Which is better: Gateway or Dell?

[+ deej]

Nothing wrong with a Mac. I've spent my share of time with them over the years.

 

The only true drawback is the rather sparse availability of software for it. Most software authors who expect to actually sell their product will write it for the dominant operating system (Windows). Go to the computer store and you'll see 10 rows to 1 of Win vs. Mac software. (Having said that, Microsoft Office 2003 for Mac is a *kicking* product! It totally rocks and leaves the Windows version way in the dust.) And you'll find it difficult finding someone who truly knows what they're doing on a Mac when things go bump in the night.

 

Macs can also be pricey by comparison.

 

As for shopping, find a friend to shop for/with you. I've bought a dozen or so PCs in the past year, f'rinstance, and only one of them was for me. ;-)

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

>However, in order to know what you want, you have to know what

>all those damned numbers and strings of letters and other

>things mean. I don't. And there seems to be no place to find

>out.

 

Barnes and Noble... Computers for Dummies -- reasonable coverage of computerspeak.

>

>Thus, I repeat a question someone else just asked: What's

>wrong with Mac laptops?

 

Nothing, IMO they are far superior unless....

 

> At work I have a Mac and at home

>(where I am now) I have a Dell laptop. I have to say that for

>the technologically challenged like me, the Mac is a whole

>hell of a lot easier to use. I know that there are downsides,

>but I just don't know what they are.

>

 

The downsides: price, software, and online site compatibility.

 

Not all software/game manufacturers develop for the Mac. Doesn't bother me -- if they dont make it I dont need it.

 

If you are into online porn streaming video (which I doubt) then much of the software (like ActiveX) is not compatible with the Mac OS, at least 9.x and below. Unsure of OSX compatibility though I doubt it -- yeah I'm a couple of generations behind.

 

Apple still leads the pack in price although the Ibook is a little more competitive. Unforutantely, I have eyes for the SuperDrive/15" display that only comes with the big tickets. Great product, pricey, nearly immune to viruses, worms and the like, too 'high brow' to access much of the online porn world. Sleek and sexy. :9

[+ Charlie]

I used Macs for 16 years, and loved them. Then, the company that I do consulting for decided to close their office and make all consultants work from home, on their own computers. The problem was that I had to have an IBMpc/compatible machine. So I went to a Gateway store, because I like to see and touch things before I buy them (except escorts). I bought a Gateway 500 set-up, and I have now used it for almost five years. I have never had a problem, except with the monitor, which started to misbehave after three years. When I called Gateway, to my amazement, they said they would send me a new one, without charge! A week later it arrived (no delivery charge, either), and it has worked perfectly. When it finally stops working, I will have to decide what replace it with, because Gateway has decided to close all its retail stores and sell online, just like Dell. My partner, by the way, has an even older Dell, and has never had a problem with it, either.

[+ Lucky]

RE: The Farmer in the Dell?

 

Does Dell still have cute guys in their commercials? Dude!

[Guest bighugbearphx]

Don't know if this is the case nationwide, but I know for a fact that the Best Buy salespeople here in AZ do NOT get commissions on computers, so that concern should not be a problem. Then again, the odds of getting someone who knows what they are talking about is hit and miss, but you can try different stores/times until you get one.

 

On advice of a techie friend, I went to Best Buy to get a top-of-the-line Sony system, complete with DVD burner, a second CD drive, flat screen 17" monitor and a cheap inkjet printer (It was part of the package deal, and actually cheaper than if I had bought individual components separately.) I had very few questions, but the first guy I encountered there knew less than nothing (I asked how big the hard drive was, and he told me it was 60 megs .. I tried to correct him "You mean 60 GIGs?" but he insisted it was MEGS. Uh huh, see ya.) I came back later and asked a woman there a question, and she didn't know, said I should ask "Mark" the other salesperson there. Mark turned out to be knowledgeable and offered some good suggestions that saved me quite a bit of money (on software and accessories). Very happy with my choice. My one call to Sony tech support (over a software noncompatability issue) was answered promptly and with a quick resolution.

[+ deej]

>If you are into online porn streaming video (which I doubt)

>then much of the software (like ActiveX) is not compatible

>with the Mac OS, at least 9.x and below. Unsure of OSX

>compatibility though I doubt it -- yeah I'm a couple of

>generations behind.

