August 31, 2006
— Ace Spent all yesterday doing, well, you know. Spent all day today recovering. I don't think I've strained that much in my life. I drank one large coffee and four diet Red Bulls by 3pm and I stll could have taken a nap at any moment (if I could nap, which unfortunately I can't).
Internet went out, and was on and off only spotilly throughout the day. I'm still trying to figure this new USB wireless card out. And the balky router it connects to. Spent two hours talking with Dell trying to convince them the should give me a discount on a new computer since the last one they sold me has never worked. They kept trying to tell me the problem was that I had a Celeron processor and only 256 K RAM. Which drove me crazy. Because computers in 1983 could handle minor word processing tasks and email. (Well, that was before email, but you know what I mean-- I'm not using this computer for anything high-end or processor intensive.)
And yet Dell kept trying to convince me to spend another $1500 on a Dell computer when the last $1200 I spent resulted in a computer that hasn't worked since it came out of the box. If only you upgrade to the Pentium M and 512 K RAM, multiple Dell representatives (including a manger) told me, then you'll be able to handle that very high-end "typing into a window and pressing send" application you use.
Funny. When I bought the last one 16 months ago (a period of time Dell's representatives kept rounding up to two years, for some reason), no one warned me that a Celeron processor and 256 K RAM wouldn't be machine enough to handle Gmail.
Had they so informed me, I don't think I'd've bought one.
They just didn't seem to get I was 1, irate, 2, sold a lemon, 3, lacking any more faith in Dell and certainly not willing to buy a more expensive computer from them when the last midrange one was such a piece of crap. I kept telling them "You're trying to upsell the wrong person," but they just kept offering me "solutions" in the $1400 to $1600 range. Solutions for me, you understand. They were only trying to help.
The last guy told me he could not, under any circumstances, offer a discount beyond what they were giving anyone else. But he told me to call Customer Care because maybe they could.
Are they just going to waste more of my minutes? I asked. He said no.
So I called Customer Care, now in my third hour of Dell Hell. I put it to her quickly: I am not interested in speaking with you if you cannot offer any discount on a new machine beyond what is offered to everyone, including those people who were not sold a computer that has never worked. Can you offer such a discount?
No, she said.
No discount for a machine that has never worked? Or for the huge number of hours I've spent talking with clueless "customer support" assholes whose only goal was to get me to go away and look for answers on some one's website? Or for the multiple times I've had to reinstall Windows and reload all of my old files (losing many of them along the way, of course, as the CD burner has never worked either).
At any rate, I'm going to do what I told them I would do at the end of this process. I am going to create a blog ad telling all people to avoid Dell computers at any and all costs, and I am going to run it on my site in perpetuity.
Hopefully the lastest money I have sunk into this piece of crap will keep it going until I can buy a new one. From HP, or Gateway, or Acer. Anyone but Dell.
Anyone but Dell.
Anyone but Dell.
Anyone but Dell.
I'm serious. Buy a cheap used computer off Craigslist for $400. Sure, it won't last longer than six months, and no one will help you on tech support.
But then, same deal with Dell. And you'll be saving money, too.
This computer only has to last the two weeks or so it will take to get a new machine. Hopefully, it will last those two weeks (or, as Dell's representaties would call two weeks, "almost two years").
At least I still have the Dell carrying case. It's not a particularly good one, and it cost me around $1200, but it is the only part of the sale that has actually functioned more or less as anticipated.
Dell is the worst computer vendor out there, and they're getting worse every day.
Don't buy from them.
Posted by: Ace at
08:41 PM
| Comments (78)
Post contains 813 words, total size 4 kb.
eBay is your friend. You can find a new IBM laptop, as a ferinstance, with 1GB of memory, a fast processor, and all the other gew-gaws for less than $1000.
Or at least I could, and it must work, because I'm typing stuff into a box on it, and plan to hit "Post" right...
