Re: Dell vs. eMachines T6420

dakota7 wrote:

My one Windows computer is a Dell, now six years old. The whole setup including monitor cost around $1800 in early 2000 when we got it, and then I've since added a second hard drive, USB 2 ports, and a DVD writer drive (had to go to a new case), plus bumped the memory to 512 meg.

This computer works fine, except for doing things involving graphics (I'll occasionally do photo slide shows or very simple video editing). Highly-touted software like ProShow Gold just runs like sludge on this computer. Probably this is because I still have the original graphics card, plus the original 550 MHz CPU.

Money's tight and I don't really want to spend the $2000-3000 extra that I figure a decent PC would set me back. But then a friend mentioned the eMachines option.

A T6420 eMachine comes with a gig of memory, 200 gig HD, speedy graphics card, plenty of decent-sounding hardware, all for $550 right now after rebate.

How can they sell this machine for basically 70% less than what I'd expect to spend on a comparable Dell? I realize that it comes with Microsoft Works rather than Office, and I assume that there are several other shortcuts they took to get the cost down.

But can someone knowledgeable compare this computer - see more at http://emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=T6420 - vs. a comparable Dell? Is the eMachines model a good buy at $600? Is there room for more hardware in there if I want to configure it that way?

The eMachine looks VERY tempting. I'm just afraid it might look too tempting to be true.

You might also want to check out the Dell Outlet (refurbished) site. I've bought my last 2 Dell desktops (towers only, I was happy with my monitor & other peripherals - transferred the DVD burner from the old system, etc.) from that site (a Dim4550 in 03/03 and a Dim8400 in 03/05). You might need to be a little patient because their inventory is very volatile.
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