Curse

Nefertem · Nov 16, 2005, 09:59 PM // 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kg_lildude1

thats why being certified in CSS and other computer repair classes is the better option

i'm going to look for a price comparison between dell and alienware using the exact same components just to show how rediculus it is

Working with computer components doesn't require certification--it's not rocket science. It requires a pulse and hand-eye coordination. I had my eight year old brother help me put together a computer, and he did an awesome job! Of course to him, it was just a big Lego set, I'm sure.

Xue Yi Liang · Nov 16, 2005, 10:14 PM // 22:14

If you want the absolute best customer service in the business go with Falcon Northwest. More than any other PC maker they stand by their product. Their phone representatives have at least one year experience in the assembly process. Every system shipped is tagged so that the same tech is responsible each time for your machine. You are even provided with the tech's name.

kg_lildude1 · Nov 16, 2005, 10:21 PM // 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nefertem

Working with computer components doesn't require certification--it's not rocket science. It requires a pulse and hand-eye coordination. I had my eight year old brother help me put together a computer, and he did an awesome job! Of course to him, it was just a big Lego set, I'm sure.

i dont mean building, i mean troubleshooting, anyone can build a computer with basic skills, but troubleshooting the problems instead of running off to customer support is what CSS is all about (computer service and support) and yes you do have to get certified for css

Old Dood · Nov 16, 2005, 10:35 PM // 22:35

Yes Dell's customer service is annoying. I always want to rip into one of their reps because I can not under stand them for one and they are reading a script for two.

Then I think about their lifestyle in those countries..(even though I live in Michigan and we have a higher unemployment rate then the rest of the country)...I think about the person behind the phone for Dell(and many other American companies)that they are probably so lucky to get that job. They are probably feeding their whole family. I mean their WHOLE family...brothers...sisters...Mom...Dad...Aunts..U ncles...cousins...etc. These phone centers are very advanced compared to the town or village that the employee's live in. They have their own power supply...air conditioning...the works. My bitterness fades away....quickly
I did have a recent conversation with a Indian rep for Dell Finance. Dell for some reason billed me twice on computer and monitor. they were actually sending me another monitor at a higher price then what I was paying for the one I just received. I caught it just in time before UPS delivered it. That alone save me more headaches. However, the sweet young lady that was on the phone with me was so polite...so seemingly concerned for me(but powerless) that I truly BIT MY TONGUE. I was pretty upset at being double billed. The rep before this little gal was an idiot. He kept on saying I must have ordered it online. I stated I never clicked BUY...I only was looking online...I never actually buy online...you never get the sweetest deal that way. I order from a human so I can push for free shipping. Anyways...I kept thinking about this sweet young lady feeding her clan and needing her job for 12 hours a day. So I was pleasent with her. It is fixed now....

Now the reason I buy Dell though is I wait for the "DEAL". Dell has a weekly deal...monthly deal...and a every couple of months DEAL! I try to hit that. Dell is usually getting ready to change the lines. So it is a clearance sale...so to speak. That is the deal where you get as much of the basic computer at a cheaper price. Then I will upgrade it with crucial ram...video card...and so forth. I waited after I bought my Dell then they had a DEAL on monitors. Same thing...got it at a good price. Dell has a great line of monitors that are cheaper then just about anyone else and they are rated highly.

Xue Yi Liang · Nov 16, 2005, 10:47 PM // 22:47

Tell me about it.
I got my Dell when I found an online coupon code that was good for $750 off of any notebook over $1500! So a $1500 notebood would have gone for $750. That code was the best one I've ever seen and it was good for only 24hrs (but it actually closed early because word spread fast.).

kg_lildude1 · Nov 16, 2005, 10:48 PM // 22:48

ok here we go just configured two different gaming computers, a Dell XPS 600, and a customized version of Alienware's Area-51 series

please note that dell had more powerful options and i often had to go down a few notches just to reach alienware's highest capability, i also added almost all the gaming extras to see how much extra i could get and still be cheaper than alienware. If they didnt have the same option for both i went for the closest one with the same function and capacity

