Well, my "old" one, a PIII, 512Ram, just ain't cutting it anymore. Wife has a new state of the art Dell laptop that she uses religiously, so the daughter and I need something. There is SOOOO much to choose, I'm lost in space. I don't want a laptop, but don't want some big monster bulky thing either like I have now. I'm in need of schooling. Daughter is 6, so pretty soon, she'll be doing homework on the computer. What to get??? I had some friends at church that got up super early last year for the Walmart black friday specials and got some HP desktop for church for around 300 bucks. I've been using it and it's Vista, which isn't so bad. But, noticed Windows 7 get's a lot of fanfare. What kind of specs would ya'll recommend?
Need new computer
- Thread starter Schmoe
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I am a PC salesperson at my local bestbuy, so I think I know what sort of thing you should look at, and thus I'd take a look at these. Also- YES get the 2 year black tie- on todays computers it is worth it- trust me =P
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Essentio+Desktop+/+AMD+Athlon%26%23153;+II+X2+Processor+/+4GB+Memory+/+640GB+Hard+Drive/1092689.p?id=1218219693014&skuId=1092689
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Desktop+/+AMD+Athlon%26%23153;+II+Processor+/+4GB+Memory+/+750GB+Hard+Drive/9964106.p?id=1218202473164&skuId=9964106
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Essentio+Desktop+/+AMD+Athlon%26%23153;+II+X2+Processor+/+4GB+Memory+/+640GB+Hard+Drive/1092689.p?id=1218219693014&skuId=1092689
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Desktop+/+AMD+Athlon%26%23153;+II+Processor+/+4GB+Memory+/+750GB+Hard+Drive/9964106.p?id=1218202473164&skuId=9964106
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I prefer to buy from local stores instead of the big places (If we don’t support the local “mom and pops” who is going to be there when we really need them?). I can get it built the way I want and if I need servicing, they are there. Quite often they are very close to what the majors charge and you can pretty much count on it not being DOA.
Do you want a new version of windows also? Best to get it with a cheapo machine.
http://shop.revonate.com/Refurbished_Desktops_s/27.htm
http://shop.revonate.com/Refurbished_Desktops_s/27.htm
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How much do you expect to spend? If you can shell out a little over a grand, the new iMacs are very nice.
Tigerdirect.com always has some pretty good deals on laptops & desktop PCs. You might give them a look. As far as specs, I would look for something with a 500+GB hard drive, and at least 4GB of RAM.
Tigerdirect.com always has some pretty good deals on laptops & desktop PCs. You might give them a look. As far as specs, I would look for something with a 500+GB hard drive, and at least 4GB of RAM.
One thing to think about is if you get something real small that its most likely going to have "special" parts like $150 power supply and $400 motherboard. (FYI: Normal power supplies are $30 and system boards are around $100)
I normally build my own and other than a nice Dell that I bought on sale for $400 delivered a few years ago (but still takes NORMAL parts) there really is not need to get the fastest or biggest unless you are a gamer.
I'd suggest;
Intel or AMD DualCore processor. 2.2ghz per core or 4ghz total min
4 gig of system memory
640 gig HD
DL DVD drive
Windows 7 Home Premium (stay away from starter)
Pretty well everything else is fine for normal usage. If you are using a wired internet connection all will have that and if you need a wireless situation you can get somewhere else for under $20 a USB one. Don't spend $50-70 for one from the manufacture.
If you want to get a warranty (I'd would not) then check out Squaretrade as they are much cheaper and seem to do a good job if needed.
I built a very fast maching for my 17 year old Daughter who games for $650 incl everything. Works great for what she plays.
Take care, bill
I normally build my own and other than a nice Dell that I bought on sale for $400 delivered a few years ago (but still takes NORMAL parts) there really is not need to get the fastest or biggest unless you are a gamer.
