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Like New Duds
the Dell Needs to Fit the Dude

By Mike Kaltschnee

 

I just went through the process of buying a new computer for my brother-in-law, and I thought I would share some of my observations with you. He approached me about getting a new computer, and since I buy "older" machines or build my own, this was a relatively new experience for me.No, I’m not going to tell you what he wound up paying. I don’t want to get lots of e-mail from people telling me he paid too much. I will tell you he bought a Dell after much consideration, with the Sony Vaio being a close second choice. We talked several times before selecting the Dell, and even put together a list of things he wanted to do with it:

1. Internet e-mail, instant messaging, and Web browsing
2. Video editing (he had a DV cam-corder)
3. Watch DVD movies
4. Make custom Music CD’s
5. Homework and research for his daughter in high school
6. Connect to his DSL connection via a home networkNeither he (nor his daughter) play games, so a bleeding edge machine wasn’t required.

The budget was about $1,500, which we very close to meeting. Some of the things you should consider when getting a computer:

1. Processor - get a Pentium 4. Don’t buy anything else at this point.
2. Hard disk - as big as you can afford. Get the faster 7200rpm drive if you’re going to be playing games or doing video editing.
3. RAM - there is no excuse for not getting 256 megabytes of RAM at this point. If it adds more than $75 to the cost, then have a friend put one in a PC you buy separately.
4. Video card - very important. Get a 4x AGP card with at least 16mb of RAM, with 32mb or 64mb if you can.
5. Network card - comes with most now, and makes it easy to plug into a cable modem or DSL line.
6. Monitor - your old monitor will probably work but we got a 19" .26 dot pitch monitor as part of a bundle price to replace a really old, low-resolution monitor. This is your Window into the Internet and software, so make it a pleasant experience.
7. Software - make sure it comes with Windows Me or XP. A system restore CD will make the task of restoring your computer to factory settings a quick job. Works comes with most computers, but get the Office upgrade if you can afford it.
8. Warranty - how will you get a replacement for the monitor or hard disk that dies in 2 weeks after you get the computer. Ask. You might be surprised by the answer.

Mike’s Tips for Buying A Computer

1. Really think about what you are going to do with it, and what you might do with it. Buy a little more speed than you think you need, but twice the RAM and hard drive. They are cheap additions now and save time later.
2. Get the type of machine you need. Windows is the most popular operating system, and while you can do most things on a Mac, there is more software for Windows. Buy the machine for the software you will use. Linux is not really for beginners, unless you want to learn (no flame mail - I like Linux, but wouldn’t put my mother on it yet).
3. If you’re not sure, enlist the help of a computer expert friend. They might be willing to work for a hot meal or a six-pack of beer. Ask them for their preferences, but keep in mind some might be biased towards the Mac or Linux (which are great options) but buy what you want, not what someone forces on you.
4. Watch for hidden costs, such as shipping. My first quote from Dell included a $95 shipping and handling cost (they ran a free shipping special offer later). Also watch to see if they add tax to the order - if they don’t, you might be responsible for paying it later (use tax).
5. Keep in mind the cost of software. If you want to have a full copy of Microsoft Office, it could be as much as $500 at the store, or just $100 from your vendor. If your machine doesn’t come with Windows, you might be paying $200 for a copy if your machine dies or you need to update your system.
6. There is no such thing as a free lunch. We were able to price the same machine for much less, but it didn’t have on-site service (which means I won’t be fixing the machine) or a real copy of Windows (in case one is needed for a re-install.
7. Ask if there is a system restore disk for the computer. Things happen, and being able to return the computer to the way you got it from the factory quickly can make your life easier.

Before you ask why I didn’t buy it at a show, I’ll tell you. We spend quite a bit of time looking at computers at shows, and they sound really cheap. However, when I priced it vs. the Dell, they were about $200 different. The show computer didn’t include software (not even Windows), warranty, or decent manuals. If we had bought a show machine I would wind up spending the $200 in MY time fixing things. I’m not against saving money, if you feel comfortable buying a show computer, but my brother-in-law is not a computer person. He just wants to have fun - not be stressed out by it.

The Dell showed up about a week later. He set it up without me, and was able to get things going with minimal help from me, including burning CD’s. There is a lot of value in the "Out of box" experience you get when setting up and using your computer. I think that alone makes the Dell worth a lot more than the $200 difference in price.

Don’t e-mail me about how much better another computer manufacturer is than Dell. You have to find a vendor you feel comfortable with, and that may be Gateway, Compaq, Apple (I have 2 Mac’s), or HP. I asked a bunch of friends that buy computers, and all of them said "Dell." I also asked the salesmen at computer stores what was returned or had complaints, and Compaq was the worst of them, followed by HP. I hope this helps you find a computer if you’re looking.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the computer you’re buying, as there is no such thing as a stupid question (except the one you are afraid to ask).


Mike is a DACS member who needs to visit the Betty Ford Center for computer addiction. You can contact him by e-mail at: mikek@demorgan.com.

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