Waldo Jaquith

I take issue with the idea that Compaq “about a decade ago began a sad slide.” Compaq was always crap, as I remember it.

Posted by Ben C. on 30 June 2010 @ 10am

I buy a lot of Dell hardware. And I’m very happy with it. I’m very careful, and I don’t purchase on a price point. If you want reliable computers you have to do your homework and specify them, not just buy what Mallwart or Bestbuy is selling. Most buyers are unaware that there is a huge variation in Dell quality throughout their broad product line.

Perhaps Dell’s best product is their pro-support. Finally we have a technology company that takes a break from the Microsoft model – screw the customer. First rate support, delivered fast, from knowledgeable American techs.

Posted by Bubby Hussein, Hillbilly Sheikh on 30 June 2010 @ 12pm

I take issue with the idea that Compaq “about a decade ago began a sad slide.” Compaq was always crap, as I remember it.

Compaq was really great in the mid- to late-eighties. They were the first to release a 386, and that’s when they started trouncing IBM. They were innovative and made great stuff. Then they dominated the industry, started cutting corners, and started their own slide. It was sad when they bought DEC in the late nineties—DEC had been such a powerhouse, and Compaq was so lousy by then.

Posted by Waldo Jaquith on 30 June 2010 @ 1pm

Wait. Packard Bell once made quality computers?

Posted by MB on 30 June 2010 @ 4pm

Fair point. :) Packard Bell made OK computers, with occasional bursts of innovation. They came up with the business of color-coding ports and cables, and they played with case design in ways that nobody was doing back then. (I recall one of their systems that was designed to sit in a corner, sort of a right triangle shape.) But, yeah, they were towards the bottom of the list of decent computer makers of that age.

Posted by Waldo Jaquith on 30 June 2010 @ 8pm