Getting a new computer . . .

[graceanne]

With out taxes K said I might be able to get a new computer, and I was hoping for advice. I'm not sure what to get - I just lucked out with the computer I have (I have an HP). Plus we are definately getting him a laptop for school, so any advice on laptops would be great, too. Thanks.

 

[danimouse]

One of my computers is a Dell and I have had to replace the motherboard several times. Dell denies it's a problem, but I Googled it and found a lot of people have had this problem. I wouldn't get another one, but that's just my opinion, some people may love their Dells.

Dani

 

[Chicklet]

look up belmont computers and ask if they could put a computer together for you within your budget. they're fantastic people.

 

[Betticus]

C''mon and feel my affection for machine love
just plug in, then fade out, it's the real deal
trip your pulse, your heart beats faster, ask yourself how long you can last

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

.........

 

[BiBunny]

One of my computers is a Dell and I have had to replace the motherboard several times. Dell denies it's a problem, but I Googled it and found a lot of people have had this problem. I wouldn't get another one, but that's just my opinion, some people may love their Dells.

Dani

This happened to my girlfriend, too. Unfortunately, they no longer make parts for her laptop, so the only way she could get a new motherboard is to buy a rebuilt one. With a rebuild, there's no guarantee the damn thing will even work, and she'd still be out of money if it didn't. The computer is only about 2 years old. So, yeah...poo on Dell.

For the record, both my old desktop and my new laptop are HPs. I've not had any major troubles out of either of them, so no complaints. I got the laptop back in October, but the desktop is nearly 6 years old.

 

[graceanne]

Thankyou everyone. I did a little looking today, and I'm pretty sure I won't be going with a company I don't recognize. Like Sony or Toshiba, or whoever. Thanks for the warning on the Dell, though. My computer right now is HP, and I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Can't help much as all ours are homebuilt except for his work supplied laptop....handy having a son and a Master who can do these things. Best idea is to do a lot of shoppping around, check out the net to see if you find any complaints in reviews or forums, and stick to well known and long established brands. HP is a good one...apparently F has told me in the past that Acer is also a great economical alternative, especially in laptops. Happy shopping!!

Catalina

 

[ghosst_K&H]

Gracie,

Sony Viao's are awesome laptops, don't discount them because you've never had a Sony computer.

I've personally have had great luck with my Gateway M500. I bought it 4 years ago, and have had only one problem with it, despite the fact it got bounced around quite a bit in my semi.

Best Buy sells both Sony and Gateway's.

Take a look at Frys.com , much better prices than Best Buy

 

[graceanne]

Gracie,

Sony Viao's are awesome laptops, don't discount them because you've never had a Sony computer.

I've personally have had great luck with my Gateway M500. I bought it 4 years ago, and have had only one problem with it, despite the fact it got bounced around quite a bit in my semi.

Best Buy sells both Sony and Gateway's.

Take a look at Frys.com , much better prices than Best Buy

We have a fry's in the area, and I'm definately gonna check them out. I noticed the gateways when I was looking, but I was kinda leary about buying their stuff cause I've never heard of them. Has anyone else heard anything about them?

 

[graceanne]

Can't help much as all ours are homebuilt except for his work supplied laptop....handy having a son and a Master who can do these things. Best idea is to do a lot of shoppping around, check out the net to see if you find any complaints in reviews or forums, and stick to well known and long established brands. HP is a good one...apparently F has told me in the past that Acer is also a great economical alternative, especially in laptops. Happy shopping!!

Catalina

To tell the truth I kinda considered just building my own, but I just don't have the time or patience these days.

 

[AngelicAssassin]

... and I was hoping for advice. I'm not sure what to get ... Plus we are definately getting him a laptop for school, so any advice on laptops would be great, too.

Questions first darlin'.

• Are you buying one computer, or multiples?
• If K needs a laptop for school, what else will that laptop have to do for school.
• Do you want an established brand, excellent record, or both (as noted by others, they can be mutually exclusive)

 

[graceanne]

Questions first darlin'.

• Are you buying one computer, or multiples?

• 
  
  We're gonna get a laptop and a new desktop
  

  [*]If K needs a laptop for school, what else will that laptop have to do for school.

  The big issue with the laptop is it needs word and excell and all those programs. He mostly needs it so that he can study (most of his classes are online) whenever he gets a break, and so he can take it elsewhere when the kids are having troubles being quiet.
  
  

  [*]Do you want an established brand, excellent record, or both (as noted by others, they can be mutually exclusive)

I'm a lot more worried about excellent record than established brand. I'm mostly sticking with the established brands, cause they most often have excellent records, but as you said it's not alway that way.

 

[AngelicAssassin]

We're gonna get a laptop and a new desktop.

i see the details on the laptop, what about the desktop?

The big issue with the laptop is it needs word and excell and all those programs. He mostly needs it so that he can study (most of his classes are online) whenever he gets a break, and so he can take it elsewhere when the kids are having troubles being quiet.

