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Dell Acquires Alienware

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

March 22, 2006, 6:39 PM

Dell confirmed on Wednesday what had been rumored on blogs for nearly a week: it has purchased trendy gaming PC manufacturer Alienware. The company said the buy was aimed at strengthening its position among computer enthusiasts.

Alienware fans should not fear that their favorite PCs will soon bear the Dell logo -- the company would be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dell, yet operate separately. The move is merely mainly aimed at bettering the company's supply chain, says Dell and Alienware.

"We believe that Alienware will realize significant advantages from Dell's world-class supply chain and operational efficiencies," Alienware CEO Nelson Gonzalez said. "They will allow us to continue to satisfy our core customers with the most innovative and highest-performing PCs, and ultimately extend the reach and appeal of the Alienware brand."

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close within a few months, say Alienware representatives. According to Gonzalez, a Dell acquisition was considered the best option after it looked at offering stock in the company through an initial public offering.

Being the number one PC maker, Dell already has an impressive supply chain. Alienware's biggest weakness was a lack of one, say company representatives. Thus, an acquisition solved one of Alienware's biggest problems.

Dell chairman Michael Dell said Alienware's target audience and computer lineup complements Dell's more traditional computers. "In addition to offering high-quality, high-performance products, Alienware has tremendous brand appeal with consumers and creative business professionals," he said.

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By boudreaux

edited Aug 9, 2006 - 8:57 PM

I had a dell computer for 7 years when it finally just quit never had an issue with it used it everyday. I bought an alienware computer to replace it because everyone ranted & raved about it. So far in the first six months the hard drive went out and a month after that was fixed the motherboard went out. I have been waiting now 3 1/2 weeks for their warrenty dept to send someone out to fix it. I think Dell made a mistake buying them. And so did I.

Score: 0

By law_freak

edited Mar 27, 2006 - 8:29 PM

I can not believe that Dell has the nerve to drag Alienware inot the fiery depth of hell that Dell is. They dare think that any AMD system is even comparable to the cheap junk that Dell supplies to its "valued" customers. Dell is going to make it so I cant buy anything from Alienware anymore!

Score: 0

By davidtb

posted Mar 26, 2006 - 2:21 PM

Dell's chipping away at the foundation of a house of Cards.
They should stick with what they know, Leasing.
No one does it on their scale, and they shouldn't give anyone a reason to try.
Alienware is nothing more than bleeding edge bundling.

Score: 0

By Natrunner

edited Mar 25, 2006 - 11:50 AM

Dell's laptops are the best and most stable I have ever used. I've been using one for years. I wouldn't touch their desktops though. They are overpriced and underpowered. That's why I build my own desktop systems.

Score: 0

By pain4u

edited Mar 24, 2006 - 12:10 PM

Nelson likes it like that.

If you've ever worked for Alienware, then you saw this coming. It is nothing new and shouldn't even be news worthy. I worked there for two years in their design department and left for my own reasons. I worked directly with developing and maintaining their "image" and it wasn't easy. Nelson Gonzalez is a inconsiderate, crazy ass, hot headed, selling out, SOB. I guess some types of success come at a price. Alex Aguila is the real heart of the company and everyone knows this! Although they are both sell outs at this point and I would have liked to see them get bought out by a company with more class and appeal to their hardcore audience. They have shown their true colors. Nobody at Alienware really liked Dell, it's so sad that they would do this to everyone who had their back.

"Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed."

"According to Gonzalez, a Dell acquisition was considered the best option after it looked at offering stock in the company through an initial public offering."

In other words, screw the employees of Alienware, the true creators of their brand. Nelson didn't make it to the top on his own and couldn't if he tried. He's anything but a hardcore gamer. It all comes back to corporate BS, they only care about themselves. For quite sometime, you couldn't even buy a PC at a discounted price if you worked there, and I wouldn't be surprised if you still can't. It was sad and lame, but whatever, Alienware will always be around and that's that. Maybe some good will come of this?

Score: 0

By Black-Wolf

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 9:08 PM

DELL sux ass.

Proprietary formats, Proprietary customer service, and Proprietary stinkiness!!!

Score: 0

By Kompressor

posted Mar 25, 2006 - 1:31 AM

But they're not as bad as Sony.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 24, 2006 - 8:45 AM

Proprietary.

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 5:43 PM

Hmmm...

Although getting involved in this discussion at this point may simply be begging for flames, here goes...

From personal experience, and from someof the more lucid comments in this discussion, there are, I think, three points that need to be made:

1.) Dell's Consumer product line, and support for that line is not as good as it could be. Support is outsourced, and the products are made with inferior parts...for the most part. There have been models that have excelled, and not every system in each model line will have exactly the same issues under the same conditions.

2.) Dell's Business product line and support for this line are one of the highest rated and generally accepted "best" in class. I, personally have been using Dell business products (the GX lines from the 240 up through the current 620) for several years now and on the few instances I have been forced to call Dell for support, their businesss support has been superb. Next day parts replacement, and very little hassle on the phone (It helps to have done your homework prior to calling).

3.) Just about everyone in this forum needs to relax. This isn't a schoolyard, we're not here to prove anything, and we can *all* post intelligently and maturely.

