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Dell has been crap in the server, "blade", desktop, and laptop space for over 20 years. They couldn't even get their touch-pads consistent (https://news.ycombi

Dell has been crap in the server, "blade", desktop, and laptop space for over 20 years. They couldn't even get their touch-pads consistent (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41992784 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41992784). I have very few generic vendor sourcing advice when it comes to computing hardware, but "Nobody ever got fired for NOT buying Dell." is one of them. Just don't.

virtualwhys 2y ago
Counterpoint, running Dell R430 rack server for nearly ten years -- in that time a single SSD in raid 10, 8 disk array, has failed. Maybe I got lucky? Similarly, my last three laptops have all been Dell Precision -- only issue until I switched to Intel integrated gpu was Nvidia on Linux (black screens, laptop attempting liftoff due to gpu heating issues) causing periodic grief. Also, for the author, Dell Precision provides advanced BIOS options out of the box, something that their consumer line of laptops probably doesn't offer.
- calmbonsai 2y ago
  We had 4 Dell Itanium racks (circa 2003) all fail with the same exact power-supply overvoltage issue over the course of 4 months. Maybe we got unlucky.
bayindirh 2y ago
Dell's rack servers are one of the rare servers which refused to die under continuous heavy load (HPC). Their R815s after eliminating the early failures (leading edge of the bathtub curve) just trucked on. I used to run an OpenStack cluster on top of them till last April or so. At the end, either the CPU power regulators died, or their RAID cards just called quits. No other errors after 10+ years of service. We also have their newer CPU and GPU servers. They just work. Scream occasionally due to high load, but not overheating or dying. They're built like a tank, from our experience.
- rbanffy 2y ago
  They also have the MI300A-based servers. I’d love to misuse one as a workstation.
wongarsu 2y ago
Dell's business laptops are pretty solid, as are their tiny form factor PCs. I'd advise against Dell in regards to anything geared towards consumers, but there are many good things in their business offerings.
- codr7 2y ago
  They look and feel cheap, and I've never come across one that isn't broken.
  - rbanffy 2y ago
    Business laptops are designed to last one refresh cycle while not being loved or well cared for. They don’t look great, but they keep working.
- hjgjhyuhy 2y ago
  Previous gen Dell laptops at my workplace had issues with expanding batteries. Newer ones don’t, but are made from really cheap plastic, and have bad battery life. I would definitely avoid their laptops and get Thinkpads instead.

virtualwhys 2y ago

Counterpoint, running Dell R430 rack server for nearly ten years -- in that time a single SSD in raid 10, 8 disk array, has failed. Maybe I got lucky? Similarly, my last three laptops have all been Dell Precision -- only issue until I switched to Intel integrated gpu was Nvidia on Linux (black screens, laptop attempting liftoff due to gpu heating issues) causing periodic grief. Also, for the author, Dell Precision provides advanced BIOS options out of the box, something that their consumer line of laptops probably doesn't offer.

calmbonsai 2y ago
We had 4 Dell Itanium racks (circa 2003) all fail with the same exact power-supply overvoltage issue over the course of 4 months. Maybe we got unlucky.

bayindirh 2y ago

Dell's rack servers are one of the rare servers which refused to die under continuous heavy load (HPC). Their R815s after eliminating the early failures (leading edge of the bathtub curve) just trucked on. I used to run an OpenStack cluster on top of them till last April or so. At the end, either the CPU power regulators died, or their RAID cards just called quits. No other errors after 10+ years of service. We also have their newer CPU and GPU servers. They just work. Scream occasionally due to high load, but not overheating or dying. They're built like a tank, from our experience.

rbanffy 2y ago
They also have the MI300A-based servers. I’d love to misuse one as a workstation.

wongarsu 2y ago

Dell's business laptops are pretty solid, as are their tiny form factor PCs. I'd advise against Dell in regards to anything geared towards consumers, but there are many good things in their business offerings.

codr7 2y ago
They look and feel cheap, and I've never come across one that isn't broken.
- rbanffy 2y ago
  Business laptops are designed to last one refresh cycle while not being loved or well cared for. They don’t look great, but they keep working.
hjgjhyuhy 2y ago
Previous gen Dell laptops at my workplace had issues with expanding batteries. Newer ones don’t, but are made from really cheap plastic, and have bad battery life. I would definitely avoid their laptops and get Thinkpads instead.