Opinions on Computer (Dell Vs. Gateway)

Don Donatello · January 5th, 2003, 05:12 PM

when you buy thru DELL business .. you just need a business name ... if you leave it blank it will not process your order .. i just use my name as business name ...

Tim Joseph · January 6th, 2003, 10:53 PM

I'm amazed that anyone would recommend a Dell. I've had so many problems with both my dells. The only reason I have a second is because the other one, after having ever piece of the computer replaced, would not start up. I've had to replace HDs several times and now the second Dell is heading down the same road as a the last, only this time the support staff isn't being as nice. The keyboard keeps falling apart and i've been trying to get a replacement for several weeks. I can't believe they employ these people. My dad, brother, roommate, and uncle all have Dells and have the exact same problems, especially the bad HDs. I have a 4 year old gateway that sits next to the dell. I have never once had to call tech support at gateway and if you can get it to crash, you're pretty good. The thing hasn't been reset in a month and runs like brand new. They are both running windows XP. My mom, and 3 of my friends have gateways and never have any problems either. Just my experience :)

Robert Poulton · January 7th, 2003, 03:21 AM

Well sometimes people just have bad experience and it sounds like your one there Tim. Sorry to hear that. I know several people who always seem to have bad problems with computers. Every person I know with a Dell loves them. I know people with Gateway and its a freezer now.
Thx god i have a person who gives me a lifetime warentee on all computers he builds. The computer I have now works. It does its job and hasnt shut down at all for over 3 years. I leave it on and only have shut it down acouple times for cleaning and installing programs. One time i got the Blue screen and nothing was lost that I was working. Im just happy with my computer and it works.

I wish you luck with all your computers.

Rob

Doug Quance · January 7th, 2003, 07:36 PM

I've got three Dells, one of them is over four years old (the one I'm using now) and the only problem I've had was when this one was delivered... the monitor (sony) didn't look right. Dell shipped me a replacement, pronto.

My friend, who bought a Gateway, got some really bad advice from tech support one day... wiped out his entire hard drive!

When it came time to build a NLE... I went with a video specialist.

My 2 cents.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · January 7th, 2003, 07:53 PM

The computer I use most (but not as my video workstation) is a three year old Dell Dimension XPS T500. It's a Pentium III 500 that I've modified heavily by packing in all manner of internal peripherals--probably more than the power supply can handle, since every so often the supply to the hard disk cuts out and I can hear the hard disk rebooting.

The computer is a work horse, is fairly quiet, and is still fast despite its age.

My mother got a new Dell in her office this week. It's so quiet I thought it was broken the first time I turned it on.

If you know enough about computers to put one together, my recommendation is to do your homework, order all your components separately, and build your own dream machine. My parents' generation could do the same sorts of things with their cars. Probably in my children's generation, not even highly trained specialists will be able to assemble top of the line computers from parts.

Steve Leone · January 8th, 2003, 04:49 PM

I highly suggest you look at building your own, or hiring a local clone builder to do that for you. REASON?? Canopus, AVID and virtually evey other real-time hardware manufacturer have compatibility requirements. These included Chipset, display adapter, storage, bios version , audio card, etc.....if you dont conform, the hardware/software may not work...Avid is notorious for that....go to manufacturers web sites and check it out.....go to user groups and see what people are using that works well....it will keep the gremlins out of your system.
NON RT systems are way less finiky, but I'd still do the research.....get the best you can..with Dell and Gateway, you may not be able to get so specific in your system choices. Some Chipsets are notoriously BAD for video, and some are renown for being awesome...for instance, the VIA KT133 is know to be problematic, while the KT133A is know to be very stable.

January 6th, 2003, 10:53 PM	#17
Tim Joseph Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 35	I'm amazed that anyone would recommend a Dell. I've had so many problems with both my dells. The only reason I have a second is because the other one, after having ever piece of the computer replaced, would not start up. I've had to replace HDs several times and now the second Dell is heading down the same road as a the last, only this time the support staff isn't being as nice. The keyboard keeps falling apart and i've been trying to get a replacement for several weeks. I can't believe they employ these people. My dad, brother, roommate, and uncle all have Dells and have the exact same problems, especially the bad HDs. I have a 4 year old gateway that sits next to the dell. I have never once had to call tech support at gateway and if you can get it to crash, you're pretty good. The thing hasn't been reset in a month and runs like brand new. They are both running windows XP. My mom, and 3 of my friends have gateways and never have any problems either. Just my experience :) __________________ =================== Scheezo Have Camera, Will Travel-

January 7th, 2003, 07:36 PM	#19
Doug Quance Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 138	I've got three Dells, one of them is over four years old (the one I'm using now) and the only problem I've had was when this one was delivered... the monitor (sony) didn't look right. Dell shipped me a replacement, pronto. My friend, who bought a Gateway, got some really bad advice from tech support one day... wiped out his entire hard drive! When it came time to build a NLE... I went with a video specialist. My 2 cents. __________________ If you're not the lead dog... the scenery never changes

January 7th, 2003, 07:53 PM	#20
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	The computer I use most (but not as my video workstation) is a three year old Dell Dimension XPS T500. It's a Pentium III 500 that I've modified heavily by packing in all manner of internal peripherals--probably more than the power supply can handle, since every so often the supply to the hard disk cuts out and I can hear the hard disk rebooting. The computer is a work horse, is fairly quiet, and is still fast despite its age. My mother got a new Dell in her office this week. It's so quiet I thought it was broken the first time I turned it on. If you know enough about computers to put one together, my recommendation is to do your homework, order all your components separately, and build your own dream machine. My parents' generation could do the same sorts of things with their cars. Probably in my children's generation, not even highly trained specialists will be able to assemble top of the line computers from parts. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 8th, 2003, 04:49 PM	#21
Steve Leone Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 116	Which PC for editing I highly suggest you look at building your own, or hiring a local clone builder to do that for you. REASON?? Canopus, AVID and virtually evey other real-time hardware manufacturer have compatibility requirements. These included Chipset, display adapter, storage, bios version , audio card, etc.....if you dont conform, the hardware/software may not work...Avid is notorious for that....go to manufacturers web sites and check it out.....go to user groups and see what people are using that works well....it will keep the gremlins out of your system. NON RT systems are way less finiky, but I'd still do the research.....get the best you can..with Dell and Gateway, you may not be able to get so specific in your system choices. Some Chipsets are notoriously BAD for video, and some are renown for being awesome...for instance, the VIA KT133 is know to be problematic, while the KT133A is know to be very stable. __________________ Omens carry only as much weight as we choose to assign them.

January 5th, 2003, 05:12 PM	#16
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	when you buy thru DELL business .. you just need a business name ... if you leave it blank it will not process your order .. i just use my name as business name ...

January 7th, 2003, 03:21 AM	#18
Robert Poulton Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 245	Well sometimes people just have bad experience and it sounds like your one there Tim. Sorry to hear that. I know several people who always seem to have bad problems with computers. Every person I know with a Dell loves them. I know people with Gateway and its a freezer now. Thx god i have a person who gives me a lifetime warentee on all computers he builds. The computer I have now works. It does its job and hasnt shut down at all for over 3 years. I leave it on and only have shut it down acouple times for cleaning and installing programs. One time i got the Blue screen and nothing was lost that I was working. Im just happy with my computer and it works. I wish you luck with all your computers. Rob