Youngest & I both have HPs and we have no complaints. In fact, the netbook I bought is a Compaq (also HP). My eldest has a Toshiba, and he likewise has no complaints. I would buy either brand again in a heartbeat. They are the two brands, after researching, that I had narrowed it down to.
Dell - I found owners either loved or hated them; there seemed to be no middle ground. If there was a problem, the people I spoke with said the service was lousy/time-consuming/not worth the hassle.
Acer - Another 50-50 verdict, but the opinions were more middle-of-the-road. Okay or mediocre, neither of which was a ringing endorsement, despite the good price.
The one time I had to go back to the store about my computer, the tech (under the table) brought my old (Averatec) back to life right away. No idea which option is better for support, though.
I second Sesheta_66: HP or Dell. They're like Honda engines: the good ones last forever and half a day, but the bad ones are bloody awful. I've never needed to use support staff for either my HP or my Dells, so I can't tell you one way or the other.
I do know that I had the option when I ordered my Dell from the factory to add various customizable hardware/drivers for special needs -- a slot to install a large secondary monitor, voice-activation software and a mike, what have you. If you order over the phone a salesperson would be able to help point you to what they're offering now.
I also know that Windows 7 is much smoother than Vista, so make sure to get that if you can't convince them to roll back to XP for you.
I had a dell - and I had to have someone out to service it three times within the first year. We ordered it from the company. Service was fairly helpful, I just hated the fact that I had to talk to them so much. Also, sometimes it was difficult to understand the service people because they are in another country. Oh - but while I was waiting on the phone to talk to the service people, there would be recorded messages telling me that - for a fee - Dell had a service where you could talk to someone in the countinental US. That just bugged me. I now have an Acer - so does my son. I've had it for over a year now, he's had his for two. We ordered them online from the company. We have both been very pleased with them. Neither of us have had a bit of trouble. I use mine for the things you specified, but I also play the occasional game. Well - that's my input. Good luck!
Comments 4
Dell - I found owners either loved or hated them; there seemed to be no middle ground. If there was a problem, the people I spoke with said the service was lousy/time-consuming/not worth the hassle.
Acer - Another 50-50 verdict, but the opinions were more middle-of-the-road. Okay or mediocre, neither of which was a ringing endorsement, despite the good price.
The one time I had to go back to the store about my computer, the tech (under the table) brought my old (Averatec) back to life right away. No idea which option is better for support, though.
Good luck!
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I do know that I had the option when I ordered my Dell from the factory to add various customizable hardware/drivers for special needs -- a slot to install a large secondary monitor, voice-activation software and a mike, what have you. If you order over the phone a salesperson would be able to help point you to what they're offering now.
I also know that Windows 7 is much smoother than Vista, so make sure to get that if you can't convince them to roll back to XP for you.
DragonLady
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I now have an Acer - so does my son. I've had it for over a year now, he's had his for two. We ordered them online from the company. We have both been very pleased with them. Neither of us have had a bit of trouble. I use mine for the things you specified, but I also play the occasional game.
Well - that's my input. Good luck!
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