🚀 go-pugleaf

archie@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Archie) writes:

>I am interested in getting some opinion on ordering PCs directly ( from
>advertisements in Computer Shopper, for example).  My question are:

>	1.  What should one look for in comparing the different machines
> 	    that are available?

	Things to look for: Chip type (386SX, 486, etc.)
                            Chip speed (20MHz, 33MHz, etc)
                            BIOS Type (AMI, Phoenix, etc)
                            Installed RAM
                            Speed of RAM (80ns, 120ns, etc)
                            Type of RAM (SIMM, SIPP, etc)
                            Maximum on-board RAM
                            Video (EGA, VGA, SuperVGA, etc)
                            Video RAM
                            Type of Keyboard
                            Type of Case (Tower, Desktop, Baby, etc)
                            Floppy drives (1.2M, 1.44M)
                            Hard Drive Capacity
                            Hard Drive Speed
                            Cost (obviously!)
                            Number and type of Expansion Slots
                            Number of Drive Bays
                            Power Supply Wattage
                            I/O Ports Included
                            Bundled Software (DOS, Windows, EMM, etc)
                            Bundled Hardware (Mouse, etc)
                            Warranty Length & Coverage

>	2.  Does the name of the company matter or that it may or may not 
>	    have been revieved in magazines before? 

	Try to buy from mail-order outfits that have been consistently
        advertising in the same magazine for several months.

>	3.  What "hidden" costs should be expected, if any?

	Shipping, cost of Returning merchandise, Taxes, Telephone calls
        for Technical Assistance.
>	
>I am also interested in hearing from people who have purchased a good (or 
>bad) machine. For your information, companies that have caught my interest
>from Computer Shopper include: Gateway, Microlab, Standard, Austin, USPC,
>Touche, Northgate, Insight, and Club.  Please either post or e-mail to me.

	We recently bought 10 Gateway 386-25 machines, and 2 of them have
        had problems with the I/O cards, and one of those is having other
        *major* hardware problems with the motherboard.  A friend bought
        a PC from Microline, Inc. and has had no problems with it.  So,
        buying from a small outfit is not necessarily a bad idea, and
        buying from a big company is not always a good deal.


---
John Gordon
Internet: gordon@osiris.cso.uiuc.edu        #include <disclaimer.h>
          gordon@cerl.cecer.army.mil       #include <clever_saying.h>