My advice, build your own; if you don't know how, have a computer-savvy friend do it for you. All top-tier OEMs use cheapest possible components in their systems - that includes Dell, HP, eMachines, etc. Some are worse than the others though, which is definitely the case with HP. If you absolutely must go with a brandname, get IBM - they do have a reasonably good track record.
Good quality prebuilt computers come from niche vendors such as Alienware and Falcon Northwest. They are, however, a good deal more expensive than top tier OEMs' offerings, both because of higher overhead involved in lower volume production and much higher standard of quality.
Still, the best way is to build your own. Antec Sonata or Compucase LX-6A19 case, Intel D875PBZ motherboard, Intel Pentium 4 2.8C, 2x512MB of Samsung DDR400 (PC3200) RAM, ATI Radeon 9200 if you're not into games, Radeon 9600 Pro or 9800 Pro (or an All-in-Wonder if you want integrated video in/video out/TV tuner/remote control) if you are, a Samsung or Seagate hard drive in the 120-160GB range, a DVD-ROM+CD-RW combo or DVD burner of your choice, and you're set.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2004-06-17 09:22 pm (UTC)Good quality prebuilt computers come from niche vendors such as Alienware and Falcon Northwest. They are, however, a good deal more expensive than top tier OEMs' offerings, both because of higher overhead involved in lower volume production and much higher standard of quality.
Still, the best way is to build your own. Antec Sonata or Compucase LX-6A19 case, Intel D875PBZ motherboard, Intel Pentium 4 2.8C, 2x512MB of Samsung DDR400 (PC3200) RAM, ATI Radeon 9200 if you're not into games, Radeon 9600 Pro or 9800 Pro (or an All-in-Wonder if you want integrated video in/video out/TV tuner/remote control) if you are, a Samsung or Seagate hard drive in the 120-160GB range, a DVD-ROM+CD-RW combo or DVD burner of your choice, and you're set.