Calling All UK Windrivers

I'm looking to get my parents a computer for Christmas, as I'll be there to put it together and I'll need to do my Challenge Lawro scores over the holidays (just kidding :D)

Having been away from the UK computer scene since I moved - to give you an indication of how long, my last PC at home was a Vale-Evesham P166 - I have no clue what is a good store to get one (not Dixons, they were obnoxious as hell last time I was over), or would I be better served going through Dell? The one caveat is that the PC must be at my parents house by Christmas Eve so I can put it together for them.

I was possibly thinking of getting them an eMac - less tech support and VNC-ing across the Atlantic to get rid of Bonzai Buddy that way :D

Any help would be greatfully received!

Cheers :thumbs:

I, for one, speak well of Evesham boxes, worked on several for spyware stuff and the innards are decent kit. Another UK supplier I respect is CCL Computers of Bradford.
Tiny are back from the grave again ... and I still wouldn't recommend them to anybody. Same goes for Time, cheapo mobos and power supplies.

I'd stay away from Dell, unless you enjoy long phone calls and Indian script readers when a fault occurs....

We've been supplying Fujitsu Siemens from one of our suppliers, for not a lot of cash.... pm me, and I'll send you some contacts/numbers/prices of what we've been shipping recently.

I could build you one :D

Thanks for the replies all (especially Noo... I don't think my Dad could appreciate how cool something "Built by Noo Noo" would be :D )

I've emailed my Dad to go look at an eMac, and also asked cort about the fujitsu pricing. I forgot about tech support being in New Dell-hi these days so I'll probably give Dell a miss (Dad has trouble understanding much Indian after Chickin Tikka Masala and an onion bhaji).

Cheers all, back to devising plans for the midnight prowler :thumbs:

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Originally Posted by NooNoo

I could build you one :D

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Me too ! :D - but I'm not touting for business ;) - what I popped up to say was, if you are thinking 'easy support' & not too much demand on it - I'm thinking in TCoO terms basic Tosh laptops are the bargain at the moment - well just laptops generally really at the basic end (if they have good long warranty) .. then you are in the clear if you are late :D !

Contradiction time....

My company supplies Dells and Fujitsu-Seimens to our customers depending on what they are willing to pay. In my opinion there is no comparison, Dell work, Fujitsu-Seimens break down often, (our customers do hammer these boxes).

If a dell goes wrong I phone Dell tech support and get through quickly, the people on the other end speak better English than me mostly. If a component needs replacing it's replaced, game over.

When a Fujitsu-Seimens breaks we replace it with a Dell!!!

Sorry to contradict Cortubra but that's just my personal experience.

As Jeff said, Tiny have a good name again and I would buy a home PC from them if I had to.

If NooNoo offers to build one then everything else in this thread is irrelevant, take up the offer ;)

EDIT: I've got a Fujitsu-Seimens under my desk as I type this running memory tests due to a problem that's been going on for months that nobody at FJ can offer any help on whatsoever. Be warned.

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Originally Posted by gazzak

Contradiction time....

My company supplies Dells and Fujitsu-Seimens to our customers depending on what they are willing to pay. In my opinion there is no comparison, Dell work, Fujitsu-Seimens break down often, (our customers do hammer these boxes).

If a dell goes wrong I phone Dell tech support and get through quickly, the people on the other end speak better English than me mostly. If a component needs replacing it's replaced, game over.

When a Fujitsu-Seimens breaks we replace it with a Dell!!!

Sorry to contradict Cortubra but that's just my personal experience.

As Jeff said, Tiny have a good name again and I would buy a home PC from them if I had to.

If NooNoo offers to build one then everything else in this thread is irrelevant, take up the offer ;)

EDIT: I've got a Fujitsu-Seimens under my desk as I type this running memory tests due to a problem that's been going on for months that nobody at FJ can offer any help on whatsoever. Be warned.

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somebody mention Fujitsu


i hate fujitsu ,,,,


warrenties ,,,,what warrenties?

would,nt buy water in the sahara ,,,from them tossers

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Originally Posted by gazzak

Contradiction time....

