Compaq Computers

[Acternaweb]

Let me start by saying I am not sure where to post this, but I am in the market for a new PC. Initially I was looking at Sony, but noticed that Compaq computers doubled the ram, graphics board, etc of Sony for =/ >Sony

Any ideas/advice?

[rcjordan]

Right now, I'd wait until the week after Christmas to look for deals. Gateway is getting edgy [news.cnet.com], but even my local pc shops are running $900 doorbusters.

[oilman]

Yup - got a flyer in the mail from Dell the other day. Couldn't believe the prices. They just keep going down. I'll bet they're even lower for the first half of January or longer.

[rcjordan]

>I'll bet they're even lower for the first half of January or longer.

That's how I feel, too. I see people buying peripherals but shying away from putting out the bucks for the newer/bigger/faster cpu. That's just a personal observation, I haven't seen anything to back it up. The week after Christmas will tell us a lot.

[Son_House]

If you are going to get an Intel chip, they are going to come out with a new one in the first part of 2002. If you don't want an Intel chip or their newest one, normally when Intel comes out with a new chip, they cut prices on the old ones which would save you money. When Intel cuts their prices, AMD normally does the same.

[minnapple]

A client and close friend of mine has a computer repair business. The majority of his business comes from people that have purchased computers manufactured by big name suppliers.

Generally to keep costs down they select the cheapest components that can find. Disk drives, data cables, fans, power supplies, cases, ram and then brand them with the CPU chip.

The weakest component rears it ugly head within the first year and a replacement part; if they can isolate the part that goes bad; or more likely replacement parts are needed.

The savings of buying this well know bargain brand model suddenly disappear.

Every town has one if not many, small custom pc builders, that can build the optimum system for your needs with the best components that are reliable and upgradable.

The initial cost will be higher, the service costs should be far lower, and the support can be superior with these local vendors.

[Marcia]

I got my current computer just when the P3 was being sold, got the identical P2 NEC at Staples on clearance (in sealed box) for half the price. It was much cheaper than what it would have cost to put together just a basic system with a lot less than what came with this.

I was advised to stay away from Compaq & Packard Bell (who owns NEC now) because there was too much that was proprietary.

[Eric_Jarvis]

I've had the same advice as Marcia...it really helps to be able to upgrade with generic components

[Nudge]

The AMD athlon XP 1600 seems to be the best buy for now... price/performance. espeically in a custom DIY system

[Acternaweb]

Hi, what is DIY mean?

[rcjordan]

DIY = Do It Yourself

[caine]

I agree with the DIY theory, can get messy, but you'll eventually get what you want.

[toolman]

Haven't built one in 2 years....I guess I did something right 2 years ago. Seriously. If you go DIY use an Intel chip and chipset...it'll save you a lot of "patching this and patching that" that you have with the VIA chipsets. Maybe things are better now but it sure left a nsty taste.