Here We Go Again....... but this time, it's all good
Written: Sep 13 '00 (Updated Oct 22 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fast, reliable, great company
Cons: Installing DSL was difficult.
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| KatScarlett's Full Review: Dell Dimension 4100 Series |
Here we go again. I wrote an opinion on the Dell 4100 system series (http://www.epinions.com/./cmd-review-4C7-8B3CB37-397DB6AC-prod1) a few months back shortly after getting mine. If you’d like to read the review, please do, some of the points from that opinion still stand true for this one.
I wrote in my last review that I was having some problems with my new Dell system, and oh boy was I. I really wanted to love my new computer, but the truth is that the more time that passed the more obvious it became that my new system was a “lemon”, as someone at Dell referred to it even. After talking with Dell every single day for nearly a month, I finally threw my hands up in the air and in unparalleled frustration gave up. I’m a “power user” as I read someone else here say, and I admit it, I expect a lot from a system. I expect a lot, and if I pay for it, I expect to get just that. I give the people at Dell credit, they really tried to help me and some days would literally spend hours with me on the phone pouring over my computer trying to figure out what the hitch in the giddy-up was. Still, it had to go back. Dell was very gracious about it, they didn’t give me a hard time in the least when I called saying I wanted to send it back, they sent me, overnight, prepaid shipping labels and it was simple to return. I packed it up, put on the labels, called the 800 number I was given and someone came and picked it up. As soon as they received it at their warehouse my credit card was credited. Very reputable company.
So in the interim I needed a computer! I was disappointed in my Dell and seeing that Dell and Gateway always rated #1 and #2 for home computers, I decided to try my hand at a new Gateway. What a mistake that was. I ordered a Gateway, paid the same price I did for my Dell system, and it showed up on my doorstep. The same day I received I knew that it had to go back and that there was no way this computer was going to work out for me. From the moment I turned it on I had nothing but problems with it, it was a nightmare. The next day, after talking to Tech Support for hours and getting nowhere I asked for a supervisor and got a return authorization number. They then told me that return shipping would be my responsibility and that they wouldn’t refund my shipping charge to get it to me either. I was SO angry, but the problems with the Gateway are too numerous to go into now – that’s another review. (posted 10/22 : http://www.epinions.com/cmd-review-6EF0-22CF0D83-39F32A37-prod3)
Having had this experience I decided that while my Dell did indeed give me trouble, the Co., the people I dealt with, the tech support people were definitely worth investing a second chance in. So I called Dell back and ordered another system, again for the same price +/-, customized to my specific needs. My salesperson was very nice, cordial, patient, and had a great sense of humor (something important to me). Hence, system number two from Dell, I was biting my nails to the quick.
One “problem” I had is that my computer shipped about a week LATER than the date I had been told due to a hardware shortage at the factory, but these things happen and life moves on. It was hard waiting, but oh well.
My new system got here only days ago, and I must say that I am thrilled beyond belief with it! All the problems I had with my original system are non-existent. I haven’t had a single problem with this machine since it got here, and I have indeed put it through its paces installing new hardware, software, doing downloads, installing programs and on and on. I have installed, upgrade, uploaded, integrated – and all other kinds of unmentionable computer type things, and this machine has taken everything I’ve handed out and come out smiling. I’m really impressed!
My system particulars are: Pentium III, 933 MgH, 384 MB RAM, 12X variable DVD ROM drive, CD-RW, turtle beach premium sound card, GeForce2 graphics card. With a system speed of 933 or higher Dell was having a special that you got a free CD-RW. The CD-RW I got is a 32/8/4 X’s speed. Not top of the line, but definitely not bad at all – and FREE is good. I also got a free scanner, also not top of the line, but not bad in addition to a year of AOL. The short of it is, I’m pleased. I’m REALLY REALLY pleased and this is a first for me with a new computer.
The only problem I have encountered thus far was trying to install my internal DSL modem. Dell’s are very particular about what slots you put things in. Don’t know why, can’t figure it out for the life of me, but I had this same problem with my last Dell. It took me three tries, but in the third slot we had a winner and now the DSL is up and running, fast and problem free. The first two slots the machine was giving me strange reaction. The first time every time I tried to log on my system would freeze temporarily, my cursor would disappear and I’d have to reboot. Very weird. I talked to DSL tech support about it and they couldn’t figure it out either. In slot #2 I just couldn’t get it installed properly. It just wouldn’t install. So I gave up that and tried slot #3. Viola! So it was a pain, but eh, that’s life. It works now and that’s what counts.
In the end what counts is that this computer is fast, reliable (hasn’t crashed on me even once yet), and my satisfaction with the Dell Corporation is enormous. If all goes as smoothly as it has thus far, I’m sure that I will be buying myself another Dell sometime in the future when the time comes again.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2200
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: 801-900
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 41-50
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Epinions.com ID:
KatScarlett
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Member: Patti
Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 13 members
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