What Brand should I get?

I'm getting a NEW Computer this week. (Tuesday or Wednesday) The question is, what Brand should I get from these three:

Gateway
Compaq
HP

I can ONLY buy at the store, as I have no credit cards to buy online. I mustshop ateither Officedepot, Bestbuy, or Walmart. (Ugghhh!)
Any help?
Thanks.

 

They're all about the same, just get whatever has the best components.

 

So far, it's the Gateway. Comes with a 2Gig processor, 200Gig HD, Tv Tunercard/Video Card, etc...
anyone else have an opinion?

 

Go for the Gateway, after it gets old they'll take it back and give you a discount on a newer machine.

 

Now for a little aboutthe machines.

Gateway comes with a 17 inch Diagonal LCD Monitor, 200Gig HD, 8 in 1 Media Reader, (As in Digital Camera memory) 512meg pc3200 ram, 10/100 NIC, 16X DVD+/RW.

I've thrown awayall the other specs. I have experience with HP, and I'm not happy with them. Compaq, is about as bad.

Thanks for the help you two!

 

Sweet!!!!!!!! Plus it supports my TV Tuner card!

 

yeah...do not get an hp. I have many reasons for saying that. When I got mine I didn't know shit but any company that lets them build spyware into the keyboard are beyond reprehensable! I didn't realize that it was there until I got a firewall and the fucker showed up trying to send out. pfffft~!

 

If I could get any type of computer I wanted I suppose I would have to go with Alienware. I have a Dell Dimension 8200 right now. The specs are nice just because I custom ordered parts, but overall I'm not thrilled with it. If I had my pick I would go with alienware. http://www.alienware.com

 

I suggest a Computer Show. You can get top of the line equipment for 1/3 or more less than any of the big names and just as good quality. But if you need that major tech support stick with the biggies.
Jon

 

Compaq is owned by HP and does pretty much the same things. One thing about HP (I've heard Sony does this too and they are even pricier) is that they use connectors that nobody else uses. When I had to replace my CD drive, I broke the cable that connected it to the sound card. It shouldn't have been a problem because the new CD drive came with a cord that would work with MOST other computers, BUT NOT WITH HP. I ended up shelling out $25.00 to a repair shop who cobbled together the two cords (they were too tiny for my old eyes to deal with).

 

Built YOUR OWN.

 

I'm not keen with anything that's proprietary like HP and Compaq, and I think Gateway is also proprietary. They use non-standard parts so if you need to replace something then you run into the same experience as alB.

I'm lucky cos i live within blocks of a computer strip, a street full of small computer stores that compete with each other AND they prefer that customers don't use credit cards. They even charge 3% extra if you do. And you can either buy a package or just parts and build you own.

Matt, I think you can build your own, or can learn to build your own. Why not?

 

If you live in a big town, don't buy from the large stores. Go to the small, barely legal ones, where the prices are nice and low. Also, you'd have more choice when it comes to the manufacturers of your hadware. Otherwise, you may end up with unfortunate surprises (say you buy a $2000 computer with a cheap built in power supply, which dies one day, bringing down the entire machine).

I'd suggest to invest in a good power supply, and good RAM.

And definatly, if you can get the parts and don't find a cheap package to suit you, build your own. It's easier than Lego, and more fun.

 

good power suppply are fairly cheap around $50.00 TO $100. cases are cheap about the same price as the power supply. cdroom you can snatch it out ..out of your present PC same with the DVD burner if you allready have one. the main thing is the mother board and CPU . fairly fast intel pentium 4 are cheap no less than 2.66 GhZ go with AMD if you like heavy duty games at least a 3200. 3500 chip would be nicer . a bundle mother board and cpu around $300.00 to 400.00 you dont need top dollar rams but at least 1024mb , never worry to much about power supply they are cheap and easy to change. graphic cards at least a 6600gt if you want.. around $200.00 .. you would have a computer that runs like a $2.000.00+ one . dont buy a monitor if you allready have one and standard CTR are cheaper than LCD and have better resolution and last longer. get a 19 inch at least. a good case fan $10.00 . CPU FAN& HEAT SINK $25.00

 

NOOOO!! Don't do it!! If you can't build one yourself, get someone you know who can to do it!

Just to prove a point, I built a computer to the same (well, better, actually!) spec as some HP one which cost £800 to buy ... it cost me £500!
Big companies have clever marketing and they can make something sound really amazing by using big numbers (256mb graphics, 512mb RAM, bundled software, etc) but when you read the fine-print, for example, the graphics cards are using junk outdated GPU's, the RAM is slow and the software you will NEVER use. Also, branded computers always use their own components which they charge you body parts to replace if they go wrong (which they will do frequently due to their poor quality) or if you want to upgrade.
Some small computer parts stores will build you a computer for a small fee (one cost me as little as £10) and you get to have a say what you do and do not need. If some are honest, they will tell you that you don't need 1gb of RAM if you're only surfing the net!

But whatever you do, good luck! Espessially if you're gonna buy a branded machine!

 

IBM are the best..

 

your 100% correct

"Oi, Kev ... which scruffy hippie shall we knock the shit out of first?" maybe in the u.k but dont try it here.​

 

"more armed to the teeth hippies"​

 

Chavs don't live in the U.S! Those kinda scum hate everyone who isn't them! (Esspesially hippies) And I live omongst thousands of them!

 

Thats Ted Nugent a hippie and rock star and a gun nut like many hippies are now and prob most of older hippies are armed to the teeh they put up with enough abuse by the cops and goverment. in the U.K you are screw . you lucky if you can carry a screw driver.