[dh1760]

Hi All,

First let me say that I'm posting in this forum because in a search I found a thread here most closely matching my "micron HP" query. If there is a more appropriate forum, please redirect me.

I am a long-time fan of Micron and have purchased a number of their machines over the past several years. I've always found their hardware to be solid and their support to be fast and efficient. These days, I especially like the fact that they still provide multi-year onsite hardware support in their basic level support package. I'm also familiar and comfortable with HP, as my employer uses them exclusively.

I need to replace a desktop and spent some time comparing Micron to HP/Compaq. The essential diffs are that the HP offers more bang for the buck and Micron offers better support. For the same $1300 cost, the HP offers an 80GB 7200 rpm driver versus 40GB 7200 rpm, a 128MB nVidia video card versus 64MB, and an additional 8x DVD/CD writer. Of course, the same specs can be had from Micron for an additional cost. Where Micron shines is support: three year parts, phone/email support, and onsite swap-out versus three years parts and phone/email support (no onsite swap-out).

I'm looking for opinions on Micron versus HP/Compaq in quality of tech support and hardware dollar value. Is the onsite service a big win? Are the added features of the HP not worth it compared to the stability of the Micron?

I'm also wondering about the future of Micron (MPC) is as a company. Small PC companies are dissappearing... I even hear rumors that Gateway may be closing its doors. If Micron dissappears in the next year or so, the three-years of onsite service may not be worth very much.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

-Dave H.

[southernlady]

Dave, let me ask a question first? Have you done any of your own tinkering in your computer? Or have you just taken it in for repairs as needed? What I mean is, if it needed a new hard drive, did you replace it? Or change out a cable? Or pulled open the case and check the seating of the cables, that kind of thing? Added a dvd drive, etc? Liz

[dh1760]

Hi Liz,

I do have some experience installing hardware -- replacing hard drives, installing new SIMMs, etc. However, in this case the pc will be for a relative who does not have such experience (I have been the "pc person" for my family and close friends for quite a while ). Since I will not always be able to provide hands-on support for him, it would help if the manufacturer's support included onsite service. Of course, I want to weight that against hardware robustness and total package value. If the HP is significantly more robust than the Micron and the package is a better deal, then it would seem to me to be worth the gamble that onsite service wouldn't be needed.

Thanks again,
Dave H.

[southernlady]

I've had an HP for years and my husband's old office had a MIcron...

However, I just recently had hands on experience with HP's service dept and it S*CKED pond water. First, we had to get them to even admit the PC was even UNDER warranty! Then we had to get it picked up by UPS. THAT was a nightmare. However, once we DID get it picked up, they exchanged it out instead of fixing it. Which was fine except they gave us no warning that that could happen and we had not copied the contents of the daughter's My Documents' and My Music folder's over to another computer on the network, LOL.

The HP desktop's in this house HAVE lasted for well over 4-5 years with our maintaining them. One thing I would do is buy it at someplace like Comp USA and get an extended warranty where your family member can go there and get service and not deal directly with HP.

As far as Micron, it''s a good computer but I have no direct experience with the service or life of the computer. Liz

[dh1760]

Liz, thanks for the feedback. It sounds like the HP support is on par with Dell, which almost caused me to burst a blood vessel. That being the case, there is almost no amount of price/performance difference which is worth going with them. I think the best thing is to go with what I know. The Microns we've purchased in the past have all lasted a number of years (One that runs Windows 98 is still going strong!) and the few times that on site hardware support was needed, they have dispatched someone the next day.

Thanks again!

-Dave H.