Posted
1:26 PM
by Gene
Why must buying a computer be even faintly like buying a car? Ever since my old Dell Dimension when buggy last week I've been looking for a new one. Going through Dell.com (my first choice) is not pleasant. The company lowballs its offers -- and then when you've added all the features you want you've doubled the price! Plus their extended warranties may help their pocketbook but not yours. There's a kind of subliminal smirk to this site that has no doubt helped Dell's rep plunge among computer buyers; its well-publicized offshoring of customer service didn't hurt. And thanks to the REPUBLICANS' FAVORITE CORPORATE BEHAVIOR of INDISCRIMINATE MERGING there aren't that many quality alternatives left. I'm giving HP a try in part because I want a notebook to replace the intolerable profusion of boxes and cords, and it's said to make a really good multimedia machine. But do I REALLY want to buy a computer to watch TELEVISION?