My computer seems a little light...

['putertutor]

Yesterday I went to a customer location to help them with setting up their new computer and some basic networking stuff. When he called he asked if I could check out the new computer. He had some suspicions it might be some kind of HP knockoff or even a forgery. When I asked him why he thought that he said, "I don't know. It just looks odd, and seems a little light."

This is what I found when I got there...

Pic1
Pic2

He told me this was sold through TigerDirect as an HP. I think its one of those 'debranded' HPs Tiger has been selling. "A little light" is something of an understatement. Not even a power supply. Instead it came with a power adapter like a laptop. I have seen these online before (somewhere here there is a thread with a pic like this), but this is the first time I've ever seen one in person. RMA'd the thing immediately. Told him a refurb would be far better than what he just received.

 

[16k_zx81]

It would be interesting to see the link he purchased from, to get an idea of what they are selling these as, in terms of specs and features.

Dont suppose you could post it?


Jim

 

[angry_geek]

It is an HP. Head over to the box store and compare. HP has gone completely stupid with their consumer division. I worry this is translating to their business lines as well.

 

['putertutor]

I'll get it from him and post it later.

 

[Maniaman]

I had an HP come in almost exactly like that, except I think it still had a regular power supply in it. Spots on the case for expansion bays, but you'd have to take a dremel or cutting disc to the case to use them.

1 more reason I hate HP.

 

['putertutor]

This is the item he bought. It's funny (not haha funny, but cry on your keyboard funny) because the unit I found for him was cheaper, had the same size drive, twice as much memory and a faster intel processor. It was an end of lease, but still miles ahead of the turd he was shipped.



@angry_geek: I'm no fan of HP, but are you saying they are selling units like this now? With their name on it???

 

[NYJimbo]

Its one of their ultra low end machines. HP came to the conclusion that many people do not upgrade so they made machines that are similiar to laptops but in a big box.

There is an audience for these machines, but if they ever want to upgrade the might find its impossible.

 

[SilverLeaf]

Yeah, I've had a couple of these come through lately. On the plus side, they are incredibly light, and there is lots of room to work in the case. I don't suppose its likely that these HP's will overheat

But, I believe this is just one more step towards the "disposable" PC model that seems to be growing rapidly.

 

[mraikes]

I don't really see the big deal. Not a whole lot should be expected for $271.

For the vast majority of computer buyers, upgrade-ability is way overrated.

Might be nice if it had a little more memory. But at least it's Windows 7 and not 8. And a 500gb drive is big enough for most folks.

Let's face it, it'll work just fine for email, Facebook, surfing the net, and watching stupid Harlem-Shake videos on Youtube.

It fits the niche for which it was designed.

 

[DocGreen]

Why even bother with a full size case for that type of computer??? Waste of space and aluminum! If the manufacturer/supplier is being up-front and the customer knows exactly what they're getting, that's one thing... but I looked at the link on Tiger Direct... notice they don't show ANY pictures of the back or inside of the computer?

 

[altrenda]

These are the types of machines i think of when I read here that customers would rather buy a new $350 computer than fix the current one.

I try to show my clients the true replacement cost. After paying to have their data transferred, buying new software (since they probably don't have the install disks), and time spent setting it up to the net, printers, whatever, this is what they are left with. A worthless piece of junk that might last 18 months.

Luckily, most my clients are small business/home based business that wouldn't buy this crap. I may buy one to show them why they should avoid these "deals"

HP's bloatware infested, poorly designed consumer PC junk did as much to switch people to Macs as Vista did.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Yesterday I went to a customer location to help them with setting up their new computer and some basic networking stuff. When he called he asked if I could check out the new computer. He had some suspicions it might be some kind of HP knockoff or even a forgery. When I asked him why he thought that he said, "I don't know. It just looks odd, and seems a little light."

This is what I found when I got there...

Pic1
Pic2

He told me this was sold through TigerDirect as an HP. I think its one of those 'debranded' HPs Tiger has been selling. "A little light" is something of an understatement. Not even a power supply. Instead it came with a power adapter like a laptop. I have seen these online before (somewhere here there is a thread with a pic like this), but this is the first time I've ever seen one in person. RMA'd the thing immediately. Told him a refurb would be far better than what he just received.

I had one of those things on the bench the other day. Had Windows 8 on it. Had to blow it off an put Windows 7 on. Cheap crap.

 

[angry_geek]

@angry_geek: I'm no fan of HP, but are you saying they are selling units like this now? With their name on it???

That is exactly the case. Their goal is to outsell everyone at the consumer level, regardless of quality. Forget the upgrade factor. As stated, most people never upgrade their machines. They're not the only company going to the crap model, Lenovo, Acer are as well. As much as it pains me to say it, the only consumer-grade desktops I would consider now are Asus and Dell. Laptops: throw Toshiba in there. Luckily, I don't have to deal with the consumer end much.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I have a client who has just purchased one of these.

I couldn't beleive it, when I opened the case, and saw exactly how full it was. Read less is more.

When I explained to my client, that if the dc socket should fail, then expect a hefty bill, he wasn't best pleased to say the least. He wanted my best opinion on his fantastic buy!. Well he had it. Warts and all.

My clients old machine was well past its sell by date, and went belly up. I quoted him close to £400 for a decent specced machine. Instead they went to the local PC World. Out of pocket £300 ish, and came back with this.

 

[16k_zx81]

Dunno about USA prices, but $271 for a box with OS is very cheap compared to prices here. It means the box is a throwaway/replace item

I think for a 'disposable computer' its pretty good, actually. - Not to be compared with a hand-made pc - but thats not the same market segment, is it?

How long is the warranty on it?

.

 

['putertutor]

Certainly you get what you pay for, but after seeing the web page, I feel like this is not just a rip off, but deceiving at best. While I agree that there is a market for a non-upgradable machine, a standard size case with zero ability to be upgraded is by no means the norm.

 

[coffee]

The first thing I thought was tiger directs selling practices of such a (do i call it this?) computer. There is no screenshot of the inside of the computer like newegg would do. I think its a bit deceptive of TD to sell it like this. They should include the interior shots.

Is TD not a company to do business with? I purchased a laptop from them that was refurb and the thing would not even charge the battery. Motherboard issue. The return of the laptop so far has gone ok and they did send a replacement but stuff like this gets you to thinking ???

All I can say about the pics from the OP is "Amazing". I would not spend more than 100 bucks on that thing. I dont care what anyone thinks!

Best Regards,

coffee

P.S. -- The customer review is pretty funny.

 

[daverichards]

I had one of those in the shop a few weeks back, IIRC it was an atom processor in it.

 

[nlinecomputers]

The motherboard looks to be Mini-ITX. I would have put it in a Mini-ITX case. Putting it in a standard ATX chassis that is riveted shut is wasteful.

 

[16k_zx81]

The motherboard looks to be Mini-ITX. I would have put it in a Mini-ITX case. Putting it in a standard ATX chassis that is riveted shut is wasteful.

probably the full size cases were cheaper.

every time I have looked for mITX cases, they have actually been quite pricey in comparison, despite the size difference. Maybe its the respective market share - the ATX cases are produced on a much larger scale, so counter-intuitively they cost less?

Or not. Just a theory

.