
Click to expand...

I'll assume they can be downloaded but Dell doesn't provide a CD.
I just finished getting through taht piece of misery 2 weeks ago. You
need them for such things as on-board video, on-board audio, chipset etc.
Click to expand...

Well like I said, I was looking at a model with upgraded audio and video
from other brand names.
 
Changing hardware becomes an issue if you want to change the "proprietary"
parts. Potentially, this could be the motherboard or power supply. The
hard drives, optical drives, memory, processors, etc are standard parts.
Click to expand...

Okay, that's what I wanted to know, drives I might change, but I'm unlikely
to be swapping the MB. Presumably the upgraded audio and video cards I
would order with this machine don't need special Dell-only drivers.
XP and Media Center work about the same for most folks, unless you want to
connect to a domain, which isn't an issue for most home users. I'd also
recommend getting a copy of the OS on CD as well, as opposed to relying on
some hidden OS. Also keep in mind that some time fairly soon, the big
manufacturers will probably start offering free upgrades to Vista, if
thats a concern for you.

Clint
Click to expand...

Dell says the machine I'm looking at is Vista-ready, but I usually hang back
a bit on a new OS and let other folks find the bugs. ;^)
 
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