Need advice on new computer (Dell)
RJaco
Posts: 113
It is about time for a new computer and I need a little help. Figured this was a good place to ask. Everyone here has a computer and knows more than I do. I use it for surfing the net, itunes and pokerstars, etc. Will also be used for storing pictures. No gaming or movies. I have a Dell and think I will get another one. Looking at the Inspiron 530 and 518. What is the main difference between them? I can't tell. Was thinking about getting a refurbished or previously owned from Dell Factory Outlet. Has anyone had any experience with the factory outlet? Here are the specs on a couple that I like and are in my price range, $450-$600. Let me know what you guys think. Looking to get one that will do everything I need and just a little more but still not go overboard.
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory
6 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (4 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive
640 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
Modem
V.92/56K PCI DataFax Modem
Base
Inspiron Desktop 518 Mini-tower: Intel Core 2 Duo processor E7300 (3MB L2, 2.66GHz, 1066FSB)
Media Bay
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Software Upgrade
64BIT Operating System DVD
Microsoft Works 9.0
64BIT Operating System CD
Hardware Upgrade
Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
USB Keyboard
Optical 2-Button Mouse
Also looking at this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270361842715&ih=017&category=179&_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DD%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D1%26ps%3D5
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory
6 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (4 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive
640 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
Modem
V.92/56K PCI DataFax Modem
Base
Inspiron Desktop 518 Mini-tower: Intel Core 2 Duo processor E7300 (3MB L2, 2.66GHz, 1066FSB)
Media Bay
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Software Upgrade
64BIT Operating System DVD
Microsoft Works 9.0
64BIT Operating System CD
Hardware Upgrade
Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
USB Keyboard
Optical 2-Button Mouse
Also looking at this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270361842715&ih=017&category=179&_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DD%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D1%26ps%3D5
Post edited by RJaco on
Comments
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Looks like the 530 can be built with a bigger hard drive (up to 1TB instead of up to 500GB for the 518) and a BluRay drive. Also available with a different video card (nVidia and ATI, while the 518 just comes with a stock ATI). The 530 has bluetooth built in and a memory card reader, the 518 has neither of those. Also the 530 has 2 PCI slots and 1 PCI-e slot, while the 518 has 2 PCI-e slots and 1 PCI slot.
Considering what you say you need it for, I'd just get the cheapest thing you can. Doesn't sound like you need much power or storage so why spend the money?If you will it, dude, it is no dream. -
If you're barely doing anything you may want to consider 3GB or 4GB and a 32-bit OS instead of the 64-bit OS
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this is what i am keeping my eyes on and other dell computer in black piano finish. ill require hdmi card so i can hook up to my onkyo insteadI am 100% BORN DEAF and No I am not kidding! Why am I here? My wife's hearing!
My Home Theater Rig || Television: 58" Panasonic TH-58PZ800U Viera Plasma || Power Conditioner: Power Monster HTS 3600 MKII || Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR805 || Blu-Ray/Gaming: 60 Gigabytes Playstation 3 || Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5 || Fronts: Polk Audio RT800i || Center: Polk Audio CS245i || Surrounds: TBA|| Subwoofer: TBA -
Thanks guys. I will probably get one of the cheaper ones. I just don't want to regret it later if I get one and it seems too small. I have been using a Dimension 4700 for a few years. Then fan runs almost non stop when it is booted up.
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Forget the Dell not unless you don’t mind spending 2+ hours a week trouble shooting your PC. Windows Vista is problematic to say the least. I use it at work and can’t stand it.
On the other hand you can purchase a refurbished Mac or about 300 more with a warrantee and extend it to 3 years with Apple care. Like Polk or emotiva, they stand behind their products. I think PC’s are great for MS Office, other than that you will get what you pay for. I have to admit that I am biased. I’m sure there are techies on this forum that will make my head spin.
IPhoto is what you want and you will feel like a pro, no matter what your level orientation.
I’m biased towards Macs simply because they are extremely intuitive and since I went back to Macs from PC’s, I have never had to call on one Mac Teckie friend! Also, Dell’s customer service sucks eggs. I had a job a couple of years back in a small office and one of my responsibilities was to manage the all of our Dells.