It's pretty much agreed-upon heree that the Alienware will pretty much turn to crap because of this (for those that don't believe they were crap to begin with). I believe you are right. I just *hope* you're not.

Someone needs to buy the systems I fix on the side. ;)

Score: 0

By TomA102210

edited Mar 24, 2006 - 10:48 AM

Someone needs to buy the systems I fix on the side. ;)
----------------------------------------------
I don't think so,Tool. The way you badmouth certain products, I wouldn't trust what you work on. Thanks anyway.

Score: 0

By joeshmoe7

edited Mar 24, 2006 - 5:16 PM

AOL sucks.

Come on, you know they do.

Just... admit it!

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Mar 24, 2006 - 11:55 AM

What have I badmouthed, other than your precious AOL, fanboy?

The way you wh*** that precious ISP of yours, I wouldn't trust you to give reasonable advice about anything...

But thanks anyway.

Score: 0

By TomA102210

posted Mar 25, 2006 - 6:57 PM

What have I badmouthed, other than your precious AOL, fanboy?

The way you wh*** that precious ISP of yours, I wouldn't trust you to give reasonable advice about anything...
-----------------------------------------------
Tool, I think you have control issues. Yes, I like AOL. Heck, I may even like Dell for all you know.

Score: 0

By joeshmoe7

posted Mar 24, 2006 - 5:11 PM

Tom is smoking something i think you can't get from your average dealer. Everything you said was right on.

Score: 0

By purefx

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 11:26 PM

I've worked with the Optiplex GX lines for about 4 years now, and while I agree business support is good, I would definitely disagree about their business product lines being decent.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 24, 2006 - 8:44 AM

Really? The only problems we had that really caused an issue was with the 270 line. (Capacitors bursting on mobo)

I can't really blame that one on Dell though, it affected every manufacturer using those parts. And, in their defense, they replaced each and every system next day on the first call.

That's it. Outside of 2 dead hard drives about 2 years into the life of the PC, that's about it....and that's in 5 years.

I'm curious what you think is bad about them? Performance? Quality?

Score: 0

By purefx

edited Mar 26, 2006 - 1:29 PM

Yea I personally dealt with handling the capacitor issue for my client. But before that we also had the same scale of hard-drive failures (not that this is inherently Dell's fault), but I think it shows the quality of the components they choose.

There are other factors I can not take into account with the clients I deal with versus what you have personally seen. I know that the environment these desktops get placed into also directly affects their reliability, but it just seems like the older compaqs failed a lot less than these do.

Aside from the known issues (capacitor and hard drives), I've seen a good amount of motherboard failures that were not even within that affected manufactured date range where the capacitors were bursting, yet the same problem was responsible. If Dell can step up with their motherboard quality, as well as a few other components, they should be good. I am now working with the GX620s, and I still find that I'm calling in about 7-10 DOAs a week (this would be through an average of 300 machines a week being deployed). With these figures, keep in mind that over 1% failure is typically unacceptable (including with the motherboard capacitor issue).

Like I stated earlier though, their business support is pretty good. Calling in the DOAs is actually pretty quick, and I have the option of getting the part or letting a tech install it for me.

I do have some deeper info, but the NDA would prevent me from sharing that. I think Dell has the potential to become a REAL powerhouse. Right now it just seems to me like their focus is on quantity over quality, but I think the issues that have been seen may teach them to right their ways!

Score: 0

By StormyWaters

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 5:32 PM

Yeah I work for Dell technical support and believe me, Dell has a way of wording their warranties to where Dell has the final say and many people get screwed over every single day. There isnt a day that goes by where I do not get cussed out for something I can't do but there is nothing I can do, I work for Dell and do what they say. So if you get a Dell good luck.

Score: 0

By bigsexy022870

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 4:22 PM

Yeah i am tired of Dell getting bashed by people who don't know what they are talking about. Dell makes computers just as good if not better then anyone else. I've been working on the same Dell Demension 8250 for 3 years now. Works like a charm and is fast as hell. I just upgraded the video card, audio card and added more memory and it flies even faster. After 3 years it needed a upgrade or two. Anyways the point is that if you dont like dell cause it big and reminds you of big brother then get a life. You don't have to buy dell. You also don't have to buy Alienware. Would it be cheaper to build your own, sometimes that's true. Bottom line is Alienware is beyond overpriced. I could and have built systems that crush those glorified boxes at half the price. There is not much to building a high end pc. You can also buy a cool looking case if that's all that is important to you. You can even take a case to a paint shop(auto or motorcycle) and have it painted at a fraction of the price. Most people cry about Cheap dell pc's. And this is cause they wanna know why they don't do things as fast as they should. For that blam Microsoft. Not that they should be beaten down to much. But if since most users don't know how to set up and protect there pc from online threats and the constant clutter then slows down a pc. I think microsoft needed to automate these things years ago. I got friends that run ad-aware only when they have problems and then they find 500 items of risk. Learn how to use a pc before you dog any of them. Then learn that you get what you pay for. 600 dollars isn't gonna get you a fast pc. 1500 will, 2300 or more will get you a gaming machine. If you dont like the cost buy a gamecube or xbox and shut up. And leave the pc world to those who care about it.
And the only reason i didn't build my own system 3 years ago was price. Dell had a great deal at the time. 2.53ghz, 512rdram, 120gig HD, radeon 9700pro, audigy 2.0 sound card 200watt 5.1 THX speakers, 21inch trinitron monitor, cd-rw & dvd-rom all for 2500.00 i priced the parts and did the math. it was cheaper thru them. I didn't make a mistake. Never been sorry a day about it. My next pc will be made by me cause i want to do something crazy unique with the case and stuff.

