eMachines are the suck
Just a little post to show that maybe eMachines aren't as good as eMachine fanboy Mark thinks they are.
Computer expert "Dave" brought to my attention that eMachine offers a wide array of four different computers that can't be configured at all. You probably can't configure them because once the parts are duct taped in you can't take them out.
The following is taken from ConsumerAffairs.com:
It is possible -- but not all that easy -- to build an inexpensive computer that is not a candidate for the shredder. eMachine does a nice job of packaging and marketing but as the complaints in this section illustrate, there are many who would argue that the company has not achieved the right mix of affordability and quality. Nor does it do a sterling job of processing rebates. Sadly, things have not improved since eMachine's merger with Gateway.
Expert Testimony
Vern, a computer science instructor in the Northwest writes:
As a computer science teacher I am getting flooded with cries for help from people who bought eMachines. I bought one to have a look and the phrase "you get what you pay for" comes to mind. In my opinion, the Etower 366c that I bought is built from proprietary junk.
The poor little power supply hasn't got a chance of running for long. The motherboard has sockets that are not supported or even listed by the industry (AMC PORT?)still looking. I wonder what resources that component is trying to grab, since it has no drivers that I can find.
After a week of installing patches from Microsoft, searching for documentation on the web and begging for assistance from Trigem-USA, my conclusion is that the students and I, owners of these expensive paper weights, will be forced to change the motherboards and saw holes in the cases to install proper power supplies.
My machine locks up regularly and complains about system resources being critically low. That is not a surprise since they are trying to run W/98 and all the web goodies on 32 MB of ram.
What should we tell the students that purchased these machines for a special project and can't use them the way they are, or get information to upgrade them? This is a tough lesson to learn when these kids are struggling to eat.
I use terms in my classes -- "evil skippy" that refers to dishonest computer techs, and "stupid skippy" refers to those techs that have no clue but do the work anyway. My opinion of eMachines is that they underpriced and underbuilt their product. The end result is that they can't provide the support needed to correct the problems.
Computer expert "Dave" brought to my attention that eMachine offers a wide array of four different computers that can't be configured at all. You probably can't configure them because once the parts are duct taped in you can't take them out.
The following is taken from ConsumerAffairs.com:
It is possible -- but not all that easy -- to build an inexpensive computer that is not a candidate for the shredder. eMachine does a nice job of packaging and marketing but as the complaints in this section illustrate, there are many who would argue that the company has not achieved the right mix of affordability and quality. Nor does it do a sterling job of processing rebates. Sadly, things have not improved since eMachine's merger with Gateway.
Expert Testimony
Vern, a computer science instructor in the Northwest writes:
As a computer science teacher I am getting flooded with cries for help from people who bought eMachines. I bought one to have a look and the phrase "you get what you pay for" comes to mind. In my opinion, the Etower 366c that I bought is built from proprietary junk.
The poor little power supply hasn't got a chance of running for long. The motherboard has sockets that are not supported or even listed by the industry (AMC PORT?)still looking. I wonder what resources that component is trying to grab, since it has no drivers that I can find.
After a week of installing patches from Microsoft, searching for documentation on the web and begging for assistance from Trigem-USA, my conclusion is that the students and I, owners of these expensive paper weights, will be forced to change the motherboards and saw holes in the cases to install proper power supplies.
My machine locks up regularly and complains about system resources being critically low. That is not a surprise since they are trying to run W/98 and all the web goodies on 32 MB of ram.
What should we tell the students that purchased these machines for a special project and can't use them the way they are, or get information to upgrade them? This is a tough lesson to learn when these kids are struggling to eat.
I use terms in my classes -- "evil skippy" that refers to dishonest computer techs, and "stupid skippy" refers to those techs that have no clue but do the work anyway. My opinion of eMachines is that they underpriced and underbuilt their product. The end result is that they can't provide the support needed to correct the problems.
posted by Ryan at 10:20 PM
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