So - it's out with the old and in with the new. Trouble is, I don't know skwat about what I should get. I would just use the thing for normal home use, photo editing, surfing, text, cd burning - stuff like that. I was thinking on buying a package from MDG (except they're assholes). Maybe Future Shop or other - anyone have any recommendations?
Need your opinions - need new computer
- Thread starter Jabba
- Start date
O
OnTheWayOut
If you're not computer savvy then go where the best warranty takes you. For what you say you want to do you should be able to look at the $600-$800 deals and be happy. Grab a copy of Monitor mag (free all over town) and check out Dell & HP online as well as Futureshop, BestBuy, Staples, etc.
To be honest all computer manufacturers are pretty much equal quality-wise, brand name or clone. They all will have a dog model every now and then but most will be fine. It's the service and warranties that make the difference. If you find a great deal at a local shop with a nice warranty you're good to go. A lot of people like Dell for their extended warranties although I've heard a few complaints too.
Research a bit but for what your needs are you shouldn't have to spend $1000. The high end machines are for gamers and those who run graphics intensive applications. Good luck!
To be honest all computer manufacturers are pretty much equal quality-wise, brand name or clone. They all will have a dog model every now and then but most will be fine. It's the service and warranties that make the difference. If you find a great deal at a local shop with a nice warranty you're good to go. A lot of people like Dell for their extended warranties although I've heard a few complaints too.
Research a bit but for what your needs are you shouldn't have to spend $1000. The high end machines are for gamers and those who run graphics intensive applications. Good luck!
are you looking for a desktop or laptop? how much are you looking to spend? for what you want to do a basic computer for around 500 will be more than enough. If you go to the desktop section at furtureshop they have a bunch for under 500 and all of those will be more than enough for you needs. those do not include a monitor so you can add which ever one you want, probably another 200 for a 17 LCD.
also have you looked at apple? their computers are very nice and perfect for what you want and you don;t have to worry about any virus, popups, or other windows problems. my next computer will be an apple. check this out http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...65000FS10079771&catid=23017&logon=&langid=EN#
it a whole computer in just the monitor.
also have you looked at apple? their computers are very nice and perfect for what you want and you don;t have to worry about any virus, popups, or other windows problems. my next computer will be an apple. check this out http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...65000FS10079771&catid=23017&logon=&langid=EN#
it a whole computer in just the monitor.
I won't get into the debate on which system is best...because there are quite frankly so many PC options available it's an apples to oranges comparison.
You have 2 choices of operating systems. Windows XP/Vista or MAC. Both are good, Vista has it's drawbacks, as you have to pick a version. MAC is well proven and quite stable without as many security updates needed.
The one thing to look for in a system now is dual core processing.
Since both PC's and Mac's now run on the intel chipsets there is some consistency happening in the software being created. You'll see it described as Binary for Windows or Universal for MAC. What it means is software that will run much faster on the new dual core machines. Right now if you have a dual core the older applications run slower than they should. Still fast but you notice it on graphic heavy apps like Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture or CAD programs.
Buy a dual core system. All the software will be dual core for either operating system very soon. (within the next 8 months) so don't make your system prehistoric right out of the box.
Like others have said..get a system that is right for your needs. If you're not a gamer (by that they mean Doom, Warcraft, Flight Simulator,etc, heavy graphically intensive programs) then you don't need screaming fast video and monitors.
If all you do is web, mail, spider solitaire, update your website etc..then a standard machine will do you quite well.
The option I would add to any machine is another gig of RAM to bring the total to 2 gig to be on the safe side. All computers like RAM. The more you have the better your machine runs.
Have fun...and don't be afraid to ask more questions. I'm not a guru but there are some pretty sharp computer types here who will help you in your selection..just give them the specifics and they'll narrow down the choices pretty quickly.
You have 2 choices of operating systems. Windows XP/Vista or MAC. Both are good, Vista has it's drawbacks, as you have to pick a version. MAC is well proven and quite stable without as many security updates needed.
The one thing to look for in a system now is dual core processing.
Since both PC's and Mac's now run on the intel chipsets there is some consistency happening in the software being created. You'll see it described as Binary for Windows or Universal for MAC. What it means is software that will run much faster on the new dual core machines. Right now if you have a dual core the older applications run slower than they should. Still fast but you notice it on graphic heavy apps like Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture or CAD programs.
Buy a dual core system. All the software will be dual core for either operating system very soon. (within the next 8 months) so don't make your system prehistoric right out of the box.
Like others have said..get a system that is right for your needs. If you're not a gamer (by that they mean Doom, Warcraft, Flight Simulator,etc, heavy graphically intensive programs) then you don't need screaming fast video and monitors.
If all you do is web, mail, spider solitaire, update your website etc..then a standard machine will do you quite well.
The option I would add to any machine is another gig of RAM to bring the total to 2 gig to be on the safe side. All computers like RAM. The more you have the better your machine runs.
Have fun...and don't be afraid to ask more questions. I'm not a guru but there are some pretty sharp computer types here who will help you in your selection..just give them the specifics and they'll narrow down the choices pretty quickly.
