![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Buying a Computer
![]() ![]() ![]() What do all Web surfers have in common? If you know the answer, you won't be surprised to learn that the Web has turned into a good place to shop for a PC. Some, but not all, of the major computer makers are here. We looked at sites that offer computers for retail sale on-line, though, which left out the sites of most computer manufacturers, who offer full information but make no effort to sell on-line. Their hardware is sold through the dealer or reseller channels, which may be one reason they don't sell retail. Meanwhile, those who do sell on-line do not, in nearly all cases, actually sell anything on-line.Generally, sites instruct you to call a toll-free number to complete your transaction after making your selection on-line. Or, you can leave an e-mail message and a salesperson will call back to close the sale. Aside from concern over sending credit card numbers over an insecure Internet, the vendors probably want to be assured that you're not a key-pounding five-year-old.
![]()
![]()
You'd better like cows if you plan to do business at Gateway 2000, as the graphical theme is unrelentingly cow-based. The perky icons include a cow on a couch talking to a psychiatrist. But what do you want from the leading employer in North Sioux City, South Dakota, started by the first member of his family in five generations to leave the cattle business? The Netscape-based display was so well laid out, with a green vertical left-hand border containing sidebar text and icons, that we invoked the source code and were delighted to find a message saying, "Thank you for examining our code." Packaged PC configurations were listed in the Showroom section, but they were almost lost amidst other items, including a dictionary of computer terms with pronunciation guide, general articles on sound cards and RAM, and corporate information. The only drawback was the search engine, which asks you to hold your breath when clicking the Start Search button. Good advice: The engine never worked for us.
Computers aren't bought for their looks. Quantex Microsystems seems to have snapped to this fact, since its site doesn't bother to show pictures of the systems. What it does offer is an interactive form that generates a price quote after you pick out the CPU you want and select from a list of system options. The only apparent drawback was the limited range of options. Using your ZIP code, it even adds in the shipping charge from the firm's headquarters in New Jersey. (It was $109 to Texas. Ouch!) You can also fill out a form to have a salesperson call you or just call the toll-free number to get things rolling. The site is decorated with minimalist, fast-loading images.
The systems are listed by price rather than CPU at Micron Electronics, which you'll find convenient if price is your first consideration. Micron doesn't bother with system pictures, which is fine, but we were put off by the disclaimer that the price quoted by the salesperson, rather than the price shown on-line, is final. The displays, however, make heavy use of Netscape features, and you're warned off if you are not using it.
There was nothing particularly special about Dell except that there were a lot of systems offered, each with a thumbnail picture. Clicking the latter brought up complete configuration details, plus options pricing. Each description also contained warranty and other legalese, which you are apparently supposed to download and print. We also saw an e-mail list for the latest Dell product offerings and pricing information, as well as corporate and financial information.
The trouble with liquidation merchandise is that it usually belongs to the previous product generation, and that there is a limited supply since most models have been discontinued. And that appears to be the case with what's offered at Fischer Enterprises. Still, some systems were new, and some were refurbished. Available quantity was listed for each item. As for the items being outdated, don't worry: In the PC world, that just means they're more than six months old. Prices looked good, and you can order by fax or phone.
NECX Direct is unique in that it lets you complete your purchase on-line, clicking a button to add a displayed item to your order list, thanks to Netscape encryption. NECX is a buyers' club, though, and you have to pay $29.99 a year to buy what you see.
There's an identity problem at the IBM Personal Computers site. IBM gives sample prices on some systems featured there, with a toll-free ordering number. On the other hand, there's no breakdown of option pricing: If you want a bigger hard disk or monitor, you're at the mercy of the salesperson. Other products, meanwhile, are fully described without the tiresome subject of money ever surfacing. We suppose that if you have to ask about the price, IBM doesn't want to do business with you. The site also tends to list items by arcane product names that give no hint as to a model's characteristics.
Tandy offers corporate information plus links to the sites of its computer mega-retailing subsidiaries: Radio Shack, Computer City, and Incredible Universe. If you thought this would be the mecca of on-line computer sales, think again! The only thing actually for sale on-line was a Radio Shack karaoke system. The site is mostly devoted to financial information. The Computer City site was dominated by a clickable store-locator map, linked to street maps for each site. The Incredible Universe site is best remembered as long lists of links to the sites of the manufacturers of its products.
Acer America sells directly to the public only through a division called Acer Direct. This site gives you the number for Acer Direct and suggests you consult the magazine ads. Gosh, thanks.
EPS Technologies Inc. is a mail-order PC maker that advertises in computer magazines. But when we visited, its site was still under construction and had no specific product information. We saw only fulsome, brochure-style prose assuring you that the stuff will be great when you do encounter it. Maybe there will be something there by the time you read this.
Likewise, the site of mail-order contender Midwest Micro was under construction, promising it will eventually offer an on-line catalog. But all we saw was a daily special and a selection of technical documents. The graphics require the use of Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer.
![]()
Copyright (c) 1995 Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company is prohibited. Internet Life and the Internet Life logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. |
![]() QUICK CLICK! CompUSA Creative Computers Gateway 2000 Quantex Microsystems Swan Technologies Corporation Austin Direct Micron Electronics Dell Fischer Enterprises NECX Direct IBM Personal Computers Tandy Acer America EPS Technologies Inc. Midwest Micro |