[Old Professer]

This computer is 6 years old, was not much good to begin with and now the thing is slowing to a crawl.

Dell has a promotion good until 11/23 on a 2400 desktop with a 2.2 ghz processor, 40 gb hd, 256 ram, and a 920a printer.

It comes with a wireless keyboard, rw cd, and an optical mouse.

What I don't know is if it comes with a 3.5 floppy.

The data on my present hd can only be copied to floppy because this computer's cd has been broken for 3 years.

I am currently using a Packard Bell Multimedia C115 (quit laughing)and we have been holding on to it for so long because it has Winfax for W95 and we have been using that program a lot while my wife was submitting resumes; now that she has a full-time job we leave it on but we only get the occassional solicitation call.

It would be nice if my copy of Winfax would work with XP but I doubt that, anyone know for sure?

My daughter has a one-year old E-Machine that has a 3.5 so we could always copy to that and then to cd and then load to the new Dell, is that practical or is it difficult?

There is some question right now whether I can get Comcast broadband so I may be stuck with MSN but they will move me up to MSN 8 or 9, if that is the current "rage".

Dell's price is $399 ($499 before mail-in rebate), so I don't think I can get hurt by the price.

[Zeppo]

If you think that you will ever need support of any kind in the future, even if it is as trivial as returning a defective part for replacement, stay far away from Dell. I've had the most frustrating experience imaginable trying to get Dell to replace a defective network accessory. I've spoken several times to "support" reps in India, but no dice. Lots of wasted time and energy.

The only reason why I would continue to buy from Dell is if I were to get a really good price, knowing that support would be nonexistent. For example, last month I bought a Dell 4600 desktop system, 2.4 GHz Pentium IV, Windows XP Home, 40 GB 7200 rpm drive, and 256 MB memory, but no monitor, for a total after-rebate price of $157 (with free shipping). At that price, I'll throw it away if I have a problem, sooner than I will call Dell support.

The only way that you will find deals like that (they're rare, but they happen often enough to make it worthwhile to look for one), is to look at sites such as www.edealsinfo.com or www.fatwallet.com on a daily basis (or more frequently) and be prepared to jump in on the deal as soon as you see it posted and before the hoards descend on it. But maybe you aren't looking for that much of a hassle to save a few hundred $$...

[FlameThrower]

Get some cheap ethernet cards and an ethernet patch cord. Network the two systems and transfer the files.

[RandallFlagg]

Sorry, did you say you had a Packar---

I... I can't...

I suppose I can't talk. I had one, too...

[dvwjr]

You can usually find very good deals on DELL computers with on-line coupon discounts from this web site: Got|Apex?. This site has discounts for many products, but their DELL discounts can be very good every few weeks. I purchased an excellent DELL flat-panel 15" monitor for use as a secondary screen with my 21" CRT at a great discount.

DellSB - PowerEdge 400SC Server with i875P Chipset, 2.26Ghz P4, 128MB DDR, 40GB HD, 48x CD-ROM, and AGP Slot for $374 after Rebate with FREE Shipping! 2.8Ghz P4 Based for $99 More! (Posted by: Apex)

Dell`s giving an instant $25 discount, along with a $100 rebate, a free processor upgrade, 1/2 price hard drive upgrade, plus free shipping on this computer. The PowerEdge 400SC is an Intel i875P chipset based server with an 8x AGP slot, which means you can pretty easily turn it into a gaming, multimedia, or graphics workstation. Leon and I both own one of these and we love it. It is compatible with 533Mhz and 800Mhz processors (hyperthreaded too), there`s built in 2 channel S-ATA, there are 6 USB 2.0 ports, there`s built in 10/100/1000 ethernet, 4 PCI slots (with both 5.0v and 3.3v universal support), ADI 198x audio, and loads of other features. The AGP and audio are not "officially" supported by Dell, but they work. Mine is incredibly stable and fast.

Fine example, but would need to be bumped from 128mb RAM to 512mb for Windows XP

Have no association with company, just used their info... Best of luck.

dvwjr

[highnoon]

I have been working with Dell computers for 8 years and have had nothing but glowing results with them. I have prepared at least 60 of them for customers who also use our optical imaging software. I buy the majority of mine from www.dell.com/outlet

The computers are as good as new, but cannot be sold as new since they were not built to your order.

Make sure and get a cd burner. I would also recommend trying to find one with Win. 2000 instead of XP. There seem to be alot of OS specific hardware on teh XP boxes, that wont work with Win 2000 after replacing the software.

I have yet to purchase one without a floppy, and I purchased 8 in the last 3 months. For a home computer, the Dimension line is the way to go. Optiplexes are for business IMO.

Good luck, and enjoy!

[Sloth]

Go to http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php

They link great deals on Dells, and they offer coupon codes & stuff, too, sometimes. You can pretty well customize what drives you want, and so forth.

[lilylangtree]

bump for future reading.