Posted by: Patton at August 31, 2006 08:47 PM (7qrZH)
Posted by: Michael Dell at August 31, 2006 08:47 PM (ChRXV)
Seriously. I wrote this whole comment using Abacus, and it only took me 1.3 years (23 years Dell Time).
Posted by: Luddite at August 31, 2006 08:52 PM (5EON0)
Posted by: Wickedpinto at August 31, 2006 08:55 PM (QTv8u)
Can you attempt to upsell me and get me to pay even more money for a worthless piece of shit computer that gets painfully hot to the touch after being on for forty five minutes? A computer whose CPU usage is pertually stuck in the 90-120% range?
And can you just keep telling me that if I just spend more money, I'll finally be able to handle this diffuclt high-end process called email?
That would help keep me in "the Dell family."
Posted by: ace at August 31, 2006 08:56 PM (4qddO)
Stop touching that computer and think about the Dell "experience".
While you're on hold.
Do you have a credit card handy?
Posted by: Michael Dell at August 31, 2006 09:01 PM (ChRXV)
So...you had a baby?
Congradulations! and welcome back.
Posted by: a-a at August 31, 2006 09:01 PM (OEbrS)
Posted by: Stephanie at August 31, 2006 09:16 PM (1C3dO)
Hours wasted. I have been a loyal Dell customer (and stockholder) through three computers (only my SONY Vaio back in 1998 was a worse experience).
My latest issue was purchasing a fully loaded and fullboat service warranties, computer for my father. I wanted him to have a working computer and (despite the expensive warranties) access to easy tech solutions.
Ordered. Paid.
The nightmare began with getting the damn thing. I was returning to the East Coast to set it up for my father. Ordred twenty days BEFORE my trip.
The SWORE it would arrive. I even paid for better shipping.
Well, you can guess. No computer.
Cancelled the order in full and sold my stock that day.
Screw them.
Bought a out of the box from Circuiy City. No headaches (so far).
Posted by: Ed at August 31, 2006 09:17 PM (b9U3i)
The rep could only keep repeating back to me "PC Card?" then put me on hold for over 15 minutes before I hung up and said screw it, buy something else
Did get a Toshiba for my mother to use though, Intel Celeron. Uses it for work and internet only, hasn't had a problem 2 years now. Not to mention their extended warranty *at least at the time, but don't think its changed* covers 1 replacement a year for PHYSICAL damage caused by user. Knowing my family, couldn't pass that one up, heh.
Posted by: Brian at August 31, 2006 09:31 PM (4xW/Q)
Do you mean pcmcia card?
I've heard so many horror stories about Dell, I don't anticipate ever buying one.
I bought an HP back in 2000 that lasted for a good 6 years. Just recently donated it to a family friend.
Work computer is a Dell laptop... d610... seems to work ok, but I didn't have to pay for it or support it, so no sweat.
I prefer building my own computers for personal use. Never tried building a laptop, so not sure how hard it'd be, but I assume it's not too much more difficult than building a tower system.
Posted by: krakatoa at August 31, 2006 09:44 PM (CX6Ok)
Posted by: ArmedGeek at August 31, 2006 09:46 PM (XmC08)
Posted by: DL From Heidelberg at August 31, 2006 09:51 PM (Fp/mY)
Never tried building a laptop, so not sure how hard it'd be, but I assume it's not too much more difficult than building a tower system.
---
heh, ever work on a laptop ? looks like all the parts are just poured into them. My HP laptop is about 5 years old and I've changed the harddrive (not too difficult) and the cpu heatsink and fan (major pain in the ass). There are "barebones" laptops that you can build to suit you, but you really wouldn't be saving any money.
More than likely I'll be buying another HP laptop soon. I've started into game development and this old laptop just aint up to the task.
Posted by: ArmedGeek at August 31, 2006 09:52 PM (XmC08)
Used to work retail through school selling computers and that's how most people referred to them. Hell, with most people, simplifying technology terms tended to make my life easier, though it was fun to watch their eyes gloss over. They couldn't even bother to remember easy items. Can't tell you how many 'UBS' or 'UPS' cables I sold to people for their printers.