I'd suggest;
Intel or AMD DualCore processor. 2.2ghz per core or 4ghz total min
4 gig of system memory
640 gig HD
DL DVD drive
Windows 7 Home Premium (stay away from starter)
Pretty well everything else is fine for normal usage. If you are using a wired internet connection all will have that and if you need a wireless situation you can get somewhere else for under $20 a USB one. Don't spend $50-70 for one from the manufacture.
If you want to get a warranty (I'd would not) then check out Squaretrade as they are much cheaper and seem to do a good job if needed.
I built a very fast maching for my 17 year old Daughter who games for $650 incl everything. Works great for what she plays.
Take care, bill
What ever you get just be sure to protect it with antivirus and spryware protection. Personally I switched from AVG internert security to Norton 2010/2011 internet security. There are the free ones also like Comodo/Avast/AVG/MSE. Also Superantispyware or Hitman Pro.
2007 Mercury Milan 3.0 48k.
Mobil 1 5w20 synthetic
Good Luck Bill
2007 Mercury Milan 3.0 48k.
Mobil 1 5w20 synthetic
Good Luck Bill
A really nice one and you can get a combo with a 27" monitor with it for $939 w/o tax:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147200
We bought the previous generation Intel version of this HP unit and have been very happy 2+ years now.
When you get your new PC, head on over to www.ninite.com then download all the free goodness you want, I suggest AVAST A-V, you'll need to register it once per year, but it's free.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147200
We bought the previous generation Intel version of this HP unit and have been very happy 2+ years now.
When you get your new PC, head on over to www.ninite.com then download all the free goodness you want, I suggest AVAST A-V, you'll need to register it once per year, but it's free.
TNS...thanks. I've been using the free version of avast for about 4 years now. Have never, knock on wood, had a virus or an attack. I just looked at that website...that's really COOL!!!
THANKS!!!! Hey, will be at the Rush concert in Tulsa next Tuesday night!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the input ya'll. I don't know what it is, but my current computer has gotten slow as molasses this past year. I've cleaned up every thing I could to get it back to speed, but it's just not working. Now, sometimes it will connect to the internet, and sometimes it won't while my wifes' Dell with wireless is running like a bat out of #ell. Wonder what I can do with it when I get another one....it's got all the memory that system can handle, upgraded hard drive and just installed 4 USB 2.0 drivers in it. Hate to just let it go.
THANKS!!!! Hey, will be at the Rush concert in Tulsa next Tuesday night!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the input ya'll. I don't know what it is, but my current computer has gotten slow as molasses this past year. I've cleaned up every thing I could to get it back to speed, but it's just not working. Now, sometimes it will connect to the internet, and sometimes it won't while my wifes' Dell with wireless is running like a bat out of #ell. Wonder what I can do with it when I get another one....it's got all the memory that system can handle, upgraded hard drive and just installed 4 USB 2.0 drivers in it. Hate to just let it go.
Figure out what you expect to use it for during the next 7 years and prepare a list ie memory, HD space, monitor size etc. I personally like Dell, ASUS and some HPs myself. Best Buy is a good place to get one if not ordering from the manufacture. You could go to a Mom & Pops local and have exactly made for you and I have done this.
This is what I got now:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/produ...ng=en&cc=us
is it worth anything??
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/produ...ng=en&cc=us
is it worth anything??
Unless a person likes to buy just cheap computers I would recommend a custom built computer. If you know how to build the computer yourself, or know somebody who can do it, or can have it done at a reasonable price, I think custom built is the way to go.
My current computer has a Lian Li case which will last indefinitely. It has two intake fans and three exhaust fans. Some other parts will also last a long time like the card reader and the Corsair 650W power supply. Then I will just update and replace parts as necessary. You can get computer parts at more reasonable prices from New Egg. You can also get operating systems for much better prices from New Egg.
My computer is still fast enough even though some of the parts are getting older. In a couple of years I will get a new motherboard, processor, graphics card, RAM, and hard drive.
Put enough money into the parts that will last a long time, like the computer case, the power supply, card reader, and stuff like that. Other parts will age faster like the motherboard, graphics card, processor, and RAM. This is the third case that my Blu-Ray burner has been in, and the second case for most of the other parts. I recommend Lian Li or Silverstone for the case, or maybe Cooler Master or Corsair for a full size case. I like Lian Li for midsize computer cases.
