Opinion needed: Dell vs HP - Page 2

E_tron · 2005-03-04, 00:12

Check this out:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...41937%3A180998

These are the only computers on the shelf at walmart (at least in houma, la) right now. Why? They cut everything that isnt mandatory like:
-Super expensive Intel Pentium 4 Processor
-Microsoft bloat ware including Windows and whatever else
-and other stuff like RAM, graphics, CD-ROM, ect...

If you are not ready to jump off the deep end, this is a valuable alternative:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3429307

Both of these machines are based on the economical AMD Sempron (also known as AthlonXP) processors, not the Intel Pentium 4 or Celeron. Walmart is all about saving you money right? If walmart carries AMD based machines, it is something to look into.

Primeinator · 2005-03-04, 02:24

Thanks, I also looked up some more desktops on Walmart's site and found a relatively cheap one w/ an AMD 63 3300+, only catch is that there isn't a monitor heh.

E_tron · 2005-03-04, 03:29

If your up to it, building your own computer is really cool.

Another good alternative is to refurbish a computer destined for the garbage can (and beef it up with a good hard drive and lots of memory). For example, I still run (and often use) a Pentium 233mhz machine with a good 32-bit graphics card, 120GB HDD, 512MB of RAM, running windows2000. Sure, it may never finish the M24,xxx,xxx that it is working on, but it handles many tasks i need (like encoding video, audio encoding, web surfing, home file server, ect...).

An advantage to older computers is heat. Generally, the older chips dissipate less heat. This translates into opportunities for quite and near silent computing. That 233mhz machine is passively cooled (no fans). The only thing making noise in the machine is the gentile whisper of the Seagate 120GB barracuda.

Processors are powerful (even the cheap ones), so i might never blow $200 on one. Spend your money on more memory, good I/O (like mouse, keyboard, display, ect...), and your internet connection :) .

PrimeCruncher · 2005-03-04, 03:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by E_tron

If your up to it, building your own computer is really cool.

I built my first computer... 4 years ago? Something like that. And never gone back. I can't buy my computers from companies any more becasue
a) can't get what I want
b) they put all kinds of software garbage on it. And charge a fortune for it.
c) I like knowing what's inside the box

xilman · 2005-03-04, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by E_tron

The only thing making noise in the machine is the gentile whisper of the Seagate 120GB barracuda.

So it's not a kosher disk drive then?

Paul

Primeinator · 2005-03-05, 00:37

I don't have the knowledge or expertise to build my own I don't think. I wouldn't know what all to put in it, like what is vital (registry, ect).

PrimeCruncher · 2005-03-05, 00:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Primeinator

I don't have the knowledge or expertise to build my own I don't think. I wouldn't know what all to put in it, like what is vital (registry, ect).

Believe me, the software end of the business is a piece of cake! It's the hardware that's the problem. Everything's gotta be compatible, and then you have to put it all together. Gotta get a good case or your hands come out looking like they went thru a meat grinder.

Primeinator · 2005-03-05, 16:45

Quote:

or your hands come out looking like they went through a meat grinder

How encouraging....

PrimeCruncher · 2005-03-07, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Primeinator

How encouraging....

It's not really that bad. You might get a few scrapes but most cases nowadays are pretty good to work in.

jimmyhua · 2005-06-02, 09:10

I'm not sure which would be better for prime95 purposes. If it were me, I'd custom build my own machine from parts. I do not think either machine could handle prime95 stress for long.

However, having said that. My company has bought both DELL and HP. Both have been quite reliable for Office use. DELL is slightly more reliable (less failures over the years). I am not sure about this as we have such a small sample size.

I am sure that DELL machines run much faster than HP machines. A simple benchmark test of a DELL Pentium 2 450Mhz, outrunning an HP P3 733MHz, says it is so!!!

