Built to order PC recommendations?

Don’t get a Mac if you are a games player wanting to use a $900 games card.

Get a Mac instead.
If you want Windows capability get Parallels or VMware Fusion and an OEM copy of XP Home (steer clear of Vista)
Buy off the Apple Store (online)

Thanks for the posts guys, I’m not confident enough to scout round the computer fairs so I’ll go through one of the recommended outlets. I’ll be steering clear of Dell as well…

“Dell warranty is second-to-none, and their tech staff come to your house (or business), with parts, and are efficient.”

Your lucky. I have owned a number of Dell systems for home and my business. Recently, I bought a Dell laptop (M1210), had to return it because it was slow, heated up very quickly and eventually scalded my leg. Dell said they weren’t surprised and didn’t argue about giving me a refund.
I have an Inspiron, that’s being good and going strong.
The two Dell desktops I have had however have been huge problems. First one, a Dimension cooked itself after 3 years. The warranty and local support staff were a crock. They replaced parts with refurbished parts and it took 8 call outs to fix a video car and system board error. Then, further problems occured and they said it was because they left it running for two days straight to find the problem. When the techos (I dealt with four different ones) handles the system, they were all rough with it and even droped it on a desk. After one time when they took it way, it came back dented and chipped.
I replaced it with a “commercial grade” Dell Precision Workstation. Set me back a few grand and two years later, it is braking down. Faulty system board, faulty RAM, dodge fans,faulty case.
Also, in the US, Dell has had to replace several hundred thousand Optiplex system boards.
And now, the media reports that Dell was fudging their books for years.
The warranties by the way are a money making exercise. I payed over $300 for 3yr warranty on both systems, same as you got Dante. But if they use refurbished parts and require multiple callouts to fix the system and in some cases, replace the faulty refurbished replacement parts, then $300 would be better spent getting it fixed by local computer repairers.

Talk to Ramy at Buzzbyte. He’s local, the price is right and delivers for free.

Dante, agreed. Dell warranty is second-to-none, and their tech staff come to your house (or business), with parts, and are efficient. My dell lappy has been going strong for two years, and the dell systems I look after at work are fantastic.

I’ve found APA Tech in the city (Akuna St) to be great in the past.

i’d disagree with asp’s comment about dell. their warranties are fantastic (i’ve got 3yr accidental damage/theft/wear and tear with next business day technician to my house) and i’ve always received great support from them.. you can customise your pc on their site to suit you, and i received my personally configured laptop within 72 hours of ordering and paying for it.

some might have bad experiences with them.. mine have always been good.

Go to the computer markets if you have a bit of knowledge – of what you need, and how to diagnose faults. My last pc from there was great value, built to order on the spot as others have said. A warranty claim for a new motherboard went OK as I knew what was wrong (used to be a PC tech) and made sure I had contact details for the dealer when i bought it, so i just posted the old one to them in sydney and a new one returned a week later.

However for peace of mind, go to a local computer shop someone has recommended. They’ll put it together more carefully than the markets and actually test it before you get it. Any warranty claims should be rarer, quicker and easier on your part too – just drop the whole box to the shop, pick it up a few hours/days later working.

The guy that packs up the tables at the computer fair is a cutie!