From: sasbge@unx.sas.com (Gantt Edmiston)
Subject: Re: Opinions - Zeos 50MHz
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 03:12:33 GMT
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.

jjj45754@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (G Y M E) writes:

>Hi,

>I'm interested in upgrading from an IBM pS/2 286 to a 50 MHz machine.

>I have seen a ZEOS brand 50 MHz for an affordable price and would 
>like some opinions.  Mainly, opinions on ZEOS's computers.
>Also, if you have any suggestions as to another brand, please let me know.


First, I hope to soon be a ZEOS customer.  I ordered my first PC (a ZEOS)
on Oct 2, 1992 and I'm still waiting.  I was quoted 3 weeks, you figure
the delay.  I remain firm that regardless of the wait, ZEOS is the
vendor of choice.  My research shows that they make quality solutions
out of quality components.  A few tips if you place an order.

Don't believe the sales rep.  The sales reps are "told" to quote "n"
number of weeks delivery.  Each individual sales rep have no exposure
to the actual production reality.  Once I figured this out, I wasn't as
upset about the sales reps inability to explain my delay or get me
answers.

Make friends with a Customer Service rep.  They are the ones that
can get you all the info regarding the status of your order.  My experience
has been top-rate.  They have never failed to call me back with updates
and/or status info.  I can't say as much for the Tech Support line.  I
called them six times during the "making up my mind" stage and got
through four out of six times.  Twice I left messages for a call back
and never got a call.  The four times that I *did* get through, they
were very patient and answered all my questions.

I did get notice that my system went to production on Monday, 9NOV92!
Although I have learned not to get to excited over "quoted" ship
dates, it has been set for next Monday.  So if it does materialize,
it will be about 7 weeks from order to receipt.  Earlier, I asked
for others on the net who had ordered and received similar ZEOS
systems.  Tonight I received a private reply from someone on the
net who had just received his system after a 6.5 week wait.

Another thing I have learned is that a "custom" system will delay
your delivery time as well.  The new 486DX2-xx Local Bus systems are
configured with a VESA video board.  Unfortunately ZEOS is short on
the chips (I think from NCR) to build them so all the systems are
being shipped with Diamond 24X videos cards until they can get the
VESA's built, tested and shipped.  Additionally, the ZEOS cache
upgrades (128K and 256K) are not shipping either.  I ordered the
Intel SatisFAXtion 400 and it's also back-ordered.  I have asked that
they *not* hold my system due to the missing parts.

While you might not get much info from the sales rep, if I were doing
this all over, I would call tech support and ask about every line
item on a new order for availability.  This way you would probably
get a better picture (and expectation level) on the actual ship date.

Finally, I don't have to tell readers of this group about the power
and usefulness of the NET.  ZEOS has (at least) two tech support
reps that monitor this and other newsgroups.  I think this shows
a forward thinking approach from the management at ZEOS.  They care
enough to allow their representatives to read and ANSWER news
questions.

So for maximum throughput, order a "stock" system and put the add-ons
on another separate order.  I don't know for a fact, but based on 
comments from tech support and customer service, they do pre-built
stock systems.  Just look at the sales ads.  A base system with 4
upgrade options.  Anything additional is "custom", this includes
getting a "tower" configuration (like I did).

--
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Gantt Edmiston - SysAdmin     o |If you always do what you have always done,
SAS Institute Inc.          <(  |you'll always get what you've always gotten!
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