Jimmy

ndpowell · 2005-06-21, 02:44

The company where I work now buys Dell exclusively. It used to be a mix of Micron, Compaq, and whatever. Dell desktops are excellent, as are their Latitude series laptops. I work in the I/T department, so I see what goes on with all of them. We have a couple of Dimension desktops in "dirty" areas on the plant floor. We do aluminum die casting of engine parts. If anyone is familar with that process, then you know what I mean when I say "dirty." Regarless. I think we went with Dell mainly because of warranty, and support. We have four of their "PowerEdge" file servers. These are dual Xeon processor machines with a mix of mirrored and striped RAID arrays. If Dell's support was not good, we probably would not be using these servers. Bottom line: There are a lot of good machines out there, but Dell has the support that the others lack.

2005-06-02, 09:10	#21
jimmyhua Jun 2005 7₁₀ Posts	DELL is better I'm not sure which would be better for prime95 purposes. If it were me, I'd custom build my own machine from parts. I do not think either machine could handle prime95 stress for long. However, having said that. My company has bought both DELL and HP. Both have been quite reliable for Office use. DELL is slightly more reliable (less failures over the years). I am not sure about this as we have such a small sample size. I am sure that DELL machines run much faster than HP machines. A simple benchmark test of a DELL Pentium 2 450Mhz, outrunning an HP P3 733MHz, says it is so!!! Jimmy Last fiddled with by jimmyhua on 2005-06-02 at 09:11

2005-06-21, 02:44	#22
ndpowell Jun 2005 Madison, Indiana, U.S.A. 3·7 Posts	Dell The company where I work now buys Dell exclusively. It used to be a mix of Micron, Compaq, and whatever. Dell desktops are excellent, as are their Latitude series laptops. I work in the I/T department, so I see what goes on with all of them. We have a couple of Dimension desktops in "dirty" areas on the plant floor. We do aluminum die casting of engine parts. If anyone is familar with that process, then you know what I mean when I say "dirty." Regarless. I think we went with Dell mainly because of warranty, and support. We have four of their "PowerEdge" file servers. These are dual Xeon processor machines with a mix of mirrored and striped RAID arrays. If Dell's support was not good, we probably would not be using these servers. Bottom line: There are a lot of good machines out there, but Dell has the support that the others lack.

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2005-03-04, 00:12	#12
E_tron Sep 2002 Austin, TX 3·11·17 Posts	Check this out: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...41937%3A180998 These are the only computers on the shelf at walmart (at least in houma, la) right now. Why? They cut everything that isnt mandatory like: -Super expensive Intel Pentium 4 Processor -Microsoft bloat ware including Windows and whatever else -and other stuff like RAM, graphics, CD-ROM, ect... If you are not ready to jump off the deep end, this is a valuable alternative: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3429307 Both of these machines are based on the economical AMD Sempron (also known as AthlonXP) processors, not the Intel Pentium 4 or Celeron. Walmart is all about saving you money right? If walmart carries AMD based machines, it is something to look into.

2005-03-04, 02:24	#13
Primeinator "Kyle" Feb 2005 Somewhere near M52.. 1623₈ Posts	Thanks, I also looked up some more desktops on Walmart's site and found a relatively cheap one w/ an AMD 63 3300+, only catch is that there isn't a monitor heh.

2005-03-04, 03:29	#14
E_tron Sep 2002 Austin, TX 3·11·17 Posts	If your up to it, building your own computer is really cool. Another good alternative is to refurbish a computer destined for the garbage can (and beef it up with a good hard drive and lots of memory). For example, I still run (and often use) a Pentium 233mhz machine with a good 32-bit graphics card, 120GB HDD, 512MB of RAM, running windows2000. Sure, it may never finish the M24,xxx,xxx that it is working on, but it handles many tasks i need (like encoding video, audio encoding, web surfing, home file server, ect...). An advantage to older computers is heat. Generally, the older chips dissipate less heat. This translates into opportunities for quite and near silent computing. That 233mhz machine is passively cooled (no fans). The only thing making noise in the machine is the gentile whisper of the Seagate 120GB barracuda. Processors are powerful (even the cheap ones), so i might never blow $200 on one. Spend your money on more memory, good I/O (like mouse, keyboard, display, ect...), and your internet connection :) .

2005-03-05, 00:37	#17
Primeinator "Kyle" Feb 2005 Somewhere near M52.. 3×5×61 Posts	I don't have the knowledge or expertise to build my own I don't think. I wouldn't know what all to put in it, like what is vital (registry, ect).