new hardware

[witch]

I have finally been allowed to look into getting 28 new computers, but I have to use a list of preferred suppliers and the prices for a basic Pentium 4, 512 ram, 40GB drive are varying wildly (from 13,000 to 21,000 at the last count)
Please can anyone advise me as to which of the following suppliers you would use, and why?
RM ( the most expensive, what a surprise!)
Dell
Christchurch Computers (CCC and Schoolcare)
XMA (think they are supplying HP or the like)
Viglen (cheapest so far)
Centerprise
I don't have any experience in this area as the schools I work in have no money and have bought no new computers in 4 years

Thank you very much.

[ZeroHour]

Dell:
well built boxes.
screwless design for easy maitence.
FAST.
no DOA's so far
USB keyboard can be a pain though
Check out the GX280 its what we use.

[mark]

Depends what you want. Dells are great but we steered clear because of proprietary parts... they'd be a pain to maintain when the warranties ran out. Same with a lot of other branded PCs now tho'.

No experience of the others - sorry

I recon you should be looking at around £400 for that spec with a next business day 3yr warranty.

[alan-d]

Stone computers are pretty solid buys - although they may not always be the cheapest - obviously depends on what spec you need.

They will usually let you borrow one to play with before you order too.

Stone Computers

Out contact is joseph.shore@stonecomputers.com Tel 01785 285671

[Netman]

Personal opinion only but...
Don't touch RM or CCC (Experience of both)
Your best bet would be to go to a few resellers like insight, probrand etc. and ask them to quote you for the amount you want - they'll let you know what's on the best offers at the moment, but I'd suggest you stick to HP, IBM (Lenovo) or maybe Fujitsu Siemens. Aviod Acer though - bad support...
As a guide I paid about £325 for similar spec IBM's in the summer...

[Dos_Box]

Aviod Acer though - bad support...

I agree completly. They once had a staff laptop for 3 months (it was only 2 months old) to replace a touchpad. Every time I called 'customer care' they told me they were awaiting spares. Awful, awful service.

[witch]

Thanks chaps
But please note it is no good telling me about any others who are good as I HAVE to use people from the list I gave! (Dorset CC rules)
Anyone got exp of Viglen machines?

[Geoff]

Yep, I've got some Viglen boxes. No hassle at all with them.

[Netman]

In that case, for me it would have to be Dell or Viglen although I have no experience of the latter - get hold of an education rep at Dell UK and tell them you want a price match against the Viglen quote or you'll go to them... then get hold of the Viglen rep and tell them that Dell have price matched but the warranty is better (or something similar)... play them off against each other until you have the best deal... be cheeky - it usually pays off!!

[broc]

Buy DELL with 3 year warranty. After 3 years if they break you will still be able to buy the parts, even if proprietary. Even better, work on Senior management to adopt a rolling program of replacement in year 4. As a general rule, take a look at supplier web support before making a decision to buy. If they have a decent website with easy access to up to date drivers, bios refreshes, Q&A, online parts lists & ordering etc then they are generally a professional outfit who you can rely upon. That means sticking to big name brands like DELL, Lenovo(ex IBM) etc. We have deployed 200+ DELL systems since I arrived at my school and they give us no grief, unlike the mongrel PCs the school used to buy!

Brian

[broc]

Buy DELL with 3 year warranty. After 3 years if they break you will still be able to buy the parts, even if proprietary. Even better, work on Senior management to adopt a rolling program of replacement in year 4. As a general rule, take a look at supplier web support before making a decision to buy. If they have a decent website with easy access to up to date drivers, bios refreshes, Q&A, online parts lists & ordering etc then they are generally a professional outfit who you can rely upon. That means sticking to big name brands like DELL, Lenovo(ex IBM) etc. We have deployed 200+ DELL systems since I arrived at my school and they give us no grief, unlike the mongrel PCs the school used to buy!

Brian

[Dos_Box]

Viglen are on my evil list. Eight times bitten eight times shy, and their support is (or was) appauling.

[GrumbleDook]

Dell can and will do 4 year support warranties. If you are looking at a 4 year plan then go for this.

Well worth it.

[_Rob_]

Dell - Found the machines to be excellent but the support was shocking!

Viglen - Used before and both equipment and support were fine, nothing outstanding, but then that was a few years ago now.

Stone - We use them currently and they get two thumbs up.

RM - erm, well, if you've got nothing nice to say, don't say anything so...

Rob.

Another vote for DELL