Score: 0

By yoko7

edited Mar 28, 2006 - 1:48 PM

Bigsexy02287 - I also have a dell 8250 with 512 megs of ram. I want to increase it to 1GIG. Where did you get the memory and how much hard to find. Appreciate it.

Sgreen

Score: 0

By Arakiel

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 4:19 PM

Tell that to my XPS Gen 5 that died after 1 month. Oh wait, that would require you knowing what you were talking about...nevermind.

Here's a hint, just because YOU have had good luck with Dell 3 years ago...doesn't mean the rest of the world has had the same luck on going. Try looking outside your small little world and you might notice the LARGE number of people that have significant problems with Dell's computers and customer service.

Score: 0

By bigsexy022870

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 8:58 PM

There hasn't been a manufactur yet to not have problems like dead on arrival or 1 month deaths. I can understand you're anger at the dead XPS but did they replace it? s*** happens. Mostly in shipping. Things get banged arround. The shipping industry just cares about delivery they really don't emphisize on safety of the goods. But you could have had the same thing happen to a alienware, HP, emachines or ever falcon northwest. Matter of fact i had a friend spend 6 grand on a Falcon northwest only to have it be riddled with issues. And Falcon is one of the cream of the crop pc's among gamers. Stuff happens buddy.

Score: 0

By Arakiel

posted Mar 24, 2006 - 12:14 AM

Yea stuff happens...to me, to my family members, to my friends...but hey it's not a trend or anything. Course you would already know all that if you had bothered to actually READ the thread instead of flaming everyone who has a problem with Dells crappy products.

Score: 0

By kholdstare

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:58 PM

I payed a store to build mine i just specified all the parts I wanted. I would have built it myself but my work kept me too busy. if i had the time i'd definitly build my own.

Score: 0

By rcontra

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 4:05 PM

Write it in your blog, not here!!!

Score: 0

By rcontra

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 12:21 PM

I just hate Dell. I bought a laptop, after 6 months the CAPS Lock key has come off. The outer body is so fragile, that you really have to handle it with care!!!

rijp, what do you have to say to this?

by the way i changed it with Vaio.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 1:17 PM

Vaio? Ok that was a bad move. If you are completely deadset against Dell notebooks, I'd recommend Toshiba.

I'm almost inclined to recommend Viscom notebooks over Sony--Sony's are good when they work, but may God have mercy on your soul if you have "GigaPocket" problems. Another Vaio problem? Run msconfig.exe, click the Services tab, and check the "Hide all Microsoft Services" box. Now count the number of processes Sony runs in the background. Those Music ones? DRM software--used EXCLUSIVELY to prevent copying of copyrighted music. Video stuff? Some legit, two of them are for preventing DVD copying programs from bypassing the protection, and another is designed to prevent you from using programs that can make DVD drives change the region code only three times.

Did I forget to mention heat problems with 3 of their currently shipping models? I could go on...but I won't. In the end maybe you'll believe me, but not until you have problems. That may be in a year, or it may be tomorrow--but you will wish you had the broken CapsLock key rather than your Sony.

Score: 0

By DigitalSin

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 1:54 PM

I have to say I have owned exactly 3 Toshiba laptops and 2 Sonys in the last 5 years. I still have my Sonys (1 laptop, 1 desktop), all 3 Toshiba's overheated and died.

6 months ago I walked into my office and there sat my Toshiba Satellite with smoke coming out of it.

Maybe I'm just unlucky though.

Score: 0

By rcontra

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 1:34 PM

Who gives the crap???
I installed Fedora 4 on my Vaio and works very fast, I am not one of those guys who spends time in burning DVDs. Do you know what business is, that produce something.
If you know how to stop extra applications running in the background, you can handle it, but how are you going to fix a broken keyboard.
I don't want to waste my time just playing with msconfig.exe.
I use the hardware to the fullest extent, i dont limit my applications.

Try this, compare the outer body of any Vaio laptop with any crap Dell laptop and write the truthfull comment here. also try comparing key-boards.

Trust me, i have both right in front of me.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 2:01 PM

My point with all of that is that Sony emphasizes too much about the software these days. The old sony products--not just PC's, but everything--were the most rock-solid products on the market. My 1996 CD boombox still sounds better than any other CD player I've ever heard, and it was only $100 at the time. Compaq was rock-solid back in the mid 1990's too--but I think you see where I'm going. I've never heard of Toshiba problems like you've mentioned--maybe they've turned to $hit in the past year with the rest of them. I dunno.

I've just seen too many problems with sony notebooks personally to recommend them or even be optimistic about them. It will take alot for me to regain any trust in Sony again...the last four or five years they seem to be going down the tubes.

