Posted on 11/24/2009 8:37:50 PM PST by doc1019
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Exactly what I’m looking for.
I’ve gone the “local route”. It worked until the firm disappeared.
Now I buy my tower from a retailer, or the Maker.
I don’t buy a new monitor, when what is needed is the tower.
Build your own! MaxPC has guides and videos. Cool stuff and it will run better and be cheaper than the ones you’ll get from box retailers
Yes, it was daunting the first time I built one but the guides walked me right through it. (I used TigerDirect) I priced out My box against Dell and Other Prebuilts and cut their price by Half and I have better components!
Now I build all my computers and would never go back.
After I build my own, buy the software … I end up with a great computer that cost about as much ( including software) as a computer with a warranty? But with the factory built computer, I get a warranty and some sort of support (via India). Hmmm, let me think.
I bought my computer from Costco. Love the 90 day no questions return policy(I went thru 2 before I found the one I have now) and they double the warranty to 2 years. It does depend on what you are looking for, though. I wanted a laptop and absolutely love this one. :)
Wait til after Christmas - incredible bargains on everything. Check out jr.com while you’re at it.
/shrug personally I like having a copy of my OS and owning my software. Also, never really used a warrenty. Current box is a phenom 2 that I built for less than 700 bucks. Easily could have gotten it under 500 if I went really budget.
If you’re not Christmas shopping, I’d avoid the Black Friday sales. Computer price breaks tend to stick. If the top-selling models are all nearly sold out, you could miss out on a deal for a dew weeks, but the prices will head back towards the minimum very quickly.
Don’t buy a Windows computer that isn’t Windows 7 because it’s a good deal. If it ain’t Windows 7, there’s no way in hell the price is going back up. Make sure you get 4GB of memory, and good expandibility.
Excellent advice here. I was wondering the same thing about buying a computer soon.
Excellent advice here. I was wondering the same thing about buying a computer soon.
Key is an established local firm (that has a good established business) that stays longer that a big box warranty and you still win......:o)
I guess I am lucky that we have such nearby that has been here more than 10 years now. Good systems sold / made to order, good fair price, and 5 year 100% warranty !
Good luck !
Buy one from a retailer that promises to refund the difference in price should it drop in 30days or less.
Wait until January. Then buy an HP.
I can beat that, I have a Tandy color computer, complete with tape drive. I wouldn’t let it go for 50 bucks though, since it is rapidly becoming a collector’s item:) and because I like reminding myself how far home computers have come in a a very short time(comparatively speaking).
My recommendation?
Dell Outlet. They frequently offer a 15% off coupon, and free shipping. I’m posting this from a desktop-replacement Inspiron 1720 laptop that I got from them for about $450 back in June, with a fast Core2Duo, 4GB RAM, 320GB hard drive, and webcam. I’ve got it multi-booting Windows, Linux, and OSX 10.5.8
I've purchased two refurbished computers over the years from Dell. I've been very happy and saved several hundred dollars. Dell does a very good job making sure their refurbished computers are ready for prime time.
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