Dell - A cautionary tale

[Memn]

I'm with Sarduci,

The problem you are complaining about isn't a Dell problem, its a "packaged PC" problem. I build all my own personal machines. For work, I order custom spec'd machines from Dell. I used to only buy Compaq's, but they haven't been the same since they were bought by HP.

BTW - comparing an e-machines to a Dell is like comparing a brain cancer to a cold. Just say no to e-machines!

[Maz]

@OP -You're complaining about your Geo Metro not being able to keep pace with my Ford Mustang at the race track. Your "damn cheap" solution is exactly what you paid for.

Don't get me wrong, I still feel the Dell was excellent value for money and I'd still buy them but I've learned something about them which I'll remember in the future.

The Dell came with a leaflet explaining how to fit a graphics card, install memory, and replace the CPU. What it didn't come with is a list of supported processors or more importantly a list of unsupported processors. Dell's BIOS updates do not have release notes beyond "Added support for new Intel processors". Dell lead you to believe that you can perform a variety of upgrades without making clear the exceptions.

It's a gotcha and I got got. The point of the post is not to complain but to help others avoid my mistake.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Caveat Emptor.

If you buy a Dell, HP, Gateway, etc., expect to only be able to upgrade cards that go in the expansion slots and then only to the specific models supported by (and usually available from) the OEMs for that model. The only way you guarantee upgrade compatibility is building your own.

Regarding the "de-populated" motherboards, this is NOT unique to Dell. All of the major OEMs build systems that cheap because they ALL de-feature the boards to support only what the system specs say they support. Lite-on, Foxconn, Qanta, etc. ALL of the major ODMs remove parts if it reduces costs. This should not be a surprise. It is MUCH more prevalent on the ultra-cheapie boxes but even the high-end systems from them are limited in what upgrades they support.

[Qlimax]

Random fyi semi related:

Dell is going to end the XPS line to promote Alienware sales (dell bought alien) so I wonder if alienware's going to be corrupted as much as the xps were. My dad just bought an xps for business work (nothing too fancy) and he hasnt had many problems, but what can you run into when checking email and surfing the web.

[Sarduci]

@OP -You're complaining about your Geo Metro not being able to keep pace with my Ford Mustang at the race track. Your "damn cheap" solution is exactly what you paid for.

Don't get me wrong, I still feel the Dell was excellent value for money and I'd still buy them but I've learned something about them which I'll remember in the future.

The Dell came with a leaflet explaining how to fit a graphics card, install memory, and replace the CPU. What it didn't come with is a list of supported processors or more importantly a list of unsupported processors. Dell's BIOS updates do not have release notes beyond "Added support for new Intel processors". Dell lead you to believe that you can perform a variety of upgrades without making clear the exceptions.

It's a gotcha and I got got. The point of the post is not to complain but to help others avoid my mistake.

Before ordering next time, give the folks at Dell a call. [img]../forum/images/smilies/thumbsup.png[/img] They'll be able to tell you what CPUs are supported 99% of the time unless you want to put in something that was way different than the stock family.

Sorry if it came off a bit harsh, it's just that it irks me sometimes that people are hard on a particular manufacturer (of anything) without understanding that it's a much bigger issue than the one brand. My Windows 2008 server running Hyper-V gets bashed all the time by people for being "bloated" but these same people go for the throat when I trash talk all of the memory leaks with Firefox that I don't seem to have in IE7..... (for the record, I'm all best tool for the job with anything computer related, but getting free stuff at road shows is good on the personal budget!)

[foops]

i have a dell also its a grate Pc can box 5 not tryed more only bad thing is lag (MEGA LAG) in the citys , went to buy a new Hdd and it wont fit so now i know why not to buy dell :O

[nogbog]

Your bad mouthing a company when you bought a cheap system?
Yeah it's true they cheap out with parts, but in return you get it for cheap.

Buy an XPS/Performance system (which costs more) and you will get what you paid for.

Also Dell allows you to custom build your computer, if you speak to sales support and tell them you specifically want some you can upgrade, you will get something you can upgrade.

[-silencer-]

First, unless it's RAM or a hard drive, don't bother upgrading most "brand-name" PCs. They use far too many proprietary components, mainly gimped motherboards and very specific (and weak) power supplies. *If* you must buy a fully-built PC, do it from someone who is essentially a home-builder-turned-business like Falcon Northwest. Alienware *used* to be this way, but not any more. If I ever chose to not build my own machine, I'd buy one of the Falcon Northwest machines over an XPS/Alienware any day. I don't want any proprietary parts in my box - I want to know that every piece in the machine is replaceable by someone outside of the place I bought it, so I don't get ripped off if I need to replace something, or if I want to upgrade, I don't run into compatibility problems.

[Sarduci]

Holy thread necro, but I'll bite.

You do know Alienware is owned by Dell, correct?

[Skuggomann]

Build your own, end of story.

QFT

You do know Alienware is owned by Dell, correct?

Alienware is awsum and you know it!