My company supplies Dells and Fujitsu-Seimens to our customers depending on what they are willing to pay. In my opinion there is no comparison, Dell work, Fujitsu-Seimens break down often, (our customers do hammer these boxes).

If a dell goes wrong I phone Dell tech support and get through quickly, the people on the other end speak better English than me mostly. If a component needs replacing it's replaced, game over.

When a Fujitsu-Seimens breaks we replace it with a Dell!!!

Sorry to contradict Cortubra but that's just my personal experience.

As Jeff said, Tiny have a good name again and I would buy a home PC from them if I had to.

If NooNoo offers to build one then everything else in this thread is irrelevant, take up the offer ;)

EDIT: I've got a Fujitsu-Seimens under my desk as I type this running memory tests due to a problem that's been going on for months that nobody at FJ can offer any help on whatsoever. Be warned.

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No worries - personal experience is the best to go by.... can you please post the number that you use for Dell tech support? :devil: I have nothing but hassle with them, including one woman who was insistent my post code was invalid....

Another one where the PSU had blown (and I mean blown, smoke the works....), the guy on the other end was insistent I run the Dell diagnostics... err the PSU is fried, the PC won't switch on.... yes but I need an error code before I can issue a replacement PSU.... Many others that I could relate as well. The Dell Gold Support is good though, so if you decide Dell, get the Gold support.

I've had no problems with Fujitsu's breaking down, so I haven't used their tech support to be honest.

I did have an issue where the DVD software was missing and they sorted within 2 days. I like the idea of a Noo Noo built PC though.....

NooNoo would use better components than you guys and could assemble them in a better manner???

I think the most boring thing you can do in the PC world is build computers.
That being said, I build my own, as I do not trust ANY of the big guys to do it right. Components are so inexpensive these days, that I just start gathering stuff about a month before it is time to replace my machine, then just burn my user files to a couple of DVDs, and wipe/reload the old one.

Generally,after selling the old one, I break even, only I end up with a newer/better machine.

Thanks guys, I feel like Indecisive Dave from the Fast Show now :rolleyes: :thumbs:

I'm going to speak to cort's rep at Fujitsu, price up a Dell and see if I can get some parts over there and I'll build one when I fly in (flaming busmans holiday or what? :D ). Of course, if Dad actually goes and looks at the EMac and likes it, then he'll get himself one of those.

Cheers

Why not build one here in the states yourself, and take it over with you ??

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I like the idea of a Noo Noo built PC though.....

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I don't think my Dad could appreciate how cool something "Built by Noo Noo" would be

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https://forums.windrivers.com/

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Originally Posted by 3fingersalute

Why not build one here in the states yourself, and take it over with you ??

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Not a bad idea, but when you take into account the shipping costs, plus the fact I'd have to pay VAT/Sales Tax (I think) in the UK... it winds up being more expensive.

I'll sort something out - thanks all for the help :thumbs:

Dell is great. Buy it online, but buy it from the small business section. Your support number will ring in the U.S. No one with strong accent that can't be understood.

Gazzak, Tiny AREN'T on my recommended list ... if I have it right, they're owned by Time. I have a very good word to say about Time, but I couldn't possibly say it here without offending the mods :)

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Originally Posted by jitBob

NooNoo would use better components than you guys and could assemble them in a better manner???

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Nope, but she and confus-ed are somewhat "local" to the Titchski family. Otherwise, I could built it, or, better yet, provide the parts for "ski to build it himself, but what if a part dies? And, I would be burning in with a 115/120 volt PSU, too. That wouldn't make sense.
Yeah, 'ski, you may just want to have Noo, confus-ed, or Gazzak build it and support it. I mean, what are friends for, right? https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2006/04/1.gif
Of course, that is if dad doesn't decide he likes the Apple. https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2005/03/1.gif Then who would he talk to? https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2005/03/1.gif

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Originally Posted by Jeff the Brit

Gazzak, Tiny AREN'T on my recommended list ... if I have it right, they're owned by Time. I have a very good word to say about Time, but I couldn't possibly say it here without offending the mods :)

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Apologies JTB, misread it totally. A friend's got a Tiny PC and loves it, so can only say nice things!