Let's see, experience with Dell has been good here, although based on comments from others here, and friends, i've heard some bad things. HP is a fair to good brand depending on type and model. IBM had an excellent share of the laptop market, but they've sold their PC branch to a Chinese company by the name of Lenovo, with continued IBM brand stamping thru 2007 or 08. Gateway was an excellent supplier in the late eighties and 90s but ran into customer care issues as Dell has. One other silly question. Does K's school have some kind of deal with a manufacturer? Before i forget, his enrollment entitles him to student priced software even if the school isn't offering it.

I'm a lot more worried about excellent record than established brand. I'm mostly sticking with the established brands, cause they most often have excellent records, but as you said it's not alway that way.

And i'm a home builder myself, from mundane to exotic. i've done enough business on the job and at home with parts manufacturers to know the risks. i would suggest buying the laptop, and building the desktop of solid blackbox parts, meaning something goes, you can replace it with little effort.

 

[graceanne]

i see the details on the laptop, what about the desktop?

I need a good deal of memory, and I'd like word, other than that I'm pretty flexible. Right now I've got an hp, and at 5 years old it's still going good. the main reason I want a new one is my cd rom is shot, my a drive is shot, and my mouse out-put only works on occasion. Oh, and the output for my printer is shot.

Let's see, experience with Dell has been good here, although based on comments from others here, and friends, i've heard some bad things. HP is a fair to good brand depending on type and model. IBM had an excellent share of the laptop market, but they've sold their PC branch to a Chinese company by the name of Lenovo, with continued IBM brand stamping thru 2007 or 08. Gateway was an excellent supplier in the late eighties and 90s but ran into customer care issues as Dell has. One other silly question. Does K's school have some kind of deal with a manufacturer? Before i forget, his enrollment entitles him to student priced software even if the school isn't offering it.

I didn't even think about that. duh LOL I recall someone mentioning some software I wanted was cheaper if you were a student, and that it might be cheaper for me to have a student friend of mine get it.

And i'm a home builder myself, from mundane to exotic. i've done enough business on the job and at home with parts manufacturers to know the risks. i would suggest buying the laptop, and building the desktop of solid blackbox parts, meaning something goes, you can replace it with little effort.

I've seriously considered rebuilding my computer - just fixing the problems it's got. I still might if I'm not happy with my choices in pre-made computers. The problem is I just really don't have the time - or the patience to keep my three year old out of my way while I'm working. lol

 

[AngelicAssassin]

I need a good deal of memory, and I'd like word, other than that I'm pretty flexible. Right now I've got an hp, and at 5 years old it's still going good. the main reason I want a new one is my cd rom is shot, my a drive is shot, and my mouse out-put only works on occasion. Oh, and the output for my printer is shot.

Ooook, that answered a few other questions as well. CPU, memory, vidcard, HDD, and motherboard can't be recycled. So, we're starting from scratch.

I've seriously considered rebuilding my computer - just fixing the problems it's got. I still might if I'm not happy with my choices in pre-made computers. The problem is I just really don't have the time - or the patience to keep my three year old out of my way while I'm working. lol

Depending on your desired complexity, you could do this in an afternoon. Bribe a friend/babysitter with promised time on the new machine.

I didn't even think about that. duh LOL I recall someone mentioning some software I wanted was cheaper if you were a student, and that it might be cheaper for me to have a student friend of mine get it.

Office comes very inexpensive. If you play your cards right, you can also find sympathetic techs on campus that have access to volume license copies of o/s and required software as well. Enough chocochip cookies and you could be set.

 

[graceanne]

Ooook, that answered a few other questions as well. CPU, memory, vidcard, HDD, and motherboard can't be recycled. So, we're starting from scratch.Depending on your desired complexity, you could do this in an afternoon. Bribe a friend/babysitter with promised time on the new machine.

Do you know my sitter? That's how I pay most of my sitting bills - computer time.

Office comes very inexpensive. If you play your cards right, you can also find sympathetic techs on campus that have access to volume license copies of o/s and required software as well. Enough chocochip cookies and you could be set.

I have to give up cookies? I'm not sure I can do that - do you think brownies would work?

 

[AngelicAssassin]

Do you know my sitter? That's how I pay most of my sitting bills - computer time.

Chuckle ... then what's the hold up woman? Now the next set of questions ... AMD or Intel for the CPU; SATA or ATAPI PATA for drive(s); SLI, Xfire, or single card for the vid, and we'll reserve motherboard and memory choices for after the answers to the first three.

I have to give up cookies? I'm not sure I can do that - do you think brownies would work?

Make them fudge brownies, and you've got an acceptable substitution.

 

[graceanne]

Chuckle ... then what's the hold up woman? Now the next set of questions ... AMD or Intel for the CPU;

Probably AMD - I don't think K would go for Intel - something about big brother. *shrugs*

SATA or ATAPI PATA for drive(s); SLI, Xfire, or single card for the vid, and we'll reserve motherboard and memory choices for after the answers to the first three.