You can have a very powerful computer without paying a fortune on parts. For example, you don't have to have a top of the line graphics card unless you have a huge display. And you don't have to have a top of the line processor to have a fast computer.
I did not see a major problem with Vista myself. But Windows 7 is better and requires less RAM.
My current computer has a Lian Li case which will last indefinitely. It has two intake fans and three exhaust fans. Some other parts will also last a long time like the card reader and the Corsair 650W power supply. Then I will just update and replace parts as necessary. You can get computer parts at more reasonable prices from New Egg. You can also get operating systems for much better prices from New Egg.
My computer is still fast enough even though some of the parts are getting older. In a couple of years I will get a new motherboard, processor, graphics card, RAM, and hard drive.
Put enough money into the parts that will last a long time, like the computer case, the power supply, card reader, and stuff like that. Other parts will age faster like the motherboard, graphics card, processor, and RAM. This is the third case that my Blu-Ray burner has been in, and the second case for most of the other parts. I recommend Lian Li or Silverstone for the case, or maybe Cooler Master or Corsair for a full size case. I like Lian Li for midsize computer cases.
You can have a very powerful computer without paying a fortune on parts. For example, you don't have to have a top of the line graphics card unless you have a huge display. And you don't have to have a top of the line processor to have a fast computer.
I did not see a major problem with Vista myself. But Windows 7 is better and requires less RAM.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Go to your local computer store and get the following assembled for you:
1. ANTEC NSK 4482B BLACK W/380W PSU (this comes as a set wholesale)
2. ASUS P7H55-M-LX Motherboard
3. Intel Core i3 530 CPU Retail Box
4. Western Digital WD10EALS 1TB Hard Drive
5. KINGSTON 2X2GB DDR3 1333 CL9 RAM kit
6. ASUS 24B1ST/B SATA DVD-RW (or equivalent)
7. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
That will set you up with a good, reliable system that will perform well and won't break your wallet.
1. ANTEC NSK 4482B BLACK W/380W PSU (this comes as a set wholesale)
2. ASUS P7H55-M-LX Motherboard
3. Intel Core i3 530 CPU Retail Box
4. Western Digital WD10EALS 1TB Hard Drive
5. KINGSTON 2X2GB DDR3 1333 CL9 RAM kit
6. ASUS 24B1ST/B SATA DVD-RW (or equivalent)
7. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
That will set you up with a good, reliable system that will perform well and won't break your wallet.
I disagree strongly with the best buy guy, sorry about that.
First question is what are you planning to do with this computer? If you are like 95 percent of americans who want to watch hulu and check facebook then you don't need a custom built rig, and you don't need anything even close to high end.
I have been a PC Tech and Network Administrator for the past ten years. I've priced it out a bunch of times, you CAN NOT buy parts and put together your own computer for as cheap as DELL or HP sells a fully built computer. Not even including the copy of Windows that you get with the DELL, that will set you back another $100 if you buy a copy for your home built computer.
Take a look at these two sites every day for a month, and pull the trigger when you are ready.
www.slickdeals.net
www.techbargains.com
The tech bargains one posts all the dell weekly deals. You can get a very decent desktop computer with a 20 inch lcd monitor running windows 7 to your door for $429-$450. Spend $100 more and you can get a huge monitor and a faster cpu.
That is with a included multi year warranty, and no nonsense.
Get whatever specs is included with the deal. If you want a bigger hard drive or more ram, or a dvd burner, it is cheaper to just buy that afterwards from newegg and put it in yourself.
First question is what are you planning to do with this computer? If you are like 95 percent of americans who want to watch hulu and check facebook then you don't need a custom built rig, and you don't need anything even close to high end.
I have been a PC Tech and Network Administrator for the past ten years. I've priced it out a bunch of times, you CAN NOT buy parts and put together your own computer for as cheap as DELL or HP sells a fully built computer. Not even including the copy of Windows that you get with the DELL, that will set you back another $100 if you buy a copy for your home built computer.