 

ActiveX isn't software. It's a standard (invented by Microsoft and donated to the public domain). Sadly, even Microsoft's ActiveX objects don't conform fully to the standard. The old mantra "the code isn't done until Lotus won't run" is still true 20 years after I first heard it. ;-)

 

Online porn is an interesting wrinkle. Much the way porn drove the boom in home VCRs, it's driving the boom in the home PC market. Vendors are finding that they can't grow without serving all masters. That's why we see Apple's Quicktime running in Windows, RealPlayer on Sun Solaris, etc.

 

I wouldn't let a choice of operating systems be driven by a desire for porn. It's a cross-platform industry. :9

[Will]

Deej, do you detect any difference between the Mac and PC OS with regard to their capacity to handle images, both still and moving? I ask because I have to deal with a lot of photographs (for work, boys!), and I do find that my office iMac seems more "comfortable" with downloading still images than my 1999 Dell Latitude. Of course, it's also a newer machine. As far as I can tell, however, neither one of them will run videos or anything like that. I don't even know what programs one needs for streaming (screaming?) porn, etc.

 

As for Computer for Dummies, I bought one. And I'm too dumb to remember anything it says. You'd think that someone who has actually written books would be able to read one that specifically says that it's "for Dummies."

 

I think I need to fly out to L.A., take deej out to dinner, and then take him shopping. Are you game, buddy?

[Guest ReturnOfS]

RE: thank you ALL!

 

Seeing this pic has got me wondering... What ever happened to the cute Dell guy and the cute Dell interns? I miss that bit of eye candy.

 

Oh well... AAt least we still have the cute Cingular Triplets :9

[Guest ReturnOfS]

Cingular Wireless Triplets

 

http://www.mchsband.com/home/jason/20030915_triplets_full.jpg

 

 

http://www.revsharegays.com/rev9499/brothers1/Karshner-bros355.jpg

 

 

 

http://www.revsharegays.com/rev9499/brothers1/triplet1.jpg

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

>Sadly, even Microsoft's

>ActiveX objects don't conform fully to the standard.

 

No doubt an oversight... but at least they are consistent release after release and patch after patch.

 

The old

>mantra "the code isn't done until Lotus won't run" is still

>true 20 years after I first heard it. ;-)

>

 

I could rest my case here. That says it all and you are right... it is still true.

 

Also in the Microsoft philosophy... "the code isn't done until the embarassment is tolerable. Microsoft develops on a variation of: "code a little, test a little". Their version: code a lot, test some, patch a little , patch a little more, repeat until the app is no longer a 'figure of fun' . Then rather than pour any more resources down that rat hole they start digging new hole... ummm... new version or overlay a new facade on the old one, bugs and all, and groaning under the weight of added bells and whistles that are as likely to aggravate as they are to enhance. All so they can charge an upgrade fee for it. Microsoft upgrades are as much about cash flow as they are about overcoming obsolesence. Microsoft, being in the driver's seat as it is, decides when everyone needs an upgrade and what everyone will get. Such is the nature of a single source market.

 

>Online porn is an interesting wrinkle. Much the way porn drove

>the boom in home VCRs, it's driving the boom in the home PC

>market. Vendors are finding that they can't grow without

>serving all masters. That's why we see Apple's Quicktime

>running in Windows, RealPlayer on Sun Solaris, etc.

>

 

You may correct me here but I thought the reason for Quicktime migrating to Windows was that it was vastly superior product when it came out, there was a user demand for the performance capability in the windows world with Microsft lagging way behind. Apple, hoping to set the standard, jumped in with both feet. It had little to do with any market driven desire for cross-platform compatability as I recall.

 

>I wouldn't let a choice of operating systems be driven by a

>desire for porn. It's a cross-platform industry. :9

 

I haven't myself. It is pretty much cross-platform for jpeg and mpeg sharing. But I dont agree that it is a cross-platform industry for streaming, at least in my experience. I have seen more than a few instances and i suspect that many sites have no idea whether they are compatible or not. Implication is that they don't care... for market share reasons. I once inquired of Badpuppy after having a bad experience with a Boyscondo trial that gave Hoo a nice sign up fee. To their credit they admitted they were unsure of the compatablity but offered that if I had any problems they would promptly refund my money. I chose not to be a guinea pig. Instead I take my streaming $$ to Montreal where 'live streaming' means just that .

}(

[Spida]

Actually Dell didn't exactly pull the tech support back. What they did was for business customers the calls are routed exclusively to US call centers yes they actually still have US call centers. Dell has not decreased thier amount of outsourcing to India, and Panama and I am sure other places. I fortunately am able to call Dell's Business support however, when I had to call the consumer support it was HORRIBLE, now probably even worse because your chances of getting a tech in the US is even slimmer since the business calls are routed there.