To be safe with the rep though, I did throw out there PCMCIA to her as well, only confused her more. English was not her friend.
Posted by: Brian at August 31, 2006 09:56 PM (4xW/Q)
The last time I checked I think they had an entry level one for about 500 bucks.
The new ones have intel processors.
Oh, and thanks for letting me guest post.
Posted by: Retired Geezer at August 31, 2006 10:12 PM (IjfHa)
Riddle me this...my PowerBook bought just last August was stolen in July, so now I have the new MacBookPro (cleronorox - or something like that) which is supposed to be better...however on my G4 powerbook my wireless signal was fantastic and i could sit anywhere in my house or backyard and surf away...new "MacBookPro" i get the weakest dang signal just 2 inches away from the wireless router, I can't go anywhere with my laptop, WHAT GIVES? or do you know?...does anyone know?
(PS...if anyone else has on of these new "MacBookPro" laptops, are you having a problem or notice the keyboard keys are not engaging when you type? I just screwed with the settings and it seems to be better but I am paranoid., defualt settings should be good, no?)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 31, 2006 11:07 PM (D2b2a)
Posted by: shawn at August 31, 2006 11:52 PM (8o4zi)
Posted by: goddessoftheclassroom at September 01, 2006 01:19 AM (OfMrl)
I do not know whether you had a desktop or a laptop. But unless you travel frequently and need a PC on the go, DO NOT BUY A LAPTOP. Desktops have better cooling, the disks last longer becaue there are no vibrations...etc etc.
If you are OK with a TV that does not move all over the house with you, you should be ok with a PC that does not move either.
Posted by: Tushar D at September 01, 2006 01:29 AM (9ULFg)
Posted by: FrG at September 01, 2006 02:10 AM (3y71Y)
Posted by: The Black Republican at September 01, 2006 03:26 AM (Edy/C)
Posted by: Dan Collins at September 01, 2006 03:29 AM (Ouds1)
Wireless works fine for me, both with the Airport at home, and also in other hot spots with unknown signal sources.
It takes only one click to do what often takes two or three clicks to accomplish with Windows. OSX is stable; very, very rarely crashes.
Mac: They. Just. Work.
Posted by: w b h at September 01, 2006 03:32 AM (o9+bF)
Alienware makes some very cool laptops. On the upside they have very good customer support. On the downside you will need it.
The bigger downside is Dell just bought them and I'm not sure how long it will take for them to implement Dell-certified quality-control procedures. (I think they're all the way up to ISO 100.)
Posted by: Planet Moron at September 01, 2006 03:40 AM (RDh1x)
Posted by: Don Carne at September 01, 2006 03:48 AM (RJDcF)
40% of Dell laptops, at the time, were reported to be bad out of the box. Read the reviews, the real ones, on anything. Like anything, some are OK and others suck.
Two weeks later, I talked to our accounting firm that had bought 200 Dell laptops, many of which were bad.
Desktops work better and faster than laptops, and are easier to fix. With those above who say never ever buy a laptop unless you absolutely need one, I agree.
Posted by: robert at September 01, 2006 03:49 AM (Rb4Qc)
I bought a Gateway at BB. Used customer service once and had an excellent experience. Talked to a gentlemen in Kansas who not only solved my wireless problem he even stayed on the line to be sure it wasn't screwing up my VIOP. Also had an intelligent chit chat about domestic issues. Very pleasent experience. I recomend Gateway. I have heard of other people having problems with Dell.
Posted by: Joe at September 01, 2006 04:03 AM (s7Ian)
My home machine is a Frankenstein I stitched together. In fact, for years and years I (rather superstitiously) made sure my desktop machine carried at least one component from my original computer (a 1985 XT clone). The very last piece was a 5 1/4" floppy drive. So, in theory, I had the same computer for twenty years.