Dell XPS 600:
-Pentium® D Processor 840 with Dual Core Technology (3.20GHz, 800FSB)
Video Card:
-Dual 256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX with SLI Technology
Memory:
-2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 4 DIMMs
Hard Drive:
-500GB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 250GB SATA HDDs)
CD or DVD Drive:
-Dual Drives: 48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ double layer write capable
Floppy Drive and Media Reader:
-13 in 1 Media Card Reader and 3.5 in Floppy Drive
Monitors:
-20 inch UltraSharp™ 2005FPW Widescreen Digital Flat Panel
Sound:
-Sound Blaster Audigy™ 2 ZS (D) Card w/Dolby 5.1, IEEE 1394 capability
Speakers:
-Dell A525 30 Watt 2.1 Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer
Mouse:
-Logitech® MX™ 518 Optical Mouse (ships separately)
Game Controllers and Specialized I/O:
-Logitech MX1000 Laser Cordless Mouse
-SAITEK 104-Key Eclipse Backlit Gaming Keyboard
-Logitech Precision PC Gaming Headset

Total Price (including software packs and extra multimedia software (i.e. adobe, corel, etc.))
$4,050

and now for alienware!

[B]Area-51® 5500[B]
-Processor: Intel® Pentium® Processor 840 w/ Dual Core Technology 3.2GHz 800MHz FSB
Chassis: Alienware® Full-Tower Case - Martian Red
Chassis Upgrades: Standard Cooling
-Motherboard: Alienware® nForce™4 SLI™ Intel Edition Chipset Motherboard PCI Express SLI
-Graphics Processor: Dual 256MB PCI-Express x16 NVIDIA® GeForce™ 7800 GTX - SLI Enabled
-Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz - 2 x 1024MB
-Hard Drive: High Performance - 500GB Serial ATA-II 3Gb 7,200 RPM w/16MB Cache
-Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Drive
-Secondary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Drive
-Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 ZS High Definition 7.1 Surround Firewire (IEEE® 1394)
-Floppy Drive: 3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive - Black
-Portable Storage: Alienware® 10-in-1 Digital Media Reader / Writer
-Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 214T 21" 8ms LCD Display - Black
-Keyboard: Microsoft® Multimedia Keyboard - Space Black
-Mouse: Logitech® MX™1000 Laser Cordless Mouse
-Speakers: Logitech® Z-5500 5.1 505-Watt Speakers
-Headphones: Plantronics® DSP-500 USB Digital Headset w/MIC

Total Price (including software packs, no extra media)
$4,777.00

with the dell i got a better computer, extra media, and extra gaming accessories, for cheaper than the alienware version

the alienware version only had the basic keyboard, basic mouse, basic headset (only one even had a mic)

the dell also had much higher options if you want to get into the extreme gaming but past the options i chose its not really worth the money

in the end Dell > Alienware in every aspect except a "cool" case, so basically spend $800+ dollars on alienware if you want to have a "cool" case

D.E.V.i.A.N.C.E · Nov 16, 2005, 10:55 PM // 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Warrior Dood

Yes Dell's customer service is annoying. I always want to rip into one of their reps because I can not under stand them for one and they are reading a script

This reminds me of my ISP...
did you unplug your router wait 10min and plug it back in?
yes
can you do that for me please
OK
(we talk about how this always ends, they need to either reset a line or give me a new IP)
10min later...
ok i powered it back on
2min later
ok there seems to be a problem in the line, im getting no signal
when can i expect a repair man?
(its friday)
wensday

---

hi, yes I would like to talk about why my internet is out this evening
where do you live sir?
blah blah blah suberbia
oh there moving a fiber optical cable this evening, no one is usally on at this time
(its 4am)
when can i expect it up?
8 - 12:30 sir

yeah I just love my ISP service when it goes out.

kg_lildude1 dont forget to add a crate load of bawls.

Old Dood · Nov 16, 2005, 10:55 PM // 22:55

Now do that deal with a XPS400(Dim 9100) Much cheaper then that. Pretty much the same darn system...different case. The XPS 600 does have a bigger PSU. That can be fix by just installing a better one yourself.

EDIT: I should add I believe the XPS400 does not have SLI. Personally I do not see the importance for that at this time. If someone game me a computer with that ability...I would not refuse it though.

Raiddinn Beatdropper · Nov 16, 2005, 10:59 PM // 22:59

For what its worth, my Dell PC was about 1.1k, and the deal on it was worth about 6 bills.

