Time to Buy a New Computer

Early B.

OK, fellas -- I hope y'all can help me out. It's time for me to upgrade my cheap Compaq that bought from Radio Shack for $500 a few years ago. I gotta come into the 21st century, so I'm looking for a nice desktop. It will be used basically for word processing and Internet surfing. No gaming. It needs to be a workhorse because I also work from home and use my computer extensively.

Here's what I want -- a brand name (namely Dell) computer with a fast processor at a great price. That's it.

I'd also like to get a stable platform. Does that rule out Microsoft altogether?:eek: Someone mentioned to me that I should look into getting an Apple. I dunno. They cost a lot (I think). Will all of my old software be compatible?

Here's what I'm considering right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&item=290001106763&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Any thoughts, comments or recommendations?

Thanks.

disneyjoe7

I would stay away from Dell, I have 8 Dell computers at work. I seen 7 monitors die, 1 power supply / then the motherboard was died, the tech for the computers said he seen 4 or 5 motherboard die. So I would stay away from Dell, cheap cheap until they have **** computers.

Fireman32

I personally build my own computers and never buy brand name. Apple is good for graphics and music but if your only using for word processing and the internet any brand would be good and you dont need anything really expensive. I would suggest HP over dell. We use IBM at work but your paying more for the name at this point. Good luck with your purchase.

Polkersince85

I'm thinking sometime in July, Georgia has the sales tax free weekend for school supplies, computers, software, and peripherals are included. May save a bit.

brettw22

I've also heard a lot of poor quality issues with Dell. I'd also be a bit curious to see what the case is that the thing is in. I have to have an aesthetically pleasing case.....

exalted512

IBM doesnt make PCs, they think in less than 10 years PCs will be 100% outdated. Everyone I know that has a HP has problems with it. Im a Dell fan myself, Ive never had a problem with my desktop or laptop
-Cody

Frank Z

Just gutted my PC and put fresh gear in it and spent less than $700 Bones.

See my other thread.

janmike

I guess everyone has their own preference. HP, Campaq, Dell. Had them all and never had a problem with Dell, but had problems with all the others. I have used Dell computers (desktop & laptop) at work for over 10 years and never had a problem. Buy what you are comfortable with. Remember to know what you want today and try to predict 3 years down the road. Good Luck.

disneyjoe7

Dell IMO made nice computers back then 10 years ago but not now. They made it so cheap they now make **** now. As far as the cases go nice Dell cases dark gray with a lite gray pull up for 2 USB input on the front.

Refefer

What I would do is check out a local Microcenter (if you are near one). They are by far and away the best computer chain out there for purchasing computers from, there staff is rated #1 by Consumer Reports year after year for their service and I've gotten very knowledgable responses to some tough questions.

As a computer builder myself, you might want to think about building your own machine... you will save a LOT of money and doesn't take a lot of technical skills as long as you're not building something to overclock.

Also check out www.cheapstingybastard.com as they often post very good deals on dells and other namebrand computers, using coupons and other ways of reducing the price down as much as possible.

Good Luck, and if you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

-Andrew

crazy

Early B. - if you need to use your computer mainly for word processing, email, internet etc. then yes, the Mac is an amazing buy. The Mac MINI isn't that expensive and they're very stable.

I was anti-Apple, till my friend convinced me to get one recently. I absolutely love it. I had bought a loaded Dell PC just before it and now it's just sitting there gathering dust. Macs ROCK!

But if Mac's are not what you want, I'll sell you my slightly dusty, but powerful Dell - with a 17" flat screen monitor!

michael_w

IBM (Lenovo) makes decent and very compact pc's, but they'll probably be a little out of your budget. I myself would much rather build up something from scratch to save money and know that I have a stable and easily upgradable machine. You can get some nice towers.

Xion Case
Antec Case
Logisys Case

Any reputable computer company will be able to let you pick what you want and build the system for you. It won't be a name brand but you'll save a lot of money and have something totally custom and suited to your needs.

You won't be able to use what you have now on a mac but if you wanted an alternative you could go with a lynux distribution. There are many to choose from and all of them are free, but it's a little different from windows.

mrbigbluelight

www.bensbargains.net

Follow it for a week or two, they'll have listings for good/great deals on computers.

Each posting also has a discussion area, so if a particular listing is a POS, you'll be sure to pick up on that in the discussions. If it's a great deal, ditto.

....you'll have to put up with posters making cracks about mothers, brothers, sisters, etc but its worth it.

Shizelbs

Mr. Light is dead on with the bens rec.