I like trashing Tiny's - does that count? :devil:

Time for my five pennorth......

AVOID at all costs anything connected with Time, Tiny, Packard Bell, Hewlett Packard/Compaq (same machine - different cosmetics) and in particular Dell!!

PC World/Comet/Dixons/Currys etc. are better avoided as they tend to feature many of the above.

I get to see dozens of these machines, usually just out of warranty and suffering some form of hardware failure, and the words "cheap & nasty" spring to mind....

Underrated, poor quality power supplies are the norm, add in cheap generic processor fans, grade B hard and optical drives and the long-term prospects don't look at all good. Dells don't even come with a floppy drive these days and retro-fitting one is not an easy exercise..

"Corporate" grade Dells are a completely different animal from the mail order boxes....

We've only got one customer (an Estate Agency) with Fujitsu-Siemens's and apart from the usual spyware issues I've never had to get inside one. These were bought as part of a network package (7 machines), wirelessly linked and permanent internet (BT) connection. Their only problems concern their software which is buggy in the extreme. They're all now well out of warranty and still performing well. Interestingly, none of them have Fuji hard drives (wonder why?)

One of our business customers recently bought a couple of EMac's - both have broken down repeatedly - only small things, optical drives mainly but annoying none the less. Admittedly this company (graphic design) really cane their machines but..........

Go with your original idea - Evesham build fine high quality machines, or get a bespoke machine built by Noo, Confus-ed, Gazzak, Corturbra or (if you're really desperate) us!!!!!!!

Good Luck :thumbs:

John

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Originally Posted by Titchski

Not a bad idea, but when you take into account the shipping costs, plus the fact I'd have to pay VAT/Sales Tax (I think) in the UK... it winds up being more expensive...

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So this is another reason why I suggested a laptop ;) - put it in your luggage or carry it on with you when you go 'home' - anything 'second hand' isn't taxable ;) & your own personal stuff isn't either if you want to leave it 'there' - only if you intend to sell it .. ;)

& on the subject of Dell - I feel obliged to add to the notion that 'corporate purchase' == good .. 'private purchase' == bad - one division takes support really seriously as they are busy getting the 'good support=more resales/new orders & renewals' rammed down their throats & will fall over themselves to help, while the other lot (private sales) are all about cheap - as they know with personal sales that support concerns usually come way down the list after price, features etc in a new purchase which is most pc buyers main concern & most of the market, they don't get wise to service until its too late ..

http://uk.aldi.com/special_buys/product_461.html

I know its from a supermarket in the UK but saying that it comes with 24M on-site swapout, Looks a pretty good spec too.

Wow.. so many good ideas and feedback I should have made a poll!

It seems that there's bad from every manufactur - I guess you pays your money, you takes your chance. I'll be calling corts Fujitsu chap for pricing along with pricing up laptops.

Then I'll let the old man make his own mind up. Thanks once again for all the great ideas :thumbs:

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Originally Posted by Garfield99

http://uk.aldi.com/special_buys/product_461.html

I know its from a supermarket in the UK but saying that it comes with 24M on-site swapout, Looks a pretty good spec too.

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Now this one might fly, my mum loves Aldi, so my dad may be told he's getting a laptop :D

Bearing in mind the 'you pays your money & takes a chance' line of thinking, I'm thinking that whoever you buy from the level of service & support will be most important especially as you are going to get it the neck from your mum if you give less than 100% advice ..

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Originally Posted by Titchski

Now this one might fly, my mum loves Aldi, so my dad may be told he's getting a laptop :D

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Aldi buy up surplus stock & rebadge it themselves (much stuff is samsung 'really' but they also rebadge too so the 'inards' might be by anyone), whoever the hell they've got in charge of buying though gets my vote :thumbs: - everything I've ever come accross of theirs has been very good for the money - they also sell extended warranty on most things - so check that out if you decide to try !