Hp Computers

[Ninepatch]

With the holidays coming up, package deals and rebates are making it real tempting for me to replace my current system sooner rather than later.

 

I've had this HP Pavillion for a little over 5 years and, until the CD-ROM died a month ago, I haven't had any real problems with it. I don't consider replacing the keyboard and mouse once each a problem.

 

I'm one of those consumers with high brand loyalty when something works well for me. However, I know HP the corporation has changed a lot in the last 5 years and wonder now about their products.

 

A PC for me, in all actuality, is an expensive toy. I don't run a business or need it for school. I'm not a gamer, I don't watch DVD's on it. I would like to stream video from the major news nets, which I can't now. I'll upgrade my Photoshop and a few other pieces of software I like to play with - but really, it's a toy. I'm more concerned with long-term reliability than bells and whistles.

 

Any opinions on the state of HP reliability today versus the HP of pre-2000? Any recommendation for a mid-range brand you'd buy for a general use PC? All input is very appreciated!

[Deverill]

I can only give my experiences so take it for what it's worth. A few years ago (4-5?)I had an HP pavillion desktop and HP printer and after 10 months and tons of calls to tech support my printer was still spewing garbage. It was something in the PC/Windows ME I believe but me with my degree and their hardware/software printer falks couldn't do anything to get it right so, "dude, I got a Dell".

 

My Dell has been great with no problems whatsoever.

 

Because of a lot of reasons I won't go into here I ended up getting a new laptop that happens to be an HP. Other than a slight overheating problem (awkward placement of fans) it's been fantastic. The price and performance is great and nothings wrong yet. I've had it about 4-5 months so it's not a great endorsement.

 

I'm not sure any of this means anything other than just my experiences but here it is. Hope it helps!

[Madmanmcp]

Hi Ninepatch, I have been purchasing HP/Compaq for years at both work and home and I have always been happy with them. I have a Pavilion 3.06 GHz on my desk and my youngest is still using my old 850MHz and there is a 133Mhz in the back room that still runs.

 

But lately I have switched over to Emachines because of the price. They make a good low-mid range PC with a price tag that can't be beat. I have gotten at least 6 of them the last 2 years for friends and family and have had no problems.

 

For mid-range to high-end PC's I would still go with HP/Compaq.

[Ninepatch]

Jim & Bob -

 

Thanks for the input. It's good to hear HP machines are still reliable. The package deals all include printers, which I really don't need - would be nice to bargain for more RAM instead. But, I'm just starting to look so it will be interesting to see what comes of it all. I imagine the real advertising push will start in about 2 weeks.

 

Thanks for your thoughts! Thumbs Up

 

Beth

[TCH-Bruce]

Check out www.techbargains.com before making a purchase. Dell has been offering some incredible deals lately.

 

I picked up a laptop last week for $750 off and this week they had $500 off on desktop machines. Yesterday they were offering 30% off desktop machines.

[Deverill]

The thing I like best about Dell is that it is completely customizable - pick out how much memory you want, cut down the cost if you don't need the good speakers, etc.

[Ninepatch]

Thanks - I'll go take a look. High end speakers are not a deal breaker for me. I need to go look at some flat panels physically, though. I'm intellectually attracted to the idea of having one because of the space saving but I've never actually seen one and don't know if I even like the image quality over a tube. Text quality is a biggie for me - I read 4 papers online daily. Then there's my discussion groups and the incessant research I find myself doing.

[TCH-Bruce]

I'd never go back to a CRT after using a good LCD monitor.

[kellybellydotnet]

A year and a half ago I was in the market for a new PC and ended up buying an off-the-shelf HP. I've had virtually no problems with it (just the "normal" Windows issues, and the CD-ROM drive likes to get stuck). I also have an HP PhotoSmart printer that works flawlessly with the PC.

 

I've been using an HP laptop through work for quite a few months now, and so far have run into no problems (well, I have issues with the docking station).

 

I know you asked for views on post-2000 HPs, but I just have to add: my mom is still using the original (un-upgraded) Compaq that she bought in 1995. No problems save for getting her modem and monitor fried during a storm.

 

On the other hand: Prior to my new HP laptop at work, we used Dell laptops for many years. Every single person had some sort of problem pop up. Pretty much all the batteries died (wouldn't hold a charge) within a year. A few of us had the fans quit, and two harddrives died. Now, I know that laptops are different from desktops and generally run into a few more problems due to their design and portability ... but ... over a dozen Dell laptops, all with at least one semi-major problem?