Bottom Line: Brand-names go up and down, it's the ones with consistently higher numbers over a three year period that you can trust. That's why I used to trust Sony...if Dell keeps heading in the "cheap PC" direction, there may not be any brand name I can recommend. Maybe IBM, but even they have had major issues with some of their Servers a year ago. Maybe they've awakened to the opportunity. We'll see.

Score: 0

By Jedite

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 11:57 AM

You know now that I think about it, GOOD RIDANCE.

Lets be honest here, 99.9% of the people who buy pre built computer nowadays, are either Corporations, wanabe-techies, mom and pop or people without half a brain to build their own.

All the bell and whistles that Alienware used to promote can now be easily integrated by anyone who can read build your own walkthroughs, or who actually reads motherboard manuals.

To the people who really want top of the line, bleeding edge performance there is a much better option. BUILD YOUR OWN, with each part being picked by you.

The only reason for anyone to buy from AW anymore is the support, which lately has gone down the tubes.

That 10,000 XPS machine that dell put out yesterday, can probably be built to run better for a little over half the price if that.

Processor. 1.1k
4 Video Cards: 2.2k Geforce 7900GTX
2GB ram: 400-500 dollars
Board: 214 dollars.
Soundcard: 100 dollars
PSU: 450dollars 850watt
case: 150 pick one
HDD: 2 150gig raptors 700
DVD-RW: 50bucks
Display: 24inch samsung 1k
Physics board: 400bucks

So for around 6.5 you get a much better system with a 6 inch smaller display. Add some watercooling solution and it might run the price up a couple of hundred dollars more. Still beats the hell out of 10k for a computer

Score: 0

By DigitalSin

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:26 PM

"Lets be honest here, 99.9% of the people who buy pre built computer nowadays, are either Corporations, wanabe-techies, mom and pop or people without half a brain to build their own."

Eh..don't think so. I really don't have the time to do it myself, I'd rather pay someone who does.

Score: 0

By Reap_r

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:48 PM

Of course you can save some $$$ building your own, but I just cant see spending the time on it myself. Maybe I am just getting old. My billing rate is higher than it used to be so I actually may lose money unless I whip it together in a hurry if I count up the lost time I would spend on something like that. It certainly is not the challenge I would miss...My 7 year old helped me build the last one I put together so it is not that I lack the ability, I just lack the desire and the time.
People buy a dell or aw because they want a nice machine with a warranty, that is already setup and tested (we hope). AW builds a premium machine at a premium price. There is value there to many people that is worth the extra margin paid. It is most definitely not an issue of ability. Most of the people I know can read instructions well enough to build a PC if they were sufficently motivated, heck you really have to try to screw this up. They just don't want to.

I could do the camshaft in my car when it goes out, but I don't care to. I pay the guy at the shop $85/hour to do it because if I spent the time, I may be losing money (will take me longer, I may break it, and I won't be billing clients while I am playing grease monkey with my car). When I was young, I always did my own work (I even built cars up from parts) but now I just don't want to. Same thing with PC's. I have literally built hundereds of these things and I just can't get excited about sticking parts into a sharp metal box anymore.
Not to mention the fact that I don't want a desktop, I want a laptop, and let me tell you these are no fun to build, even if you get the kits (like from Asus which don't contain high performance components anyway). If you can build me the laptop I want that kicks tail and has the features I want, I will pay for it. I certainly don't want to do it myself...ick, what a pain.

Score: 0

By Reap_r

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:37 AM

I was sad when I read this but really, it is what happens. Alienware was becoming something of a competitor (albiet a small one) to Dell's high profile, high performance line of machines. Heck, I had my eye on that dual core, laptop with the hardware raid 0 myself and was going to just take a pass on the XPS laptop...more money...less peformance...Indian Tech support.

In order to take their share of the load (and because they no longer stand as an independent competitor), I expect prices on the Alienware systems to rise, even as they institute cost cutting measures on the quality and support side. Eventually it will be Dells inside and out that come from this company but for now you can still get a decent box.

I have experience with both and would not buy either for my business, but would buy the Alienware for my home.
I usually always built my own pc's but any more my time is worth much more than the money I would save so we will see what happens here.

Score: 0

By TakethisBottle

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:15 AM

For some reason all I can keep thinking is,

"Dude, you're getting an Alienware."

Score: 0

By pc.pain

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 10:52 AM

Oh great...inferior Indian customer service for superior $4000 dollar machines? It will be interesting to see how customers react to that one!

Score: 0

By rijp

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:34 AM

Do you have any specs to prove they are superior, pc pain in the ass?

Score: 0

By pc.pain

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:51 AM

Wouldn't make any difference. I got one spec for you, though, your IQ = 0.

Score: 0

By DigitalSin

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:31 PM

you guys are funny

Score: 0

By pc.pain

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 2:55 PM

We aim to entertain! ;o)

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 10:47 AM

This is unfortunate. It's sad to see a good high-end computer company swallowed up by a large, but increasingly mediocre company on who's quality and service are in fast decline.

Score: 0

By The Man

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 9:47 AM

Nooooooooo....say it ain't so.

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 9:29 AM

Oh wow. The Most expensive amazing machines in the world merges with a company with the cheapest junk computers in the world. Great...I hope dell doesn't interfere with AW. Increasing AW's sales would be great! But I hope Dell doesn't interfere with the way the systems are built, parts used, etc.

