Need Help Comparing Computer PC Specs

Quote from komondor : I prefer a bigger case to a smaller one for some reason dell always seems to underrate there PS so I would not worry about that the 9010 is the newest Dell system so it should have plenty of live vs a model that is 3 yrs old plus it is a business class PC so 1 is my vote

Option 1 is over $100 the more than the HP. Can you help me understand what the advantage is in buying the Dell machine vs the HP ... components, quality, speed, longevity, etc?
thanks

Quote from komondor : I prefer a bigger case to a smaller one for some reason dell always seems to underrate there PS so I would not worry about that the 9010 is the newest Dell system so it should have plenty of live vs a model that is 3 yrs old plus it is a business class PC so 1 is my vote

The Dell is more than $100 than the HP. Help me understand why the Dell is worth that and how these differ or are similar ... in components, speed, quality, longevity, etc.
thank you

Quote from msavy11 : Option 1 is over $100 the more than the HP. Can you help me understand what the advantage is in buying the Dell machine vs the HP ... components, quality, speed, longevity, etc? thanks

option #1 does NOT have a SSD, it has a HYBRID drive - which is better than a regular drive, but not by a huge amount, since it's like 5% ssd and 95% regular HDD drive, kind of like the cheap hybrid cars, - a real SSD would be like a purely electric car (think tesla, etc.)

OP, are you ever going to play games on this computer? use photoshop/movie editing software?

the dell has 2 500gb hard drives, which could be used in a raid 1 to prevent data loss if one of those disks dies (read: you still need to make back-ups, but you might be lucky and have less down-time if something dies)

the HP has 1TB of storage - OP, how much storage do you need/want (realistically), and would you be willing/capable of installing more yourself if necessary? ram?

I would go with the HP at $100 price difference, but the dell is better - is it $100 better? only if you are going to want to play games on it (since you most likely won't be able to install a graphics card in the HP)

Quote from slapshot136 : option #1 does NOT have a SSD, it has a HYBRID drive - which is better than a regular drive, but not by a huge amount, since it's like 5% ssd and 95% regular HDD drive, kind of like the cheap hybrid cars, - a real SSD would be like a purely electric car (think tesla, etc.) OP, are you ever going to play games on this computer? use photoshop/movie editing software? the dell has 2 500gb hard drives, which could be used in a raid 1 to prevent data loss if one of those disks dies (read: you still need to make back-ups, but you might be lucky and have less down-time if something dies) the HP has 1TB of storage - OP, how much storage do you need/want (realistically), and would you be willing/capable of installing more yourself if necessary? ram? I would go with the HP at $100 price difference, but the dell is better - is it $100 better? only if you are going to want to play games on it (since you most likely won't be able to install a graphics card in the HP)

I will never play games on this. I may do some photo editing, perhaps. I will stream youtube videos, etc.

I have a 1tb Toshiba external HD. I am not so much concerned about space because ive got the ext for backup and will likely not need more than 500gb in a new PC. Currently, Ive got about 90gb of data going into the new PC. However, Im more concerned about functionality, speed, multitasking, whats a raid?

I am capable of adding more RAM. I hear adding another HD isnt that bad. Im nervous about hooking it up correctly with the right cable. I guess id worry about that should the need arise.

When the HP was posyed as a SD the concern of upgrading the graphics card came up. I believe ppl were saying that the PS needed to be upgraded as well. The conversation got away from my inderstanding though.

[QUOTE=slapshot136;5365219

OP, are you ever going to play games on this?)[/QUOTE]

The only games would be math games found on line at places like cool-math games, etc

Quote from msavy11 : I will never play games on this. I may do some photo editing, perhaps. I will stream youtube videos, etc.

let me say then that all of these computers are a bit over-kill.. if you just want a snappy computer, get one with a cheaper CPU and a nice SSD instead

RAID = redundant array of independent disks - redundant meaning using 2 disks for the job of 1, which has the advantage that should one crap out, you still have the 2nd one

300/350W doesn't give much room for a graphics card, but if you won't be gaming (web-browser games don't count) , there isn't much point in getting one anyways

The Dell is WELL worth an extra $100 over the HP - the Optiplex is a business class machine that comes standard with 3 years of on-site warranty & will easily last 5 years, while the HP is a consumer grade machine that'll last about 2-3 years before things start falling apart.

Even with exactly the same specs I'd pay extra for an Optiplex over a Pavilion every time.

Ok, so Dell it is. Can anyone speak to their return policy, tech support, cust svc,etc.? And, if it differs for the Outlet vs new?

I saw that theyve got a lot of coupon codes out there. Does that make a new purchase a better value or is is best to shop the Outlet? Any other ways to knock the price down?

Thanks

If they have what your looking for in the Outlet store, especially refurbished, then you can save some money and the service, warranty and return policy are the same as new. Tech support is like anything else, you'll wind up talking to India.

Quote from msavy11 : Ok, so Dell it is. Can anyone speak to their return policy, tech support, cust svc,etc.? And, if it differs for the Outlet vs new? I saw that theyve got a lot of coupon codes out there. Does that make a new purchase a better value or is is best to shop the Outlet? Any other ways to knock the price down? Thanks

You're in luck - 25% off outlet business machines until Friday - use code QJFL42NP85$$25. Shipping is free.

Outlet support is same as new - no difference. For the Optiplexes you actually get routed to business support rather than home, so it'll probably be a little better. Return policy is pretty standard - 20 days? I forget exactly.