 

I would check out tigerdirect they are great as Benjamin suggested. I would stay clear of Gateway I have had problems with them in the past. I don't want to pick up the thread on outsourcing, however, there are so many higher paying jobs going away due to this! However this is good for our company due to the fact that this will create many more LOWER paying jobs here in the US. Thank you Colin Powell for going to India to assure them that the goverment will not listen to the people and the jobs are safe! That is my rant sorry to go off!

[+ deej]

>Deej, do you detect any difference between the Mac and PC OS

>with regard to their capacity to handle images, both still and

>moving?

 

Mac has ALWAYS been the leader in all things graphic. Hands down. It's still the most prominent in advertising agencies and art departments.

 

What your SPECIFIC Mac may or may not have on it for video I can't say.

 

> my 1999 Dell Latitude.

 

That's last century, dude. Literally! ;-)

 

>I think I need to fly out to L.A., take deej out to dinner,

>and then take him shopping. Are you game, buddy?

 

I'm game! We'll round up the LA Hooville gang and form a posse to descend on Best Buy. The place will never be the same! }( (They MIGHT be recovered by now from the trip I made with JackHammer.)

[+ deej]

>>Sadly, even Microsoft's

>>ActiveX objects don't conform fully to the standard.

>

>No doubt an oversight... but at least they are consistent

>release after release and patch after patch.

 

No, they're not. Not even close. Wish I had a nickel for every time one of the "common controls" became not quite so common. :-(

 

>Also in the Microsoft philosophy...

 

As opposed to Apple, who took HOW many releases to get OSX just right? Or Sun with Java, which STILL isn't exactly a performance leader.

 

There ain't no such thing as perfect software.

 

>>I wouldn't let a choice of operating systems be driven by a

>>desire for porn. It's a cross-platform industry. :9

>

>I haven't myself. It is pretty much cross-platform for jpeg

>and mpeg sharing. But I dont agree that it is a cross-platform

>industry for streaming, at least in my experience. I have

>seen more than a few instances and i suspect that many sites

>have no idea whether they are compatible or not. Implication

>is that they don't care... for market share reasons.

 

It's probably a far more realistic lack of people who know anything about the "other" environments than a conscious decision to not support them. When 3 out of 100 people know how to operate a Mac (much less troubleshoot when it isn't going well), it's not easy to populate tech support jobs with Mac-savvy folks. With 97 out of 100 support calls coming in from Windows users, where should they concentrate on hiring?

[Skyyguy]

>>>I've used

>>>Dell almost exclusively the last 10 years with few problems

>>>and great service when there WAS a problem.

>>

>>That was true a couple of years ago but in recent times,

>their

>>tech support has been completely outsourced to India

>

>Actually, Dell was one of the first to try off-shoring and

>they were one of the first to pull it back after DISMAL

>customer response.

 

 

Dell only pulled back customer service for business customers to the states. They still use India for consumer products. As suggested earlier, buy from their business line. (if you have the extra cash)

 

As for Gateway, they are almost out of business.

 

But sometimes, an out of box deal from Circuit City can be had for a good price.

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

you may think I am corny but ....

 

It is with much appreciation and gratitude that I extend my sincere "thank you" to each and every one of you who gave wonderful advice and education on the topic of PC's in general. I am especially appreciative of Deej's words of wisdom and guidance.

 

Since the demise of the Internet provider Prodigy Classic I always felt adrift in cyberspace. The communities on Prodigy were wonderful and I still communicate with some of those people today, especially the people I met on the Adoption Bulletin Board.

 

Though I tried AOL I did this before the age of cable delivered Internet and I was unpleased with the overall experience. The message center here is truly incredible. We are never done learning, no matter how much formal education we consume. I have learned so much over many topic areas. Though I am a semi-frequent poster I am also heavy duty lurker. It is through lurking, and not speaking, that I have learned the most.

 

I know I may sound corny, contrite and somewhat Hallmark-ish. However, each and everyone of you make this place wonderful. Thank you.

 

VDN

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

My new baby is coming!

 

After giving everything here much research and thought and after making some more retail stops 40 minutes north, 20 minutes west and 65 minutes south of me I called Dell today.

 

I spoke to Mario in Panama. Very nice voice. I had to remind myself I wasn't having phone sex.

 

My new baby (Dell Dimension 8400 is his name) should be delivered to my home this Wednesday. I was also pleased when I qualified for a "preferred account" with a $5,000 credit limit. Since my total purchase came to $2,136.22 I controlled myself not to max it out. I have a diabolical history of "maxing" accounts out.