I saw this posted below, Alienware is a huge AMD Supporter, I wonder how this purchase by Dell is going to change the Dell/Intel relationship, or even the Alienware/AMD Relationship...

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 4:31 PM

Holy jesus! Sorry BN! I did not mean to start a 140 Reply thread to my comment!

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 12:22 PM

"The Most expensive amazing machines in the world merges with a company with the cheapest junk computers in the world."

As a former Dell employee, it is safe for me to say that you have no f**king idea what you're talking about. Dell parts, HP parts, AlienWare parts--all come from the same vendors. Only difference is the specific configurations and the design/engineering of the system case.

Not that anyone here will listen or give a Rat's ___, but I think this is the absolute best thing for Dell. XPS systems just could not compete with Alienware, Dell obviously (whether they admit it or not) has an exclusivity contract with Intel--this way they found a sneaky way to use AMD chips while remaining on Intel's "good side". I can't see any problems with this.

Score: 0

By DigitalSin

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:28 PM

good points

Score: 0

By rijp

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 9:42 AM

Wow. You must be really stupid to think Dell makes junk computers. that's why they are the world's largest retailer of Computers, and they have the best support. Yeah, that's why every major company in America uses Dell machines, because they suck.

Its a good thing you are not too bright, otherwise people might take you serious.

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 4:45 PM

Ok dude...You must be a complete idiot to think dell makes quality machines.

Did you know that the company "Emmerson" out sells companies like Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi etc.

Want to know why? because you can buy a 20" Emmerson TV for $80 VS the Sony at $150. BUT we all know Emmerson is crap.

Now I saw another post saying that all companies use the same vendors, parts, etc. That is NOT true. They all use Different Motherboards (NOT ALL MOTHERBOARDS ARE THE SAME! DON"T BE FOOLED!), Different brand Video cards (yes they all use either the nvidia or ati GPU's, but different card manufacturers) They all use different quality hard drives and so on. The only things about these computers that are the same no matter what computer you buy are the processors.

Dell uses nothing but Intel Motherboards that are built speciffically for Dell. Dell uses cheap no name memory, Maxtor Value line hard drives. No name 250Watt PSU's. Yeah it's all Junk.

Alienware on the other hand uses top quality parts and products, such as DFI Motherboards. Seagate Baracuda or WD Raptor Hard drives, nVidia/ATi Brand video cards, Alienware(Thermaltake) PSU's and more.

Dell's popularity is due to their ability to sell a computer for $299

Score: 0

By theonejrs

edited Apr 1, 2006 - 2:56 PM

It sounds more to me like you are talking about E-Machines. If Dell sold crap, they wouldn't stay in business for very long. I've owned many Dells over the years, some of which were outstanding (420 Workstation), some decent (4700) and some ho-hum (3000). They all do what they were designed to do, and they all do it pretty well.

By the way, I don't mean to flame but but someone posted about their Dell laptop going up in smoke. I have one question! Who in their right mind leaves a laptop running on their desk overnight. No laptop was ever designed for that kind of abuse. First off, dust will build up and it will eventually overheat and go up in smoke. It's not Dells fault, it's the person (I won't say idiot) who left it run overnight. I have a C-610 P-III 1Ghz and the only way I would give it up is if you pry it out of my cold dead hands. I also build my own home Desktop machines. At present I have a P4 3.0/800 overclocked to 3.60 (20%). It benchmarks better than the P4 3.8 so I know a little bit about what I am talking about.

Score: 0

By pc.pain

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 11:07 AM

Hey, jackass, unless you've presonally bought a Dell conmputer AND dealt with their customer support people lately, you have no clue what you're talking about (as usual).

Just because a company has a large market share does not mean their products are still of the same high quality that got them that market share.

Score: 0

By rijp

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 11:36 AM

I personally work with Dell and bought and yes I deal with Customer Support on a daily basis, you jerk off. So I think I know better than you, since you work in the shoe department at sears, punk.

They have a high market share, because they built a good company and people like them, dumb ass. What did you sleep through economics class?

Oh wait, that would assume you even graduated high school, you probably flunked out of 3rd grade.

Score: 0

By jsc315

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:22 PM

dells customer service is some of the worst i have ever delt with in my life. Your better of dealing with it your self. I feel sorry for those who have to deal with them and dont know much about computers.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:30 PM

Consumer tech support has deteriorated considerably, agreed. I'm assuming that people using home PCs know to build their own rather than buying from a brand-name unless it is a specialty system. Buy through an Employee Purchase Program and support will be 10X better.

Even with Dell's recent decline in support, their contract covers more than almost any other brand does. Only Toshiba offers accidental coverage contracts, and that's because Dell started that idea.

I keep forgeting that most people who despise Dell are the one's who buy the consumer products and/OR the consumer warrenty options. Get Platinum support for Poweredge Servers. Get 4 hour onsite just for kicks. Anyone else know of a computer company that offers 4 hour parts and labor contract on Desktop Workstation PCs? Or onsite service for Laptops?

Yeah I'm starting to sound like a biased fanboy now, so I'll try to lay low for a while.