Take a look at these two sites every day for a month, and pull the trigger when you are ready.
www.slickdeals.net
www.techbargains.com
The tech bargains one posts all the dell weekly deals. You can get a very decent desktop computer with a 20 inch lcd monitor running windows 7 to your door for $429-$450. Spend $100 more and you can get a huge monitor and a faster cpu.
That is with a included multi year warranty, and no nonsense.
Get whatever specs is included with the deal. If you want a bigger hard drive or more ram, or a dvd burner, it is cheaper to just buy that afterwards from newegg and put it in yourself.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Go to your local computer store and get the following assembled for you:
1. ANTEC NSK 4482B BLACK W/380W PSU (this comes as a set wholesale)
2. ASUS P7H55-M-LX Motherboard
3. Intel Core i3 530 CPU Retail Box
4. Western Digital WD10EALS 1TB Hard Drive
5. KINGSTON 2X2GB DDR3 1333 CL9 RAM kit
6. ASUS 24B1ST/B SATA DVD-RW (or equivalent)
7. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
That will set you up with a good, reliable system that will perform well and won't break your wallet.
I'm liking that list!
About $600 tops? Throw in a nice 22-23 inch LCD monitor and your set!
Bill
PS: What is your thoughts on AMD processors? I go Intel on my Laptop and Netbook but all but the Dell desktops have AMD... TIA
Go to your local computer store and get the following assembled for you:
1. ANTEC NSK 4482B BLACK W/380W PSU (this comes as a set wholesale)
2. ASUS P7H55-M-LX Motherboard
3. Intel Core i3 530 CPU Retail Box
4. Western Digital WD10EALS 1TB Hard Drive
5. KINGSTON 2X2GB DDR3 1333 CL9 RAM kit
6. ASUS 24B1ST/B SATA DVD-RW (or equivalent)
7. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
That will set you up with a good, reliable system that will perform well and won't break your wallet.
I'm liking that list!
About $600 tops? Throw in a nice 22-23 inch LCD monitor and your set!
Bill
PS: What is your thoughts on AMD processors? I go Intel on my Laptop and Netbook but all but the Dell desktops have AMD... TIA
The best computer I have owned is my current Dell Desktop. It is no where near top of the line, but works flawlessly. In fact it came from their outlet store. I paid $300 in the door. It has a 320g HD, 85% still free two years later. It has a 2.0 ghz Intel basic dual core processor. It is quick, quiet, and no surprises. The DVD R/W worked first time, and every time since. Still using my 17" Dell LCD monitors bought a long time ago when $300 was a fantastic price on a LCD of that size.
My GF has a 5 to 6 year old Dell Inspiron laptop. Same great luck as we have had with all of our Dell purchases. IMO stay with Intel processors.
No I dont work for Dell. I market groceries.
My GF has a 5 to 6 year old Dell Inspiron laptop. Same great luck as we have had with all of our Dell purchases. IMO stay with Intel processors.
No I dont work for Dell. I market groceries.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Go to your local computer store and get the following assembled for you:
1. ANTEC NSK 4482B BLACK W/380W PSU (this comes as a set wholesale)
2. ASUS P7H55-M-LX Motherboard
3. Intel Core i3 530 CPU Retail Box
4. Western Digital WD10EALS 1TB Hard Drive
5. KINGSTON 2X2GB DDR3 1333 CL9 RAM kit
6. ASUS 24B1ST/B SATA DVD-RW (or equivalent)
7. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
That will set you up with a good, reliable system that will perform well and won't break your wallet.
I'm liking that list!
About $600 tops? Throw in a nice 22-23 inch LCD monitor and your set!
Bill
PS: What is your thoughts on AMD processors? I go Intel on my Laptop and Netbook but all but the Dell desktops have AMD... TIA
I have found Intel's i3 and i5 CPU's offer the best bang for the buck. And coupled with an Intel-chipset, you have a bullet-proof combination.
