Solved Recommendation for computer brand

[msalton1]

I've been building my own systems for years, so I'm a bit out of the loop for a brand name computer. A friend wants me to 'order' for him. I've offered to build one, but he seems to prefer manufactured...something with an online configurator with options that can be chosen. He has gone with Dell in the past, but is "over them" now.

Any quality manufacturers out there? He has money, but doesn't want to spend a bundle.

I'll likely give him a cost on building one, so while we're at it, any suggestions for a non-power-user motherboard & CPU? I just built one of these for some light chores around my office that I'm impressed with, but it just doesn't have enough USB and sata ports. Very responsive, though (a Gigabyte H81-D3 and a G3420 Pentium), and with the exception of the 'too few' usb ports, a decent performer (the 4 sata ports shouldn't be an issue for the average user).

Summary:
1. Reliable, reasonable computer brand (preferably with good tech and warranty support...)
2. Quality non power user board & CPU.

Thanks for any ideas .

Salt

 

[msalton1]

Just wanted to post back in case someone ran across this thread whilst googling for answers...I disabled all the Dell services from the above list. I've had it running in my office for the last 3 days without consequence. Disabled they'll stay. The machine si running great.

 

[theridon]

All I can say is don't get Asus.
...mine is currently in the shop...tells you how good they are.

Ditto, but for Acer. Unfortunately I've had nothing but trouble with my first Acer laptop. Not even a year passed and I have had to send it in twice for power issues, and this time after two weeks it hasn't even been fixed. I'm probably going to have to send it in again. It's a pain being stuck without a computer for weeks. Considering how much I paid, it's inexcusable for a laptop to malfunction like this in the first year. Fortunately, the customer service department has been helpful, but the tech support simply didn't solve the power issue with the laptop.

I had one Dell laptop that lasted about 3 years, I had to send it once under warrantee. It was returned and fixed within 4 days. Great, but the laptop did not last very long before it defected.

 

[whs]

I had sent one of my Asus to their service center. After 4 weeks I had to 'reclaim' it. They had forgotten about it. At least they had fixed it.