http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/enterprise/ ... -consumers

I wouldn't go near Dell again with a forty foot pole...

The only experience I've had with Dell was not a positive one. Quite the opposite in fact.

The only experience I've had with Dell has been wholly positive.In fact, I can't think of a more helpful computer company.

That's just my experience though, and YMMV.

Yep, I've only had very positive dealings with Dell... Their kit might not be the best, but they are generally good value for money and have been reliable.

Totally agree, Rolled out many 100's of desktops of both Dell and HP / Compaq very reliable.

To (briefly) recap my experience, I ordered a machine for work on their site, as plain-jane as you can get. We needed it ASAP, and despite the promises of 'next day delivery' (IIRC, this is a few years ago now) on the site, after processing the payment for the machine, it became apparent it would take days to get to us on Great Portland Street.
So, I tried to cancel the order, after speaking to the phone person, it seemed that was ok.
Until the machine turned up, a few days later, and the credit card had been charged. By this time, an alternative machine had been sourced for less from Tottenham Crt. Rd.
After more shouting and yelling at Dell, I *think* we got a refund, but it was like pulling teeth. I think I may have involved the trading standards office too.
As a result, I'd never suggest Dell to anyone.

A customer of mine just put in a £5k Dell server. It's locking up randomly (not software related).
Engineer comes out and changes 1 of the 2 cpu's and a stick of RAM (there's 7 others in there).
It's still doing it.
Even with the £900 4 hour support pack on it they still refuse to swap it out.

cnuts

& back on topic.

Remember the old Dell ads?

Customer "I want a PC to surf the web"
Dell: "Well then you'll need a dual core processor and a big hard drive"

Double cnuts

Long story short, I was paying for a net connection I obviously couldn't get using without a computer, so Dell seemed the best option all round at the time.

Talking to their guy on the phone, I confirmed what was in the newspaper ad and asked what the graphics card slot was, as I had an AGP card I wanted to install (you can tell it was a while back and that I'm not a heavy gamer ):

'Oh yes sir, it's got an AGP slot, would you like an extra DVD writer?'

'No thanks.'

'Are you sure sir? These are worth £100 in the shops and we'll install one for £50'

*Sniggering knowing they were worth £25 at the time* 'No thanks. Can I confirm the free printer the ad mentions?'

'We're out of stock on those printers now Sir, we do however have one going for £35...'

I should have told him to fcuk off there and then, but I wasn't really interested in the printer anyway, and badly needed a computer... Anyway, the PC shows up and it has a PCI slot, so I get on the phone to them. For two and a half fcuking hours, explaining to a bunch of stereotypes that I'd been lied to in the first place, and no, I wouldn't like to buy a more expensive computer

They had the balls to send me a customer service questionnaire by email after I got my money back, which I duly filled in, also leaving the comment that I'd be filing a complaint with Trading Standards, which I duly did

I should point out that when I was put through to their tech support (like that was somehow gonna change the problem) that even he said they were 'a pack of lying gits' and 'were fond of doing this'