Dell is on my **** list for two reasons.

First (and if they fixed this, good for them, but it's a matter of principle), I read an account of a person who bought a brand-new Notebook from them. When they first turned it on, in order to us it, they had to agree to a license agreement. That's all well and good, but the license agreement was in a sealed package which came with the computer.....which you couldn't break the seal on unless you agreed to the licensing agreement. Apparently it was also available on their website, but if you don't have a computer, well you're out of luck--they refused to read it over the phone.

http://www.cypherpunks.ca/dell.html

This used to be the case. I have extensive experience with Dell's from desktops to laptops over the past 6 or 7 years. This certainly used to be the case but it wasn't with my last laptop. The system agreement is just the Windows one - its standard stuff. I can't see this being a problem.

Second, Dell's customer support has been instructed to not assist in the removal of spyware and adware installed on computers if they get complaints about popups and the sort. This includes cases such as "Well, our official policy is to not remove those sorts of things, but I would..." Breaching of this policy could end up with that person being fired. Ergo, since this policy was instated, I don't trust Dell to not attach those sorts of tracking tools to important system files, or if they don't know, to do so in the immediate future.

http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/12/03/0257238&mode=thread&tid=126&tid=172&tid=187&tid=98&tid=99

I have heard of this too. I think most computer manufacturers will be the same. This doesn't bother me either - first thing I do on getting a new computer is blank the hard disk and install windows from scratch (not using the their resotre CD's).

Build your own or go elsewhere. But DON'T go with Dell.

To be honest I think these are minor issues compared to the high quality equipment you get, and excellent service, not to mention a highly competitive price.


Excalibur
Aviendha's Englishman