My laptop is an Acer (which doesn't exist any more and used to be TI). I want to replace it, but the damn thing is a brick. It won't break. It's like six or seven years old (it was the first generation laptop with a DVD player, if that's any help). It's running Win98. But it does everything I need it to and it's solid as a rock. It was the high-end road warrior machine when it was new.
Posted by: S. Weasel at September 01, 2006 04:03 AM (rasT+)
I think Dell's going to learn very quickly that goodwill is difficult to obtain and incredibly easy to lose.
Posted by: alexthechick at September 01, 2006 04:13 AM (OdWOg)
Posted by: Dan Collins at September 01, 2006 04:18 AM (Ouds1)
All in all you can get a righteous HP from Microcenter.com for about $1200 USD, probably get a good rebate in there as well.
Posted by: b at September 01, 2006 04:27 AM (Mq5jS)
Run a campaign where you tell everyone of your dissatisfaction with your Dell (You've already started this so your ahead of the game). Announce a time and date where you will allow people who have had similar experiences with their computer a chance to swing a hammer or other blunt instrument at your computer for a small donation ( The guy with the car offered shots with a sledgehammer, $10 bucks per swing, you might have to scale this back a little. One swing of a sledgehammer and your event is over. Maybe a ball peen hammer or a rock hammer.). The guy who did this with his car made enough money to buy himself a new one. I'm willing to bet that you will find enough people who can relate to a crappy computer experience who will pay you for the chance to smash yours to little pieces. Box up all the little pieces (don't miss any, that Dell is concentrated evil ) and ship the box to Dell computer support.
Then use the cash you make to buy an Apple, cause they just work.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 01, 2006 04:27 AM (rnOZq)
I'm guessing what you're not remembering is that you're not using 1983 software.
An IBM PS1 or a Comodore64 wouldn't even be able to run Windows 3.6 let alone Windows XP with IE6
Posted by: Entropy at September 01, 2006 04:33 AM (m6c4H)
I called Compaq after I bought the thing from Sears and they sent me the CDs for Windows at no charge.
I later upgraded the operating system from ME to XP with no problems, just installed a USB 2.0 board with no problems - I bought the card at Office Depot, came home, plugged it in, and it worked.
The tech reviews on Compaq tend to cite middle-of-the-pack performance issues and other tech things - but I figure what time I've lost by not having MS-Office load 8 seconds faster each time is made up for by having the damn thing run.
If/when they develop applications I need that this system can't run, I'll be buying a Compaq.
Posted by: BumperStickerist at September 01, 2006 04:38 AM (PcDvW)
But don't even buy a new computer. Not now. Wait 6 months.
First quarter 2007 a few things are going to happen. Windows Vista is going to come out (the new windows 64bit DirectX10 OS). Nvidia and ATI are going to release DX10 compliant cards, which means a substantial price drop in what's available now. AMD is going to introduce at least one new FX processor, which will include a price drop, and possibly the 4x4 which will include a huge price drop because it will be a whole new architecture.
If this happens, Intel may also introduce a quad-core chip, which would correspond to price drop on thier side.
You're going to get better bang for your buck in 6 months. The next generation architectures and platforms are coming out.
Posted by: Entropy at September 01, 2006 04:38 AM (m6c4H)
Robert's previous comment that a huge percentage ship defective is accurate (reports I've read over the years range from between 29% to 40+%). Quality manufacturing is expensive and Dell is about cheap. Only.
Please, Ace, take a look at the Apple machines. Many years of working with both the Windows and Mac platforms have convinced me of the superiority of the Mac in every single area except cutting-edge PC gaming.
Get a Mac and solve all your problems all at once and for good.
I've hit your tip jar before ($100) and will do so again, no matter what you decide. But, if you get a Mac, I'll double that last contribution.
How 'bout that for incentive? Dell won't give you dick, but some random stranger will give you $200 if you get a Mac.
Think about it. There's a reason we Apple fans are such fanatics about our computers.