And that's where you lost me. To tell the truth I was gonna hijack some nice sales person and pick their brains. lol

Make them fudge brownies, and you've got an acceptable substitution.

Of course. That way you've got all four food groups. (Chocolate, fudge, grease, and caffiene.)

 

[AngelicAssassin]

Probably AMD - I don't think K would go for Intel - something about big brother. *shrugs*

Ok, 939 socket (think ~ one family behind the bleeding edge), AM2 current bleeding edge, or AM3 just over the horizon bleeding edge?

And that's where you lost me. To tell the truth I was gonna hijack some nice sales person and pick their brains. lol

Newp, prepping you for the crap the sales person will try to wow you with darlin'. ATAPI, PATA, EIDE are relative synonyms for the tried and true drive format that's been around for about 15 years. They're simple, rugged, don't require special drivers (usually) and every O/S from XPSP2 backward will recognize them on boot. The Serial ATA drives come in two flavors, spin faster, throughput faster, but require special drivers for most O/S to use. They're first cousin to SCSI drives (usually reserved for servers) and intended to give the desktop user the comparable speed at less the price. Like anything else, however, i can find you a good SCSI drive that costs less than a top of the line SATA drive. The last referred to video cards. It's possible to put up to four video cards in a machine now, each responsible for "painting" part of your screen and in the process increasing the graphics capability of your system whether video editing, gaming, whatever. Nvidia runs the SLI camp, and ATI runs the Xfire camp.

 

[graceanne]

Is there an emoticon where your eyes swirl? Cause I'm so confused. lol I'm only a little computer savvy - all of that just confuses me. Or maybe it's just cause I'm tired.

I do know I don't care if it's the newest technology. Frankly the newest technology makes me nervous, cause that means that it hasn't been around long enough to iron out all the bugs.

So probably I'd go with either the 939 or the AM2. I also don't want to ahve to fuss a lot trying to find drivers. Compatability is a good thing. lol But then so is affordability. Good graphics are nice, but not a must since I don't do a lot of gaming, and the kids don't care that much about how clear dora the explorer is.

Thanks for the help, I'm writing this stuff down for when I talk to a sales person.

 

[AngelicAssassin]

Is there an emoticon where your eyes swirl? Cause I'm so confused. lol I'm only a little computer savvy - all of that just confuses me. Or maybe it's just cause I'm tired.

I do know I don't care if it's the newest technology. Frankly the newest technology makes me nervous, cause that means that it hasn't been around long enough to iron out all the bugs.

So probably I'd go with either the 939 or the AM2. I also don't want to ahve to fuss a lot trying to find drivers. Compatability is a good thing. lol But then so is affordability. Good graphics are nice, but not a must since I don't do a lot of gaming, and the kids don't care that much about how clear dora the explorer is.

Thanks for the help, I'm writing this stuff down for when I talk to a sales person.

No problem. Since you've limited gaming to Dora, you've solved a few other issues as well.

• You don't need a monster power supply. Anything above 600 watts is probably a waste.
• If you can wait 4-6 months the price of the AM2 will drop like a rock.
• If you select the 939, don't let them sell you DDR2 memory.
• Limiting yourself to a single optical drive (DVD-RW) saves on money, power, and temperature.
• When looking at hard disk drives don't get wowed by capacity.
• If the motherboard has sound and wifi built-in you'll probably save money in the long run. (caveat: i personally don't like too much crap built into the mobo, but if that functionality does go, you can buy peripherals to replace those two items for relatively low cost.)

 

[ammre]

I'm currently typing on my very beloved macbook pro.

It's phenominal. I haven't looked back...

 

[FurryFury]

My husband loves his new HP desktop which has something like TiVo on it and a bigger screen. It has a lot of bells and whistles. The price wasn't bad. He got it at Sam's Club.

My old lap top was an Acer. I don't recommend the brand.

My new one is a Think Pad which is supposed to be more durable.

*knocks wood*

Locally it was selling for around $2500 and up. At the web site from the manufacturer it had some models for around $700.

We also have an old Gateway desktop that was given to us. It's been pretty good.

Fury

 

[graceanne]

No problem. Since you've limited gaming to Dora, you've solved a few other issues as well.

• You don't need a monster power supply. Anything above 600 watts is probably a waste.
• If you can wait 4-6 months the price of the AM2 will drop like a rock.
• If you select the 939, don't let them sell you DDR2 memory.
• Limiting yourself to a single optical drive (DVD-RW) saves on money, power, and temperature.
• When looking at hard disk drives don't get wowed by capacity.
• If the motherboard has sound and wifi built-in you'll probably save money in the long run. (caveat: i personally don't like too much crap built into the mobo, but if that functionality does go, you can buy peripherals to replace those two items for relatively low cost.)

Cool. The main reason I want lots of memory is I store all my pictures on my computer.