tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16979831.post115073692660817908..comments2023-09-15T08:25:52.357-05:00Comments on Designated Import: Why Dell still sells computersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11380041867258824155noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16979831.post-81719763651448402692006-10-12T20:42:00.000-05:002006-10-12T20:42:00.000-05:00Thanks for the link, Do-Ming! That's pretty cool.
...Thanks for the link, Do-Ming! That's pretty cool.<br /><br />I first realized that there was a lot of rebranding going on when I saw a review of an Alienware laptop. I always wanted one, but then I read a review that said that the most recent batch were no better than Dell's. Then I found that there was another company that made the Alienware laptops, and that you were essentially paying a lot of money for the neat logo. *sigh*Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11380041867258824155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16979831.post-45392666737795007462006-10-12T09:51:00.000-05:002006-10-12T09:51:00.000-05:00A better link, since the URL looks like it got tru...A better link, since the URL looks like it got truncated in the last post:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.infotech.com/ITA/Issues/20061010/Articles/IdenticalLaptopsDifferentPricesDontBeFooledbyBranding.aspx">http://www.infotech.com/ITA/Issues/20061010/Articles/IdenticalLaptopsDifferentPricesDontBeFooledbyBranding.aspx </a>Do-Ming Lumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02553982182143005812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16979831.post-60783498724484193942006-10-12T09:47:00.000-05:002006-10-12T09:47:00.000-05:00Damn -- sorry about fat fingering the last post.
...Damn -- sorry about fat fingering the last post.<br /><br />Anyway -- I realize that you have already replaced your laptop, but this item just came to my attention, so I thought I would pass it along for your reference for the NEXT time you need to replace a laptop.<br /><br />The link works for me, but if you have an issue, let me know and I will email you the text.<br /><br />http://www.infotech.com/ITA/Issues/20061010/Articles/IdenticalLaptopsDifferentPricesDontBeFooledbyBranding.aspx <br /><br />I don't have an annual subscription to this site, but someone e-mailed me the link.<br /><br />/dmlDo-Ming Lumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02553982182143005812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16979831.post-42485474157067719772006-10-12T09:41:00.000-05:002006-10-12T09:41:00.000-05:00iigrsiigrsDo-Ming Lumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02553982182143005812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16979831.post-1150841268103737772006-06-20T17:07:00.000-05:002006-06-20T17:07:00.000-05:00Hey, Michael!As I mentioned, we're debating gettin...Hey, Michael!<BR/><BR/>As I mentioned, we're debating getting a new hard drive but we don't want to sink a lot of money into the current laptop.<BR/><BR/>I'm also thinking we need to get a new laptop before Windows Vista is released, so that we can still get Windows XP. I'm really not sure what improvements Vista will bring, and I really don't like the bump in system requirements. <BR/><BR/>(Microsoft is calling for 256MB minimum and 512MB standard, which of course means you need a minimum of 1GB for it to run smoothly, using the principle that you take the minimum/recommended amounts from Microsoft and quadruple/double them.)<BR/><BR/>In particular, I don't see the need for a hot graphics card in a laptop simply to get Vista's 3D transparent folder feature. Is anyone really screaming for this? I thought people wanted a secure operating system more than fancy folder graphics.<BR/><BR/>Vista is due out sometime early next year. There's no telling how long XP will be available after that, so we're probably looking at getting a new laptop this year or waiting for Vista SP2 to be released...<BR/><BR/>(That last remark was more realistic than catty.)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11380041867258824155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16979831.post-1150840961943406492006-06-20T17:02:00.000-05:002006-06-20T17:02:00.000-05:00Hi, Do-Ming.I'll look into the ASUS, though I don'...Hi, Do-Ming.<BR/><BR/>I'll look into the ASUS, though I don't think anyone sells them locally. We really need a big electronic store. Other than Wal-Mart, Office Depot is about the only store that sells computers between Shreveport and Jackson, MS. We could really use a Circuit City or a Best Buy.<BR/><BR/>As Alana mentioned to me yesterday, Dell doesn't have to be good, it just has to be better than its competition. (This is like the old joke that you don't have to be able to outrun a bear, you just have to be able to outrun your buddy.) She also made a comment that my employer works under the same principle...<BR/><BR/>I did see a good review on a Lenovo, but it was pretty expensive. For the money I'd go for a Voodoo.<BR/><BR/>I think when we replace the laptop we'll splurge on a three year customer service warranty. On a laptop it sounds like the prudent thing to do.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11380041867258824155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16979831.post-1150806065866728782006-06-20T07:21:00.000-05:002006-06-20T07:21:00.000-05:00I've used two Acer laptops for the last six or sev...I've used two Acer laptops for the last six or seven years. Both machines are still running, though the battery of the oldest has long since lost its ability to hold a charge for longer than your typical TV commercial break. The newer machine is on its second hard drive, the first having failed in a manner similar to the one you describe. I back up on a fairly regular basis so I lost almost no data. I also had a Sony Vaio (bought second-hand) that worked well for six years... until it was stolen at Vimy Ridge last fall. Of course, with Sony you'll pay a huge price premium.<BR/><BR/>I have heard good things about ASUS laptops (Canada Computer down on College sells them pretty much exclusively) but I don't know what sort of service you could expect in Monroe, in the event of a problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16979831.post-1150802959191656552006-06-20T06:29:00.000-05:002006-06-20T06:29:00.000-05:00Hi Allan,Sorry to hear about your computer problem...Hi Allan,<BR/><BR/>Sorry to hear about your computer problems. I own a couple of old Dells, which are still working even though they are clunkers based on today's entry level standard. (They are, respectively, a Pentium 2 266Mhz and a Pentium 3 700 MHz). They date back to 1998 and 2000.<BR/><BR/>I currently have an ASUS laptop -- light and sleek compared with either of the Dells, and a much higher performance system. Cooler as well -- both from a cultural as well as a thermodynamic perspective :-).<BR/><BR/>Jill started out with a Sony Vaio three or four years ago. It was a great computer -- when it worked. <BR/><BR/>It failed a few months after we got it, and the supplier took it back for repair. Months later (after I had gotten the ASUS as a "temporary" replacement) the supplier came back and indicated that the Sony couldn't be repaired or replaced. It had been a second hand system, in a product line that wasn't available in Canada -- small form factor, light, not intensely powerful -- ideal for mobile use (for instance, note taking during Cthulhu games). They replaced it with a somewhat larger and somewhat heavier Toshiba.<BR/><BR/>Neither the ASUS or the Toshiba have given us any problems to date [fingers crossed]. I suspect any laptop (or desktop) is a bit of a lottery -- volumes are large enough that manufacturing defects can get through QA, and out into the retail channel.<BR/><BR/>I have a colleague who swears by the concept of the "brand name" laptop -- anything he owns must have a manufacturer label on it, from a large enough company that he has heard of. His HP failed (although it was covered by warranty) although his Lenovo is still going strong.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, none of this is particularly helpful, in the spot you are currently in. However, I think you are taking the right approach -- get more reviews, pay attention to customer service details.<BR/><BR/>Good luck!<BR/><BR/>cheers,<BR/>Do-Ming<BR/>http://luminosis.blogspot.com/Do-Ming Lumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02553982182143005812noreply@blogger.com