And another boutique PC maker down...

[GravenStone]

First, Alienware gets subborned by Dell. Now, HP buys out VoodooPC (http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20060928/tc_zd/189933;_ylt=AiY32nfLplKK8lHRyEc1wpes0NUE;_ylu=X3oD MTA3cjE0b2MwBHNlYwM3Mzg-)

While I've not bought anything from Voodoo since they tend to the rather pricey side of the street (plus it's international shipping from Canada), this guarantees it'll never happen. HP pissed me off a few boxes ago with a system that was absolute junk (and crap for support) so they'll never see another dime of my money. Wonder how many other bigger players are eyeing other specialty boutiques out there?

[Draknor]

I hear ya about HP. Though there's one sitting next to me (used for browsing while playing games), I'll never buy another. They actually lied about the technical specs.

I'm starting to think about a new PC, and I actually have no idea where to look now that Alienware is part of Dell. Any thoughts?

[Greebo]

I hope the VoodooPC execs have anti-spycam tech... ;)

[GravenStone]

I hear ya about HP. Though there's one sitting next to me (used for browsing while playing games), I'll never buy another. They actually lied about the technical specs.

I'm starting to think about a new PC, and I actually have no idea where to look now that Alienware is part of Dell. Any thoughts?

I'm happy with my Velocity Micro (http://www.velocitymicro.com/) machine. I'm pretty sure EricStratton has one as well (his bragging about it is what prompted me to check them out).

[Serani]

HP's fine for anything but actual computers. I've had good success with their scanners, printers and other stuff, but I wouldn't own an HP computer if you paid me. Well, okay, maybe then, but that's about it.

[Charinida]

At work, we primarily have HP computers... :( Computers are at least 9yrs old, and they want to add new software... And wonder why we complain they are too slow. About the only new hardware I've seen are the new plasma screens for the flight boards. Or the occasional optical mouse.

Home wise, the only HP item I have is one of their monitors which is decent.

***

Might look into VM ... gives me another option when getting a new deck other than KC computers (NY based) all the time.

[EricStratton]

I'm happy with my Velocity Micro (http://www.velocitymicro.com/) machine. I'm pretty sure EricStratton has one as well (his bragging about it is what prompted me to check them out).
Indeed, I'm very happy w/ it. The Virginia sales tax hurt, tho, so I will have to think about buying from them in the future, but I *am* happy w/ the machine.

[Sylvene]

Try Monarch Computer (http://www.monarchcomputer.com). I've heard good things from old guild mates.

The only person I knew that bought an Alienware... could not run EQ on it. All his PC games ran super! /ROFL... his wife was laughing her ass off. Poor dear. He was sooo excited about it too.

Eventually he got it to work. But that first week... "Where's XX?" "Still fighting with his new PC."

[Zyzzyx]

Seeing as my next computer purchase probably won't be for gaming, and with my newfound interest in Linux, I'll probably look at a system, likely a laptop, from System76 (http://www.system76.com). A nice selection of decently customizable systems, with Ubuntu linux preinstalled and supported.

[Guenter]

I'm happy with my Velocity Micro (http://www.velocitymicro.com/) machine. I'm pretty sure EricStratton has one as well (his bragging about it is what prompted me to check them out).I'm very happy with my Velocity Micro.

[Sylvene]

Or you can geek it like I did and build your own! :biggrin:

[Draknor]

No, that'd be way too much stress. While I could do it eventually, my friends in town here who style themselves computer geeks say "duh, I dunno" when I ask them basic hardware questions.

This (http://www.velocitymicro.com/wizard.php?iid=75) looks like a good start. Though, it strikes me that I could probably get another couple years out of my Alienware if I add a new video card and bump up the RAM to 2gb.

[Sylvene]

*falls over*

At that price, I could build TWO!

[Charinida]

OUCH... Nice but too rich for me...

2500 is the most I'll go on a built system... Lesser if I put it together myself...

Raid and dual-video for SLI... Wheels on the case? 1Kw PS... Loquid cooling?

That would make for a nice rendering machine... :D Wonder how EQ2 will run with the graphics settings bumped up to max...

[noptov52]

Psssh, that piece of junk doesn't even include a KILLER (http://www.killernic.com/KillerNic/).

[Charinida]

Does that "Killer" really work? Or is it one of those useless bits of hardware?

[leng]

$6000 with no monitor, no less!

As for that killer thing, I can't believe that reducing the packet latency in my local NIC is going to make that much difference when you consider the overall effect of 6000 miles of cable & innumberable routers between here and the EQ machines in California

[Draknor]

Yeah $6,000 is bordering on the insane. I'd be afraid to use the thing for fear it would break.:D

[Raveneye]

Killer, the only NIC that comes with a Klingon Bat'lah mounted on it...

[Thundolfe]

Or you can geek it like I did and build your own! :biggrin:

I think the older I get, the less fun building your own is. My patience runs out really fast. I just want it to work.

[DirkDarkBlade]

I'm happy with my ABSPC.com computer. I've had it for a while and been happy. I received good service from them, but haven't needed to call them much. My friend who bought a PC from them was disappointed in their service (but I think he was asking for too much in his case).

I live within a few miles of Monarch PC. I'll have to check them out when it is time for me to upgrade. Hopefully no time soon!