HowToFixComputers.com

jazzyb · Contributor Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 7

I am buying a new computer and i want to know what brand is the most durable and good make of a computer. I previously had Compaq Presario and i would go back with a Compaq the newer models but i really don't know how the newer models are or if i should try gateway, dell, etc... HELP! I don't wanna make a bad decision in buying a computer that i will regret buying later.

ldiaco · Forum Regular Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 13

Hi... first off, I take it you are looking to buy a desktop, and not a laptop. So with a desktop, I would say that you SHOULD NOT look at Hewlett Packard. At my old college, I can't tell you how many students just on my floor thought they were getting a great deal with a low price HP, but various problems occured later. Disk failures, bad RAM, over heating components, faulty power supplies (just to name the ones I could figure out)... and on top of that, their tech support was almost criminal. Three months to diagnose and fix my roommate's laptop.... ,because he had to send it back to HP even though the contract said something about onsite service but not for such and such a problem.... and that was after about (if I remember correctly) 3 hours on the phone talking to several tech support morons. So, no HP's. My cousin travels all around the world, and she used a Compaq for quite a while. When I say travels, I don't mean like in a business suit for some big corporation, she's been into the rainforests of S. America, Thailand, Indonesia (when the Tsunami hit), Australia, India, Carribean, so that computer has really been tested out, and it worked pretty well. The tech support had a little something to be desired, but all in all, a fairly good computer. She now has a Dell, and she's back in Australia. I have used Dells for most of my computing needs, and have found that they break just as much if not less than anyother computer, with the exception that of all the Dell's I have worked on/with (well into the hundreds) I can't remember an instance of a faulty physical component being the source of the computer's woes. Their tech support is comparatively good, but that is not saying much... all tech support nowadays is pretty weak. Even with my dells, I took it to a local tech company (when I couldnt figure it out) to get it worked on.

Ya know, as much as you are looking to buy a computer, it might actually be easier for you to have one built for you by a professional. I built my own (the one I am on right now) and have found that since I put so much detailed thought into everything I put in it, that it is stable, reliable, fast... just a good solid computer. But i know that some people are intimidated by the thought of building their own. So, i'll leave that there.

Oh, just one finishing thought. When you do make your final choice, take a look at exactly what you are getting. Two major issues you should look at to get the best bang for your buck are: 1) that the various components (like RAM, Hard disk transfer, Graphics Cars, USB components) work at optimal levels when working with each other. A motherboard that can hold 4 sticks of 800Mhz RAM, should have 800Mhz RAM sticks in it... why would you only put RAM in there that can work at a lower speed? Something like this might push the price up maybe $50, if we're talking about RAM. And 2) Make sure you get most, if not all, USB 2.0 ports.... for instance, trying to transfer information from your internal hard drive to an external Hard drive (connected by a USB cable) will go by many times faster if using a USB 2.0 port instead of a USB 1.1 port. I guess that is really it. Some of the info i put out might be a little off, being I just woke up, and Im kinda snowblind from looking out my window. Hope everything goes well with your search. Peace self-satisfied smirk

OH! woops..... I gave you the wrong "2)". Yea, USB speed is critical and all.... but thats not what I really wanted to tell you. You should look at the components you are getting in the computer.... I'll run down the list for ya.
1) Motherboard
2) Processor (CPU)
3) Video card (if any)
4) Power Supplu
5) RAM
6) Hard Drive(s)
7) CD-ROM/DVD-RAM drives
8) Networking Card (if any)

And you should take a look at the individual component, see if there are any reviews on it.... if there are, are they good or bad..... is there a long line of complaints, or a long line of satisfied customers? Ya get the idea. Might take a little time, but will save you alot more later on. You'll know exactly what you are getting.

rapscallion · Forum Regular Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 39

Consumer Reports has the Gateway DX420S as their top pick. Of course, picks will change as they review more models, but I think since Gateway decided to get away from budget models and go back to more enthusiast builds they've been back on people's good graces.

The HP Pavilion m7680y and the Dell XPS 210 are a close second and third, by the way.

All three are built around the Intel Core Duo E6400, but the Gateway comes with an Nvidia 6800 GS, which is a pretty good video card.