Opinions on New Desktop

[BearZDefect]

I agree with the suggestions to consider a factory refurbished Dell business class PC. They run good coupons now and then.
Here is the site where the refurbs have the same warranty as new, and in my experience, are just like brand new:
http://www.dell.com/us/dfb/p/

 

[doitmyself]

Thank you gentlemen. I should have emphasized more in my OP that this is for my workplace and I want an entry level business/commercial/workstation grade desktop for the records, data, and other stuff I do. I also am privy to some discounts through the large organization I work for.

I already have a personal laptop available for rare portability needs.

I also should have emphasized more (again) that I was looking less for configuration advice and more on brand advice (reliability, service, etc.)as I am woefully out of touch with this.

Anyway, I narrowed my criteria to SFF-small form factor, i5 4590 +/-, 8GB ram (2x4GB dual channel), 500GB storage,8 or 16x dvd, SD reader, and not much other fluff.

I narrowed brand choices to Lenovo, ASUS, and DELL. Checked the DELL refurbs (Optiplex 7020/9020) and they are only about $25 less than NEW ASUS and Lenovo. ASUS was cheapest, but Lenovo just today started a one week sale that brought them VERY close to the others.

I'm going with the Lenovo P300, unless someone can convince me that DELL or ASUS make better machines (at this commodity level) and/or have superior reliability and customer service. The Ford vs. Chevy computer discussions I attempted to check out are both hilarious and useless.

Thanks again.

 

[Quattro Pete]

How much is that p300 configured as u want it?

 

[doitmyself]

PM sent. These computers new are $700 delivered +/-,if you are a good shopper.

 

[spackard]

Dell's warranty support on their business class machines has been very good. I don't know about Lenovo' or ASUS' support. HP's has been okay, but not as much followup as Dell.

I personally don't like Lenovo's "signature required" and send only to address on credit card you paid with.

 

[BearZDefect]

Warranty is somewhere that, in my experience, Lenovo and Dell differ, at least when it comes to how they treat their small business customers.

1. Lenovo gives you a 1-year warranty, you have to pay more to upgrade to a 3-year warranty. Dell gives you a standard 3-year warranty.

2. More importantly, if the warranty claim is non-trivial like an LCD developing defects, Lenovo Easyserv has taught their techs to decline warranty coverage claiming that customer damaged it. I have had no such declines from Dell.

We always hope that we don't have to make a warranty claim, but if it happens we want the manufacturer to hold up their end.

I am not referring to entry level bargain products, I am referring to $1,000+ computers like corporate class Thinkpads and Latitudes in my statements above. In my opinion, IBM made Thinkpad a legendary name, but since Lenovo bought the brand they have gradually pulled it down to below average.

 

[simple_gifts]

Originally Posted By: cashmoney
Get a good quality laptop with an SSD hard drive. No need for an obsolete desktop - loss of flexibility and portability.


Desktops are more easily serviced. For maximum usability over many years, DT is the way to go.

http://arrowdirect.com/

8Gb i5 for $272.

 

[doitmyself]

Thanks again everyone. Bear - Lenovo's warranty in also 3 years standard.

Regarding brand comparisons, it's impossible to go to any forum or blog because they attract the "one bad experience = never again" posters.

After researching the web, my general impression is that Apple almost always excels in customer support and also reliability. After that, the next 4 rankings seem to switch positions every year: Lenovo, ASUS, HP, DELL. Often, the differences are not statistically relevant....one to three points +/-. DELL had horrible service before their recent ownership changes. It then becomes a decision of one's personal experience and preferences. I like that HP an DELL are US owned companies, but even they have controversial histories the past 5 years.

Anyway, the decision has been made. My workplace discount knocks nearly $200 off the prices I discussed above.