"Integrity is Everything"

What Computer to Buy

RF Computers Has Been Chosen One of The Top Shops in Modesto

Technician Background Check
By Plus One Solutions

We Appreciate Your Feedback

Visit Us On

Pay With

Through

RF Computers does not make recommendations as to exactly what brand computer a client should buy, however we do consultations to help our clients make educated and informed decisions before making this investment. Below is information as to what we have learned working on a variety of brands and types of computers. We point out the pros and cons of each. The information is in no particular order

This is only a short summary of major brands. The best way to determine a computer purchase is to find a number of brands and models and look for reviews on the internet. See what those who already own that brand already have to say. Repair blogs can also say a lot about how easy or hard it is to find repair services and help when something does go wrong.

Most persons looking for a new computer automatically determine they need a laptop, a slimline or an All-In-One. Although laptops do offer the portability a desktop cannot, this convenience comes with a big price. Similar limitations are found in Slimlines and All-In-Ones.

Before considering a laptop purchase, determine if the portability is really necessary. Here is why:

With today's cell phones being internet capable it is RFC opinion that the portability feature is unnecessary for most consumers. Laptop parts are not interchangeable. Laptop parts are exclusive to each brand AND model. This drives up the cost of repairs as well as the wait times. It is not possible for most repair facilities to determine and therefore carry many laptop repair parts as opposed to a desktop system where many parts are interchangeable, in stock and easily replaceable. Laptops lightweight feature are possible due to the lighter materials used. Laptops are much more fragile than most people realize and are much more easily broken than a comparable desktop. When comparing components a desktop is going to give more speed, storage and features for the money than a laptop.

Before buying a Slimline, determine if the small size is necessary. Here is why:

Much like a laptop, slimline or small desktop machines have the same issues, but not to the same extent. Many parts used in a slimline are exclusive to that particular machine. Most slimline computers use many traditional parts as a full size desktop, however this is not always the case. For instance, it is not possible to pull a power supply from a repair shops inventory and replace it on site. In many cases slimline parts must be ordered from the manufacturer, are more expensive and can sometimes be on backorder.

Before buying an All-In-One desktop, DON'T. Here is why:

All-In-Ones are very difficult to repair therefore driving up costs. Almost every part in an All-In-One is exclusive to the brand and model, again driving up cost and wait times. All-In-Ones have been plagued with issues since Dell introduced one of the first ones back in the 80's. All-In-One machines tend to overheat and RFC has been witness to at least one catching fire. In our opinion the only reliable All-In-One computer made is an Apple.

There are many things to consider other than price when choosing a new computer. Here is Why:

Although in today's economy price is always the first consideration most people look for. That should not be the first consideration. Here is Why:

Claim: The big box store offers better prices

Fact: This is a fact, however while everyone wants a bargain, are they getting VALUE?  Value is what a person actually gets for the amount of money spent. RFC uses only online affiliates who have proven to be easy to work with and reliable. 

Claim: The big box stores have techs on site to do repairs:

Fact: RF Computers does all our own repairs on site with trained and experienced techs. Many of the big chains claim they have "techs" on site. The reality is the "tech" in most cases is a part time employee who has had little training and can replace memory modules, a power supply and run diagnostic software, but cannot perform most repairs. Computers are sent out for anything other than the simplest of tasks.

Claim: The big box stores have more variety.

Fact: This is actually true, RF Computers does not carry a large inventory and cannot compete with the big box stores, we won't even try, however we do offer a large variety through our online affiliates and will help our clients to choose what is best for their individual needs. Sales people in the big name stores are trained to sell you whatever is overstocked or provides the most profit. They are not trained to determine the need and budget of each individual. They are also trained to use high pressure tactics to get the customer to purchase unnecessary peripherals and service contacts, which are where the most profit actually lies. Bottom line, do your homework and don't buy anything you don't need.

Claim: The big box stores offer warranties

Fact: At RFC we only deal with suppliers that are proven to be reliable and easy to work with, therefore making warranty repairs painless to the client. Almost all components used in our CUSTOM BUILT computers have up to a 3 year replacement guarantee.

Claim: The big box store will be around a year from now to cover the warranty.

