[NTLUG:Discuss] OT Server Recommendation

[kdj1@ticnet.com]

I never had a Dell, so I can't comment there, but I do have a Compaq 
Presario desktop and I'll never again buy Compaq.  I have never had 
lower level of ignorant and incompetant customer service.  For myself, a 
box is a box.  I'm not a high end user; it's just a tool for me.  ...but 
I do expect customer service to know what a driver is and where to find 
them for the OEM peripherals in their fresh, new PC that I just bought.  
Compaq didn't.  And they'll never see another dime of my money.  If I 
had wanted to spend the time chasing it down myself, I would have just 
built a box.  Instead, I paid a premium and still had the legwork to do.

Dan

Kenneth Loafman wrote:

> I second that.  At work we get all of our lap/desktops from Dell, and 
> are starting to get servers there as well.  Solidly built and with the 
> 24/7 3-year service plan for not much more, it really pays off in lack 
> of hassle.  Our custom built servers are probably going to be replaced 
> by Dell, as long as we can get Linux on the servers.
>
> I do hate paying the Microsoft tax for the systems that run Linux, but 
> that's the way the market is running at the moment.  Maybe I'll just 
> take the extra stuff down to 1st Saturday.
>
> ...Ken
>
>
> Steve Southwell wrote:
>
>> Disclaimer:  I'm a programmer, not a hardware guy..  Take this for 
>> what it's worth...
>>
>> The system you point out looks nice, but it doesn't mention hardware 
>> RAID.  Seems to me like you'd want at least 4 drives so you could 
>> have RAID 1/0.  If you're going to be getting your own T-1, then 
>> presumably your rack space is not at a premium.
>> I've ordered quite a few servers and notebooks from Dell, and have 
>> never yet failed to be impressed with the product and  their ease of 
>> ordering, friendly and accomodating (if you know what I mean) sales 
>> folks, speedy delivery (1 - 2 days most cases) and quick 
>> knowledgeable support.  I know they've recently been slammed about 
>> farming out some of their support to India, but I've yet to encounter 
>> a support rep that couldn't quickly grasp the problem and resolve it 
>> to my satisfaction.  In fact, I've seen them even extend warranty to 
>> parts that I bought on Ebay.
>>
>> The one thing I'll never do again is go down to the neighborhood 
>> computer store and have them build me one.  What you save in price, 
>> you lose in hassle and durability.
>>
>> FWIW, I'm not affiliated with Dell, just a fan.  And I'd definitely 
>> like to hear some other opinions, since I haven't yet utilized the 
>> other popular vendors.
>