Score: 0

By pc.pain

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 2:57 PM

Yeah, you are, but at least you didn't feel the need to call everyone an idiot. ;o)

Score: 0

By rcontra

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 12:01 PM

Tell us why do you deal with Customer Service every day?

may be, your DELL is keep breaking!!!

By the way, I work for $25b company, we don't even prefer dell keyboard.

Score: 0

By DigitalSin

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:30 PM

nor english I presume

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By rcontra

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:44 PM

So you use English as a programming language!!!

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By DigitalSin

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:47 PM

I wish...

On the other hand I'd be out of a job

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By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:04 PM

Maybe he is a PC support guy like me who actually supports several computers. You have no idea, do you?

If his Dell "is keep braking" all the time he wouldn't be a fan of dell, right?

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By rcontra

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:51 PM

I am a programmer at $25b corporate, we only have IBM here... so you keep it shup pc support boy.

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By DigitalSin

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:30 PM

so basically you work at a $25 billion company and all you managed to get to in your rank is a programmer?

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By rcontra

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:38 PM

Thats my passion. I am one of those geeks. What do you do for a living?

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By DigitalSin

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 1:42 PM

I fire people who gloat.

Sometimes I break their thumbs and force them to use a Dell keyboard.

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By rcontra

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:46 PM

so you are one of those ppl who says Dell is the best.

i thought so...

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By DigitalSin

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:49 PM

Actually no, I've never owned a Dell so I can't say either way about them. I do know that most state agencies (in the US), my clients, have large contracts with Dell and they have been happy with it.

I prefer Sony.

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By rcontra

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:50 PM

me too! I have a Vaio. Its just great!

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By DigitalSin

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:52 PM

I still have my first Vaio from a few years ago (Desktop). It's never let me down. I also have a Vaio laptop which is about 6 months old, I love it.

So far I'm happiest with them over HP and Toshiba, which I've had bad experiences with.

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By rcontra

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 2:17 PM

I have to disagree on HP. I still have a p3 HP laptop, which I kept for r & d. I love it. It is very rugged. Never used Toshiba.

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By DigitalSin

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 3:28 PM

My only complaint with HP was horrible, horrible customer support. Mechanically my experiences have been good with HP.

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By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 2:43 PM

HP's P3 systems (and their P3 Celerons--but they're CELERONS) were solid, no doubts here. Today, they seem unreliable. Tomorrow, who knows? Maybe HP will sell a PC that is more stable than any other brand tomorrow, but not likely. Everybody has their bad systems--it's the company that deals with problems in the most effective and efficient way that wins in my book.

Dangit, all this talk has me wondering who has what, etc. Some of it is just plain luck of the draw, some is price of the system, some is based on what chipset the mobo uses, and some depends on what brand you get. Brand is only one of the many factors, I guess I am guilty of over-emphasizing one brand PC, when that's only one peice of the puzzle.

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By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:08 PM

IBM is the only other *PC* manufacturer I can recommend as well. HP/Compaq has bad tech support all the time (vs. Dell some of the time), Acer--need I even speakabout THOSE people! Viscom is the worst support on the planet w/1 tech who actually cares about fixing the problems, and Gateway is losing market share because of their "top rated" customer service there. IBM has pretty good support and stable PCs. My only complaint is that they rush new technologies and all too often the new stuff is buggie. IBM is the first to discover problems with new Intel chipsets for a good reason, no?

Still, if you buy IBM PCs that aren't brand-spanking new products, I can't bash you for it. It's the Compaq and HP lovers that annoy me the most!

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By pc.pain

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:50 AM

I finally figured out why you're so bitter. You owned Enron stock, didn't you. And lots of it, right to the end.

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By rcontra

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 12:44 PM

I am a programmer at $25b corporate, we only have IBM here... so you keep it shup pc support boy.

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By pc.pain

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 2:59 PM

huh?

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By ogman

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:54 AM

ouch.

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By gsbrock

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 10:48 AM

People tend to buy dells cause they're cheap... but let's just say you get what you pay for...

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By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:25 PM

Dell became #1 because of their warrenty service--so buying their cheap PC's with only a 90-day warrenty negates the whole point. My recommendation: If it is less than $800, don't buy Dell--heck get an Emachine, as bad as they are, at least the hardware is stable!

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By gsbrock

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:33 PM

hheck, for about 400 bucks I can build you a better machine than the cheepest dell...

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By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:00 PM

My point exactly. Only buy Dell for the warrenty support--and $300 systems don't need to have a $200 warrenty, so only higher-end systems are worth buying from Dell at all.

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By rcontra

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:20 PM

Can't agree more!

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By Arakiel

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 9:53 AM

Wow. You must really be an idiot if you think Dell makes quality computers and has top notch support. Either that or you've never actually OWNED a Dell and had to put up with their crap. Yeah, that's why the $10b company I work for doesn't use Dell's.

It's a good thing your an obnoxious twit, otherwise people might think your a moron.

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By rijp

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 10:56 AM

I think you are the idiot. Do you even pay attention to the corporate computers? I have been using Dell for years, maybe you are the problem.

I have owned a couple of dells, I have a laptop at Work that is also a Dell, and Fine you had to put up with their crap, because maybe you don't know what you are doing.

I am not even going to ask what you are using, because I really don't care.

That's a funny line, did you steal it from a southpark episode? You should be in entertainment, because you are a funny dork.

