PC Aid - Actual cost comparison between custom built and Dell

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Special Offers

- $8.95 Internet Access

- Antivirus installed at your home for only $55 dollars.

- Antivirus installed and updated for only $21.99 with any Off-Site service.

This is where we can compare the actual cost of a Name Brand system to one of our own systems. We will compare our Value Machine against Dell's heavily advertised Dimension 2400. They advertise it as the 499 computer after rebate.

First off, is this machine really $499 after rebates?
Yes it is, if you get the rebates and buy only when they offer the free shipping. Or you may get stuck with over $99 dollars for shipping.
Is it a good machine?
If you are looking for the cheapest computer, maybe. If you plan to upgrade later or customize it for more power and graphics, NO. For example, there is no AGP slot, so you can not easily upgrade the video card. You would need to buy a card with the older architecture of PCI, very rare now.
You get what you pay for!
There is no Floppy drive, only a 90 day subscription for antivirus, no AGP slot, Windows come with outdated drivers and patches (a big security risk), Dell standard parts (will be hard to find economicaly priced replacement parts, Dell support (good luck, take a day off work to call them and try to fix your problem).

Prices as of 12/04/2003
*Red - Better component compared to competator*

	PC Aid Value Machine	$976	Dell Dimension 2400	$499 ????
Motherboard:	Biostar M7NCG-400	Incl.	Dell brand (no AGP slot!)	Incl.
Processor:	AMD AthlonXP 2100+	Incl.	Intel Celeron 2.2 Ghz	Incl.
Memory:	Crucial 512 MB	Incl.	256 MB (w/free upgrade*)	Incl.
Video:	Onboard GeForce4 mx440	Incl.	Onboard Intel 3D extreme	Incl.
Hard Drive:	80 GB 7200RPM	Incl.	40 GB Value	Incl.
Floppy Drive:	Floppy Drive	Incl.	NO Floppy Drive	-
Optical Drive:	DVD-ROM/CD-RW	Incl.	CD-ROM	Incl.
OS:	Windows XP Home (updated!)	Incl.	Windows XP Home	Incl.
Mouse:	Microsoft Optical Mouse	Incl.	Dell Mouse (non-optical)	Incl.
Keyboard:	Standard Keyboard	Incl.	Standard Keyboard	Incl.
Modem:	56K v.92	Incl.	56K	Incl.
Monitor:	17" Viewsonic	Incl.	17" standard dell CRT	Incl.
Speakers:	Stereo Speakers	Incl.	Stereo Speakers	Incl.
Sound:	Onboard 5.1 sound	Incl.	Onboard AC'97 sound	Incl.
Cooling:	2 extra case fans	Incl.	No extra fans	-
Antivirus:	McAfee Antivirus 1yr updates	Incl.	Norton Antivirus 90-day trial	Incl.
Support:	1 year parts/labor by PC Aid!	Incl.	1 year through Dell and 3rd party	Incl.

Now lets make the Dell comparable to our Value Machin. (remember: our system is built for performance and value)			Upgrades needed:	Add to cost.
			Additional memory, for total of 512 MB	$150
			80 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive	$50
			Add Floppy Drive	$20
			Upgrade to DVD/CD-RW Drive	$89
			Upgrade to Optical Mouse	$30
			1 year of Anti-Virus updates (very important to keep computer safe)	$45
			Home Installation	$119
You may find special for free shipping, but be careful they like to take it away every so often.			Shipping**	$99

		To match our Value Machine, your cost for the Dell Dimension 2400 would be:		$1101

As you can see that special Dell is offering is just a gimmick to get you to their website. You may be thinking that you do not need a very powerful system and that you don't want to spend to much. The lower end Dell's are very affordable, but they are not a good value for most of the computer buyers out there. For a computer to give you good value it has to give you good performance, upgradability, quality, and a good initial cost. This will ensure that you will not have to buy a new computer or upgrade heavily in the near future (within 1-2 years).

Let's assume you do go for the Dell, all you need is internet access and you have two boys that are 12 and 9 respectively. That Dell might be right for you. But in a year or two, your older boy will buy a game that he saw at his friends. Guess what, his affordable Dell will not be able to handle the graphics, or do a poor job at it. Furthermore, you will not be able to upgrade the video since the Dell motherboard has no AGP slot. Either you pay somebody to change out the guts of the computer or buy a new one (just don't make the same mistake twice and buy another cheap system). Turns out that your Dell has not given you the value which you deserve and expected. Buyer beware, that's the saying that fits the computer industry.

Our goal is to offer a great service with a great price for Orange County computer owners and soon to be owners. PC Aid is dedicated to helping anyone who needs their computer repaired or is looking to buy a brand new system. We will evaluate what you need and will need in the future, giving you the best value for today and tomorrow. Our systems our built by PC Aid and serviced by PC Aid. We stand behind our products and services.

Let us build you a great system for an equal or even lower price compared to National Brand systems. But even if you decide to go with a National Brand, please let us provide you with our service. We can do setups, training, repairs and upgrades for home users and small businesses. If the Nation Brand lets you down in terms of performance and/or service, we can step in and help.