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Gizmobyte
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Brand names (Dell / HP / Compaq)
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Is technical support local?
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YES
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NO - technical support for brand names like Dell are
handled out of India call centers, or, third party support contracts.
Getting through to someone on the phone can take awhile, hold times are
long, and english is often hard to understand.
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Does the computer come with a Windows CD for reinstallation?
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YES
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NO - often required to create your own restore CD.
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Does the computer have all of the latest security updates
installed for Windows and MS Office (if installed)?
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YES
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NO - may be many months out-of-date which could allow the computer to be
infected, and, may require many hours of downloads if on a slow internet
connection.
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Does system use proprietary parts which can be more
expensive or hard to find?
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NO
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YES - cases / power supplies / motherboards are often non-standard, and next
to impossible to locate making repairs more expensive, if even possible.
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Does the computer include the ability to add in a faster
PCI-Express video card?
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YES
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MAYBE - the lower priced systems with built-in graphics often do not have an
expansion slot so adding in a faster gaming card is severly limited or
impossible.
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Is system preloaded with unnecessary software?
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NO
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YES - often included multiple trial software packages which hog system
resources.
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What costs may be involved if a computer fails during
warranty?
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None
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Shipping charges may apply to return defective computer to repair center.
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If Windows needs to be reinstalled due to corruption, is
the data recoverable?
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YES - charge may apply
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NO - call center support personnel's only option is to restore Windows and
over-write all data.
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How configurable can the system be?
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Any way needed!
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LIMITED - for instance, may not have any options for adding in a gaming video
card.
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Knowledgable Sales Staff
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YES
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MAYBE - Big box stores often hire inexperienced sales reps
that lack in-depth computer experience and often give poor or misguided
advise.
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