Computer Manufacturer Customer Service

I am interested to see if anyone has had personal experience with any of these computer manufacturers (primarily customer service, but also experience with the product if you have one):

Asus
Acer
HP

I've noticed on newegg that they all get good ratings for their laptops/pcs. I have always bought from Dell, but I'm not sure I'm going to go with them again.

I'm not getting anything right at this exact moment, but I do need to start thinking about a new basic desktop, and am probably going to be in need of a new laptop since apparantly my 2-3 yr old Dell has a bad video card that keeps causing a bsod.

 

Hi Laura

I have had great customer service from the Compaq side of the HP company and ACER as I have a laptop from both of them, have had no issues with build quality and x-fingers both are working fine since the day I bought them Compaq is 3yrs old and ACER is near 2yrs old.

Only times I have contacted both where for software support and updates that where not listed on main DL site.

If going laptop then make sure you get an ATi or Nvidia dedicated card if you can and stear clear of Intel GFX, so as it doesnt use the main systems ram. ACER have some really good pc specs for your $$$ these days. Personally I would buy another ACER as I have a core2duo one and bought one last xmas for my neices, which knowing kids ( 9 and 6 yrs old ) you need a bomb proof PC, had no issues at all and no callouts to repair or re-install it..... which is suprising!

 

Thanks David

I'm kind of gun shy with Dell and nvidia in a laptop. The laptop I have now is very high end (or was 2 1/2 years ago). Turns out, after trying to figure out what the heck was causing my blue screens, I did some research and found that a ton of people are having problems with the nvidia card that is in this particular laptop. It can be replaced for a mere $400-$500 (usually for a refurbished card) rolleyes. Sadly, this has soured me to Dell even though my desktop is about 6 or 7 yrs old with no problems and kids on it all the time (it's slooooow though).


So you would recommend Compaq over a regular HP? And Acer over Asus?

 

Hi Laura

Think either HP or Compaq are ok, even though their are age old jokes on Compaq, these days the build quality is better, but my personal fav is ACER out of all the ones you mentioned, I truely would buy another of their laptops and as I'm a fussy bugger when it comes to tech.

ATi graphics are good in laptops and they also seem to have the edge on Nvidia in the driver area of late.


Desktops are another matter and I woudl never buy OEM, much prefer to build my own.

 

Ugh...doesn't make me feel any better about nVidia.


@Rog...thanks...that's exactly the type of thing I'm interested in. Who responds After you've bought one and something goes wrong.

 

Self building is not really an option for me. There was a discussion a while back and I was pretty much talked out of it. haha...didn't take much which means it was probably never right for me. :-D I may actually stick with Dell for the desktop.



Does anyone own a laptop with a higher end video card in it that has Not had problems? I wondering if going back to what Halo said I should stick with ATi rather than nVidia.

 

My main laptop ( the ACER one ) has an Nvidia dedicated card Go7300 ( Go Series 7 and the 8M series are pretty good, but as I memtioned in early post, do get dedicated ram over shared ) in it and its been fine, ACER are getting better in the build quality and latest versions look and feel good.

Going on Augies post above, our work PCs are Dells with Nvidia cards FX5200s iirc, and out of the 5 in my office 4 have been changed, with one changed twice, I have a feeling that Dell are spec'ing cards from Nvidia so these are not retail solutions, hence they are failing more, PSUs also seem to be a failure point in Dells I've noticed with 3 of the 5 having new PSUs and one with a motherboard, not looking good really for Dell ( PCs are 3yrs old and we do have Dell Gold Support which is superb I have to say, but you do pay for this service which is engineer out next day )

 

Thanks! I'll look into Fujitsu also.

I found that with my current laptop (the one with the bad nVidia card). Any gaming, and it ran really hot. I'm thinking that may be with any laptop though???

In my research into my own problem, I actually saw that story augie. They should absolutely be held responsible.

This is exactly the type of info I'm looking for. Thanks again. It's interesting you mention your feeling that Dell is spec'ing their cards because mine is only available through Dell if I want to change it out to get a new one. The drivers were only ever available through Dell also.


Thanks everyone!