 Buying a new PC, What to buy for very little money |
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 Jul 13 2005, 01:21 PM
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 12 Joined: 31-May 05 Member No.: 21,973  |
If anyone has any suggestions that would be fantastic! Thanks! |
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Jul 13 2005, 03:00 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 91 Joined: 13-July 05 From: Austin, of course. Member No.: 27,210 |
You may get as many different answers as there are readers of your post. Dell lovers/haters, Compaq lovers/haters. In my humble opionion, be sure it has a Pentium processor, preferably Pentium IV.
I also suggest either having one built or ordering one with what you need as "off the rack" computers may have too many things you don't/won't need. For example, I was five states away at a new account and the shipped computer crashed and I had to buy one that had so many options not needed and that conflicted with the proprietary software we use, it took two days to get operational. For instance, five different types of removable storage slots. Sheesh! I'm sure you will get many suggestions. Randall |
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Jul 13 2005, 03:21 PM
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 Senior Member  Group: Banned Posts: 449 Joined: 21-March 05 Member No.: 15,032 |
If your looking to customize it, use it for gaming, mod it. Do things to it. Id get a custom pc.
If its for office use, excel outlook, word things like that. Your not gonna atempt to upgrade or replace parts yourself. Get a standard dell from dell.com they have some pretty good prices. If its going to be an all around computer for a home, gaming for the kids, office for the parents. Get an all around dell. dell.com My expirience with hp's and compaq's and vaios hasnt been the best. Theyre pretty much an exact copy of dell, but with a nicer looking case. -------------------- =(*)(*)=Home Of The TEB=(*)(*)=
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Jul 13 2005, 05:45 PM
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 Forum Regular Group: Members Posts: 264 Joined: 11-June 05 From: eastbourne uk Member No.: 23,130 |
hi you dont say where you are but i built the one that comes up on the side, it is fast . and will do everything i want it runs 8 websites, 12 e-mails accounts, and i am always online also has 2 hard drives and still only uses 2% cpu
This post has been edited by thedon57: Jul 13 2005, 05:48 PM -------------------- If you want a Computer built, do it yourself, install Windows XP Home Edition, SP2 and all updates backed up by Nod32, Microsoft AntiSpyware, Yahoo AntiSpyware, Ad-Aware SE Plus, Ad-Watch SE Plus, CCleaner,and Windows Registry Repair Pro, WinPatrol Explorer 9.7 Plus, Trogan Hunter Full Edition, Bug Doctor Pro all of them working together makes it more stable,and faster with no Freeze ups, Crashes or Blue Screens. Now Forum Admin on another Computer Forum.
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Jul 13 2005, 09:10 PM
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 107 Joined: 4-July 05 Member No.: 25,911 |
QUOTE(mavieen @ Jul 13 2005, 01:21 PM) Hi. My sister, who is even less computer savvy than I am, would like to purchase a new desktop or laptop. I tried to get her to switch to a Mac since I find them much easier to use, but she seems hesitant as they can be quite costly and she isn't familiar with them. All she really needs a computer for is internet, burning CDs, downloading music, word processing, and maybe some basic photo editing. She is looking to spend at the most $1,500 US. I am trying to find information on processors and locate a good computer that will last several years. Any suggestions? I have heard bad things about Dell computers, but not much else in regard to any other brand. I know nothing about processors anymore either. If anyone has any suggestions that would be fantastic! Thanks! If all she is looking for is a computer for internet use and what not there is a computer I found at the local Wal-Mart that is just $350.00 or less that is called Balance Digital Technology here is the website for the company and the computer I bought -- http://www.balance-digital.com/desktop/CP4401.htm BTW I have not had any problems out of this computer and it is upgradeable also. -------------------- |
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Jul 13 2005, 09:26 PM
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 Feed me some spyware! Group: Banned Posts: 4,557 Joined: 18-July 04 From: USA Ware Shoals SC Member No.: 1,500 |
Look up the name brand and model number on this site once you make a choice to see what others have had to say about it.
http://www.epinions.com I would go for a AMD CPU. But pentiums are fine to for basic stuff...If all she wants to do is what you said above look in your paper for a used one. Thats what I would do. 1500.00 is way more than you need to spend to browse the internet. |
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Jul 13 2005, 09:43 PM
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 Forum Addict Group: Global Moderator Posts: 20,642 Joined: 11-April 04 From: Chicago, Il. Member No.: 113 |
You will get more bang for the buck with a desktop, and not have the worries associated with something portable and breakable and stealable. Dell, Gateway, HP/Compaq, Emachines all make good towers with bundled packages for well under 1000US that will do the basic computing fuctions you have mentioned. Do some on-line shopping and comparison, and check local ads if you live in a metropolitan area.
Regards, John -------------------- Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one should be silent.
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Jul 13 2005, 10:06 PM
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Forum Addict Group: Members Posts: 5,898 Joined: 10-March 05 From: Florida, USA Member No.: 14,085 |
QUOTE(cowsgonemadd3 @ Jul 13 2005, 10:26 PM) Look up the name brand and model number on this site once you make a choice to see what others have had to say about it. http://www.epinions.com I would go for a AMD CPU. But pentiums are fine to for basic stuff...If all she wants to do is what you said above look in your paper for a used one. Thats what I would do. 1500.00 is way more than you need to spend to browse the internet. Used computers are usually a really bad deal. The original owners always think they are worth much more than they are. The technology level of the average two or three year old computer is obsolete. Current new computers cost significantly less than the used ones sold for new, so the original owners are not realistic about the price. Obsolete technology is not worth much money. $1500. will buy a lot of extremely fast, latest technology computer no matter which brand you choose. A PC is superior to a Mac simply in the respect that 95% of all home computers are PCs. There are thousands more programs available for PCs and much more assistance available for PC owners. (like user groups and bulletin boards like this one). Unless you are intending to run high graphic professional programs forget the MAC. Part of the decision of what you buy depends on where you live. If you live in an area with lots of reputable computer stores like Best Buy, COMPUSA, etc, you might go in and look at what they offer before just buying a Dell on line. If you live in an area that has lots of reputable computer repair shops give them a chance to offer you a custom built, which would probably be the best computer in the long run for you. AMD vs Pentium - both are good. Get a Pentium though and not a Celeron and buy enough RAM. I hope you enjoy what you buy. |
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Jul 14 2005, 01:05 AM
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 Guru at being a Newbie Group: HJT Team Posts: 5,715 Joined: 8-April 04 Member No.: 96 |
To me the most important thing you want to consider if you are going to be running XP is to be sure to get at least 512 MB RAM.
You would probably be better off buying a custom built from a local, reputable shop. If you go for a name brand, do as Enthusiast says, buy from a store like Best Buy and I would recommend buying the extended warranty. That has paid off for me this month.  And the other advantage is that you can walk into the store and talk to a technician and look them in the eye if need be. Right now, I think I would avoid HP--they seem to put a lot of unneccessary junk onboard and are having some issues with incompatable drivers.Good luck and happy hunting. -------------------- You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.
Will Rogers To stay secure is to stay updated. Calendar of Updates. |
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