Re: The problem with Dell

On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:24:54 -0500, Priam wrote:

I continued my enquiry about Dell. So, yes, some parts are proprietary.
The PSU and the mobo, for instance. Or maybe the memory is notched in
such a way that you have to use their own. The parts clerk only told me
"Some parts are proprietary, some aren't. It depends." I inquired about
the price of an Inspiron 530 350W power supply.

The price is nowhere to be found on the site, even at:

dell.ca/parts

You have to call. You then learn that the (most probably) Chinese made
350W PSU costs $211.05.

I was dumbfounded. Your power supply gives up after warranty, you're
done, you might as well buy a new computer.

It's a deal akin to that on cheap printers: they almost give you the
printer and make their money with ink. Here they sell you a cheap
computer for next to nothing, and make their money on parts.

As if that wasn't enough, whereas I can get a new PSU in 15 minutes,
this one "Usually Ships 1-2 weeks".

<http://accessories.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=gen&k=FU909>

Definite end to dreams about Dell.

The power supply is the only thing that is Dell specific, the DIMMs and
disks are standard. Dell is catering to non-technical users most of whom
aren't going to open up the box ever. A minority of Dell customers will
upgrade the DIMMs or the drives but that's it. If you are the type to
change your own power supply then you should either build the box
yourself from parts that you buy from Newegg or you should buy a White
box from someone with parts that you specify. If you buy a mainstream
Dell or HP product you aren't going to be able to overclock it and you
aren't going to know what parts they used, they are in the business of
providing turnkey solutions. If those things are important to you then
you should build it yourself or buy it from a Whitebox guy who is going
to build it with known components.
.

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