Dell vs Gateway?

[BarbaraL]

Hi, everybody! DD will be off to college (sniff!) soon, and we're shopping for a laptop. The college orientation had reps from Dell, Gateway and Apple; Dell and Gateway seem to be the major players. DD's friends (experts, I'm sure) all are going through Dell.

Recommendations, or thoughts, anyone? Since there are so many knowledgeable people on these boards, I'm trolling for opinions!

[jmarie]

I have a Dell 8400 Series. I have done a couple of upload and download tests, here in the last couple of days and my computer runs at a higher speed than what it should, considering my server. One of the reports I received back mentioned that my machine was finely tuned to be doing this well. My speed was faster than the T1 speed and just a little slower than the T3 speed. It should have actually been slower that a T1 speed.

Dell was a very easy company to do business with. I got the flat screen upgrade and got a free upgrade on several items, memory being one and I can't remember the other .

This is, by far, the best computer that I have ever owned, but then I am sure that has to do with technology more than Dell.......I guess.

DO invest in a really good virus protection, because she will be using Ethernet(I'm assuming) and viruses plague the computers that don't have up to date good virus protection. Make sure that you set it up to run automatically and not depend on DD because she is going to be very busy and will forget. (Speaking from experience here.)

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

This review was helpful to how many people?
(Not plagorizing, here. I admit that I stole that line from Amazon )
Joyce

[oceanjasper]

I have a Dell Inspiron 700m. It is the one that has a 12 inch screen (it is a wide screen that rates higher than lots of bigger ones) and weighs a bit more than 4 pounds with the bigger battery. I get about 5 hours on my battery. I absolutely love it. I don't find it small at all. In fact, I am so glad that I didn't go with the bigger one that I initially planned to purchase. I couldn't imagine lugging it around everywhere.

It is a bit more expensive than some of the bigger ones, but I wouldn't change my decision. I watched for specials on their website, as well as searched the internet for coupons and promotional codes. There was hardly anything in Canada, but there was huge savings to be had in the U.S.

The company was great to deal with. I bought a PC from them a couple of years ago and I haven't had any problems.

[badunnin]

Joyce - your computer speed can be independent from your download speed. For example, I have an old desktop that is bloody slow when you are trying to load a file or start a program, but flipping fast due to the DSL when I am downloading.

Another Dell fan here. I deal with them a lot, as I do all the tech buying and support for my mom's company, and they've always been helpful. I've had my laptop for 3 years now and no issues until last month, when my USB port started flipping out on me.

[HealthyinMN]

I would definetly choose Dell over Gateway - I've had both in the past and enjoyed the Dell/CS with them more than Gateway.

[MusicMom]

Dealsea lists promotions and coupon codes for Dell products. We don't have a Dell, but we'll probably be looking at one of their laptops in a couple of years for DS when he goes to college.

[AndreaU]

Ditto what has been said about Dell. We have a Dell desktop AND laptop... we HAD a Gateway and were not impressed with their tech support/customer service. Dell is awesome in that regard.

[BarbaraL]

This review was helpful to how many people?

Joyce

3 (me, DH and DD)!
Thanks, everybody! And I'm assuming everyone went through Dell directly; another thread had horror stories about dealing with Best Buy.

[oceanjasper]

I bought both of my computers online directly through Dell. A friend of mine (who didn't have a computer) called Dell (in India, I think!) and ordered hers. They actually gave her the same discount I got online, because she asked them about it. And they gave her a free all-in-one printer when she asked about that too. Never hurts to ask, apparently!

[jmarie]

I purchased mine direct from Dell.

[mbrogier]

Dell definitely over Gateway. (Gateway has odd policies on repairs)

Check prices on HP (merged with Compaq). They have the best laptops now. I've seen really nice notebooks at COSTCO for $899. Go ahead and splurge on the 17" screen, though.

[stefania4]

Before I buy any hardware I look up reviews on www.cnet.com. They have an in-house/magazine-style review, and a BB where owners can post feedback. Just a few weeks ago I was looking to see if a Dell laptop (5100, I think) had any known service problems; sure enough, nearly everyone posted that it overheated.

[fci5767]

Before I buy any hardware I look up reviews on www.cnet.com. They have an in-house/magazine-style review, and a BB where owners can post feedback. Just a few weeks ago I was looking to see if a Dell laptop (5100, I think) had any known service problems; sure enough, nearly everyone posted that it overheated.

I've had a Dell laptop for work since October. It does get pretty warm although that's not a bad thing in the winter.

I'm waiting for my new Dell PC to arrive...


Beth

[summer02]

We're a dell family - two laptops and one desktop.
Be sure to check out the educational discounts - our school gets discounts thru Dell and Mac so most students have one or the other.

[NancyR]

I'm no expert but I will be the lone dissenter here and recommend a Gateway. I researched the heck out of my new laptop including Cnet as someone here recommended and feel I got a great deal of value for my money with this machine http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1117177722061

Since Gateway closed their stores (what a silly idea, a store that doesn't give you anything on the spot) Best Buy has taken over selling some of their things. that way you can see it, try it, etc. Anyway, my laptop is FAST and and like they say ready for 64 bit technology when it arrives. I have always been treated fairly by Gateway (not that others haven't, maybe I am lucky) and lately I have heard too many stories of people calling Dell tech support and getting someone in India who they couldn't understand.

Anyway, my two cents worth. Technology has improved to the point that unless you buy complete junk you will probably be happy with whatever you get.

[greatcook]

I've had mixed experiences with Dell. I had a desktop Dell that lasted for 4 years with only the monitor breaking and I had good customer service. However, more recently I bought a Dell laptop and the hard drive busted after 2 years and the customer service process was painful...I think it's been outsourced now. They sent a replacement part but it's never been the same and I find that I don't trust the computer as much now.

So, no knowledge about Gateway but be careful with Dell! Hopefully I'm not the normal experience!