posted on April 7, 2002 09:33:47 PM new
Love it, my Uncle bought one and talked me into getting one. He is a freak about research and spent months getting the right one. We have had ours for 5 mo. it hasn't crashed yet!!!! But then look at e-bay right now LOL
Good luck the only thing I need is another USB port, but those are cheap.
posted on April 7, 2002 10:04:45 PM new
Yep, got one also, The Price was the selling point. But Have to admit it really has worked VERY well. Think you can do a lot worse than this Brand.
posted on April 7, 2002 10:12:21 PM new
HI, I HAD MY EMACHINE NOW FOR 1 1/2 YEARS. STILL NO PROBLEMS, AND I LOVE IT. THE PRICE WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT HELPED ME MAKE UP MY MIND. IF I HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE I WOULD CERTAINLY GET ANOTHER..
posted on April 7, 2002 11:26:47 PM new
When you take the computer out of the box, format the hard drive immediatly and install a retail version of Windows.
The eMachine comes loaded with tons of ad-ware and spy-ware type programs that do nothing but hog up screen space, ram and processor time.
After unloading all that garbage, you will have a nice low-end PC with a normal Windows setup.
posted on April 7, 2002 11:45:58 PM new
I was given an emachines as a gift. It came with 32MB RAM and Windows ME, even though there's a Win98 sticker on it. 32MB is not enough to run Windows ME. The thing ran very slow and crashed constantly. It didn't have enough memory to shut itself down!
After months of agony I added memory up to the 256BM max and installed an old Win98. Now the included audio driver doesn't work. There's no way to install just Windows ME without restoring the hard drive so I'm stuck. It's running better now but still doesn't have the oomph for Photoshop 6.0. (Okay, I'm no techie.)
My recommendation: spend an extra few bucks and get a decent computer. If you do buy emachines, plan on spending at least $100 bucks right off the bat for a memory upgrade.
posted on April 8, 2002 05:37:22 AM new
TWINSOFT I couldn't agree more I fix computers for a living and you get what you pay for and the inside of an emachine is pretty low end. I guess its all about what you need/afford but if you can spend more do so its worth it.
posted on April 8, 2002 06:26:00 AM new
I was asked by someone whether to buy an e machine at Best Buy and I warned him against it. Of course, the low price convinced him that I was an alarmist, so he bought it anyway. He took it back for a slightly upgraded version a few days later.
It's been a year since then, and he has had nothing but problems with it crashing, slow processing etc. My last email from him said he was so frustrated he was ready to throw it out the window.
I would say that unless you are very tech savvy (in which case you wouldn't even be considering this piece of junk) you shouldn't buy it. Just because it is cheap and some people haven't had any problems with it (yet) doesn't negate the simple fact that e machines have one of the highest frequency of repair records of any computer you could possibly buy.
Then again, for many people price rules. But don't just blame the machine when it flakes out. You are hereby warned. If you choose to ignore the warnings to save a few bucks, well, caveat emptor.
P.S. Funny how my friend now says he was never warned. He got what he paid for.
posted on April 8, 2002 07:15:47 AM new
Hi All
I have had my emachine for 3+ years, and have not had a bit of problems with it, I did add memory to it, say 6 months ago, and it has done fine. I am looking for a new one tho,
Could it be the newer ones are not like the older ones?? cheaper parts or something???? I was going to purchase a new emachine, but after reading here, not so sure I want to.
posted on April 8, 2002 10:09:23 AM new
I got the "Best Buy" Deal, NEVER Had a problem. Works fine for eBay selling, NEVER one little problem. Windows ME was already installed. Mine came with a Memory upgrade (Paid an extra $100). Maybe That's a difference, I don't know. I also got a free Year of MSN. Maybe I'm lucky ,but in 7 Months it works a LOT Better than my old Compaq.
posted on April 8, 2002 10:32:22 AM new
All the stuff about slow, crashing, etc is meaningless. eMachine just assembles components. Their 800 celeron is just as slow/fast as anyone else's etc.
What you get is a very low end machine that may be ok in many situations.
You get a very cheap and small power supply. not the best if you plan on adding lots of other components or run the machine 24hrs/day.
You get limited expansion capabilities. If in the future you want a tape drive and burner, that's a problem.
Everything is built on the motherboard. If something fails you may not be able to fix it. Sometimes you can not even defeat the onboard item. So say, if you wanted a faster video card you may not be able to add it. You also might not have enough slots on the board.
You don't get a "deal", you get a cheap computer at a cheap price.
