US Mail Order Electronics

[Dyze]

Could you give me some advice on where I should get a PC from? Is there an American company that is known for best prices, quality and reliability?
I heard about tigerdirect.com, what do you think about them?
Did anyone ever order any DELL stuff? Opinions?
Or is there really no way to make good deals over the internet and I should go to my local dealer or WalMart?

Btw, I´m not talking about Ebay or something, I won´t have the time to go through thousands of offers or assemble my machine myself. (ha, triple aliteration!)

[bltzkriegmcanon]

Well, tigerdirect.com is just a collective site for different computer companies, just like pricewatch.com is a collective site for different parts manufacturers, so you technically won't be ordering from anything from that site, persay. Personally, I wouldn't waste the money on a Dell, especially when you can put a computer together yourself for a good bit less than ordering it from another company. Personally, I would NEVER buy a computer from any store, ever. They suck. They come with shit tons of bloat/mal/spywares, crap programs that companies who have software deals with computer producers like Dell, HP, Sony and Gateway to distribute on computers they sell. Second of all, most pre-assembled computers have little to no expansion capabilities. You're mostly stuck with what the company gave you, as far as video card (if even capable of having an AGP-based card), HDD, and Processor. There's usually a little bit of room for expansion on these parts, you can add more RAM, but not much, you might be able to tack on maybe one or 2 hard drives, but don't count on it, the BIOS for most pre-built PCs sucks for changing any settings (i.e. Boot order, FSB, RAM timings). Thirdly, most store-bought computers don't come with an OEM version of XP, so reformatting is pretty much out of the question without ordering one from the particular company who you bought the computer from.
That being said, I've had plenty of friends who've ordered computers from Dell. They're probably gonna be the best value for your dollar. Gateway's are decent. I've owned a pair of them, and for a pre-built PC, they're ok.

My advice is, take the time to build a PC of your own. You can save shittons of cash by doing it yourself, and normally get far superior perfomance when compared with the shitcans that you'll find at a store.

EDIT: WOOT! 1000 posts!!!

[theburner]

Dyze..

I agree 100% with Blitz.. Not the first time!

Build your own. Read, and ask questions here.. You will learn a ton, have some fun and get a better computer for cheaper.

www.zipzoomfly.com
www.plycon.com
www.newegg.com

I have bought from all of these places, and have been happy.

[Dyze]

Ok, thank you very much for the advice, building my own one has become an option.
But still, I will only stay in the US for ´bout a year and I want to sell the machine afterwards. Actually I don´t want to spend too much time looking for parts and I won´t need a high-end PC. Since Doom 3 will (MUAHAHAHA) be released why I´m in the US, having a powerful machine will almost definitely affect my studies...
Anyway, though it costs more, has less options and performance, where should I get one of those shitcans from?

[theburner]

The only "stock" computer I have bought in the last 2 years was a Dell. I would recommend them above any other out there.

I wouldn't buy an HP, I wouldn't buy a Compaq. Emachines, out of the question, as well as Gateway.

If you want to spend more than a Dell, look at Alienware.

[yakimushi]

Uhhh... why not just get a laptop and take it with you when you leave?

Sager and Alienware, and even Dell all make laptops that will play Doom 3, albeit with lower detail settings.

[Fearless_Hyena]

I am a loyal customer to:
www.newegg.com
www.tcwo.com

The lowest prices and the best service. I am not affiliated with either company but I have been buying from both for about 4-5 years.

[merkerguitars]

If you want a nice reliable pc i'll sell you one... I make about 5 computers a month