Buying pcs from Aldi/Lidl - advice,please?

cheddarpaul

I see that Aldi have a really good deal on a base unit at the moment and am interested in buying it, BUT, I have a few of questions...

1. What is their warranty?
2. What is their customer services like if things go wrong?
3. Has anyone experience of buying pc kit from them in the past, and if so, what was it like?
4. Anyone advise NOT to buy from them, and why?
5. Can anyone beat their current offer:

The newest Intel® Dual Core processor architecture!
Intel® Pentium® D Dual Core processor 830
3.0 GHz, 2 x 1MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB
Future-proof technology due to 64 bit support
Optimum performance due to 2MB cache, Dual Core technology

Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition SP2

Extremely low noise
through improved heat management thanks to the new
BTX casing technology, heat-pipe coolers and quiet fans

1024 MB DDR2 SDRAM with 533 MHz
64 Bit dual channel memory
( 1 bank free for upgrade )

250 GB hard disk 8MB cache
S-ATA 150 Interface super fast 7200 rpm

3 x dual TV tuners installed:
Watch a programme at the same time as recording another programme.
2x DVB-S digital satellite reception2
2x DVB-T digital TV everywhere3
2x analogue TV/ cable TV

NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6700 XL
High-end graphics card
TV out connections via:
SCART, S-Video, Composite or Component
(YUV; YPrPb) High Definition
Super fast GDDR3 memory at 1,100MHz.
NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6700 XL
Graphics processor with 525 MHz
128 MB PCI Express x16 bus concept

16x Dual Layer
Multi-standard DVD/CD burner 5

16x DVD-ROM

WLAN 54Mbit/s
IEEE 802.11g/ 802.11b compatible
Wireless network access6, the perfect entry to cable-free
network technology at home and in the office.

Integrated 8in1 USB 2.0 card reader
reads and writes to all current Flash cards

6x USB 2.0 2x front, 4x rear

2x FireWire (IEEE 1394) 1x front, 1x rear

8 Intel® High Definition Audio channel
for digital home cinema experience with ideal sound 7

V.90 PCI data fax modem incl. telephone connection cable

Network control on board, Fast Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s


2) Only functions with the appropriate aerial, not supplied.

3) Requires a DVB-T or other digital service in your area.

4) Integrated tuner card with analogue stereo TV. Stereo TV reception via the normal house and room aerial, or existing cable connection.

5) You may only make copies of material for which you own the copyright, or for which you have obtained permission from the copyright owner to make copies. If you are not the owner of the copyright, or do not have the permission of the copyright owner to copy, then you could violate the copyright and be subject to possible claims for damages.

6)Assuming there is a WLAN access point at the location.

7) Only in connection with a suitable speaker system (not included)

All responses, greatfully received....

Chester_Draws

Hi Paul,

I've had a Medion for 2 years, bought from Aldi.
1. Aldi are OK to deal with, refunds with little hassle.
2. Medion guarantee is 3 years parts and labour.
3. Medion UK are based in Swindon, had about 4 contacts with them, customer service always been OK in my experience.
4. Had a faulty hard drive after about a year, engineer came to house, problem solved quickly.
5. They tend to use well branded parts for most of the PC, e.g. Seagate hard drive, Sony DVD recorder etc.
6. I think graphic cards are made for them but usually high spec.
7. COMPUTERACTIVE magazine usually gives a 4 1/2 or 5 star rating to their bench tests on Medion products.

I'm no computer expert, and hope others with better knowledge can advise on better buys etc, I can only tell you of my experience.

As with any computer of this price though, someone will say save your money and build your own ......... but that takes this thread into another field.


My only concern looking at the specs., is I wonder if you really need
"3 x dual TV tuners installed:
Watch a programme at the same time as recording another programme.
2x DVB-S digital satellite reception2
2x DVB-T digital TV everywhere3
2x analogue TV/ cable TV"
and how much this is adding to the cost ?

It also comes with a good software package, with the exception of the
e-trust antivirus. I could never get this to fully download updates ..... always seemed to get about 85% through and then fail, so have another AV ready.

Meeten

Hi,

I have bought a PC from ALDI on the back of COMPUTER ACTIVE rec, and have to say that I am really pleased with it. So much so, that my friends have bought the pc as well - of the 4 people that I know that have bought a machine frmo them, there has only been one incident.

My sister bought a PC and it seemed very hot. She called up CS, and they went through some detials, but did not solve the problem. So, they booked an engineer, and he came round the house, opened it up and said that there was a faulty heat sink - unfortunately he did not have the spare witrh him. He called up someone and ordered the part, and furthermore ordered a new power supply as well, as that was a potential cause of the problem.

PC put back together (still working) and sure enough he was round the following week, and replaced aforementioned parts. From conversation he worked for Synstar, and was contracted by Medion to carry out any remidial work.

All in all I have no qualms with buying a machine from Aldi, and if the one i had bought from them was defunct (2 years old and still going), then I would jump at the opportunity of buying the latest base unit.

Like the independent reviews point out - it is a stinking machine at the price, and I for one cannot fault it! Possibly over-engineered for day to day use, if i was being hyper critical, but heh, that's not a bad thing!


HTH

ringer

Check this site out http://medion.adslweb.co.uk/phpbb2/portal.php
I bought a Aldi PC and have found it invaluable for help and advice.