 

In a nutshell, 1Gig Ram, 250Gig Hard Drive, CD-DVD RWs, flat panel screen, all the bells and whistles to do video editing and a nice three in one printer.

 

I called and basically told them what I wanted, walked me through some mock-ups on their site and he found me the best deal including all the software I needed.

 

Again, thanks to you all.

PEACE

VDN

[+ deej]

RE: My new baby is coming!

 

Very cool! Congrats!

 

Let us know how you get on with that 3-in-1 printer. (I'm presuming that's printer/scanner/copier.) I haven't had great luck with that type of device, although they may have improved in the years since I've used one. They were always just "OK" as a printer, or a copier, or a fax, but not really great at any one of those things. Still, printers are cheap these days and it probably would have cost you more to unbundle it.

 

You did good, very good, getting 1GB RAM and a 250GB disk, though! That machine should last you a few years.

 

Well done!

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

RE: My new baby is coming!

 

>Let us know how you get on with that 3-in-1 printer. (I'm

>presuming that's printer/scanner/copier.) I haven't had great

>luck with that type of device, although they may have improved

>in the years since I've used one.

 

Yes, it is a printer, scanner and copier.

http://img.dell.com/images/global/products/printers/a920_top_314.jpg

I will let you know how it works.

 

>You did good, very good, getting 1GB RAM and a 250GB disk,

>though! That machine should last you a few years.

 

That is what I am hoping ...to be set for a while.

 

Here are all the "technical" details e-mailed to me with the confirmation of my order:

 

Dimension 8400 Series, Intel Pentium 4 Processor 530 (3.0GHz) w/HT Technology and 1MB cache

 

[311-3978] 1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz

[310-1582] Dell Quiet Key Keyboard

[320-3838] 17 in (17.0 in viewable) 1703FPt Digital Flat Panel Display

[320-3934] 128MB PCI Express x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE

[462-1744] Dell A920 Printer Driver

[341-1058] 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

[340-8628] 3.5in Floppy Drive

[313-7222] Dell Application Back-up CD, Factory Install

[412-0409] Generic Dimension Dell Support

[420-1921] Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition,Service Pack 1,English

[412-0688] Image Restore

[310-4037] Dell USB Optical Mouse

[430-0742] Intel Pro 1000 Integrated PCI NIC Card

[313-2279] 56K PCI Data Fax Modem

[463-1304] 16X DVD-ROM and 8X DVD+RW

[430-0945] Cyberlink Software Decoding for DVD Drives

[313-1933] Sound Blaster Audigy 2 THX Certified Sound card with DVD Audio for Dimension Systems

[313-2720] Factory Installed Audio

[320-2479] Dell A425 Speakers

[412-0626] SYMANTEC NORTON INTERNET SECURITY 2004,90 DAY TRIAL, OEM

[412-0691] Dell Jukebox powered by Music Match

[412-0521] Dell Photo Album Standard

[412-0592] AOL 9.0 PUB

[412-0625] Dell/My Way Home Page

[420-3224] Broadband Icon for Inspiron

[410-0242] Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003

[950-1260] Type 3- Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year

[950-3337] 1 Year Limited Warranty

[950-9797] No Warranty, Year 2 and 3

[412-0360] Soft Contracts - Banctec

[310-3919] Dell Black 10 Ft. USB Printer Cable

[430-0947] Sonic RecordNow Plus and MyDVDDeluxe Software for Dual LayerDVD+RW Drives

[412-0551] Money 2004 Standard Version for Dimension

[412-0660] Dell Media Experience

[320-0169] IEEE 1394 Adapter (3 Port)

[+ deej]

RE: My new baby is coming!

 

>[340-8628] 3.5in Floppy Drive

 

Nice to see. A lot of machines leave this off to shave a few bucks off the price. You honestly don't need it often these days, but when you do there isn't any alternative.

 

>[420-1921] Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

 

XP/Home wouldn't be my choice, but that's just me. It works for some people.

 

>[430-0742] Intel Pro 1000 Integrated PCI NIC Card

>[313-2279] 56K PCI Data Fax Modem

 

Cool. NIC *and* modem. You'd think this would be automatic, but I've had to go scrambling for a NIC when the machine didn't come with one.

 

That's going to be a great machine for you!

[JamesK840]

RE: My new baby is coming!

 

Looks nicely future proof, especially with the PCI Express graphics slot. If it's a 915 chipset it could be nicely upgradeable processor-wise too.

