Dell extends lead in PCs

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Dell vs HP/Compaq

Dell PC's are not as good a deal as many people think.
In a large corporate IT setting, I have worked on many HP/Compaq and Dell machines. I have found that HP/Compaq machines are easier to support and work on, hardware-wise than Dell.
Here's why (based on corporate type PC's):
1. Dell cases are poorly designed for easy maintence, power supply is weak (ave. life + or - 3 yrs.) and card support on some cases is a plastic clip. HP/Compaq cases, for the most part, are very maintenance friendly, strong power supply (ave. life + or - 8 yrs.), cards are generally secured with a metal screw.
2. Software Updates, Drivers, BIOS Updates:
On Dell's web site, they are more concerned with selling you another machine than supplying support. After a boat-load of clicks and spending anywhere from 20 minutes to well over a 1/2 hour, you might get lucky and find the Dell driver you need (assuming you have popped open the case and checked which particular card is in that model).
They sometimes have as many as 4 or 5 different sound cards, for example, that shipped with an OptiPlex GX1 333MHz machine.
Note: In the corporate IT world, we get new machines but we are also expected to keep the old ones running forever
With HP/Compaq's web site, you can usually find the software, driver, etc. for a machine in about three to four clicks of the mouse and you're not pushed into buying their next, "ON SALE" PC with a load of web site ads.
3. Parts -
Buy a new Dell with the three year warranty.
Now let's say, 8 months after you bought this machine, the hard drive (for example) fails. No problem, call Dell Support, wait for help (tick, tick, tick) then when the Rep. answers, explain the failure and that you need another hard drive (since the machine has a 3 yr. warranty). They'll say, "No problem" and sure enough they send you one, 2 to 6 weeks later, refurbished, not new.
So, call up the Rep. and explain that the machine is under warranty, less that a year old and that you need a new hard drive, not a refurbished one. They say they can't, so escalate the problem to an Acct. Manager, he says that can't, continue to argue, finally he gives in and says "OK, I'll send you a new one." Then wait for 2 to 6 weeks for the new one to arrive.
Note: I have had to do this several times, not fun at all when you have to explain to a Plant Manager or "wheel" why their machine is not done yet.
Now, buy a new HP/Compaq with the three year warranty. And let's say, 8 months after you bought this machine, the hard drive (for example) fails. No problem, call HP Support, wait for help (usually less ticks), explain the failure and the Rep. says "No problem, we'll send you a new one".
Wait 2 to 4 days, and sure enough they sent you a new hard drive.
See why I say Dell is not as good as many people think. I've seen it many times...

Posted by: TCP?IP'ed   Posted on: 10/19/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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