Buy Dell stock

Post by **Leisher** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 1:44 pm

Is Hewlett-Packard getting out of PCs?
Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), briefly shot higher on reports that it may spin off its personal-computer business and is in talks to buy British software developer Autonomy (AUTNF) for $10 billion bid.

HP shares hit $34 at about 12:20 p.m. ET but fell back quickly. At 12:40 p.m. ET, the shares were off 1.5% to $30.93. HP is scheduled to report fiscal-third-quarter results after today's close.

Autonomy shares, meanwhile, were up 55.8% to $39.75.

While HP's PC business is the world's largest, it is a low-profit-margin business, and CEO Leo Apotheker wants to lessen the tech giant's depends on computers. As a former head of SAP (SAP), he also sees enterprise software offering greater opportunities.

IF this happens, will Dell get arrogant and raise their prices while decreasing quality assuming they'll get HP's market share or will they be smart and do everything possible to take all of HP's market share?

Post by **Cakedaddy** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:27 pm

I think they've already raised their prices and lowered their quality. It's been years since I've seriously considered buy, or recommending, a Dell to someone. Not that I think they are really shitty, just that you can get more bang for your buck with other companies. When I can get the same hardware for less money from Sony and/or Toshiba, I'm not going to buy a Dell. Fucking SONY is cheaper than Dell!

As far as them lowering their quality, I'm talking about what they offer. Back in the day, you could pick all kinds of good stuff to put into their mid priced laptops. Now you can't. You are limited to shitty graphics and stuff. I think the laptops will still run as good/long as they always have. You just get less for your money. So, I guess they just raised their prices. You pay a huge premium for quality (fast) stuff.

Post by **Leisher** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:38 pm

It depends which line you're buying from with Dell.

Their business stuff is still perfectly fine. We buy all Dell, and rarely ever have issues with them. (Latitute laptops and Optiplex or Dimension desktops)

However, we've purchased a few XPSs as well, and WOW are they steaming piles of shit. I've never purchased desktops that have had so many issues. Complete garbage.

And yes, you're right about them cutting back on the options available. I think it's because they've geared the Dell line more towards businesses, and home users who don't need a powerhouse. Meanwhile, you're aware that Dell owns Alienware right? That's where you can still customize like crazy.

Overall, I'm betting Dell made their decision based on who was buying all of their computers and what they really wanted. Most consumers and businesses probably weren't customizing that heavily, and instead were sticking to certain builds.

I've worked on a couple of Sony Vaios and one Toshiba, and they were laptops like any other. They seemed to work fine after I fixed whatever the issue was at the time. Although, I'd give Dell the edge in website support.