 

The only thing I don't like about Dell is that they are the last major company selling systems with DVD+R ONLY DVD writers, I much prefer the cheaper (and somtimes slightly more compatible) -R media.

 

The only thing I'd change in your config is the 17" LCD. You must run LCDs at their native resolution, which is 1280X1024 on almost all LCDs or they look bad, problem is 1280X1024 makes things kinda small on a 17".

 

I notice you've only got 90 days of Norton AntiVirus. When it gets near the end remember to buy a copy of Norton AV 1004 (or 05 if it's out). Norton's AV is great, their firewall/Internet Security is usually more trouble then it's worth, so uninstall, reboot and put on AV2004. Remember to keep your AV and Windows up to date. In a month or two XP SP2 should be out, it should be a big improvement security wise. Remember to run something like Lavasoft AdAware too, and a popup blocker such as the Google Toolbar.

 

Congrats, enjoy!

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

RE: My new baby is coming!

 

>Nice to see. A lot of machines leave this off to shave a few

>bucks off the price. You honestly don't need it often these

>days, but when you do there isn't any alternative.

 

When I was in the ordering process he asked me if I wanted it. Every once in a while I get a floppy with some data on it so I wanted to be safe instead of hooking up an external one.

 

Now, since most of my data is on Zip Disks I plan to hook my external Zip and just transfer it all to CD-ROM.

 

>Cool. NIC *and* modem. You'd think this would be automatic,

>but I've had to go scrambling for a NIC when the machine

>didn't come with one.

 

Is this for faxing and the sort?

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

RE: My new baby is coming!

 

>The only thing I don't like about Dell is that they are the

>last major company selling systems with DVD+R ONLY DVD

>writers, I much prefer the cheaper (and somtimes slightly more

>compatible) -R media.

 

I will have 2 bays - one that is a DVD & CD-ROM player and another that is a DVD & CD-ROM RW. Most of what I saw in retail only had the one combo bay.

 

>I notice you've only got 90 days of Norton AntiVirus. When it

>gets near the end remember to buy a copy of Norton AV 1004 (or

>05 if it's out). Norton's AV is great, their

>firewall/Internet Security is usually more trouble then it's

>worth, so uninstall, reboot and put on AV2004. Remember to

>keep your AV and Windows up to date. In a month or two XP SP2

>should be out, it should be a big improvement security wise.

>Remember to run something like Lavasoft AdAware too, and a

>popup blocker such as the Google Toolbar.

 

On my current computer I used a free anti-virus program found at http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php . Do you, our anyone else, have any experience with this? Can I use this with my new system?

[+ deej]

RE: My new baby is coming!

 

>Is this for faxing and the sort?

 

NIC is Network Interface Card (although they're rarely a separate card these days). It's what you'll use if you have a broadband internet connection.

[+ deej]

RE: My new baby is coming!

 

>On my current computer I used a free anti-virus program found

>at http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php . Do you, our anyone else,

>have any experience with this? Can I use this with my new

>system?

 

I've heard good things about grisoft. All the A/V brands have their detractors and their defenders. Norton has a reputation for interfering with the proper performance of some database software. (It can be configured not to do this.) They all have incompatibilities with *something*.

 

Since Norton came bundled with your new machine, I'd think support would be easier to get when things go bump in the night.

 

The important thing is to pick one, and KEEP IT UP TO DATE.

[JamesK840]

RE: My new baby is coming!

 

I was fighting a virus at work a while ago which Norton could detect, but only keep from completing it's task by fighting the symptoms. As I tried to get at the actual cause I tried using AVG, it had no idea there was a virus at all. So it didn't impress me too much, but maybe it's better with other things. I ended up fighting the virus manually. Still, you get what you pay for, except when you don't (Ad Aware is free).

 

If anything is going to interfere and cause incompatibilities it's the invasive Norton Internet Security suite, which is why I recommend dumping it for simple Norton Anti Virus 2004.

 

As for the drives, it's cool that yours has two drives, one a DVD/CDRW combo and one a DVD writer, I just wish Dell carried the DVD writers that can write either DVD+R AND DVD-R so you can choose based on your needs. Hell, Sony was a major proponent of +R but their Vaio lines always came with -R then combos, I don't know what Dell's deal it there.

 

They make some damn nice machines though. I love the way they open, reminds me of a car hood, and all the extras neatly inside such as rails for extra drives, etc, and even goofy color coded 'dust covers' on all the spare power connections.