eMachines

[southerngale]

Does anyone here have an eMachines desktop computer? If so, would you buy another eMachines in the future? Have you had many problems, etc.? And if you've had any problems, do they have in-home service like Dell, or do you have to ship it off somewhere?

I found a great deal on one at Best Buy and I'm just not sure of the brand. I have a Dell as my primary computer and am happy with it, but I need another one for something else, and it doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles. This deal is hard to pass up, but if it's junk, I'd rather pay more. I do need it to be reliable.

Here's the link if you want to take a peek. It's the first one listed: eMachines T3516 Desktop with Intel® Celeron® D Processor 352, 17" Flat CRT Monitor & Photo Printer

[tomboudreau]

I have not heard of many good things about eMachines. The few people that I have known who have had one have said they work great for the first couple of months and then the hardware begins to be fail on them. They tried to replace the hardware that failed, and couldn't find pieces that would work with the system. This is just from what I have heard from co-workers and other techs. You could also go to Dell or other manufacturers and get some of there lower end systems that will probably be more reliable then the eMachine. Just my 2 cents.

[JQ Public]

I have not heard of many good things about eMachines. The few people that I have known who have had one have said they work great for the first couple of months and then the hardware begins to be fail on them. They tried to replace the hardware that failed, and couldn't find pieces that would work with the system. This is just from what I have heard from co-workers and other techs. You could also go to Dell or other manufacturers and get some of there lower end systems that will probably be more reliable then the eMachine. Just my 2 cents.

Ditto!!!

[Tstormwatcher]

There is a reason why they are so cheap. Made from cheap parts. Get a lower priced Dell. You will be much happier.

[southerngale]

Thanks for the input so far. The only reason I considered it (besides it being a fantastic deal, if a good computer) was that eMachines ranked better than IBM, HP, Compaq, and Gateway in the Consumer Reports 2006 Buying Guide, for repairs and serious problems. They fell below Dell, Sony, and Apple. A comparable Dell will probably be a few hundred more, so if I could save that, I'd like to. But...I don't want junk, so I'm leery.
More comments welcome!

[NEWeatherguy]

With all apologies to the big-box stores, avoid store-bought computers, except maybe a Gateway store (are those still in existance?) and, obviously, an Apple Store.

I had a Compaq, which was store bought, and it was cheap, but it also begin to have problems booting a couple years later. I purchased a Dell straight from the factory; have had minimal problems--Microsoft Moments--but no hardware problems.

[tomboudreau]

I was looking at the Dell site for a PC myself...just to turn the box into a server, and one of there lower end Dell's that I was considering buying had a base price of 479, which is 100 dollars more then the eMachine your looking at. I ended up not going with the Dell because I just put there server together from bits and pieces. But, I was serious considering the Dell option. If my piecemeal server does end up dieing, I will turn around and buy the Dell box.

[Aquawind]

No more Gateway stores. Store bought machines provide no better support than say Dell, Gateway, of even HP. Usually you end up waiting longer for support and are pushed into addition uneeded expenses. You can get next day onsite support for a price from online purchases. That is pretty nice versus taking it apart and driving accross town everytime you have a problem. Often you have to wait days of not weeks if you take it back into say Best Buy and they constantly be upselling when purchasing and when getting support. If you talk to a human they will always try to upsell.. Unless your tell them to shut the heck up and get you what you want. Of course knowing about the options helps either way. Be carefull about 90 day warranties and buying real cheap machines or you may as well throw it out if a Hard Drive or Mother Board fails and you are not a little computer savy.

[chadtm80]

If memoroy re calls corectly Gateway Just required Emachine?.?.?.? No more gateway stores.. All closed up, however you can now get them at local electronic stores such as best buy..

Kelly.. Just remember you get what you pay for.. Emachine is a computer and will work as such.. However like stated.. Cheap hardware that will go, and you can just forget upgrading them... Just not going to happen.. Christmas season is coming up... If you can hold out you WILL be able to find a better system for just as cheap

[Yankeegirl]

As long as you get the warrenty from the store, you should be fine! I had an e machine. it had peoblems, but it was all under warrenty... Didnt have to pay a dime...

[gtalum]

My advice: spend just a little more and get a Dell. They have spectacular sales frequently.

[southerngale]

Thanks for all the advice. I didn't order that eMachines and I believe the sale ended last night. It was on sale for $379, and that was for 120gb hard drive, 512mb ram, along with a 17" flat panel monitor, and a printer. If I was confident in the brand, you can't beat that deal. I quickly got up to a little over $700 at Dell by customzing, and that's without a printer. But...I was doing some upgrading, like another $45 to go from 512mb to 1gb, another year of in-home service warranty, etc. so no doubt I'll pay a good bit more, but I'll likely have a much better computer. I have 2 Dell desktops now and although I've had some minor problems with one of them, the customer service has been superb, and they've come out and fixed it within a few days. It's never broken down, but was making a loud noise, but their service was quick and I don't have to take it anywhere! That's why I was asking if anyone had an eMachines knew if they had in-home service. That's invaluable to me.

Anyway, I guess I'm gonna keep looking for a few weeks, or until I find something. I'd like to see what Dell is offering next as I believe their deals change sometime during mid-week.

Paul...I'd never buy a computer with only a 90 day warranty. If I did, it would crash on day 91. I'm much more likely to buy the extended service plan because in my experience, it's worth it with a computer. I don't buy extended warranties with most items, but with computers, it's worth it.

If anyone comes across a good deal on a good computer, feel free to post it here.

[BreinLa]

Sorry I'm late answering your question sg, but we have an emachine. Bought it for my daughter about 2 1/2 yrs ago, and it's still running well. Only had to call once for service and they were here in my house in 2 days with repair parts. It was very inexpensive I remember. Tell you what tho I have owned hp's,toshiba's now have a sony laptop, used dell's and gateways at work. They are all about the same to me, have had problems with all of them, except the sony don't know cause I have just had for about 6 days lol