Dell Computers - Any Good? (Very slightly boaty)

It's a 5000, but I couldn't have told you that without looking at the box!

I must say that it is impressively quiet. I wasn't aware of it being particularly quiet until it arrived and I switched it on. I had expected the usual fan noise but it just wasn't there. So much so that I had to check that it was working properly!
 
Hi Lakesailor,

I don't understand this apparent 'problem' with noise in the 3000 series. My old laptop (many years old now) is a 3700, and is damn nearly as quiet as my new 8600 which is, to all intents and purposes, virtually silent. The fact that the oldie has 'sailed' well over 35000 miles in it's life and is still perfect, says it all for me.

Just out of interest, and a result of the comments re noise, I've just fired it up for the first time in a few months, and it's perfect still. And I have NO noise though if you bend down close to the fan, you can hear that.

Maybe it was just one or two of the range that had the problem. Either way, I suspect that Dell will have sorted it by now unless you're buying an old model.

BTW, does anyone know if Dell HAVE brought their service side back to the UK/Ireland yet?!!

Cheers Jerry
 
Our experience of a dozen or so over the last 3 years has been if they work - you'll be fine - but service - especially on the desktops was pretty awful. Desktops often caused problems if worked really hard (high end graphics applications).

Servers seemed a better bet as far as service went - seemed to get the rolls royce here (engineer drives 200 miles to meet up with hard disk sent by taxi another 200 miles) - engineer was good (couldn't fix it though) having repalced every part in the box they eventually gave up and supplied a new one (which is still fine 2 yeats later).

Luck of the draw to some extent I suspect
 
One pair of desktops was eventually sorted by pursuading them to upgrade the graphics card.

For what its worth we currently by Dell servers and Mesh for desktop - though we've been through most brands over the years
 
Jerry,

Your old laptop is a low wattage pussy cat compared to the desktop computer that I assume Lakesailor is planning to buy. Laptops are low power devices, hence low heat, hence low fan noise.

Have to admit there is an element of PC fashion at play here. Now that PCs are faster than most people require, low decibels is the latest way to be one up on the neighbors.

Another consideration for some is the new media-center PC bread, these are designed to be located under a TV in the main living room where a typical office PC noise level could be intrusive. Has anyone noticed that PC magazine reveiewers have started measuring sound levels alongside performance figures?

I find that my study is more relaxing to work when I power down the old Dell sound monster and work off a laptop PC instead. Maybe it is all in the head and I am just a slave to technology fashion.
 
Yes. desktop.
Noise is a consideration. The pc sits in the back of the lounge and buzzes all day. We need it on as we get bookings enquiries all the time.
 
Lousy after sales

They are fine if they work. But if you get one that has a hardware failure you get no help, no support, even if well within the warranty period. I've stopped buying them becuase of this.
 
Re: Dell Computers - Any Good? check the inservice life

I have had Dells for a number of yrs and no problems so far. However, I tend to buy the 'business' models rather than the 'retail' models. The difference is that the retail ranges tend to be discontinued after about 4 months wheras the business models tend to be sold for at least a year. Also, try europc.co.uk - they sell 'second hand' with a full three yr warranty cheaper than you buy from Dell. Basically they ship product that has been ordered and then the order has been cancelled before shipment. Apparently Dell do not want tohave the hassle of these so they ship them to others to resell. You are limited to the model and features someone has already ordered though. Having said this, I got my Latitude D600 for over £450 cheaper than I could buy through work with our significant high volume discount!! <font color="blue"> </font>
 
Re: Dell Computers - Any Good? check the inservice life

We now buy all our business PC's from EuroPC
They offer branded models at considerably less than the manufacturers and their service is excellent
EuroPC web site
We just got a bunch of IBM Netvistas from them, they are not the highest spec machines we ever bought but at £279 each for a P4 2.6GHz they are unbeatable value and the build quality is excellent
 
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