Computer

[alicia]

Just a quick question. Would it be better to buy a new computer from Amazon or from somewhere like Worten or Al Campo. Personally I am veering towards Amazon as choice and detailed specs and general opinions and reviews from the public at large together with price make it more of a safer bet. Also, if anything wrong it can be returned at no cost and straightforward refund. A Spanish friend has put doubts in my head though and reckons that Worten would be better. I´m not totally convinced but just wondering what everybody else thinks.

[El Cid]

Worten have a poor reputation for after sales service. Amazon are brilliant about returns under 30 days but beyond that it is not so easy.

Some of the local franchise chains like Beep and APPInformatica are good and have some good deals.

Alternatively, for total peace of mind with regard to warranty issues, Dell online offer on site warranty repairs for up to four years.

Sid

[Beachcomber]

I have always bought my computers from a small specialised computer shop in Fuengirola. It is run by two partners one of whom specialises in hardware and the other in software. They have been there for over twenty years and offer excellent after sales service. Prices are competitive but a little higher than the chain stores but you get what you pay for.

Although a chain APP Informatica is run as, Sid says, by local franchises. They are OK but personally I would avoid Beep like the plague even if they were giving them away.

[peteroldracer]

Alternatively, for total peace of mind with regard to warranty issues, Dell online offer on site warranty repairs for up to four years. Sid

My current experience of Dell "customer service" classifies them as absolutely incompetent and abysmal! I needed a part in March, got a quote from them for out-of-warranty price, transferred the money to the account given me.....after many weeks and a lot of chasing they finally admitted that they did not have the part. They have been messing about ever since, wanting copies of the bank transfer, copies of the quote, and so far five months later have not refunded my 100+€!
Dell America seems not to be able to communicate with Dell Spain (Mellila) and they are wonderful at buck-passing.....

[Lyric]

I have just had a fine experience with APP locally, even when it wouldn't load an OS from switch on, they quickly diagnosed and replaced the RAM. Happy.
Usual disclaimers.

[El Cid]

Peter, I did say that Dell's warranty service is good, but out of warranty none of the major manufacturers are much good. Your local computer store can usually fix it quickly and cheaply. There are very few parts in a Dell PC that cannot be sourced from many suppliers.

Sid

[peteroldracer]

APP in Torrox tried but were unable to source the part, despite him searching a wide range of sources....
My get-round of drilling a hole in the wristrest, then using a plastic cocktail stick to press the start button on the main board will probably continue until I replace the laptop! It will not be a Dell....

[MartinEB]

Don't totally overlook Cortes Ingles, they do some good deals and their Customer Service has a good reputation

https://www.elcorteingles.es/electronic ... formatica/

[costakid]

Buy a Mac.

[Martin Page]

First Chose which language you want the computer to run In - Spanish Or English, then which Keyboard you want to run.

That should narrow down your choice a bit....

[Beachcomber]

Does Windows 10 not allow you to choose the system language?

[Lyric]

Multitudes of them, indeed some I think they have made up, I've never heard of them.

[Martin Page]

Does Windows 10 not allow you to choose the system language?

YES ...at the installation stage, but when you buy a machine it will already be configured to a language.
You CAN change the screen text to English and you can change the keyboard to English , but the computer still 'thinks' in Spanish. For example the spell checker will be Spanish and all web routing will assume Spanish.

You have to reinstall Windows to convert from Spanish to full English so it is better have it installed correctly in the first place.

[Spud]

I bought my computer from Eroski. When I set it up, it asked if I wanted English or Spanish I chose English and there has not been any problems. Customer service at Eroski has always seemed pretty good but touch wood I've had no problems, even got the Windows 10 free upgrade working OK.

[alicia]

Just a quick one to thank everyone for their very useful contributions. Still haven´t come to a final decision though. Will have to have a long think first....just to try to weigh up the pros and cons. I suppose ultimately it is just down to personal choice isn´t it and what you are happy with isn´t it. Interesting though to hear about other people´s experiences though. Once againl many thanks for taking time out to share.

[Paulinmalaga]

Buy a Mac.

Agree with you fully, if you want drama free a Mac is the best option.

[elusive]

Or depending on your needs the most hassle free comp is a chromebook