BleepingComputer.com: Dell or Best Buy (Dell) XPS8300

what's the difference between similarly spec'd Dell desktops from Best Buy(newegg, microcenter, etc) and from the Dell website?



1.
New Egg's XPS
microcenter's XPS

2.
Dell's XPS

i know one particular advantage of ordering from Dell is that i can buy the operating system installation disc.one thing i like about buying from Best Buy is that the case is all black, which i like. the case from Dell's website is black and white.

The Newegg and Microcenter are both not available. I would buy it directly from Dell because you can customize your order to your specifications.

Adding this to the mix:

Check into a custom build.

It may not be as expensive as you think. 2 of my 3 custom builds cost about the same as a mid-price off-the-shelf system. The first one was more expensive because I went from a laptop to a desktop and needed speakers, keyboard, monitor and mouse. I also requested sound and graphic cards.

If you already have speakers, keyboard, monitor, and mouse you'll save money because you don't need those things.

Questions to ask when consulting about your custom build:

Do you have a basic custom build?

Most of them do. Find out what the basic build consists of-OS, hard drive size, how much memory, processor type.

You won't get a sound or graphics card. If you don't want to use on board sound and graphics, you'll pay extra for the cards.

What is your warranty? How long is it for, what does it cover?

(mine is 3 years, which covers motherboard, hard drive, fans, and maybe a few other things but I have to take it to the tech every 6 months so they can open the case and clean out the innards)

Will the warranty be voided if you open up the case for anything? They may put a sticker over it and if you open the case, the sticker will break.

Will you get the disk for the motherboard, and an OS disk?

Once you find out what the basic build is, you can talk about extras and how much they will cost.

You would be doing the same thing if you deal directly with Dell where anything you add will cost money. A custom build won't include all the pre-loaded junk an off-the-shelf system has.

A custom build would allow for more upgrade options in the future.

If you have a computer tech shop you've dealt with and like, that's the place to start. If not, ask people you know who they use.

Call a few of them or stop by the shop.

This post has been edited by Queen-Evie: 03 February 2012 - 10:37 AM

No difference...Dell just uses a newer distribution model these days, utilizing retailers and other entities to get their products sold. That's why you now see Dells at Walmart, Newegg, etc...it's all about product distribution/selling.

Same basic warranty is in effect, unless buyer decides otherwise.

I should change that...it should be cheaper to purchase Dells from someone else...because I'm pretty sure Dell will charge more for delivery and various vendors frequently offer free shipping.

I also think that Dell has now turned it's website focus...on systems which can be configured item by item...as opposed to the "this is what you get" model which you will find at the distribution outlets.

Louis