February 16, 1999
What's in a Name?
By Bob Ryan, FamilyPC
From the nameplates on our cars to the designer
names embroidered on our back pockets, Americans
are obsessed with brands, which offer familiarity and a
sense of security, though usually for a price. Things
are no different in the computer world, where one of
the biggest decisions you have to make is whether to
buy from a big-name supplier such as Compaq, IBM,
Apple, or Hewlett-Packard or to take a chance on a
lesser-known company that doesn't spend millions on
advertising.
To discover what a big-name computer company
brings to the table, we performed an in-depth
examination of two computers: one from Compaq, the
best-selling computer maker on the planet, and the
other from Comtrade, a long-time computer maker that
is little known beyond the pages of techie computer
magazines such as PC Magazine and Computer
Shopper. Using the same criteria we employ in all of
our FamilyPC system reviews, we compared
identically priced systems (well, within $5) to learn
what you get and what you give up when you cross
the divide between a big-name company and a
company that is unknown to most consumers.
Out of the Box
Right from the start, the $2099 Compaq Presario
5600i-450 shows more attention to detail and to the
needs of average computer users. It comes with a
poster that guides you through the setup process, and
with documentation that is consistent in style and
substance. The $2094 Comtrade DVD Dream
Machine 450 doesn't come with a setup poster, and its
documentation consists of a jumble of separate
manuals for each important system component. And
while both systems include the obligatory Windows 98
CD-ROM, only Compaq features a QuickRestore
CD-ROM that will restore your system to its factory
defaults in the event that system settings become
hopelessly scrambled -- a not uncommon occurrence
with any Windows system.
The Compaq system also takes the honors for the
setup process itself. Its ports and cables are
color-coded, so matching the proper cable to the
corresponding port is a breeze. Also, the Compaq lets
you attach USB devices to the front of the system so
you can more easily take advantage of the
"hot-plugging" capabilities of USB. Though not
color-coded, the ports on the Comtrade system are
clearly labeled.
Throughout the setup process, Compaq delivers an
easier, more appealing experience. This extends to its
online registration process and to the Presario section
on Compaq's Web site. In addition to providing a point
of contact for updates and support, the site offers
information and links about what to do with your
Presario computer.
Because both the Compaq and the Comtrade run
Windows 98, you'll find little difference between them
in ease of use. The most significant difference is that
the Comtrade uses a standard 101-key keyboard, and
the Compaq comes with the Easy Access Internet
keyboard, which features volume and mute controls,
CD audio controls (Play, Stop, Rewind, Fast Forward),
a sleep button, and one-button access to your browser
or e-mail program. Such easy-access controls are
common with brand-name systems.
Core Components
The Compaq and Comtrade systems are built on
similar foundations. Both feature Intel Pentium II
processors running at 450 MHz. Though the imminent
release of Intel's Katmai processors means that the
450-MHz Pentium II no longer represents the leading
edge of Windows performance, it remains a high-end
CPU.
Both systems use the Intel 440BX chipset, which
enables AGP graphics and 100-MHz memory. Both
come with 128MB of SDRAM, more than enough for
everyone but professional graphic artists. The
Comtrade features a 12.7GB hard disk, compared to
the 10.0GB disk on the Compaq. Both systems include
a 56-kbps modem.
The fact that the Comtrade has slightly better core
components (by virtue of its 2.7GB hard disk
advantage) is typical of no-name systems. In our
examination of offerings at matched prices, no-name
systems usually offered a step up in processor clock
speed, amount of memory, or hard disk space over
brand-name systems.
Comtrade has a big advantage over Compaq when it
comes to multimedia. The DVD Dream Machine 450
comes with a 5x DVD-ROM drive, versus the
Compaq's 32x CD-ROM drive. Though you don't find
many DVD software titles on store shelves today, you
will by the end of 1999. By supplying DVD today,
Comtrade lets you use today's CD-ROM, CD Audio,
CD-R, and CD-RW media and saves you the hassle of
upgrading to DVD later.
For graphics, the Compaq uses the ATI Rage LT Pro
2X AGP chipset with 8MB of graphics memory. The
Comtrade uses higher-performing Matrox graphics,
also with 8MB of memory. For most applications, you
won't notice the difference, though 3-D games will run
with higher frame rates on the Comtrade system.
The audio story is not as simple. The Comtrade has
better speakers -- it features a subwoofer -- while the
Compaq comes with 3-D positional sound from
Aureal. We prefer 3-D positional sound, but it's a close
call.
