So I think my computer's dying

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 4:58 pm

You stil have that Tokyo Breakfast show clip Dave?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 5:29 pm

probably heheh.

Post by **Jonathan** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 6:08 pm

So what are you going to buy?

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 6:42 pm

Whatever it was I posted before.

Came out to like $950 or something total after tax.

I have until the ship date to cancel so if they offer a better deal in the meantime I can change it.

Post by **Jonathan** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 8:53 pm

They're still out of 2.4 GHz @ 800 FSB, but you can get the 2.6 GHz @ 800 FSB with floppy and 512 MB RAM for
Dimension 4600
$1,167-$150
$1,017

ditch the floppy and it's under $1000. But whatever. I have 176000K memory used right now, with Powerpoint, Outlook, Mozilla, Excel, and Virus scan open. When I run Jedi Knight II, that goes up to 306000K used. It is extremely difficult to see any benefit from 1 GB of memory right now for games and desktop software. The exceptions are when you run programs on very large datasets on the order of 1 GB (see Vinny's post), which you don't claim to have. I guess in 2006 when Longhorn comes out, yeah, you're gonna need more memory, but why pay for it at today's prices? The extra 512 MB of RAM at Dell runs you $200, which is well over twice the price that you'd pay at, say, Newegg. A stick of 256 runs $45, so an extra 2x256 is only $90. A single stick of 512 MB is $85. That's for DDR400, both. The extra 512 from Dell is a clear and present ripoff.

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 11:51 pm

Easy solution, don't buy from Dell
(that entails building it yourself, BONUS!

)

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 4:01 pm

My criteria for buying were

A) Under $1000 including tax
B) I don't have to do a damn thing to make it work
C) See B
D) See C and B

Post by **Jonathan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 5:54 pm

so you're saying tax pushes the 800 FSB system over the magic $1000 amount?

Post by **Jonathan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 6:00 pm

Dell Dimension 4600 Series
Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.60GHz w/800MHz front side bus/ HT
Technology

SALE PRICE
$968.00
[save $150.00] $968.00
Buy Later
Delete Item
System Details

Sub-total $968.00
Shipping1 $99.00 Estimate Shipping and Tax
Shipping
Discount1 -$99.00
Tax1 $67.76
Total Price1 $1,035.76

Post by **Jonathan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 6:03 pm

That's with floppy. Ditch the stupid floppy and it's $1015.76 after tax. Boohoo. Pay the stupid $15 dollars.

Think of it this way: you pay less than 7% more for more than 10% performance. Any time you see that kind of relationship, you snap it up, because normally 10% performance costs you about 20% more money.

Post by **Jonathan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 6:04 pm

Either that, or pay $700 for a 533 system with a 9800, because that's what it's worth.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 7:04 pm

Well I called Dell to cancel, but the order had already gone to the shipper for delivery so the only way to cancel would be for me to refuse the item when it was delivered, and then they would refund my money.

I guess since they don't want to pay for that, they offered me $100 and a free printer to accept the order when it comes. Whatever, good enough for me, since my printer broke and I need a new one anyway.

Post by **Jonathan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 8:56 pm

Alan wrote:Well I called Dell to cancel, but the order had already gone to the shipper for delivery so the only way to cancel would be for me to refuse the item when it was delivered, and then they would refund my money.

I guess since they don't want to pay for that, they offered me $100 and a free printer to accept the order when it comes. Whatever, good enough for me, since my printer broke and I need a new one anyway.

Wait, are you saying that if you order a system from Dell, let the order drift through, and then try to cancel it, they'll give you a hundred bucks and a printer? Because that's what I just heard you say.

Post by **Jonathan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:02 pm

So the printer is worth maybe $40. So that's $850 that you paid for between $700-800 worth of computer, so that's not so terrible. Not a bargain, but at least you didn't get gypped.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:08 pm

Dwindlehop wrote:
Alan wrote:Well I called Dell to cancel, but the order had already gone to the shipper for delivery so the only way to cancel would be for me to refuse the item when it was delivered, and then they would refund my money.

I guess since they don't want to pay for that, they offered me $100 and a free printer to accept the order when it comes. Whatever, good enough for me, since my printer broke and I need a new one anyway.
Wait, are you saying that if you order a system from Dell, let the order drift through, and then try to cancel it, they'll give you a hundred bucks and a printer? Because that's what I just heard you say.

Yep, they let me choose between a digital camera and a printer. I already have a camera and my printer's broken, so I chose the printer, they gave me the A940:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/ ... r_a940.htm

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:10 pm

Hehe I shoulda demanded the laser printer:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/ ... _p1500.htm

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:16 pm

I had to use 30 minutes on my cell phone though.

That's okay, because I have 350 anytime minutes.

Plus 500 extra anytime minutes for whatever reason. Some kind of special offer I wasn't even aware of when I signed up for the deal.

I should call people for no reason, just because I have all the extra minutes that I'll never use.

Post by **Jonathan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:30 pm

Hey, a scanning printer. So, all in all, not bad.

You should learn many new techniques and then update your website.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:33 pm

Dwindlehop wrote:Hey, a scanning printer. So, all in all, not bad.

You should learn many new techniques and then update your website.

Yes, they rewarded me for being a bad customer.

Someday I'll upload my London trip pictures. And maybe add more crazy dreams. I haven't written many of them down so I've forgotten them though.

I'll have to brainstorm up a new section.

VLSmooth · Post by **VLSmooth** » Sat Aug 23, 2003 11:34 am

Alan wrote:I had to use 30 minutes on my cell phone though.

That's okay, because I have 350 anytime minutes.

Plus 500 extra anytime minutes for whatever reason. Some kind of special offer I wasn't even aware of when I signed up for the deal.

I should call people for no reason, just because I have all the extra minutes that I'll never use.

Hmm... same here with my ridiculous 600 minutes per month. Then again, this was the cheapest plan with free nights and weekends. It's still cheaper than the crazy verizon deal my apartment suggested for $50/month.