Posted by: NYC fan at September 01, 2006 04:43 AM (JVFDV)
Apple is not a computer manufacturer, it is a cult.
A desperate, desperate cult. If they ever do manage to get enough people, Steve Jobs is going to dress you all in purple robes and send you off on Haley's comet.
Posted by: at September 01, 2006 04:51 AM (m6c4H)
tsk9, I have a new Macbook Pro, and I'm not having any keyboard problems. My wireless reception is strong, but sometimes it'll completely quit receiving for a few minutes at a time, while my husband's computer will be getting a signal. You geeks will think this is retarded, and it is, but if I smack the underside of the computer, it seems to bring back the signal. So, yeah, I think this model may have some issues with the antenna or the airport card connector dealy.
I had to do the battery recall, too, but that was completely quick and painless.
Posted by: stace at September 01, 2006 04:52 AM (A56/D)
Posted by: Sinistar at September 01, 2006 04:52 AM (FUWRQ)
SONY is the answer to your problems.
Sony VAIO!
I am happy with Sony not only with computer, but with other their gadgets.
P.S. Everyone knows that Dell is "dead" machine
welcome to join a crowd
Posted by: Angélique at September 01, 2006 04:56 AM (bnpNk)
I thought it would cheer you up a bit to know that you have most certainly cost Dell my $800-$1000.
Posted by: adolfo_velasquez at September 01, 2006 04:56 AM (42boG)
If it makes you feel better about yourself to think so, go right ahead. But you are completely wrong.
Apple is a publicly traded company. I'm a shareholder and enthusiastic consumer of their products.
The more people who learn about the superiority of the Mac platform, the more money I make. You call it cult, I call it capitalism.
Posted by: NYC fan at September 01, 2006 05:01 AM (JVFDV)
Macintosh.
Does all you want.
Does it easily.
Customer Service actually services customers.
Looks cool.
Later.
Posted by: Douglas Winship at September 01, 2006 05:01 AM (suxgd)
Because my entire self-identity is based upon my brand loyalty to PC manufacturers.
/sarcasm.
Posted by: Entropy at September 01, 2006 05:04 AM (m6c4H)
Posted by: Dan Collins at September 01, 2006 05:07 AM (Ouds1)
My wife uses an Apple G3 PowerBook (Pismo) that I bought new in 2000. It's been flawless.
When you call tech support and can't get a problem resolved, likely it's because the product you're having problems with has a design flaw for which tech support has no work-around. They won't tell you that because they are not allowed to. You can infer that by their concerted attempts to get you to replace it so they won't have to deal with you any more.
So, heaping abuse or blame on tech support won't fix your problem and is childish to boot. They are not the brightest bulbs in the box, they didn't design the product, and they can't change the design of the product. If you determine, which you have, that tech support can't fix the problem, then give up and move on.
The computer company won't, in effect, give you your money back? That's not surpising. They make money without being that ethical. It would cost you more to recoup the loss than you would gain if you succeeded in forcing them to. That's life. You can stay pissed or you can get on with yours.
Reality is that ALL computer manufactures have this problem with at least one particular product. You can't fix this problem if you fall victim to it, and you can't prevent it by buying a brand-new design because a track record that doesn't yet exist is required to determine if the problem is present. You also can't fix it buy switching to another computer company.
So, resolve to never, ever buy the latest and greatest computer product. Wait for a design to prove itself and follow the news about it. I have followed this advice for decades and have never bought a bad computer.
You can deal with your current situation quite easily. Given that you don't need the most powerful machine available, then you don't have to buy a brand new product that's supposed to be the latest and greatest. Find out what particular models have a good track record and buy a used one from someone who thinks he has to have the latest and greatest. Make sure it works and drop a new hard drive into it. I highly recommend the two I listed above. This solution is easy, it's cheap, and it works.