Worthless Player

Alone) · Nov 16, 2005, 11:01 PM // 23:01

Wait, over RATED or over PRICED?

kg_lildude1 · Nov 16, 2005, 11:01 PM // 23:01

i just went for the best of the best, i know there are good deals, i got a xps400 shipping to me right now with very similar options for only 1.700

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alone)

Wait, over RATED or over PRICED?

i chose the highest end gaming computers from both sides to compare and dell won hands down for higher quality and cheaper

like i said, you can always find good deals, as long as you know where to look

Old Dood · Nov 17, 2005, 12:13 AM // 00:13

kg lildude1

Smart buy. My friend has the Dim 9100(same system) with the Dual Core 3Ghz. Since, he added 2Gb of crucial to make it a 3Gb total. Very snappy box now. His Deal was it came with a 24" 2405FPW LCD. That is a real nice monitor.

sino-soviet · Nov 17, 2005, 12:18 AM // 00:18

I just bought a new computer recently, and I would like to thank ibuypower.com for a great deal. If you are interested in solid gaming pcs I would look into them for sure.

Old Dood · Nov 17, 2005, 12:41 AM // 00:41

I have been tempted in the past about iBuyPower.com. The prices seem good....hmm...too good. I have no clue if they are well built or not. Seems they are "to good to be true.." to me.

So does anyone have one of these systems? Any personal reviews?

EchoSex · Nov 17, 2005, 01:29 AM // 01:29

One word: Yes.

Alienware is for rich kids who don't wanna/don't know how to build a PC. The parts are highly over priced and the systems are kind of a mess with bundled software. Personally, I've always enjoyed making my own rig. Same speed, same parts, cheaper price, more pride, more customization (I've never liked the Alienware cases - always a lack of a side panel and WAY too many Alienware logos).

IF you got the cash and can't build a PC on your own for high preformace gaming? Alienware is probably the best choice.

IF you can put two and two together and make four? Make your own PC and NEVER look back.

nightrunner · Nov 17, 2005, 01:53 AM // 01:53

I put my own computer together without any experience. It's very easy - if the wire doesn't fit one place, put it in the other >_<

Hardest part was installing the OS, because I didn't know where to start. But now I know more at least

nebucanezar · Nov 19, 2005, 11:47 AM // 11:47

Well here is the alienware i run i have the aurora with a newly upgraded fx 57 athalon and 2 gigs of corsair xms ram with heat spreader and a lovely geforce7800 all on a abit 8 eyes motherboard. I have never had any problems running any game. I play doon 3 on ultra settings and dont get any fps lag wat so ever. And yes these machines are expensive but worth it. The only problem i had was with the heatsink for the processor they sent me. I spent the extra thirty bucks to get the volcano 2 because the one they send is not that great and my processor ran hotter than it should have under normal usage One word: Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EchoSex

Alienware is for rich kids who don't wanna/don't know how to build a PC. The parts are highly over priced and the systems are kind of a mess with bundled software. Personally, I've always enjoyed making my own rig. Same speed, same parts, cheaper price, more pride, more customization (I've never liked the Alienware cases - always a lack of a side panel and WAY too many Alienware logos).

You have never had an alienware obviously. The only alienware logo on my pc is the alien head with its stellar little blue neon lighting for eyes and my case has a side pannel that locks for security. As far as me being a lazy rich kid. Well im a single father of three kids that has worked for every dime ive ever had. ive built many pc's in the past and the reason i went with alienware was because i loved their cases and the parts they use are quality parts unlike most cookie cutter pc manufacturers.

Old Dood · Nov 19, 2005, 12:02 PM // 12:02

When we use to build computers...we would take the old parts and make another computer...usually to give to someone that only needs a Email box. Like Grandmothers....Old People in general. (Not me of course) It is a nice thing to do. They are happy with the "new" computer and that is what counts.

We always named these computers: Chunky Boy

For they are chunky...but even a Chunky Boy can make someone extremely happy.

Personally I do not see the need to have a computer with neon lights and flashing ram chips or modded cases. This takes cash away from buying better parts.

kg_lildude1 · Nov 19, 2005, 05:18 PM // 17:18

nebucanezar obviously you didn't read my price vs quality post because alienware IS not worth it when you can get the same or BETTER computer for cheaper

what really sucks is my school computers run on processors that aren't even on the open market, one the only benefits of DoD schools

CowPoop · Nov 19, 2005, 05:20 PM // 17:20

For cheap awesome computers- designed for gaming- www.vigorgaming.com

i would get mine there cept i dont have 1000-1500 to spend