Quick Question: Best Pre-made computer?

[Teleku]

My Sister is looking to get a new computer.  They don't want to go through the hassle of building it themselves or having me build it for them, they just want a nice computer that should hopefully work with no hassle for awhile.  However, I'm not really up on what is currently the most "decent" pre-made computer maker.  I know Dell, Gateway, HP, etc. all go through various stages of shitty'ness, but not sure who's on top right now.  Basically, just need a computer that actually has decent (read not entirely nonstandard crap they made up) Hardware, and doesn't come with 100 fucking pre-loaded viruses "utilities" which bog the fucking system down and are impossible to get off.  They're not really gamers, but I figure the way to get them the best piece of hardware would be to say right now "If I (as a gamer) were stuck with getting a brand name PC, what would I buy?"  Of course within reason.  Something affordable, not like Falcon Northest or Alienware.

So yeah.  If anybody could give me a brand name that they have experience with, or have at least heard recommendations about, I'd appreciate it.

[Engels]

Just get them a dell and then spend the 20 minutes it takes to uninstall the bloatware. And if they can afford it, an extended warranty just in case, since Dell does have pretty decent customer service (in my experience at a public org level)

[FatuousTwat]

My mom got a dell a few years ago, and it still boggles my mind.

It had a one slot HD rack riveted in place so she had to have her second harddrive dangle by the wires for a while.

[apocrypha]

I can only recommend a couple of UK suppliers, so not much use to you I'm afraid. Every single time I've bought a pre-made PC or been involved with a friend/family members decisions about buying a pre-made I've been disappointed with something about them. They're just never as good as something you can make yourself and a lot more expensive!

But pre-mades are also a zillion times less hassle if all goes well ofc, so I totally understand.

Damn, that was a really unhelpful post wasn't it? Sorry 

[Cyrrex]

I can only recommend a couple of UK suppliers, so not much use to you I'm afraid. Every single time I've bought a pre-made PC or been involved with a friend/family members decisions about buying a pre-made I've been disappointed with something about them. They're just never as good as something you can make yourself and a lot more expensive!

But pre-mades are also a zillion times less hassle if all goes well ofc, so I totally understand.

Damn, that was a really unhelpful post wasn't it? Sorry  Go buy a Dell.

I cleaned it up for you a bit.  Seriously, though, I've had two middle range Dells and they've never given me any more trouble than I've deserved...you can even game on them if you want to (after upgrades), so they're not likely to cause a casual user much problem.

[Numtini]

Get a Dell Vostro 220 from the small business store. The small business store prices are generally very low, you can order there without bloatware and they don't care if you're a business or not.

[apocrypha]

I cleaned it up for you a bit.  Seriously, though, I've had two middle range Dells and they've never given me any more trouble than I've deserved...you can even game on them if you want to (after upgrades), so they're not likely to cause a casual user much problem.

Hehe fair do's  I've never had a Dell of any kind so I can't comment on them :)

[Cyrrex]

Most of the bad rap I've heard about Dells over the past 5 years is about the power supply, and I can tell you first hand that it is bunk.  Nothing at all wrong with it.

[Engels]

Not quite true. Power supplies in Dell have failed more than any other component at work. We have over 200 dells and that has always been the failing point. That said, its about 1 in every 50 dells that has a PSU go bad, and they are from a particular era which is no longer in production.

And I'm wondering if Fatuous Twat's mom got a small form factor machine, because aside from those, I have yet to see a single dell that had only one immobile HD slot. That said, anyone anywhere getting a small form factor PC deserves a kick in the nuts. Buy a freakin laptop if you need something small.

[Sky]

Basically, just need a computer that actually has decent (read not entirely nonstandard crap they made up) Hardware, and doesn't come with 100 fucking pre-loaded viruses "utilities" which bog the fucking system down and are impossible to get off.  They're not really gamers, but I figure the way to get them the best piece of hardware would be to say right now "If I (as a gamer) were stuck with getting a brand name PC, what would I buy?"

Get a mac. (Don't start the mac hate bullshit, people. They're the best choice for non-gamers who don't want to dick around with viruses and security issues all the time) You can get an iMac for $1221 last I checked. The mini line needs a refresh before I can recommend (otherwise my favorite model except for macbook pro). Or get a macbook.

[Cyrrex]

But...depending on how casual the user is, 1200 buck is a SHITLOAD to pay for a computer. 

[Murgos]

Basically, just need a computer that actually has decent (read not entirely nonstandard crap they made up) Hardware, and doesn't come with 100 fucking pre-loaded viruses "utilities" which bog the fucking system down and are impossible to get off.  They're not really gamers, but I figure the way to get them the best piece of hardware would be to say right now "If I (as a gamer) were stuck with getting a brand name PC, what would I buy?"

Get a mac. (Don't start the mac hate bullshit, people. They're the best choice for non-gamers who don't want to dick around with viruses and security issues all the time) You can get an iMac for $1221 last I checked. The mini line needs a refresh before I can recommend (otherwise my favorite model except for macbook pro). Or get a macbook.

Or, get a Dell for $319.

[Sky]

TCO 

[Teleku]

Mac isn't really in the equation, Sky.  My sister actually uses all sorts of GIS software for mapping out archaeological sites for her job (shes an anthropologist) and I'm pretty sure the programs don't have Mac versions.  Not to mention all the other software they own which is windows based.  Also, they DO game a bit (mainly my brother in law), just not that much, so I just meant that it didn't need to be uber powerful.  They just need a new one because the old one I sort of over the phone talked them through building themselves back when they were in college is falling apart.  Shit not working more and more frequently, and they just don't want to deal with it anymore.

Anyways, thanks for all the advice everybody.  From what I can see, looks like I'll just go Dell.  The newest Dells we got here at work run pretty damn well and actually don't seem to come with any bloat ware, unlike the one my Mom got which was loaded (so looks like Numtini is correct).  I think if I just customize it for them online, and make sure the thing also has a real fucking video card in it, they should be fine.

Also, you can still get XP with dells, which is key.

[Sky]

Boot Camp for compat and light gaming, but yeah. Probably go with a winders machine and put up with the headaches.

[Strazos]

Somewhat related, but my buddy is looking to get a, I believe, 13" Macbook. Anyone know of any good deals or places to look?

[Sky]

We just deal with Apple on state contract pricing here. I did buy a mbpro from newegg once when they were running a deal.