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By Arakiel

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:03 PM

"I think you are the idiot. Do you even pay attention to the corporate computers? I have been using Dell for years, maybe you are the problem."

nope, just your completely unbacked up claims and lame attempts at using flames to justify your attacks are the problem. Sitting here right now, I have three computers at my desk...non of them are Dells pieces of crap. Nope, nobody else has a Dell here either, we don't allow their junk into the company.

"Fine you had to put up with their crap, because maybe you don't know what you are doing."

I know exactly what i'm doing, doesn't change the fact that I still need to call customer support when their proprietary PS bites the dust 1 month after purchase and I need them to send me a new one.

"That's a funny line, did you steal it from a southpark episode? You should be in entertainment, because you are a funny dork."

Actually, if you had half a brain you ould have recognized your own words paraphrased back at you, so I guess that makes you a funny dork to.

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By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:35 PM

OK, rjjp said some self-incriminating words because of his anger--but his main point remains valid. What Dell model did you lose the power supply in during the first month?

I've owned 4 Dells personally, but work for a company with OVER 500 Dells. Hurricane Rita ripped the wall and roof off of this building, dirty water was in most of the dell PCs here. We dried them, waited two weeks, and guess what? We lost 4 of them...out of 500.

We had 3 Mac PCs here--all three died. Had only a couple of HP's--one of em died, the other one lost the hard drive.

B.S., you say? Let me show you the numbers:

Dell models: Optiplex GX100 SFF's: 110. Failed: 1. Reason: Hard drive failure.

GX260 SFF's: 395. Failed: 2. Reason: motherboard failure on one, PSU failure on the other.

GX270's SMT's: 8. Failed: 0.

GX270 Towers: 1. Failed: 0.

GX280 Towers: 35. Failed: 1. Reason: Power supply, motherboard, and memory soaked in drainage (this one fell over and soaked in water for a week and a half).

There you go.

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By Arakiel

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:47 PM

"What Dell model did you lose the power supply in during the first month?"

XPS Gen 5. Bought it mid August and in mid September it completely shut down dead. Had to get a relpacement because of course it isn't a standard ATX or standard *anything* for that matter, it was custom designed for the case. A case which of course is made of cheap plastic that doesnt fit together properly.

It's funny really, I got suckered into the XPS instead of upgrading my custom box because I bought the hype that they were great gaming machines...I should have just upgraded.

Oh and let's not forget the lack of details they supply on their computers. Such as the fact that unless you remove your optical drive altogether you cannot install ANY ide hard drives into the machine. So much for my 2 older 120gig hard drives getting brought over.

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By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:58 PM

Sadley, the IDE controller thing is happening with all major vendors. They think SATA is all people want so the only PATA left is used for CD-ROMS.

I must be honest with you. The XPS systems were handled by a special team--and I wasn't on that team. Dimension XPS systems may be the most unstable peices of @#$! in existence. Or maybe you got one of the million that did not work...I don't know.

Sorry for your bad experience. The XPS Gen 4 and Gen 5 seemed to be lesser-quality than the previous model XPS systems if I recall (I could see the specs and pictures). I think Dell made the mistake of trying to lower the prices of the XPS's at that time to remain competitive with Alienware. They produced cheaper systems--and apparently it shows.

Dell is known to build systems that want only Dell PSU's, that's part of business. They don't want some idiot installing a 350W power supply from "Bob's Computer Store" and ruin the Dell mobo, hdd, and memory--then they decide that dell needs to replace those parts cause they were stupid.

That's business. Try Sony, they are the worst about that sort of thing.

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By Arakiel

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 1:52 PM

That's the thing. It's not just my one experience. If I was just a one off I could accept that I have bad luck and move on. But friends and family have all had problems with Dell.

Two more examlpes:

My sister got hung up on by a supervisor when she called up to correct an order that dell messed up (sent it to her twice) -- hanging up on customers generally isn't considered good customer service even if the customer is abusive (which she wasnt)

One of my best friends had to send his notebook back 3 times because of an overheating problem that they couldn't solve. Got a replacement notebook the second time, and that one overheated as well. By the third time Dell had finally figured out what they had done wrong and were actually able to correct it.

I refuse to recommend Dell to anyone anymore. Build your own if you can, talk to "Joe's Computer" down the street and have him build you one if you can't.

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By gsbrock

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 1:15 PM

Yeah Sony computers are god aweful when it comes to propritary crap... but that doesn't really make dell better... hehe sorry

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By pc.pain

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 10:56 AM

Well said!

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By rijp

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 10:58 AM

This from a person that spouts lame BS about how badly Dell sucks.

Tell me, o remarkable wizard, can you even cite specific examples of what Dell did to make you so angry? I bet you have never even touched a Dell have you?

You are like everyone else, you are a sheep, you are just following the herd.

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By pc.pain

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:20 AM

Okay, you asked for it.

Two friends bought Dell laptops. These same two people ordered power adapters so they could operate their computers in their cars. Both got confirmation from Dell that they were ordering the part to match their machines. Both received the adapters and found that they could not use them. You see, the adapter had a square end that needed to be plugged into the round connection on the machine. That's right...square peg - round hole. Turns out Dell sent out hundreds of these before realizing they were sending the wrong adapter.