I'm not much of a fan of AMD. Though they have improved dramatically since the acquisition of ATI. Intel is still dominating them in the CPU market, and at the price of the i3 and i5 CPU's, you simply can't go wrong.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Go to your local computer store and get the following assembled for you:
1. ANTEC NSK 4482B BLACK W/380W PSU (this comes as a set wholesale)
2. ASUS P7H55-M-LX Motherboard
3. Intel Core i3 530 CPU Retail Box
4. Western Digital WD10EALS 1TB Hard Drive
5. KINGSTON 2X2GB DDR3 1333 CL9 RAM kit
6. ASUS 24B1ST/B SATA DVD-RW (or equivalent)
7. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
That will set you up with a good, reliable system that will perform well and won't break your wallet.
I'm liking that list!
About $600 tops? Throw in a nice 22-23 inch LCD monitor and your set!
Bill
PS: What is your thoughts on AMD processors? I go Intel on my Laptop and Netbook but all but the Dell desktops have AMD... TIA
I have found Intel's i3 and i5 CPU's offer the best bang for the buck. And coupled with an Intel-chipset, you have a bullet-proof combination.
I'm not much of a fan of AMD. Though they have improved dramatically since the acquisition of ATI. Intel is still dominating them in the CPU market, and at the price of the i3 and i5 CPU's, you simply can't go wrong.
Originally Posted By: Schmoe
This is what I got now:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/produ...ng=en&cc=us
is it worth anything??
About as much as a rusty '74 Pinto...
No, not much...
This is what I got now:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/produ...ng=en&cc=us
is it worth anything??
About as much as a rusty '74 Pinto...
No, not much...
Enjoy the show! Please record & post it on YouTube like most have done on this tour. I got the Milwaukee and K.C. show in it's entirety (audio only), not great quality, but cool to hear. A bit different mid-section of Presto is refreshing, and they didn't chop up The Camera Eye like they did on the Signals tour. 2 thumbs up! 
I think an Intel i5 is good enough for most people. Nobody really needs a one thousand dollar processor unless they are a big time gamer and they are going to overclock. Same think with the processor. You don't need a 5870 unless you have a large monitor, even if you are a gamer.
I prefer Intel over AMD. But the six core AMD is interesting and much cheaper than the top of the line Intel processors. And the AMD Fusion that is on the way is interesting. It will combine a CPU with a GPU. I think they will call the chip an APU.
I like getting a better case that will last a long time and because I do photography and work on photos I need a card reader. And I like Corsair power supplies with a powerful enough power supply to handle everything. I have a quad core Intel processor, Asus motherboard, Seagate 1.5 TB hard drive, a Radeon 4870 graphics card, 4 GB of RAM (the older DDR2-like I said the stuff is getting older), an Asus CD-DVD writer, a Life's Good Blu-Ray burner, and I was able to get a free upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate. The computer orginially was running Vista Ultimate.
The computer is still fast and I will run it another two years or so before I start to upgrade some components. It is nice just to be able to replace one or two components. But I will have to replace the motherboard and the RAM the same time because the motherboard does not support DDR3 RAM.
I prefer Intel over AMD. But the six core AMD is interesting and much cheaper than the top of the line Intel processors. And the AMD Fusion that is on the way is interesting. It will combine a CPU with a GPU. I think they will call the chip an APU.
I like getting a better case that will last a long time and because I do photography and work on photos I need a card reader. And I like Corsair power supplies with a powerful enough power supply to handle everything. I have a quad core Intel processor, Asus motherboard, Seagate 1.5 TB hard drive, a Radeon 4870 graphics card, 4 GB of RAM (the older DDR2-like I said the stuff is getting older), an Asus CD-DVD writer, a Life's Good Blu-Ray burner, and I was able to get a free upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate. The computer orginially was running Vista Ultimate.
The computer is still fast and I will run it another two years or so before I start to upgrade some components. It is nice just to be able to replace one or two components. But I will have to replace the motherboard and the RAM the same time because the motherboard does not support DDR3 RAM.
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