Dell or custom system

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langers1972

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#85831 26-Jun-2011 09:57

I need a basic everyday PC replacement (no monitor, mouse etc needed) and I always find it hard to look past Dell as they're so cheap for the level of equipment you get $899 for Inspiron desktop only but would I be better to use Computer Lounge or similar to get more 'bang for buck'?

Appreciate any comments, I really only need a PC for browsing, bit of music/movies and Office so not interested in a gaming beast!

lxsw20

3552 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#486108 26-Jun-2011 16:01

Probably would be, the advantage of using someone like CL is they use fairly generic parts, so say a power supply dies you will be able to get something off the shelf, this may not be the case with the Dell.

Ragnor

8220 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#486114 26-Jun-2011 16:12

Can't hurt to get a quote from CL on their PC Build Forums imo

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/forum/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=47
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/forum/Default.aspx?g=topics&f=36

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#486128 26-Jun-2011 16:57

My personal opinion, if you need a run-of the mill machine, and don't need to do much tweaking, except maybe a RAM upgrade and a HDD upgrade every now and then, Dell is a pretty good choice. Especially when it comes to support & getting things fixed (the 3 year International Next Business Day warranty on my laptop has been well worth it already in getting a speedy replacement for a badly behaving power adapter).

If you know exactly what you need in the machine, or expect you want to rip out the guts and do a MB+CPU+RAM transplant every year then I wouldn't go past a custom build, especially considering some of the cases I've seen Dell etc use in the past and things like proprietary modifications to motherboards (although not as much these days).

Also, take a look at PB Tech's 'upgrade boxes' some of them are not bad value, but can be easily 'bettered' by some Box+Monitor combinations at Noel Leeming etc.

kobiak

1615 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#486134 26-Jun-2011 17:08

as far as I understood, u don't need new monitor, mouse/keyboard

why don't u get yourself a ~$400-$500 netbook and hook up monitor and etc... would do the job perfectly for internet, music and movies. and you also would have mobility if needed.

:)

helping others at evgenyk.nz