If this is all you need, fine, but the way Walmart, Sam's, Staples and Office Depot dump last year's models of HP's, Dells, etc, etc, it doesn't make much sense to me.
posted on April 8, 2002 11:42:08 AM new
On my emachines I have had to replace the CD drive, the CPU fan, and the on/off switch. Cheap parts. I am going to replace the hard drive soon, because I can't afford to have that go out. And the spyware, etc. someone mentioned earlier really hogs system resources.
My next machine will be a good brand name. The price differential is not as great as it used to be, anyway. And remember, you will end up writing a check in the checkout line for a lot more than the advertised emachines price. It always works that way.
posted on April 8, 2002 12:11:35 PM new
AND you have to remember that the name branders have quality control. If CPU fan company X tells eMachine they will sell them a fan for $4.50 instead of $5.00, they will buy it. If that company offered the deal to HP, they might go for it, but you'd be darn sure they would test its performance before accepting it.
I think Consumer Reports had an eMachine in a recent test. I don't remember them being thrilled with it. I'll have to see if I still have the issue for specifics.
posted on April 8, 2002 03:08:24 PM new
Fiance' had an eMachine when I met her...it is about 2 years old now. It is still going strong, especially after I put in a memory upgrade for her. Absolutely NO problems since the memory upgrade.
So, when I decided to upgrade MY computer at Christmas, I bought the newer "Best Buy Deal" eMachine, complete package $499 after rebates with a CD writer/Windows XP/Printer/17" monitor. No problems with it either! Immediately put in the memory upgrade to max RAM in it. Couldn't be happier...run my scanner and a digital camera on it...also Corel Draw software and MS Office with no problems. It runs the scanner much better than my "old" HP ever did. Use it everyday...it's on 24/7...as is my fiance's older eMachine.
I would recommend eMachines to anyone!
Before, I have owned HPs, IBMs, Gateways, and Dells. I usually buy close-outs or refurbished...at great bargains! But I buy a new computer every year(I actually own 8 - I take the new one when I buy it, then rotate the others through the store(business) and through the family(kids and parents), finally kicking the older ones out in a garage sale at about 5 years old)...rather than upgrade them. It makes more sense to me to do that...and is generally just about as cost effective as upgrading.
Computers are like cars to me...simply a tool to use. As long as my Ford PU gets me where I'm going...I'm just as happy as any Porsche owner...and I've spent a LOT less money! Lots of people get caught up in the names and images...in cars AND computers.
I could be proven wrong somewhere down the line...but to me the e-Machines look like a great deal! If the deals are the same as they were at Christmas, when I get ready to add another new computer...it'll be an eMachine.
posted on April 8, 2002 03:10:29 PM new
I had an emachines a few years ago for a couple days... til I brought it back. It was already drastically slowing down within a week. My friend had his a whole year before the hard drive died.
At best buy they'll guarantee the tower for 3 years for only $129... I think that makes it still cheaper than the others, so if you buy that, it's worth it, probably, cuz it's guaranteed to work for 3 years.
posted on April 8, 2002 03:27:05 PM new
Service contracts are a dealer pack, like buying the "paint sealer" on a new car. The sellers love this stuff. There's nothing in that box that costs even half the contract. I'd take that (as the seller) any day.
posted on April 8, 2002 03:50:52 PM new
I have used the extended warranty twice, and if I have any PC trouble at all I call a number and a tech helps me out. I will buy another Emachine in the future, they stand by their product and offer outstanding customer service.
I am gld I bought Emachine as my first PC, they have helped me enormously!
posted on April 8, 2002 06:47:32 PM new
Let's not forget the eMachines non-service. After 90 days it's pay for help. And the phone service reps don't seem to know anything except "reformat the hard drive." Thanks for nuttin'.
posted on April 8, 2002 07:32:21 PM new
The calls are free for three years if you buy the warranty, and I have had amazing help through them. For a beginner $129.00 is a great price to pay for three years of help.
posted on April 8, 2002 08:18:16 PM new
I have owned two IBM PC's, a Compaq and an eMachine. In about three years of daily, heavy use in a retail store, I have experienced zero problems with the eMachine. On the other hand, my Compaq and IBMs, which are of a similar age as the eMachine, have each had three or four problems with less usage. I must admit I was skeptical of an inexpensive machine like the eMachine in a critical use situation. However, three hard years of use have sold me. My only regret is that I wasted the extra money buying an inferior IBM and Compaq.
posted on April 10, 2002 07:54:38 PM new
Todd is either REALLY REALLY lucky or he works for emachines. edited to say (since I don't want to pick any fights), Todd, I personally think it's the REALLY REALLY lucky one...
[ edited by drbrownauctions on Apr 10, 2002 07:55 PM ]