Most anything will do these days. I used to tell people to build their own systems if they wanted to save money, but today it's the exact opposite way, you have to buy a system from a major manufacturer to save money.Jabba said:
There are few minimal requirements with any system these days. The first is that you need to have a system that has a minimum of 1GB of RAM if you want to run Windows Vista in its most graphical form. These days they don't sell home computers with Windows XP anymore, only with Vista, which is a shame because XP would be a better bet for home computers. Anyways, and another thing to look for is that the system should have either an ATI or Nvidia video system on it, not Intel graphics: again that's for Windows Vista. As for the central brain of the computer, the processor, anything will do either from Intel or AMD -- they are all good enough and will run the exact same software.
You guys all offered great advice. Thanksalot!
I was also thinking that I probably need a machine loaded with all the recognized apps - Word, WordPerfect, some graphics. Don't really think I need to go to Vista O/S yet. Win2000 or XP is good & it should stand the test of time for awhile.
I was also thinking that I probably need a machine loaded with all the recognized apps - Word, WordPerfect, some graphics. Don't really think I need to go to Vista O/S yet. Win2000 or XP is good & it should stand the test of time for awhile.
If you're going to be buying a new computer then likely you won't have much choice other than to have Vista pre-installed on it for you -- unfortunately. Also with the new computers they usually include a trial version of Microsoft Office and/or Microsoft Works pre-installed. You can use it for 30 days or something, and then you can pay Microsoft. I usually blow that software out of my system within the first 60 seconds of booting up, uninstall it completely and then I download Open Office from OpenOffice.org. Open Office is completely free and it will read and write documents from Microsoft Office such as Word files, etc.Jabba said:
O
OnTheWayOut
I'd bet if you went to a place like Sprint or another local shop and asked for XP they would oblige. Or if you have a copy of XP you could blow away the Vista and load XP yourself. I do like the OpenOffice suggestion, I'll have to check that out myself! Thanks bbbl67!bbbl67 said:
I'd also try RB Computing as another local store. I've done lots of business with them and they've always treated me fairly. I believe their website lets you configure a PC from ground up and give you an online quote. Just a quick hint: ask for the "final" price . If there's anything they can do about the price, they'll do it. Their website is
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/index.php
By the way, if you don't want the hassles of Windoze, you can always try Linux. More specifically, check out Linspire, which is a cool distro with great similarity to Windows with which you also get lots and lots of applications for free.
. If there's anything they can do about the price, they'll do it. Their website ishttp://www.shoprbc.com/ca/index.php
By the way, if you don't want the hassles of Windoze, you can always try Linux. More specifically, check out Linspire, which is a cool distro with great similarity to Windows with which you also get lots and lots of applications for free.
Think cheap and Dell
Computers depreciate really fast and the bottom of the barrel ones are now plenty fast enough for anyone who is not looking for cutting edge game performance. As well, stay away from a clone store -- they aren't all nice people and parts quality can be lower.
Dell had a special on recently and will again:
$339 bare bones with no monitor
$489 upgraded to X2 4200+, 1GB RAM and Vista Home Premium
+ about $300 for a 22" LCD monitor.
Note that you need 1Gb of RAM -- 2Gb is optional
Frank
Computers depreciate really fast and the bottom of the barrel ones are now plenty fast enough for anyone who is not looking for cutting edge game performance. As well, stay away from a clone store -- they aren't all nice people and parts quality can be lower.
Dell had a special on recently and will again:
$339 bare bones with no monitor
$489 upgraded to X2 4200+, 1GB RAM and Vista Home Premium
+ about $300 for a 22" LCD monitor.
Note that you need 1Gb of RAM -- 2Gb is optional
Frank
i say Dell too, they come with awesome warantees, awesome customer service and their prices are pretty decent. www.dell.com - cruise around on there i'm sure they have a very wide selection.
Not a Dell Printer
I've got a Dell and am very happy with it. Also got a dell printer which was inexpensive and works very well, but holy shit are the ink cartridges expensive.
If I were to do it again I would get an HP printer because the cartridges are much cheaper.
I've got a Dell and am very happy with it. Also got a dell printer which was inexpensive and works very well, but holy shit are the ink cartridges expensive.
If I were to do it again I would get an HP printer because the cartridges are much cheaper.
There's various printer refill places out there, look for Printwell or Island Inkjet kiosks at your local shopping malls. They'll refill your old cartridges at less than half the cost of buying a new one, sometimes they can be 1/3rd the price. I used to refill my own at one time, but man that's messy! Just let somebody else do it and get their desks and hands messy.YellowDog said:
If I have to buy an OEM system, then I prefer to buy a system from a store, so you can see and touch them. Usually at the stores you can buy HP, Gateway, Acer, Toshiba, etc. But you can't buy Dell yet, you can only order them from their website or over the phone. Dell does everything through the mail-order route. Something you should consider.Splunker said:
Also, if you ever make it down to New Hampshire, you can drop in on one of their local Best Buys or Circuit Cities, and pick up a system for no sales tax. Plus with the Canadian dollar hovering around $1.20 to the US buck, there's some deals to be had even without the sales tax break. Also another place if you want to pick up tax-free stuff is at an Indian reservation! There's a place at the Kahnawake reserve south of Montreal called Frosty's. I don't know if there's any similar stores at some of the local reserves.
http://www.frostys.qc.ca/
alexxxis said:
Yeah go for Dell and get Complete Care. If you drop your computer in the bath (Hopefully your not in it) they will repair or replace it
