1/5

posted May-06-2006
These comments apply to computers, only. Dell is in the service business. It sells computers to generate service. THey make very little profit on a computer. You can see how they push "service plans" on you. If you happen to get a flawless computer you will love Dell. If you happen to get a machine with a problem, you are in trouble. The odds? I have seen estimates that one in five are dead in the box, or die quickly. If you get a bad machine, you will speak or on-line chat with tech people who read answer from cue-cards. Often, problems are complex and that method does not work.
I got a machine where the problem was a faulty hard drive, not uncommon. A dead sector here and there cause erratic problems. Not one of six or seven tech reps I contacted over the course of a full year recommended the "chkdsk" utility and I did not know about it. I do now. The problem was discovered just after my warrenty expired and Dell's response was as predicted: no help. If you can find a local store, not a "big-box," that is reputable, any extra cost you pay will be well worth it. Support the little guys.