Am I, in effect, defending the unethical computer companies? Not for a even a microsecond. I share your disgust wholeheartedly. I simply make two points: 1) you can greatly reduce your exposure to the problem and reduce your costs tremendously, and it's easy; and, 2) working yourself into a lather won't help.
No, mine are not for sale. They work like they are supposed to, and I don't need the latest and greatest either.
Posted by: DJ at September 01, 2006 05:07 AM (EwugH)
Posted by: stace at September 01, 2006 05:08 AM (A56/D)
Posted by: Entropy at September 01, 2006 05:11 AM (m6c4H)
And never, ever wrestle a MAGATOO.
Posted by: Dan Collins at September 01, 2006 05:15 AM (Ouds1)
Have you noticed that Apple users tend to make more intelligent comments, lead happier, more productive lives, are better looking and smell better?
I'm sure its just a coincidence.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 01, 2006 05:15 AM (rnOZq)
They're moving away from everything that distinguished them apart from OSX, and that's fine, because none of that ever did anything for them after 20 years of trying.
But when you throw Windows on it, it's no different then a Compaq or an HP or a Gateway. It really doesn't matter who you buy from, just what you buy.
And, you've got to put windows on it. I don't think they come that way - that's still 1 setback.
Why would a computer newbie who's comfortable with Windows, which is compatible with everything, want OSX?
Anyway...if it ever did become truly popular, alot of people would be suddenly shocked to learn that security through obscurity is really no security at all.
Posted by: Entropy at September 01, 2006 05:18 AM (m6c4H)
Last night we headed out to the Apple Store at Eastview Mall, and headed home with a shiny new MacBook (and iPod Nano, and printer, both of which were free after rebate). We turned it on, and started in on the process of transferring files from the old computer to the new. We watched impatiently as the time remaining dropped from 45 minutes to 30 minutes to 7 minutes…and then stopped. Full stop. No animation on the progress bar, no sign of life whatsoever. We waited. And waited. Finally I tried rebooting…only to be greeted with a flat, grey screen. I tried again. Same thing. I tried putting in the system software DVD and rebooting from that drive, which seemed to work (after a lengthy delay). But two steps into the welcome sequence it froze, and generated a kernel panic screen. I followed the instructions on the Apple web site for what to do if your MacBook won’t start. No luck.
Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. I was quite sure that I’d have to (a) wait forever for a genius bar appointment the next day, and (b) end up having to send the machine back to Apple and wait an indeterminate amount of time for them to return it.
This morning we got to the store right after it opened, and I walked up to the cash register with the machine. I explained briefly what had happened, and the young man at the register quickly called over the manager. The manager listened to my (highly detailed) tale of woe and said “Sounds like you did everything you were supposed to. Let’s get you a new machine.” So not what I expected to hear.
“But what about the receipt,” I asked. After all, I’d been told quite clearly the night before that all the serial numbers had to match up on the receipt for the Nano and printer rebates to be honored. “Not a problem,” he replied. “We’ll generate brand-new receipts with the new computer’s number on them.”
Ten minutes later, we walked out of the store with a(nother) brand-new MacBook, which started up perfectly and has been making Lane happy all day.
It’s quite amazing how much good customer service can do to turn a bad out-of-box experience into a great one. You can bet I’ll be buying all my equpment there from now on. (They even gave me my faculty discount based on my RIT ID!)
Posted by: at September 01, 2006 06:27 AM (o3QRz)
Well, if you look at an Apple laptop you might want to play with it a while before buying. Rumor has it that they are having problems in this area as well, including going so far as warning people not to use them in their laps.
As for me? Well, as an anachronist, my preferred laptop is one of these babies. Doesn't get hot, and mine has one of them thar new-fangled 300 baud modems built right in!
Posted by: Anachronda at September 01, 2006 06:50 AM (Z2ndo)
I get all of my computers out of the dumpster and off curbs these days. Free is always the "right price".