 

Now ... would I buy an HP computer again? Probably not, at least for myself ... but only because I've recently become a Mac convert and wouldn't buy another PC unless necessary. I'd probably recommend HP to people looking for a PC though.

[Deverill]

over a dozen Dell laptops, all with at least one semi-major problem?

It could be that you just got a bad batch that had problems and the next 1000 computers were without problems...

 

... but that just goes to show that everyone has different experiences and it's hard to get a truly objective idea of a company's quality. I know folks that hate Dell and love Compaq, others hate Compaq and love E-machines and yet others think IBM is the best game in town.

 

Another thing is that I've seen people put the evil eye on a line of computers because "it shouldn't be so hard to hook up to the internet!" Yeah, like their lack of knowledge is the company's fault.

[TCH-Rob]

Yeah, like their lack of knowledge is the company's fault.

 

It isnt?

 

All my old company used to use were Dell Laptops and desktops. A little over 600 of them in the building, we had switched over from Compaq. Having that many we saw some flaws in some machines. But it was just that, "some machines". They are computers, we only switched because we got a better deal when we were upgrading and the support that we needed was a bit better.

 

I wont buy a computer, I prefer to build it. That is just because I "know" what goes in it. Really though, I wouldnt sweat what brand if I were to buy a premade one, for me it is the best bang for the buck.

[MikeJ]

I bought my parents a new HP desktop about 2 years ago. Works great for them so far. (since I live in another state from them, I bought them something they could take to a local best buy and get serviced if it had a hardware problem).

 

Only thing I didn't like about HP (but is true with most big name brands) is the amount of advertising they install with the Windows OS.

Edited October 29, 2004 by TCH-MikeJ

[dcumpian]

Absolutely!

 

Wipe the machine and reinstall the OS after you buy

 

Dan

[Ninepatch]

Those are some seriously nice deals at techbargains, Bruce. Half tempts me to go out and get a vendors license just to declare myself a small business! Thanks for the reference. Will keep an eye on that one for sure. Thumbs Up

[TCH-Bruce]

Those are some seriously nice deals at techbargains, Bruce. Half tempts me to go out and get a vendors license just to declare myself a small business! Thanks for the reference. Will keep an eye on that one for sure. Thumbs Up

You don't need to be a business to buy from Dell.

[Ninepatch]

Bruce -

 

LOL, Bruce. Leave it to me, the featured system on techbargains the day I looked happened to be a package offered under Dell's Small Business Systems.

 

The machine I wanted was:

 

Dimension 3000 P4-2.8Ghz Desktop 256MB DDR400/80GB, 48x CDRW, 17in LCD Flat Panel, Free Dell 720 Color Printer, Floppy, Ethernet, Modem, 6 months ISP, Word Perfect, XP Home SP2, 2yr warranty $528 after $150 rebate, shipped free.

 

I upgraded the ram to 512MB so it was $578. Have you purchased small business systems from them without a business tax ID?

 

Guess I need to do some noodling around their site to see what the restrictions are on small business system purchases. Regardless, techbargains is a great resource - thank you so much. You have no idea how much I hate shopping - I like having it all at my fingertips !

 

PS - Ehemmm..... don't you have some birthday shopping to get busy with here pretty soon? It was a very good year - I'm was a March baby. Early H.B. to the Mrs.!

[TCH-Bruce]

I purchased from them both business and home. I don't remember giving them a business tax ID and paid the tax on the purchase I believe.

 

Checked Techbargains today and saw this one.

First time this new desktop has been put on sale. It supports DDR2 memory, PCI Express, etc..

 

$175+ savings. Dimension 4700 P4 520 2.8Ghz Desktop 512MB DDR2-400/80GB Serial ATA HD, 48x CDRW, Free Dell 720 Color Printer, Ethernet, 6 months ISP, Word Perfect, XP Home SP2, 2yr warranty $499 after $150 rebate, shipped free. Tax is charged. Ends 11/3

 

Good upgrade:

17in LCD Flat Panel +$159

P4-3Ghz/800Mhz bus CPU Upgrade for only +$25 emailit

Edited November 2, 2004 by TCH-Bruce