Dell's Terrible Customer Service

[m_gigena]

They can be whiny assholes as much as they want, but eventually they will just close their big mouths and accept change, because change is inevitable.

That was my point when we discussed this in a Microeconomics class last term. The appointed teacher was one of those who wanted to impose the new platform. It all depends on who holds the power. Professors at my university keep the old system because they can. If they were employees at any private business were they options are learn or pack up and leave they would be the most proficient learners.

[Cato]

Mark,

You obviously know nothing if you think Mac's and Windows systems find it hard to work together. I have a Mac and am never limited. I use Open office, which is free, and works completely with Microsoft office, which is the main thing most home users would need.

Macs no doubt work better than Windows, and once you get used to them, you never go back. And David is totally right, they aren't expensive anymore. My Macbook only cost £600 due to the fabulous student discount they give. You can't get anything better for the money.

I don't understand the compatibility complaint: that would seem to be years out-of-date.  I regularly transfer my Mac files and vice versa to my junk computer at school (Compaq with Bill Gates' garbage) and have never had a problem with compatibility.

[Mark]

I don't understand the compatibility complaint: that would seem to be years out-of-date.  I regularly transfer my Mac files and vice versa to my junk computer at school (Compaq with Bill Gates' garbage) and have never had a problem with compatibility.

Cato, see an earlier post in response to David's challenge of my initial reply - I was just being a bit testy.

[Bonehelm]

Regardless of what everybody says about Dell, I still think they make awesome monitors. I got a 30'' from them a month ago and it's working fantastically.

[m_gigena]

Regardless of what everybody says about Dell, I still think they make awesome monitors. I got a 30'' from them a month ago and it's working fantastically.

You are your own point here.

[Bonehelm]

You are your own point here.

Am I not always?

[suzyq]

Regardless of what everybody says about Dell, I still think they make awesome monitors. I got a 30'' from them a month ago and it's working fantastically.

They may make a good product, it's their customer service that is reprehensible and I hope you never have the "pleasure" of  using Dell's idea of service.

[m_gigena]

Am I not always?

Sure.

[PerfectWagnerite]

I will tell you this. I have been working for 8 years and I wouldn't be caught dead using a Mac. You use Dell or whatever because if you have aa problem with a commercial software (a PCB layout software for example) like a bug or some shitty licensing error and you call and say you have a Mac they are like: uhhh, we don't support that. If you are using a regular old PC like a DELL they can immediately tell you which files to look and what system files to configure. I have enough to do trying to figure out why products work or don't work. I just can't waste time on a MAC. If you using it as your own personal computer I suppose you don't really care. But I can't of any big company or small business for that matter considering Macs.

[DavidW]

I will tell you this. I have been working for 8 years and I wouldn't be caught dead using a Mac. You use Dell or whatever because if you have aa problem with a commercial software (a PCB layout software for example) like a bug or some shitty licensing error and you call and say you have a Mac they are like: uhhh, we don't support that. If you are using a regular old PC like a DELL they can immediately tell you which files to look and what system files to configure. I have enough to do trying to figure out why products work or don't work. I just can't waste time on a MAC. If you using it as your own personal computer I suppose you don't really care. But I can't of any big company or small business for that matter considering Macs.

I understand what you mean, at work I have alot of commercial software that's windows only.  That's why I said earlier in the thread that OS choice should be just about what you want to do with your computer i.e. what software do you want to use.

off the top of my head--
(1) soho (small office/home office)-- perhaps windows
(2) home-- for multimedia, internet only anything would do (*nix, mac, windows etc)
(3) home/office artsy fartsy a/v editing-- perhaps mac
(4) home, gaming-- windows
(5) high performance computing-- linux, bsd etc
(6) high performance computing using canned software you lazy coder you-- windows
(7) server-- linux, bsd, solaris, aix
(8 ) mysql server-- windows server

They all have a niche, getting the most out of your OS just depends on you figuring out what's appropriate.  In most office environments windows is the best choice.  But for some areas of scientific research, and also commonly at universities, *nix is what will be used.  But hey Pixar uses Macs for their work.

