Posted 08/05/2008 at 05:38:57pm

Thanks for proving my point :)

Posted 08/04/2008 at 03:54:03pm

Just curious - why the64-bit version of Vista?  Won't that just multiply driver issues and cause greater incompatibility for this, a gaming machine?

Posted 07/29/2008 at 09:29:36am

I get $1,849.00 on that Dell system.  I don't know what we're doing different, but your prices are consistently higher when you're configuring Dell systems.  I wonder if it is because of CA's various additional environmental fees being factored in.

It should be noted that if you are willing to give up some speed in the RAM you can get an otherwise comparable XPS 630 for $1,659.00 - which even beats your MIR price.

I actually went to Newegg and built exactly what you did, and my final price was $1,839.36 ($1,754.36 after MIR).  I'm not sure what is going on, but it seems that your prices are always different than what I get - higher on your Dell pricing and lower on your DIY pricing.

Based on these price differences, if averaged out, it's pretty much a wash.  I guess it just comes down to a few simple factors:

1) Do you WANT to, and CAN you build your own machine?

2) Are you willing to put up with the annoyance of having to call different vendors for each piece of hardware should you need support.

3) Do you mind not getting a 1yr warranty on everything you purchase, as you would get with the Dell machine.

4) Do you mind not having any kind of OS support, as Dell provides during the warranty.

I suppose if someone answers "no" to 2-4 and "yes" to 1 then they should built their own machine, otherwise I think Dell is a better choice.

I admit that I was suprised to find the DIY as low as it was - I expected it to be much higher.

Posted 07/29/2008 at 01:12:10am

Lol - that's a big "oops" on my part, I didn't check the date - I was wondering why you chose that processor :)

Anyway, I went back and put together a machine on the Dell site based on your revised specs and came up with a matching system at $1,019.  The only thing slightly lesser in the Dell system is the video card, which is an ATI HD 2600 XT.  I didn't take the time to double check your Newegg pricing, but I would like to know what the "before mail-in rebate" pricing is.  MIR's suck - I really despise them and would be willing to pay a few dollars more not to have to deal with them.

However, if your price is correct then it is clear that at least on this particular configuration the Dell system is $100-$200 more.  I think that the more high end you go the lower that margin will become until you get to around the $2,000 mark and then you'd probably be unable to build a machine cheaper than an OEM.

Did I mention my Dell comes with Micrsoft Works 9 and outsourced tech support? :)

I think a very interesting article would be me vs. you in a pricing war.  Several different types of systems and see who can outprice the other.  I bet I'd win most of them :)

Posted 07/28/2008 at 05:24:03pm

1: Your DIY list doesn't include a keyboard, mouse or motherboard.  There are usually other small cables and components that are needed as well that you didn't mention.  This would easily add another $100 to the cost of your DIY machine.

2: I was able to build an Inspiron 530 with your DIY specs or better for $839.00, and Dell doesn't charge tax unless you live in TX.  That's 20% (or more) less than you DIY machine.

So you see, you simply can't build a system cheaper than you can buy it from an OEM these days.  I'm sure there are some exceptions, but I believe that is the general rule.  I think it's fair to tell people that they can build it themselves, but it will cost them a bit extra to do so.  You can IM me on the forum if you want to see the exact quote from Dell.

Posted 07/28/2008 at 05:01:44pm

You said: "...it’s the only ultraportable that even ran our gaming benchmarks"

Yet your benchmarks show WNR for the games...

Posted 07/02/2008 at 02:26:53am

I'd love to see some benchmarks compared to the VelociRaptor and the existing, more expensive SSD's.

Posted 06/10/2008 at 02:28:56pm

WHS is a total bomb. Everyone else knows it, but you wouldn't think it by reading the MaxPC review. Will Smith worships it in his 9/10 Kickass review, which fails to mention the massive bugs with the software, and doesn't even begin to address the speed issues that practically bring transfers to a halt. In fact, he doesn't say a single negative thing about WHS in his review - which is unprecedented for MaxPC. The fact that it's taken Microsoft over 6 months to release a "Power Pack" that isn't even out of beta yet further proves their inability to get the technology working. WHS - great in concept, crap in reality. MaxPC should go back and modify that review. It's reviews like that one that make me second guess anyone at MaxPC except Gordon.

Posted 04/21/2008 at 09:29:02am

The last graph it labeled "Specs" and some of the bolding is wrong. Just FYI

Posted 04/02/2008 at 08:50:56am

Copernic Desktop Search is still better than Windows Search and Google Search. For some reason (probably cuz it's not Google or MS) it doesn't get nearly as much press. It gives faster, more relevant search results and consumes less system resources and is more configurable than the other two. http://www.copernic.com/en/products/desktop-search/