Brandstar UK Limited

Many of my posts here are inspired by regular questions from clients and this post is no different. I am often asked “What computer should I buy”, and when I recommend Dell the response from time to time is “ooo no, not a Dell computer”. Not everyone thinks that, but some do and what I tend to find is that the reason people don’t like Dell computers is because their friend, or a friend of a friend, or a friend of a friend of a friend, or .. well you get the picture, someone had a bad experience!

I was looking through some Microsoft Word templates yesterday for letters, I had it set to “most popular” for the order and so many of them were either letters of Complaint for one thing or another. I don’t remember seeing any templates for writing to say Thank You for an excellent product you have sold me! I am not suggesting that we do that, but my point is that we can often remember the bad things about companies that people tell us and not so many of the good things! No company is perfect and mistakes do happen so don’t disregard a company completely just because of something you heard!

Anyway, that is off topic a little. My post, Why Dell? If you have read other parts of this site you will notice that I have mentioned previously building computers but now I can’t do it as cheap as the big boys of computers! As I get to work on so many different brands of PC’s I was able to make a educated decision on which machines I would personally like to use in the office as well as supply to clients. Dell came out on top. Why..? well here goes:

1. Cost - I regularly look around at the other big suppliers HP, Sony, Toshiba, Acer, Novatech, e-machine, Apple, and more. For a matching specification of machine I have maybe once or twice found a machine that is less than Dell’s equivalent, and it is usually an end of line model. It is true that cheaper isn’t always better, but a common requirement is “The best machine for as little money as possible!”
2. Build Options - You can buy a Dell machine without worrying too much about what goes in it technically. However I like to know and I like to be able to customise the machine to my/my clients real requirements. On the Dell website you can do that, choose virtually ever component of your machine and then you end up with a machine that you want, and you’re paying for what you want and not for what is available. Too many of the other machines are just off the shelf and not what you really need.
3. After Sales Support - Yes, I have had to use Dell Support a few times usually for fairly minor things but from time to time I have had an engineer come to the office with a new component. I have to say here that I don’t know of a computer manufacturer with such an extensive range of support options. Dell offer:
   1. Phone Support - usually someone not English I admit, but they know their stuff rather than just reading from a list of “solutions”.
   2. Email Support - they usually reply withing 2-3 days from experience and will give you a decent list of tests they require you to try before they can diagnose for sure but from experience they will follow it through until the problem is resolved.
   3. Live Chat - This isn’t available for all Dell machines but for those that it is available it has to be the easiest and fastest way to get your machine sorted. If the machine with the problem can connect to the internet then they will also offer to take control of your machine and fix the issue before your very eyes. Which is great! For those of you security concious people, you can see everything they are doing and can terminate the session immediately if you wish.
   4. Knowledgebase - The Dell online Knowledgebase has a vast amount of support tools and wizards to help you either solve the problem or diagnose the problem before contacting a support agent.
   5. Downloads - Driver downloads and support tools are available for all Dell machines and their Dell Support utility that you can install will check your machine and download the updates you require. Just to make it even easier for you!
   6. Dell Forum - It is there, but I have to confess I have never needed to use it!
4. The machines themselves - I have been fortunate to work on nearly the whole range of Dell machines, Dimensions, Inspirons (both laptop and desktop), Vostros (again laptop and desktop), Latitudes, XPS laptops, Optiplex, PowerEdge servers. All are well built, stylish (although that is a personal thing), the desktop cases are well thought out and easy for virtually anyone to open up if required to upgrade or diagnose a problem.

For those reasons, and probably more that I haven’t thought of, Dell are Brandstars chosen computer supplier. We started off just being Dell Affiliates but with our sales increasing we are now Dell Resellers so we can offer our customers the very best machines and the very best price!

For those wishing to buy their machine themselves we would very much appreciate you clicking our affiliate link (found on this page), if you are local and would prefer us to put together a specification for you and supply it then give us a call on 07838 369 492 and we can go from there.

I hope this has been a helpful post. If you have anything to add please leave your comments

Graham.