Re: Dell versus Asus?

HarryKrause wrote: 
Patrick L. Parks wrote:

HarryKrause wrote:

Here's something to ponder:

I've been considering an XPS Gen 5.

Now I've found a reliable box builder offering up a computer with
very similar features and capabilities, but built on an Asus P5WD2
Premium motherboard. This is one of Asus' top of the line "dual core"
motherboards, built around the Intel chipset and with a number of features NOT found on the "Dell" motherboards (and I have no idea who is making the Dell motherboards these days).

The prices are about the same, maybe $100 different for very similarly equipped units, and this includes Dell's current steep discount on the XPS 5. But the non-Dell machine has a steel and aluminum Coolermaster case, a 550-watt power supply, a three-year warranty (without having a call sent off to a call center in India), and includes a full retail box version of your choice of Windoze operating system.

I've had Asus-based machines before. In fact, I am using one now.

Advice?



Generally speaking, I think that Dell overprices the XPS systems. They are getting the premium from gamers that are willing to pay the extras for small increases in benchmark scoring.

Asus is my favorite motherboard and always has been. In my opinion, you really can't to wrong with an Asus.

Power supplies are tricky. Most people tend to overlook the "quality" of the power supply and look at the wattage. People do the same thing with stereo/home theater equipment as well. 100 watts per channel must be better than 70 watts per channel, right? Just be sure that the custom built system has a "quiet" and "reliable" power supply. Just because it claims 550 watts, doesn't mean it performs as well. Technically speaking, Dell always underrates their power supplies. My Dimension 4550 has a 250 watt power supply, but this thing could supply 250 watts in the arizona desert while under water. They were extremely conservative with the power ratings.

How can you be sure that the system support will actually be there in 3 years? You might not be calling India today, but you might start tomorrow.

In my opinion, I would much rather get the OEM version of Windows XP Pro from Dell versus the full retail. You want to know why? Because I do NOT have to activate the damn thing. I format and reload very often (I play with Linux very heavily and change hardware very often). The activation process of the XP Retail copy is just an absolute drag. ANybody who has actually gone through it will agree with me.

Just my $0.02.



Where do you log on for your OS fixes and upgrades if you don't activate? Dell?


You don't have to activate, that is what I am saying. It is already activated. You install the OS with the cd provided by Dell, click on Windows update and it just works. Absolutely 0 activation.

.

Relevant Pages

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