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