Again, no offense to the folks who love PC’s, I just don’t think they are worth the headache.
emotiva xpa-2
emotiva xpa-3
Denon 3312ci
Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
Samsung LN46A650
SVS PB-12-NSD sub
Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
W4S ST250
Lsi 9 (mods)
W4S DAC-2
Mac Mini
Audio Aero Prima CD player
Pro-Ject debut -
Mac's are...boring.
PC's are...too much work (but I love it!)
Honestly, go to Walmart, go to Electronics, find the first $400 computer+monitor combo, and buy it.
It'll do everything you need, and upgrading the hard drive is incredibly easy (even in **** cases like those)
Also, most desktops for 4-500 have dual-core cpu and 3gb of ram."Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server. -
wow, if this was April 1st, i would think you were joshing me! I guess it depends on what your looking for. I'm speechless as I type on this spakin' new piece o' crap dell. :eek:
I guess PC's are great for the hobbist who like to tinker.
emotiva xpa-2
emotiva xpa-3
Denon 3312ci
Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
Samsung LN46A650
SVS PB-12-NSD sub
Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
W4S ST250
Lsi 9 (mods)
W4S DAC-2
Mac Mini
Audio Aero Prima CD player
Pro-Ject debut -
I have a 19" Dell flat screen monitor, so won't be getting the combo. I have had this Dell for at least 3 years with out any problems other than the fan running all the time. I just want to upgrade to something a little better. Not sure about Window Vista. Think that is what my Mom has and she doesn't like it. I probably need to check into it a little more. I do appreciate any advice or ideas.
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I have a 19" Dell flat screen monitor, so won't be getting the combo. I have had this Dell for at least 3 years with out any problems other than the fan running all the time. I just want to upgrade to something a little better. Not sure about Window Vista. Think that is what my Mom has and she doesn't like it. I probably need to check into it a little more. I do appreciate any advice or ideas.
Just to let you know, they're having a sell on all their XPS stuff this week. Deal changes every day and is good for 2 days. Theres nothing for you yet (Even tomorrow's stuff will still be higher than what you're wanting to pay), but it ends on the 8th, so you might want to keep an eye on it!
-CodyMusic is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it -
Thanks Cody. I will keep an eye on it.
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Forget the Dell not unless you dont mind spending 2+ hours a week trouble shooting your PC. Windows Vista is problematic to say the least. I use it at work and cant stand it.
On the other hand you can purchase a refurbished Mac or about 300 more with a warrantee and extend it to 3 years with Apple care. Like Polk or emotiva, they stand behind their products. I think PCs are great for MS Office, other than that you will get what you pay for. I have to admit that I am biased. Im sure there are techies on this forum that will make my head spin.
IPhoto is what you want and you will feel like a pro, no matter what your level orientation.
Im biased towards Macs simply because they are extremely intuitive and since I went back to Macs from PCs, I have never had to call on one Mac Teckie friend! Also, Dells customer service sucks eggs. I had a job a couple of years back in a small office and one of my responsibilities was to manage the all of our Dells.
Again, no offense to the folks who love PCs, I just dont think they are worth the headache.
I'm looking at getting a new laptop myself. Find me an Apple with a HDMI output and I'll listen as I'm considering a new plasma with no VGA input.
WesLink: http://polkarmy.com/forums
Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK 42" HDTV | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Wyred 4 Sound STP/SE Pre | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d -
I'm not a fan of Vista at all. I just got a XPS1530 and it is awesome but the Vista software is touchy. I recommend Dell, I had to use the CS and to be honest it really wasnt too bad. Give them the service tag, they pull up the account and off you go as they help troubleshoot the PC. Remote assistance worked pretty well too as they took control of the pc to check some files etc. I wouldnt call it top notch CS but for what it is, they did well, I hung up content as the problem was corrected. I'd recommend one. If you really want a kick **** PC, go Falcon.Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!
Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580 -
Thanks Sherardp. I don't need anything to good. My wife and son both have laptops now, so this one will be all mine. He won a Toshiba laptop at their after prom party. Does anybody have any info on them. Before we all 3 used. My wife takes a fair amount of pictures and my son is always doing something. Think I am going to go with a 518 or 530 Inspiron. Wonder how they compare to my old dimension 4700?