[head-case]

Regardless of what everybody says about Dell, I still think they make awesome monitors. I got a 30'' from them a month ago and it's working fantastically.

Dell doesn't make monitors, they simply re-brand monitors that other companies make.  They tend to be on the cheap end of the scale but I find that this comes with low quality.  A Dell Monitor I have has noticeable ghosting (f a window has been open for a long time you can see a faint outline it even after you close it).  A simiilar Samsung monitor I have does not have this problem at all.

[Mark]

Not to raise again the spectre of Mac vs Windows, but I have a couple of observations.

I work in the creative industries, as some of you will know. There is a perception (within and beyond my 'world') that only Mac will do. This is utter nonsense. I know as many 'creative types' who swear by PCs as they do by Macs. There is really no discernable difference in the quality of the finished creative product.

I also know (and therefore, to a certain extent, agree with PerfectWagernite) that Macs are poorly - if at all - supported in business environments ... even, surprisingly, in creative businesses that are awash with them. Most IT people I've spoken with tell me what a nightmare it can be sorting out Mac problems, even once they've sourced the correct solutions. Part of the problem, I'm told, is with the way Macs and PCs work in a network: PCs can handle 'dirty' networks much better than Macs ... whatever the hell that means.

[DavidW]

I also know (and therefore, to a certain extent, agree with PerfectWagernite) that Macs are poorly - if at all - supported in business environments ... even, surprisingly, in creative businesses that are awash with them. Most IT people I've spoken with tell me what a nightmare it can be sorting out Mac problems, even once they've sourced the correct solutions. Part of the problem, I'm told, is with the way Macs and PCs work in a network: PCs can handle 'dirty' networks much better than Macs ... whatever the hell that means.

Most IT people are incompetent.  They get by maintaining Windows systems because they can just use easy wizards.  Do you think there MS certification programs taught them how to do anything with a Mac?  So why would it be Mac's fault that MS doesn't train IT monkeys to be experts in handling non-MS systems?  If you think they have trouble with Macs, try them with a Unix OS.  Unix networks are easier to set up, employ and maintain and are far more secure, but if the average IT guy tried it, it would be an utter disaster!

[SonicMan46]

I've been using Dell computers for years and have been disappointed w/ their customer service, also - bought a new Dimension Desktop last year (just got a great discount offer, i.e. about 1/3 off) - came w/ a defective video card - was on the phone w/ 'offshore' support (won't mention any names -   ) - finally after a few days a service person came to the house (I had bought the 'in home' warranty addition), changed out the card, and the computer has worked fine for the last year or so.

I work in a large medical center and the school deals w/ Dell only, so I've had a series of their office computers (Optiplex seems to be the usual option) for a number of years - not a problem for support here - the center has a huge IT department, plus my own department (Radiology) has its own people, so if I have a problem (rare actually), I just talk to them.

But about a month ago, my IBM laptop DIED (hard drive!) - this was the X40 model, our ultra-portable 'travel' computer, so I needed a replacement; talked to my son who is a 'network manager' at a corporation in Indianapolis - his duties includes buying computers for the company's executives, including laptops - deals w/ Dell only (guess they just get good deals) - he 'spec out' a Dell Latitude D430 for me (their business line, i.e. no 'freeware', 'trialware', etc.) for about $1900 (including 2 GB RAM, 80 GB HD, & an external DVD/CD-RW); he was able to obtained it for about $1400 w/ his corporate discount - just arrived today - obtained a 3-yr warranty - he knows these laptops so hopefully if I do have a problem, he'll be my first contact, but Dell has also placed the 'business line' of this laptop support in the USA, so hopefully if I do have a problem, I'll be talking w/ some 'good' individuals.  Just nice to have some 'inside' information.

Guess that my 'bottom line' is that computer support in general has really 'sucked & deteriorated' over the years - currently I'm reading the Oct 16 issue of PC Mag - there is a major article on this topic - pretty dismal regardless of the brands bought - I've considered migrating to Apple (which was my first computer in 1980, i.e. Apple II Plus), but I've been just 'tied into' PCs for so many years!