I say build you own.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Shizelbs wrote:

Mr. Light is dead on with the bens rec.

I say build you own.

I agree

Fireman32

I also agree with building your own machine. i've built computers for all of my friends they are all happy. One advantage with building your own system is that if somthing breaks or you want to upgrade you can buy a part off the shelf where dell and the others you will have to buy from them. Fell free to PM me if you have any questions.

bobman1235

Did someone seriously recommend HP over Dell? Dell's may not be the best out there, but they're certainly better than the garbage HP puts out.

Early B.

Thanks for the advice, fellas. I'm also surprised by the bad Dell comments.

With regard to building my own, I'd rather buy new because it's less hassle and my needs are few. More importantly, I don't want to devote the time to learning how to do it, especially for my main computer.

Willow

Shizelbs wrote:

Mr. Light is dead on with the bens rec.

I say build you own.

What we did ours is a Hienz 57 computer, a mutt if you will. Part Dell, part OEM products, part leftovers from our old one. Total cost was about 300$ including an external dvdburner and case.

Mike682

disneyjoe7 wrote:

I would stay away from Dell, I have 8 Dell computers at work. I seen 7 monitors die, 1 power supply / then the motherboard was died, the tech for the computers said he seen 4 or 5 motherboard die. So I would stay away from Dell, cheap cheap until they have **** computers.

Totally agree. Dell's reputation has been taking a big hit lately. A lot of reports of their newer computers prematurely breaking down: using cheap power supplies, cheap M/Bs, the list goes on. They do have nice cases though..

Early, you really should look into building your own comp. It's not hard at all and you get to control what parts you want, what case you want, etc. I built my own comps and they are solid computers with no problems.

If you feel more comfortable with a pre-made system and want to buy a dell, factor in adding an additional warranty to cover your computer.

ND13

Early,
Do you have a Fry's nearby? If so, They have in-store specials that they don't advertise in the paper or on-line. That's how I got my Sony, which would do everything that you require and then some. Check them out.

faster100

I build my own also, but realize not everyone can or even wants to build one.. it can be very trying and you don't get a warranty per sey.. The prices that Dell and others want for a basic nice computer is unreal these days and well worth the investment... people who buy into the multi thousand dollar computers are people who either have the extra coin and don't care or need the latest/greatest..

I watch staples and office depot weekly have deals on computers from 299 -499 after rebates each and every week..

I bought a new compaq laptop for 599 after rebates from staples some time back and its great.. No problems,

when i build computers for people i tell them, all computers can go bad not just home built ones... I hear so many people say, It went out because its a homemade one about as much as i hear DEll and HP suck and break down.

It's the truth in all scenario's... But its the case with ANY computer..

Good luck in your search, you will get many advices on it..

Mike682

Faster, I bought a Compaq laptop last year and other than the warranty keyboard replacement (which they fixed in record time), it has been a great laptop.

Dell also has basic comps for $299

PolkThug

$499 (no rebates)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0236049

AMD Athlon 64 3500+
1GB RAM
250GB Hard Drive
16x DVD +/-RW Double Layer
10/100 ethernet
56k modem
5.1 audio out
7-in-1 Media reader
Windows XP Home
Open PCIE slot

faster100

Not a big deal, but monitor not included.. I seen one recently for 499 or 599 that came with an lcd.. most likely staples

disneyjoe7

You get what you pay for

faster100

That's not always true

disneyjoe7

OK Walmart customer.

faster100

HUH? walmart customer... :rolleyes:

ah, you must be one of the guys who needs the alien ware pc for 2500 bucks..

anyways, you can find great deals and in the end computers are disposable.. ive built them for close to 9 years and most products today are meant to work for awhile and be upgraded within a year or 2 for optimal performance and as new stuff comes out monthly and the parts just dont last.. cheaper is sometimes just as good.

PhantomOG

as much as all the Dell/HP/Apple fanboys want you to believe their brand is perfect and all others are crap, I think they are all about the same. Just because one person got a good/bad one doesn't mean they are all perfect/crap.

My suggestion is just to go down to your local Fry's/Microcenter and get a good deal on a pre-built computer (Sony/HP/Compaq/etc.) and be done with it. Building a computer isn't for everyone and you shouldn't try to if you really don't want to. That way you are getting a good deal (probably <$500 for a good mainstream comp) and it has a warranty in case something fails. Just be prepared to remove all the crap promotional software they sometimes pre-load it with.

Early B.

Just ordered a Dell. The price is too compelling to pass up.