HP or Dell?

[Grounded Vertigo]

Tweet

Just about to buy a new desktop. I have two models in mind with very similar spec. One is a Dell, one is a HP.

Now I'm tending towards the HP but at the same time I've had Dells for a while and so am having trouble deciding which way to go.

Anyone used either / both and felt one was better than the other?

Oh and anyone got any recommendations for a wireless router. I've gone a bit over budget with the computer budget so looking for an amazing router at a nice low price...
seriously I'm not looking to spend a fortune on it but at the same time don't want to compromise on quality so open to anything.

[wwwb]

whatever you do- don't get Windows Vista coz it's awful, regardless of the PC make.

I know 3 peeps who have recently bought new PCs all with Vista- a Dell, Philips and HP. The HP is the least bad; the Philips owner, well the language coming out of his office is, lets just say "interesting" and I don't know how the Dell one is getting on coz her email client packed up after 2 weeks and hasn't worked since.

Vista crashes, shuts down for configuration with no warning and doesn't get on with any other applications in your pc- its like the office bod that sits on the phone all day then gets promoted over everyone else

Jude

[Grounded Vertigo]

Thanks Jude. Windows Vista seems to be with everything these days and I've been trying hard to find something without. I know Dell are offering XP instead of Vista which is slightly swaying them my way however I did have an XP disc somewhere so I might take the risk with the HP and hope I can find the disc (and it works) and change the operating system...

[deadgoodundies]

I vote Dell all the way.
All our PC's are dell in the office, and i've got two dells a Dell XPS laptop and a inspiron laptop at home. Only problem I had was with the Inspiron where the internal clock started losing time , reported it to dell and they sent a technician out the next day and changed the motherboard - found out later it was a problem with VISTA itself.

I 2nd don't get vista all it does is get on your nerves asking for admin rights all the time and it's no better than XP just looks prettier.

[mrjibbles]

Dell definatly here

IT engineer and i stay clear of HP and Packard Bell to

Got a Dell laptop a few weeks ago and it flies. As for Vista, not had a single problem so I can't agree with the first reply. Yeah if you play games it can be a pain but for normal applications, can't fault it. I actually really like it now, took a few days of getting used to but i use XP at work and prefere Vista.

Rob

[Grounded Vertigo]

Okay swinging back to Dell now! It is a bit cheaper than the HP, I think I was just swung by the sharper look of the HP (typical woman!)

I'll give myself the weekend to make a final decision but I think you're find me typing away on a speedy Dell desktop as opposed to my antique Sony laptop.

[Ian Cunningham]

Another vote for Dell here. Not had any major problems with any of the systems I've bought (lots!) - any minor problem was sorted out asap which was re-assuring (i.e, faulty keyboard - new one arrived next day).

[breathe]

This is a vote for HP, I just brought a HP Laptop and it's very good. Vista is not too good and I have only had one problem, Uninstalling Office 2007 it did it ok just took a long time. Anyway every version of windows has it's problems until the first service pack. HP do work closely with Mircosoft and I think that is why I don't have many problems with Vista. Also HP test their kit heavily, and Dell offer the very latest technology in their PC's, so not much time for testing.

[andysears]

Dell here too, our HP's under perform, are ugly and new ones cost too much.

[Grounded Vertigo]

Good to hear a vote for HP! Dell seems like the safest version but then I am a bit of a risk taker and do love the look of the HP. I didn't know that HP had such a close working relationship with Microsoft which is reassuring. I've also emailed the customer support of HP with a few questions relating to the desktop I'm looking at, once I have those answers I hope to be able to make the decision finally.

I agree with you Andy about the new HPs being expensive, I'm actually only considering it because it's on special offer and currently beats the Dell for price concerning the features I want and the memory etc..

[renegade]

Apple make nice desktop PCs too and the all in one design means more leg room under the desk. OS X Leopard is a dreamy front end and you can still run pretty much all your PC software. They're also fast, reliable, well made, easy to use, productive, environmentally friendly, affordable and fun.

[maranda]

I'm looking into getting a notebook myself, and it seems that everyone I've asked has said the same: Dell is best.

HP doesn't seem to be as good quality. I did some investigating, and I'm not impressed. So, seems like Dell is the way to go. Does anyone have any other suggestions on how to rid ourselves of any Vista connection?

[ogopogo]

I have a fairly new Dell desktop with Vista - total mare of the night variety.
For a long time it would take several attempts to turn it on and get anything displayed on the dell monitor... display driver failures etc. Urgh.

I use it mainly for photo editing, and it has a very annoying habit of forgetting how to display thumbnails of my pictures

Try and get one with XP.

Still, the dual core is fab.

[Josh-A]

Here's another vote for Dell. We have Dell PC's in office and I've got Dell laptop at home. It's really nice and there is not any problem with it.

[km8]

... but then I am a bit of a risk taker ...

Clearly what you need is a HP running Vista - double the risk for just a little more money.

Personally, I prefer to get some work done when I'm working and drive a speedboat when I want an adrenaline rush.