My Experiences with Dell Vs HP Notebook Computers

I'll admit it upfront, before I start this article. I am definitely what one would consider a tech junkie, and I doubt that many other people would have to go the lengths that I have gone to choose a new computer. However, I think that these experiences could probably be very useful to many people, considering that it is a big choice which of the two largest computer companies in the United States you will choose.

The first computer I bought in this round of refreshes was an HP. This was the HP HDX18t premium. It is a beautiful laptop (all of these are laptops) with an 18" screen and a quad-core processor. I put it at the maximum specs, including with the TV tuner, with the intention of using it as a gaming system. Unfortunately, the computer came broken on two levels. First, I received a computer with a scratched and dented screen, and when I sent it back, I received a computer with a damaged motherboard. My previous computer before that one had been an HP, which I had to send back for repairs three times. I don't want to make any broad generalizations, but I would recommend that anyone purchasing a computer from HP considers buying the extended warranty.

In this experience, however, I have to say that customer support was excellent. HP handled all of my calls quickly, and on the one occasion that a promise was broken (someone who promised to call me did not call me) I answered an online survey, indicating my annoyance, and was instantly phoned by somebody from the HP customer care US division. This was a very nice woman named Pam who handled all of my concerns and was able to get me $200 off my next purchase with HP.

Following the second damaged computer with HP, I decided to purchase from Dell. I bought an Alienware M17X gaming notebook, also with completely upgraded specs. This computer, I quickly found, as with everything else in the Alienware department of Dell, was highly overpriced. The components were sub-par, especially the solid state hard drive that I chose, and the computer was just unacceptable, especially for something that cost me more than $3,400. It took me almost no time to convince Dell to accept a return, and they did not even charge a restocking fee!

About the same time I purchased a computer for a family member. This was a lower-end laptop, but is also indicative of Dell's excellent customer service and high build quality. This was an Inspiron 15, and is possibly one of the fastest low-end computers that I have ever used. I expect that it would not be pushing it to say that this computer will still be a viable machine five years from now.

Since then I finally found a computer to stick with- another Dell. This is the Studio XPS 16. Dell has been excellent at answering all of my (admittedly nagging) customer service questions, and also has a follow-up process in which they call every customer after they receive their computer to ensure that everything is going well. One other thing to note about Dell: the computers almost always ship before the estimated build date.

Finally to sum things up between the two companies:

Dell

• Cheaper at the low end (cheaper computers are actually loss leaders)
• Faster build times
• Better build quality of systems
• Can modify or cancel an order after it is "in production" (call 1-800-247-2076 in the US)
• Currently only large manufacturer to sell notebook computers with i7 processor

HP

• Cheaper at the high end
• Far more "features" (lightscribe, fingerprint readers, blu-ray, etc.)
• Higher quality parts used in systems
• Possible customer service with a US representative
• More computer models
• More widely known name