A more discernible difference is in the monitors:
Comtrade supplies a 19-inch CTX monitor that has
about 30 percent more viewable area than the 17-inch
Compaq monitor. That's a clear advantage for the
no-name supplier.
On the other hand, the Compaq comes with a 10-Mbps
Ethernet card, a component completely lacking on the
Comtrade. You'll want Ethernet today if you plan to
network two or more PCs, and you may want it
tomorrow to take advantage of high-speed Internet
technologies such as cable modems and ASDL.
Though the presence of Ethernet will offset the lack of
DVD for many people, the Presario still finishes
behind the DVD Dream Machine 450 when you look
at multimedia features. The monitor difference is just
too great to overcome.
Performance in Perspective
Like most no-name vendors, Comtrade tries to deliver
superior performance to make up for rough edges
elsewhere. It succeeds with the DVD Dream
Machine 450, which matches the Dell Dimension R450
as the fastest 450-MHz Pentium II system we've ever
tested. The Compaq Presario 5600i is no slouch, but it
finished about 7 percent behind the Comtrade on the
industry-standard Ziff-Davis benchmarks.
Though no-name systems often have better hardware
than their brand-name brethren, the same can't be said
for software. In our research, brand-name systems
usually come with more software -- and more
desirable software -- than no-name systems offer. Our
representative systems are a case in point. The
Comtrade comes with Lotus SmartSuite -- excellent
software for a corporate office -- and four games. The
Compaq suite is based on Microsoft's Home Essentials
and includes productivity applications, games, personal
finance, and a CD-ROM encyclopedia.
Every year, PC Magazine (our sister publication)
surveys thousands of people to come up with its
Service and Reliability ratings. We use these ratings in
all our FamilyPC reviews. In general, brand-name
systems fare better than no-name systems. For
example, the three desktop vendors that receive an A
rating are all brand names (Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and
IBM). Compaq finishes just behind, with a B.
Comtrade, however, is an unknown quantity. Because
it doesn't have the market share of a brand-name
company, it didn't get enough mentions in the survey to
get a rating. If you're uncomfortable with uncertainty,
you'd better stick with a brand name.
The Bottom Line
After looking at the Compaq and Comtrade systems in
detail, and at dozens of other product offerings, we
draw the following lessons in the brand-name versus
no-name debate.
At a set price, you get more performance or
better features from a no-name system than
from a well-known brand.
Brand-name systems are more polished and
exhibit better attention to detail.
You'll have a more predictable experience with
a brand-name system than with a no-name
system.
Are you ready for a no-name system? If you're
comfortable around computers and not afraid of risk,
then a no-name is for you. If you're already a bit
stressed by the idea of owning and operating a
computer, then stick with a national brand. And if
you're still undecided, the quiz on this page will help put
things in perspective. Either way you go, you'll find a
computer that's right for you.
No-Names No Longer
Comtrade (www.comtrade.com): Sells
high-performance systems at reasonable prices.
emachines (www.e4me.com): Making a big splash
with sub-$500 PCs. See the review in this issue.
Gazelle Computer (www.gazellecomputer.com):
Another retail vendor pushing budget systems. See the
review in our February issue.
iDOT.computers (www.idot.com): Billed as "the first
PC company built for the Web," it offers a wide range
of Intel- and AMD-based systems.
MidWest Micro (www.mwmicro.com): Builds fast,
reliable, inexpensive computers.
Quantex (www.quantex.com): Another no-name
company with a reliability ranking that's the equal of
many brand-name companies.
The FamilyPC "Are You Ready for
Brand X" Quiz
So you want to save a few bucks and buy from a
no-name vendor. Before you do, take our test to see if
you have the right stuff. For the following 10 questions,
score 1 point each time you put a checkmark in a box.
Check your results below.
I'm good at dealing with uncertainty.
I've owned a computer before.
I want the most computer for the money.
I have examined my BIOS settings.
I'm not afraid to experiment with my computer.
I've set up a printer without any help.
I've set up an Internet connection without any
help.
I've downloaded device drivers from the
Internet.
I've opened up my computer case.
I've added an expansion card to my computer.
If your score is
0 - 4 Be thankful for the Compaqs and Gateways of
the world.
5 - 7 Test the waters, but don't jump in for less than a
compelling (10 percent or more) price advantage.
8 - 9 There's a no-name system with your name on it.
10 Why not just build it yourself?
Bob Ryan is a FamilyPC senior editor. Contact him
at robert_ryan@zd.com.
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