Fact: While in today's economy there is no guarantee any company will still be in business a year from now ask this question, Where is CompUSA or PC Club? There are simply no guarantees whoever you're dealing with. All of our online affiliates have been in business for years and we believe they will be for years to come

While RFC does build custom towers we do not carry or build laptops, therefore we offer the pros and cons of each major brand below and ask that after reviewing this information you consider shopping with our hardware online affiliates or software online affiliates. We do recommend clients go to local stores find the exact model numbers of the computer they are interested in and do a Google search for "Brand Name model ##### reviews (IE: HP DV9000 reviews) and see what others are saying. We also recommend purchasing through RFC's website and get the individual personalized service we have become famous for. Simply let us know you made your purchase through our site and we will be pleased to help you in any way we can.

Acer

Acers are cheap, bottom line. They are cheap to purchase and in our opinion considered throw away computers. They are perfect for those who replace their laptops frequently. They are attractive and functional. Gateway, the company that owns Acer have made parts difficult to find therefore waiting times for repairs can be long and forcing clients to use Gateways repair service rather than allowing them to choose.

Pros

• Inexpensive to purchase
• Inexpensive labor on repairs
• Attractive and functional

Cons

• Parts can be hard to find
• Acer is owned by Gateway; Gateway is uncooperative and hard to work with
• Not the most reliable laptop on the market

Gateway

See Above (Acer)

Apple (MAC)

By far Apple probably makes the best laptop on the market today as far as reliability, however the cost of purchasing and repairs on an Apple computer reduces the value considerably. Repair facilities are limited. This combined with the difficulty of repairs drives repair costs way above any competitor. Also the lightweight feature of an Apple is traded off for toughness. They tend to be flimsy and easily damaged. Apple computers are the most costly to repair

Pros

• Very Reliable
• Easy to use and learn
• Can run multiple operating systems

Cons

• Very expensive to purchase
• Very expensive to repair (screen replacement runs ~$600 as opposed to ~$200 for a PC)
• Limited repair facilities

Sony

Sony has proven to be difficult to work on therefore driving up labor costs for repairs. Lately many Sony's have found their way into the shop with bad motherboards. This is not typical of Sony but bears mentioning. For a mid priced laptop they are usually reliable and functional.

Pros

• Decent in quality and reliability
• Mid range pricing
• Offer features many others don't for the price

Cons

• Very difficult to work on therefore driving up price of repairs
• Parts can be difficult to locate; Longer waiting times

Dell

Dell makes a good computer, laptop or desktop. They offer a wide variety so it's easy to find one within the budget, however quality varies widely between lower priced consumer machines and higher end business class machines. For those who replace the laptop frequently a lower priced consumer machine is adequate. For others who prefer more reliability choose a higher end business class.

Pros

• Very Reliable
• Easy to repair
• Pricing on lower end laptops decent
• Easy to get parts

Cons

• Higher end laptops get expensive
• Not many features on lower end machines
• Consumer market is exclusive to Dell. Difficult to get repairs outside Dell

IBM

We apologize up front to those who own and maybe even love their IBM, however in our experience if this is so, that is the exception, not the rule. Many issues with IBM, including reliability, price, difficulty in repairs affecting price of repairs causes this to be one of the least desirable laptops in our educated opinion.

 Pros

• Not many to mention

Cons

• Difficult to get parts & service
• Not very reliable
• Difficult to work on therefore driving up cost of repairs

Toshiba

Toshiba usually makes a very good laptop, however as with many manufacturers trying to find that balance between size, weight and reliability Toshiba had a severe overheating problem a few years back. We believe that problem has been resolved. The ease of repairing and abundance of replacement parts allows us to make them one of our top recomendations.

 Pros

• Usually reliable
• Easy to repair

Cons

• Past overheating problems not dealt with well
• Few Authorized repair facilities

HP (Compaq)

HP, also known as Compaq are reliable and can be obtained at a decent price, however the lower cost laptops tend to be short on features. It is best to do a little homework to determine what is needed and what one can do without before shopping. The higher cost laptops are no more reliable than the lower cost, but again have many more features. The newer HP/Compaq are easier to repair making repair costs less and parts are in abundance and easy to find. HP has extensive help and drivers online making them easy to upgrade.

 Pros

• Usually reliable
• Easy to repair
• Easy to get help, parts, and drivers

Cons

• Had the same bad motherboard problems as the Sony a few years back
• Overheating problems also an issue in past years

RF Computers Privacy Policy

Send mail to steven@rfcomputer.biz with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 09/08/2011