Of course, anyone who has been a Dell customer over the years knows all about power supplies that couldn't be upgraded without replacing the motherboard (something about being wired backwards) and the non-standard usb ports they used that made it difficult to use some hardware with their machines.

I stopped ordering anything from Dell after twice ordering accessories (a logitech joystick and some blank dvds) only to be told weeks later that they were on back order and later having the order cancelled due to Dell not having the product in stock.

Then, there's the current level of tech support. What was once the best support in the industry is now rated as less than average by most tech reviewers.

That enough for you? Okay, now wipe the egg off your face and crawl back into your hole.

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By ogman

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:54 AM

Good post!

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By rijp

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:47 AM

-Okay, you asked for it. -

Oh this should be good.. pc is going to actually do some work. Wait, I need to write this down.

-Two friends bought Dell laptops-

You actually have 2 friends? Do they know this? -giggle-

-These same two people ordered power adapters so they could operate their computers in their cars-

Uh huh, first you dont' need Dell for this, they are called -power inverters-. You can buy them from any computer store, so that says it all about your level of knowledge right there.

-Both got confirmation from Dell that they were ordering the part to match their machines. Both received the adapters and found that they could not use them. You see, the adapter had a square end that needed to be plugged into the round connection on the machine. That's right...square peg - round hole. Turns out Dell sent out hundreds of these before realizing they were sending the wrong adapter-

Yeah, sure, blame Dell. Good one loser, nice try. Yeah, well they could have easily confirmed this when they were talking to tell, ever heard of asking questions? So its Dells fault your so called friends were too stupid, like you, to do some investigation on their own, to find the right part.. Yeah. Good job. I think an etch a sketch would be too much for you 3 amigos. . .

-Of course, anyone who has been a Dell customer over the years knows all about power supplies that couldn't be upgraded without replacing the motherboard (something about being wired backwards) and the non-standard usb ports they used that made it difficult to use some hardware with their machines.-

They don't use non-standard USB ports, you dumb ass, they are standard ports. Are you sure you aren't looking at the back of an HP? Mr. Wizard, your research skills can use some fine tuning. So far, you just sound like a complete idiot.

-I stopped ordering anything from Dell after twice ordering accessories (a logitech joystick and some blank dvds) only to be told weeks later that they were on back order and later having the order cancelled due to Dell not having the product in stock.-

I think Dell will really miss your 40 dollar purchase =rolling eyes=.

-Then, there's the current level of tech support. What was once the best support in the industry is now rated as less than average by most tech reviewers.-

Documentation. Again, you are missing the fact that many companys outsource, this has NOTHING to do with product. WE are talkinga bout Dell vs Alienware, not the fact that Dell uses overseas people to do their customer support. Can you even find 10,000 good techs? If they are anything like you, some twirp with a resume that says they can spell computer, thinks they have technical ability, now we see why we have so much problem. I have a problem with your technical ability from this post alone..

If you are so good, why didn't they consult you, hmmm? Eh.. it doesn't matter. You are some wannabe with an attitude. Isn't it past your bedtime?

-That enough for you? Okay, now wipe the egg off your face and crawl back into your hole.-

Yeah, like I am taking this as statement of truth. I am not confused with your inbred family of rednecks, so don't get me confused with your uncle fester, ok?

I think you can produce some REAL documentation to prove any of this, and MAYBE I will let you go with some level of competence. You can say anything, it doesn't mean I will believe you.

I can gurantee, most problems, like users such as yourself, dimwitted, lack of planning, and trying to use computers in their vehicles.. ever heard of batteries? Maybe they were trying to run desktops in theirs, cars, I don't know.. but the whole story is retarded.

Try again, pain boy.

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By Arakiel

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:38 PM

"So its Dells fault your so called friends were too stupid, like you, to do some investigation on their own, to find the right part.."

Perhaps your dumb a** missed the part where he said Dell confirmed it was the right part...so much for your contention of Dell's stellar service.

"Yeah, like I am taking this as statement of truth. I am not confused with your inbred family of rednecks, so don't get me confused with your uncle fester, ok?

I think you can produce some REAL documentation to prove any of this, and MAYBE I will let you go with some level of competence. You can say anything, it doesn't mean I will believe you."

This is just too much, are you sure you aren't talking about yourself here? Let's see, lack of any documentation to support your arguments? yep thats you, Tries to say *anything* he wants and expects people to believe him, yep thats you. Uses insults as his arguments? Yep thats you.

There really is only one word to describe someone as immensely stupid as you...

Troll

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By pc.pain

edited Mar 23, 2006 - 11:52 AM

All that space for a few weak insults? Grow up.

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By Arakiel

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:13 PM

insults are all he has, he's incapable of actually forming a real argument. I have this mental picture of him sticking his fingers in his ears and shouting "nah nah!"

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By gsbrock

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 12:35 PM

Wish he'd post a "comeback" to my post directly below this one... oh wait... he can't...

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By gsbrock

posted Mar 23, 2006 - 11:11 AM

I can tell you why I don't like them... I've replaced countless bad/dead hard drives, atleast 20 bad PSUs, and a handful of burnt out processors... more so than I should have to for a company that has about 100 Dell machines... gettin