The last one, a Compaq 350mhz PII with 512M lasted two years (and still runs great). This thing I'm typing on is a Dell 600mhz PIII. The only reason I switch was to get the PIII CPU's SSE extensions. The "dumpster stock" video card was flaky, so I had to swap it for another dumpster obtained Nvidia. Net cost was still $0.00
People often ditch a perfectly good machine when something simple goes wrong. Vid card memory goes bad, battery dies, etc.
Posted by: Purple Avenger at September 01, 2006 06:56 AM (WxRQS)
I've been on vacation and haven't been able to say MAGTOO for a week -- and you beat me to it.
I did get to go looking for that mutant hybrid thing they found dead in Maine, though.
Posted by: mesablue at September 01, 2006 08:01 AM (DzeyU)
Dell sold Ace a POS computer... which is kind of redundant, being as how it's a Dell and all.
Now Ace is begging for a discount on another POS computer.
That's like getting Gonorrhea from a hooker, then going back and screwing her a month later and demanding a discount.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at September 01, 2006 08:16 AM (plsiE)
Don't let those assholes steal your money ace!
There's an annoying mortgage commercial on the radio that uses that line. Except he says "predators," not "a-holes."
Congratulations to Angelique for making her first coherent post on AoS. Or, congratulations to me for finally understanding the enigma known as Anglelique. (I went to high school with an Angelique. Her nickname was Leaky.)
Apple is not a computer manufacturer, it is a cult.
...
NYCfan responds "you are completely wrong."
Then adds, "The more people who learn about the superiority of the Mac platform..."
Right. All hail the Mac. Glory be to Apple.
Posted by: Bart at September 01, 2006 08:24 AM (RBo7v)
How was the vacation? Should have visited me in Vermont.
Yeah, there's something strangely addictive about saying "MAGATOO." I say it to myself in the car when I'm alone, and people look at me funny. Maybe because I'm picking my nose when I say it.
I'm not so worried about that, though. What worries me is Bart's channelling plover more and more. His brain is going to get stuck that way.
Posted by: Dan Collins at September 01, 2006 08:27 AM (Ouds1)
Entropy, I realize that. I simply tried to make the point that damned nearly all computers were once the "latest and greatest", but that no particular model of computer should be purchased until the reliability of that particular model has been proven.
I once bought a brand new Celeron at 700 MHz with 256K of RAM, but it was no longer the top of the line when I bought it. It worked flawlessly, and it was a Dell.
Posted by: DJ at September 01, 2006 08:43 AM (uSq6H)
Posted by: Purple Avenger at September 01, 2006 08:50 AM (WxRQS)
Well, I see that a genuinely constructive offer of financial assistance to our mutual pal Ace has upset someone. Interesting.
Are Macs superior to Windows machines? As others have pointed out, Macs are Windows machines if you want them to be. (They're also great Linux boxes, if you prefer.)
So the answer is yes. Macs do everything PCs do, plus a whole lot more. Apologies if my pointing this out offends anyone's delicate sensibilities!
Posted by: NYC fan at September 01, 2006 09:17 AM (JVFDV)
The vacation was pretty good, except for the weather most days -- it rained quite a bit.
Went up the entire coast of Maine stopping off in Portland, Bar Harbor/Acadia and Eastport. All very beautiful and got to get in some great hiking despite the weather.
Slublog gave me some good pointers and if not for him I wouldn't have stopped in Portland and met my very first crack whore -- not kidding. I was at Gritters brew pub and was very forcefully propositioned by a prostitue that had wandered a bit off her normal track. I learned a couple of things -- that crack is kind of expensive in Maine ($40.00 or so she told me) and that if you drink enough beer, even crack whores can start to look good. Time. to. put. down. the. beer. And run.
I drove the entire North/South length of Vermont on my way back. It's a very pretty state and worth a visit of it's own. I was impressed by Northern New Hampshire/Mt. Washington area as well.
Ace needs one of those google map thingys so all of us who are so inclined can get in touch with each other as we travel.
And why the heck is there a Mexico, Maine?