[highnoon]

One more thing. The rebate from dell is VERY tricky. You have to include your original packing slip, and it's very time sensitive as far as getting it in their hands before a certain date. I had a rebate due to me May 27th of this year, got it 3 weeks ago. You can go to their site, and it provides a link to the rebate company, and after two emails to them (one nice, the other not so nice) I FINALLY got my check.

[Christy]

At my suggestion a friend bought a Dell computer aprox 3 monthes ago. She has Outlook Express for e mail, but cannot spell check. Repeated calls to tech support and still no solution. Any one else heard of this problem ?

[Drammach]

Check out your local computer stores and dealers.

Take the specs of the Dell promotion with you, and compare.
If there is a local computer ad paper in your area, ( Kansas City has "Computer User" free at most supermarkets) check it out for specials.

Buy local, get local support.
Have that old hard drive installed as a secondary in your new computer, or just have the data transferred to the new hard drive.
Your local dealer will probably do it for little or nothing, just for your business.

Local support.
Anything goes wrong, service is a short drive away.
No phone calls to India, no language difficulties, no frustration.

[dennisw]

I would never buy a Dell unless I saw it mentioned on this bargain page. They tell you how to shave 50-100$ off the purchase price. Be sure to get free shipping ---->> http://www.gotapex.com/



If I were you I would get a Celeron 2.4GHZ. 256mb RAM is necessary and if you can't put in extra memory yourself then bite the bullet and pay Dell. 99% of the time the Dell computers come with 128mb memory


http://www.gotapex.com/

[never4get]

DUDE, YOU'RE GETTING A DELL!

[bert]

Call them and ask. It probably does not but if you want it they will add it.

[DennisR]

I just bought an EMachine and printer at Best Buy (about $440 after rebate, before taxes)--
2.4GHZ processor
80 Gb harddrive
256Mb RAM
CDRW
17" CRT flat screen monitor
Lexmark printer
3.5" floppy

If the computer you eventually buy has a NIC (and your old one does also), you can get a crossover cable that will allow you to copy very quickly the files from your old computer directly to your new computer. I did this between my Packard Bell (1995 vintage) and the new machine.

[Travis McGee]

Reference self bump.

[Conservative4Ever]

Have two Dell laptops....love them. They have a CD burner/DVD drive so I can burn CD's or watch DVD's. If the new computer doesn't have a floppy drive you can purchase an expernal one for about $20.00. I did and occasionally have to use it. I have had to call tech support a few times and as yet have not had to deal with an Indian accent. Love the Dell products and good to know they are a Bush supporter.

[trussell]

My mother recently got a Dell, it came with the 3 1/2 floppy drive. I believe that is standard issue with all (most) computers.

[Crusher138]

It would be nice if my copy of Winfax would work with XP but I doubt that, anyone know for sure?

It probably doesn't. My newer copy (version 9)has issues with XP. The latest WinFax version 10 can be had for less than $100.

My daughter has a one-year old E-Machine that has a 3.5 so we could always copy to that and then to cd and then load to the new Dell, is that practical or is it difficult?

You could. When copying from CD to harddrive you might want to remember that the files are often changed to "read only." You may have to go into Windows Explorer and change their attributes. Not hard, but someone who knows how will probably have to walk you through it. BTW, Dell may offer the floppy as an add on. They are usually about $20.

My only problem with the low-end Dells (and Gateways, and Compaq/HP)is their proprietory video and audio set ups. Usually they are motherboard based (which means they eat up processor cycles and slow the machine down) and the video often "shares" memory with main system so instead of using all 256MB of RAM, you have available only 224MB because 32MB is "reserved" for video processing.

If you only use your computer for light word processing, e-mail, and web surfing, such an entry level machine will probably be adequate. As I advise my clients, figure out what you are truly willing to spend, and then find a reputable dealer that will give you most for your money. I find that more people under-buy (spend too little) and then complain that their computer is too slow or underpowered. BTW, the "sweet spot" in computers where dollar/power are balanced is in the $1000 - $1200 range. Under that price point you are making compromises (weak monitor, integrated video/audio, too little memory) and over it you may be paying for things you don't need (are you really going to burn DVD's?).

Just my two cents...

[crv16]

Dells are great - I have FIVE of them - two at work, and three at home. Hang out at places like http://www.bensbargains.net, http://www.fatwallet.com and http://www.techbargains.com. They post specials, and ways to find the best deals for a new or refurbished Dell.

Sure, some people will have problems, as will any computer manufacturer. As I recall from a recent Consumers Report review, Dell was #2 as far as reliability was concerned, with Apple being #1. But a comparable Apple is twice the price, so don't bother.

I bought a Dimension 4550 P4 2.4, with 60gig Hard Drive, cd burner and Flat panel LCD monitor a year ago for $600. This past summer, I bought a refurb Dimension 2350 for my daughter for $240, and just a couple weeks ago bought a refurb Dimension 2400 for $220. All were with free shipping. Dell offers some incredible deals if you're willing to be patient, and know where to look!

[Rander7]

We also got a Dell 4550 last Christmas, and love it! My husband has his own company, and he's getting a new Dell this week! We recommend them highly!