When buying a new computer would you use a company locally that builds new computers or go with Dell

• When buying a new computer would you use a company locally that builds new computers or go with Dell - MTPA
  • computers - msbeanctr
  • Buying new - HOME COMPUTING
  • I went local. Great local tech support, they know what I do and were able to set it up just for me - and my needs. Have got 2 PC and 1 laptop from them
  • local - anita
  • In the technical world - agj
    • Thanks. I think the local is more expensive. They have been around for about 7 years but of course - MTPA
      • I heard bad stuff about Dell, too. - agj
  • I bought a Dell because I got a better deal than buying locally. - techie MT
  • If local co can be trusted, then go with them, but SM - Kumbaya
  • This is just my opinion - see message - Sheila
    • I agree. I had trouble with Dell... - MI-MT
      • computer - msbeanctr

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Are the Dell computers advertized in Sunday circulars pretty cheap any good?  I'm happy with what I have and have always had an HP, but hubby says it's old and he's afraid it's going to give up the ghost any day and wants to get me one of the cheap Dells?  Any advice?

I just started a job using voice files and not a dictaphone as before.  I tried every set of earphones in the tower part of the computer that has a space for earphones next to the space for the footpedal.  I only out of one ear.  Is there another place to plug them in or what earphones do you use.   These earphones are made for this. 

I have several friends who use Averatec laptops and swear by them.  I, too, am a DELL lover and I never use their tech department anyway, even when the tech dept was still in the USA.  I have 2 computer people who help me when and if I need computer help/fixing.  I think the Averatec runs around $600 but I'm not sure today.

Computer under warranty and the modem went bad.  Called tech support and I told them the modem was bad (I am not a computer idiot), but went through everything with them anyway.  Of course, they could not help and stated that I had to go through software support before I could be sent a new modem under the warranty.  The first thing you get in software support is a salesperson.  I told her this was NOT a software problem but I had been told I had to go through software support before I could get a new modem.  It cost me $54.23 for a one-time software support problem.  Before I did this, I asked her if I would receive a refund if this was determined not to be a software problem, which I already knew it wasn't.  She said,'YES, just call this phone number back and give us your case number and we will issue a refund'.  So like an idiot, and because I happen to trust people, I paid. I called them right back to advise that software support determined I needed a new modem and to please issue a refund."OKAY - we will issue a refund' the girl says.  Now after 2 months I still have not received a refund and the 'refund supervisor' tells me they cannot issue one because I did receive software support.  She says they will 'counsel' the girl that lied to me.  I told her I never would have gone through software support if I had know that, and if I had not been LIED to, because the new modem only cost $14 if I had purchased it outright so why would I pay $54 to get a free $14 part????  DELL LIES!  They just lost my business.  I can afford the $54, but it is the principle of the thing.  I hate the way big corporations can lie to you and get away with it.  My grandfather owned a small grocery store.  If someone called to ask the price of ground beef and an employee told them a price that was lower than the actual price, he would have sold it to that customer for that amount.  He would not have said,'Sorry but you have to pay the correct price and I will COUNSEL the employee'.  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO COMMON DECENCY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE???? 

This is something I have never seen posted anywhere and I'm thinking it is not even possible but thought I'd ask just to see.  I know a lot of companies supply your computer and transcription equipment.  There are other companies that are set up where you can just load their program onto your personal computer.  Has anyone ever heard of a company that has a type of program that has computers available for purchase?  I know some places take a deposit on the one you use for them and then when you quit your deposit is returned.  How about if you want to buy it?  For instance, the company I work for has a program in place that allows you to purachase books from the company at a discounted price and then you can have it payroll deducted over several pay periods.  I was just thinking it would be awesome if I could do this with a computer purchase.  Okay, I'm pretty sure I'm dreaming with my head in the clouds but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask.  TIA. 

fixed under warranty. I guess you Fed Ex it back and wait on it. Can you tell me how this went please.

OMG

Make sure you get the extended warranty, again, MAKE SURE YOU GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. And, here is why.

My first laptop went out on my, though it was a couple of years old.  Because I had the extended warranty, a service tech came to my house, replaced motherboard, hard drive, heat sink, and keyboard.  He was able to back up everything first and restored it once all the new stuff was in place. 

One of my PCs kept giving some weird blue screen error and I couldn't get to go even in safe mode. I called up Dell, told them the problem, they looked up my extended warranty and they sent someone out to repair it.

Overall, I have been happy with Dell products.  The only drag is that everything Dell sells regarding accessories is proprietary and you have to order it through Dell.  No generic accessories will work.  My suggestion is if you decide to buy a Dell laptop, make sure you get the car power supply and you might even get a 2nd regular power supply because I have been known to leave town and forget the power supply at the house.  Now, I have everything in my laptop bag for when I go out of town and can just throw my laptop in the bag and know everything is there.

Lastly, some Dell laptops require a special aircard to connect to the internet.  I ended up getting a 2 cabled USB air card and I'm glad I did because 2 USB plug ins give better reception than one.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. I'm happy to help.

Anyone have any good answers to this question:

Why should I (physician) let you to do my dictation(local person) VS hiring a National Company to do? Any help would be appreciated.  Trying to prove to Dr to choose me instead of the leech-like Nationals that are only out for themselves and taking advantage of this profession that once was valued before they came along and started slave labor.

was a piece of junk, so I'm not the one to ask if you should buy a Dell.   I'd get at least double that processor speed.  My computer is about 10 months old and I have 5 times that, which means that there is probably something faster out now, or soon will be.  It is more than I need for work, but I also use computer to download music/pictures, and a bunch of other stuff.   The Dell I had had 650 mHz and it was slow and that was almost 6 years ago.   You may have to customize anyway to get XP unless you buy one previously owned, which you can also buy from Dell.   It is always a good idea to buy bigger than you need currently just to allow for updates to any software or new software you may add.    You need to also think about tech support.  I know Dell has tech support in India, which can be extremely frustrating.  I don't know that other computer companies don't offshore their tech support, but that would be a question I would ask and find out if there is a locally authorized dealer to handle warranty repairs or if you need to send off the computer.    I would not recommend a Gateway computer and I would not recommend any computer that has a Celeron processor.   They tend to be in all the lower end computers.