Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
You're dealing direct with the manufacturers of a successful and established brand |
| Disadvantages: |
Component shortages |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
In desperate need of a better PC, but with no spare money, I set about searching for an online retailer who could do me a great PC at a decent price and also offer me credit. After several days of ploughing through websites and comparing deals, I settled on dell.com.
The web site
The Dell site is fast loading, frequently updated and easy to navigate. Unlike most sites I visited, ordering a
computer to your exact spec is an absolute doddle.
First, choose whether you want to see Dell's home, home office or business models. Then choose the PC type you want. You can buy a complete off the shelf work-station, or configure your own. To do this, select the type you want, and click on 'configure and buy'.
You are then taken to a page where you choose your basic configurations such as memory, monitor size, graphics card, speakers, modem, DVD, CD etc. etc. and you are also offered tons of optional extras if you want them. In each category you have a choice of models.
Although Dell don't make printers, they still sell an awful lot of other makes to compliment your Dell PC.
I went for a Dell Dimension, mainly because it was a good price, I trust the Dell brand, and it had all the features I wanted. Also, it was black, and being a girl, these things matter to me. I hate those greyish-whitish-creamish PCs that gather dust and look totally plasticy. I wanted something with a bit of style.
My configurations were 128MB, 20 GB hard disk, 17" (black) monitor, graphics card, video card, DVD Rom, CD writer, 56 kb modem and a couple of other little add-on things that seemed vital at the time. I also got a Kodak digital camera thrown in as a special promotion (haven't tried it yet but it looks absolutely crap and has no zoom).
Price - just under £800. A lot of money, but no more than all the other sites I perused, and BLACK to boot! Also, configuring my spec was so much easier than anywhere else.
Having no money, I took out a Dell personal loan which means I'll end up paying back well over a thousand quid but at only £25 per month.
Ordering
Ordering and arranging the loan was very simple, just a matter of a few personal details and a couple of clicks.
Order tracking
A couple of days after ordering I got a confirmation through the post along with a Dell Order Number. I could then go to the site, enter my number and track my order.
Delivery
Unfortunately my order was delayed by a component shortage, which was a bit annoying, but Dell did e-mail me every couple of days to keep me informed.
My PC arrived after about 14 days beautifully and tightly packed, in pristine condition, all pieces present and correct. Everything had been pre-installed for me so it was just a matter of wiring up and then I was away. I haven't stopped staring at its gorgeous sleek black lines, and it works like a dream as well.
I've now had the PC for a fortnight and have encountered no problems (a first for me - every PC I've bought before has had something wrong with it from the start).
I'm delighted with my PC and the way in which Dell handled my order. I can't comment on the customer service when things go wrong (as nothing has), but they kept me very well informed throughout my wait for delivery.
I will certainly use Dell again and would recommend their products and their website to fellow ciaoers.
very helpful
very helpful
helpful
