Why buy "Name branded" notebooks? - Page 2

"They are jacking up prices way too much. I got an MSI 1029 for 1250 while Acer is selling thier Ferrari's at 2000 with almost exactly the same specs."

Put the z70v next to an inspiron 1100 in real life and you 100% guarantee notice that the z70v is superior in looks and worth every extra dollar. At least I do.

General public can be lazy and will go with names they recognize.

With that said, I'm prefectly happy w/ my i6000d, specs and cost in sig

Dell has three things going for them.

1) Name recognition
2) Cheap prices
3) Name recognition & cheap prices

Seriously, that's about the size of it. Everybody has to start somewhere when they get into computers. Very few people build their own first computer, so they look for a pre-built computer from a company they've heard of. Back in the mid 90s, it was IBM. Now it's Dell. Most people out to buy a computer probably have never heard of ASUS, MSI, or Acer. They don't know the difference between Corsair RAM and crappy generic RAM. All they know is Dells (for the most part) work, they recognize the name, and it's super cheap.

Dells may be (well, they are) made from cheap components, but they aren't so cheap that they crap out instantly. In fact, I still have a old 700MHz P3 Dell sitting in my closet from 6 years ago that is going as strong as ever. As long as Dell can keep that up, the average Joe isn't going to care if it's Generic Brand motherboard, or a DFI/Asus/Abit motherboard.

Like I said, everyone has to start somewhere in the computer world. My first PC (not my parents, MINE) was when I was about 11 and was a Compaq. Then about 3 years later I got a Dell. The next 2 computers after that, I bought the parts myself and built the machines. Next I'll be putting together my own laptop. I think my progression in computers is pretty much the norm. So just because people are buying Dells now doesn't mean they won't learn from their mistakes in the future.

Dell = XPS 2 = at the time - only Geforce Go Ultra 6800

That's why I went Dell. No problems so far except an easily fixable keyboard that had popping keys. Display is GORGEOUS, one of the best I've ever seen, my LG is very close to Sony. The system runs wonderfully, stays cool for a gaming laptop and is very portable. I don't even mind carrying it around all day now.

I couldn't be happier with this computer.

I believe people will buy "known brand" computers for two reasons:

- In the desktop world they buy from them because they don't trust those small computer stores selling pre-built ones (people that will buy the components, build and sell). So, they buy from Dell, Sony and many others... Like someone said above, they know the manufacturer won't disappear in one year when they paid for a 3 year warranty. They feel safe. They pay more so they don't have to worry about anything. That is not true, sometimes, but many times, it is. They can just go to "futureshop" and "bitch" . Problem solved. Easier than perform some painful searches on the oracle (like I've read here) to get their problems solved. Btw, this happens in lots of places. I believe this may be the main reason why people don't try Linux, for an example. Windows hangs, crashes, but it's nothing that a reboot won't solve (and that changed a lot with xp).

- In the notebook world, they will buy from known brands just because they don't know that there are stores selling models at half the price of the X that is twice as better or so. Believe me, they don't know. I didn't know that until I stumbled upon a magazine that I've found in a waiting room of some place (don't remember now). It had ads for ibuypower and/or cyberpower (don't remember)... That happened in early 2004. I was surprised with the specs and the prices. I started searching google and found notebookreview and, finally, notebookforums, with its huge knowledge on notebooks.

@CryHavoc: I can see that you have a 10" dobsonian, or was it just a joke? Well, I have an 8" GEM from Orion, too. Right Ascension motor drive, ultrascopic barlow... but no meade plossl series... only orion normal plossls (25, 10 and 6.3mm)... God Save The Geekdom! :P

What is this, a fashion show?

M.

The 9300 was at the time, the best price/performance ratio. May still be, I stopped keeping up.

Name-branded (HP) for excellent warranty and service (in my region). And of course, excellent design and build quality. I pay gladly 50% extra for those, as I can't stand bad quality, bad service, or bad warranties.

That, of course, is opinion and we all have one of those. I've seen Asus and while it's a nice computer I'll continue to buy Dells for the superb service, I just can't imagine mailing my computer off somewhere do get it worked on!

Do you have some sort of proof an asus is a better quality computer than a Dell? I'd really like to see it.

For me, it's all about the service. The small companies don't come to my house and replace my display if I have a few bad pixels, Dell does. For just a few bucks, I have three year at home service for anything that breaks on the computer, drives, display, MB, you name it.

My 1.6 developed a few bad pixels over a weekend in August, I used Dell chat on Monday morning at 9:30 and by 2 PM Tuesday, I had a new display installed at my dining room table. Guess what, 2 years and three months from now, they'll do it again if I need it.




BTW, most companies won't replace the monitor over a few dead pixels.

Are you dumb? Your argument makes no sense. I'm surprised that after 3 pages of posts, nobody realized that. The base version of that Asus sucks. By the time you get the components to the same level as the 700m you posted, the Asus stands at $1358, vs the Dell at $1479. Then, you have to calculate for the battery. The Asus comes with a 3-cell battery, whereas the Dell comes with an 8-cell. That's a hundred dollar difference. Actually, if you want to buy the extended battery from Asus, you have to pay $115. So, that knocks the Asus up to $1473. That's a $6 difference. Now, the Dell is a widescreen. I, and many other people, would gladly pay well over $6 more for a widscreen instead of a 4:3 aspect screen.

Next time, if you're going to try to doubt people that buy costlier notebooks, at least try to use two examples that actually have a significant difference in cost.

Edit: I guess the times are still screwed up. My post was supposed to go after Kramer83's.

Cuz nobody in their right price buys dell at regular price.

Rock on, brother astronomer! It's for real, and I was wondering when someone was going to speak up on these forums!

If you've got a nice scope like that, you definitely need some better eyepieces to take advantage of it. You can actually find some high quality eyepieces for around $40 a piece. Have you been to Cloudy Nights Forums? They're the most helpful bunch there I've ever encountered on an internet forum.

Do you take astrophotos yet? If so I'd love to see them. Mine being a dobs it's not so easy

That's your proof? You've *seen* them? Well, I've *seen* an Asus but I'll still take the Dell because it's a superb computer and they come to my house to fix stuff if I need them to.

I've never used an Asus, MSI or any of those brands. Neither I've assembled whitebooks.

When you buy a desktop PC you really don't care whether the case is strong or weak, it simply stays there all the time.
Well, when we talk about notebooks it's different. Warranty becomes more important, and the case must be strong enough to provide portability over many years.

Nowadays things are changing. If you have a specific issue you go and buy the failing device, issue solved.
Then, you can always get the latest technology if you buy things seperately, whereas in branded notebooks you can't.

I as a costumer will wait and see what happens. It's a matter of time to see how these new players will provide there technology, and how reliable they are.

i had a dell 6000 and returned it for an msi 1029 barebook that i put together my self. i never really felt that the dell was mine. i felt it still belonged to dell because they put it together and they had it just the way they wanted it. after throwing together my msi, as little work as it was, it still made me feel like it was mine. i recamend people who are comfortable working with desktop hardware do the same.

I have seen an Asus Z70 that my friend bought. Died immediately and had to be replaced. Side by side I used a D810 at work. D810 is definitely not built worse than the Z70v. Ok the Z70v is sleeker but thats about it. The D810 runs cooler and quieter and is excellent as a business laptop. Dell's latitude and Precision lines compare very favourably to any other brand. Even the higher end inspirons are good. And most of the sleek looking Asus laptops (W3v Z70va M6v etc) suffer from heat issues. Also for business use it is essential that telephone support is available 7 days a week, something that Asus retailers cannot provide.

Asus doesn't come with cool lights. End of argument!