[Sleuth]

Hi all!
Just about every computer you see over here in the USA is a Dell (except the Apples). Are they just as common in Hong Kong and China?

[discobay]

In HK we don't get Dell computers on the "high street". It's direct sale only. Branded names are mostly HP/Compaq, IBM and Packard Bell. Notebooks have more brands. Most people tend to build their own.

[jimbo]

Yes Dell are pretty common but most locals build there own shuttles or use laptops etc as the room sizes in there apartments are pretty small thus trying to maximise space.

[Sleuth]

What about business use?

[Rawbanana]

Late reply but this is probably good information for lots of people anyways.

I've been ordering computers for my company in HK and started with local vendors. Then we found Dell and never switched back. The local stuff desktop and notebooks just don't compare. The quality of the cases, keyboards, ram, cpu, and everything are definately cheaper with Dell.

We haven't had any problems with Dell and the Dell's just plain run faster. To save money, the best way to go would be to order the Dell PC and get your Monitors and Windows Office/software at another vendor. All accessories like USB keys, printers, scanners etc... are cheaper if bought elsewhere. I go to Wanchai Computer center which is reasonably cheap and close to Central.

If you go with Dell, run this software to remove a lot of the spyware/adware installed and you will have a much faster running, booting, and more stable PC afterwards.

http://www.yorkspace.com/2006/04/38

Oh. And if you get a notebook, get the Dual Core CPUs. It is really MUCH faster and definately worth the extra money.

[KnowItAll]

rawbanana, I've taken back every bit of praise I had for Dell (been using them for over 7 or 8 years now, here in HK).

Have had nothign but problem with their lower / mid range products over the last year. One notebook and two desktops have broken down over the last year and I'm not a happy customer at all.

[discobay]

... the best way to go would be to order the Dell PC and get your Monitors and Windows Office/software at another vendor.

Can you elect to buy a Dell without Windows?

Oh. And if you get a notebook, get the Dual Core CPUs. It is really MUCH faster and definately worth the extra money.

Yes but your battery times will suffer. I guess it's a trade off with what you want. I like the new MacBooks.

[TaLL|dUdE]

the battery life for my previous pbook 15" / 17" is on par with my MBP 15" right now... so i don't think battery life is a big issue

oh and dell's aren't all that either. we've had shipments of new machines that are broken right out of the box. lol!
(e.g. LCD's don't work)

[Rawbanana]

knowitall:
I've had the desktops for almost 2 years now without any problems. Much more stable than the local crap for similar prices.

If you want a quality computer that lasts 7-8 years I can't imagine where you will go. Building your own is definately the fastest but with Moore's law, my bottom of the line Dell costs 1/3 my top of the line computer 4 years ago and is noticeably faster.

I'd probably plan on most computers having a part break down after 4 years or so. And you save so much on the Dell vs an IBM or something. You can afford to upgrade twice as often.

Our notebook has been fine. Even the one we bought 4 years ago and have dropped and is physically falling apart. But it still works and is so much cheaper... Hard to financially justify paying a lot more for more quality and marginal speed increase. Most of our stuff is used in the office though and not subject to a lot of abusive wear and tear.


Discobay:
I don't think you can elect to buy a Dell without windows. But I hear you can call and request a special order. That way they don't install anything for you... You probably still have to pay for windows though... Go check out their website. www.dell.com.hk

Batterylife is supposed to be better on a Dualcore than on a same Mhz Pentium M. Not sure about the speedstep models. ~4 hours is enough for most applications anyways...

[jayinhongkong]

I haven't had any problems with any Dells yet. My brother and sister both have Dell laptops that work flawlessly and I have a top of the line Dell E1705 (Dell Home Entertainment version - purchased in the US) that works absolutely flawlessly. I've had it for 3-4 months and I'm hoping I don't have the same experience KIA and Talldude have had....I've also owned two Dell desktops (a PIII 866 and a P4 2.4 Ghz) that both worked better than any other computers I've ever owned. Clones don't compare in terms of reliability and stability IMO.

BTW I love Core Duo but it definitely drains your battery quickly