Posted by: mesablue at September 01, 2006 09:54 AM (DzeyU)
Posted by: RSM at September 01, 2006 09:57 AM (hz+BK)
Betcha Ace could get ya a couple urls if you want.
Posted by: Kanelin at September 01, 2006 09:58 AM (YQfLp)
Posted by: IB(art)M at September 01, 2006 10:01 AM (uwU33)
It ain't about feeling boy, unless we're talking about yours. OSX sucks. Why the hell else should I buy an apple?
They're better then Dell? Dell sucks. Compaq? Compaq sucks.
I build my own computers.
You want the best computer? Build it yourself.
Don't know how to build it yourself? Then FFS don't buy an Apple, because you don't really want to screw around with putting Windows on it anyway, and you really don't want to screw around with OSX
Posted by: Entropy at September 01, 2006 10:50 AM (m6c4H)
Its mechanical design was the most retarded thing I've ever seen. The engineers who came up with that thing must have been dusted for weeks.
Posted by: Purple Avenger at September 01, 2006 11:39 AM (WxRQS)
Best features, great dependability out of the box, and, if you keep an eye out for deals (slickdeals.net for instance) great price.
Posted by: krakatoa at September 01, 2006 12:18 PM (gQXZE)
The ability to run Windows on a Mac makes them worth buying. That, and the fact they're no longer making thier own chips, they're going to have Intel Inside now.
Apple never made their own chips. Motorola and IBM were the primary chipmakers in the past.
Anyway...if it ever did become truly popular, alot of people would be suddenly shocked to learn that security through obscurity is really no security at all.
Wow. You really have no idea, do you? OS X does not employ 'security through obscurity' it employs actual, tried and tested security. In order for anything of consequence to take place on an OS X, root priviledges have to be attained which requires authentication by an admin acct.
This is fundementally different from Windows were a machine can be compromised through a multitude channels by simply being powered on, and plugged into a network.
I know at least a dozen people who have switched to os x from windows over the course of the last 2 years and not one of them regrets the move. The ability to run windows software just makes the jump easier and less expensive because you can continue to use the PC software you have already paid for.
Posted by: at September 01, 2006 01:00 PM (176ze)
Adware duchebags don't get billions of clicks by writing adware for Macs. Everyone is using windows.
Nitwit little communist wizkids don't write viruses to do millions of dollars of commercial damage on macs - the business is getting done on PCs.
No, apple does not employ the concept of "security through obscurity" as it's security method, but it's got it going for it anyway, which is nice for them.
But if they became the big guy on the block, see how well they hold up when everyone's gunning for them.
Posted by: Entropy at September 01, 2006 01:07 PM (Uh5fR)
This could be bad. But it couldn't possibly be as bad as the HP I bought last year. What a POS.
But I've had no problems as of yet with the seven Dells on my rack at work, so I guess I'll have to keep my fingers crossed. I just hope I don't have to keep my phone lines crossed as well.
Posted by: hindmost at September 01, 2006 01:21 PM (BKlar)
Posted by: Purple Avenger at September 01, 2006 03:27 PM (WxRQS)
I am on my fourth Gateway and paid for one.Finally put Win XP Pro on it and it seems to be working good. I also have an HP that is 4 years old and has never, ever seen the doctor. It only crashed when I was looking for peach pie recipes. LOST everything. Firewall and all. Have an ollld Fujitsu notebook that has never seen a doctor also.
Good luck
Posted by: Howard at September 01, 2006 03:42 PM (TGJyk)
Neither Dell nor Ace can stop the Dell computer links that are popping up here.
Iwony, how iwonick.
Posted by: Tom M at September 01, 2006 07:12 PM (TtaDz)
Posted by: cost of meridia at September 20, 2006 08:54 AM (1ihyW)
Posted by: at November 15, 2006 05:47 PM (0FyPm)
Posted by: Blu-ray naar DVD Mac at December 13, 2011 04:47 AM (tjoll)
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