I need a new PC...Help

[madbam]

My Home PC is over 6 yrs old (DELL DImension 8200) and it finally shit the bed...nasty virus..long story...anyway..I have been researching the hell out of what's available and I am really confused and overwhelmed..I am not a gamer but like the occasional GTA or half life game...I surf the net everyday and use itunes and burn cd's/....do I stick with DELL or go to another PC brand..I don't want to build my own because I just don't have the time..any suggestions are welcome..Thanks:icon_mrgr

[Than McNally]

apple.com
get ANY mac and get parallels to run windows inside of it for your occasional gaming.

nuff said. and NO i am NOT like the apple guy on todays show. they are just slick machines. i am a software engineer, i build stuff for windows and love my mac.

[LAX]

http://iplacestore.com/images/MacBookPro17.jpg


17 inch Mac Book Pro


www.apple.com

[thelord68]

What's your budget?

The Mac route is going to cost you at least $1400. (iMac w/ATI graphics, Parallels, and Windows XP)

Something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883107396
will give you virtually everything you need - just add monitor (even a 20") and you're still under a $1000. It has integrated graphics, which is weak for games, though better than most other integrated options. It does have a slot to add a dedictated graphics card.

For Dell (though I try to avoid them), the XPS 410 with 2 gig and Windows XP will run you $999, includes Core 2 Duo, Nvidia 7300 grahics w/256mb, 250 gig hd, DVD+-RW/DL burner, 19" LCD.

Any machine you're going to buy will be good for the standard internet/email/word processing/music.

Gaming is a different issue. Generally you want a dedicated graphics card, though for casual gaming, you're not talking a big premium.

Whatever you do, spring for at least 2gig of ram if the machine has Vista on it. If you've got a choice, stick with XP for now.

[pure_waves]

i have this and am pretty pleased:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=344090&Pn=Pavilion_dv9220us_Notebook

[Sinn Fein]

Specify a budget and whether or not you want a desktop or a notebook. There are lots of options.

[SOS]

What do you want to do with it?
Are you getting a new monitor?

Vista Home Premium or Buisness
~3 GHz Processor (dual or signal) 64 bit
2 Gigs Ram DIMM
200 Gigs Hard Drive(SATA, 7200 RPMs+, 8+ MB cache)
DVD +/-/ROM burner
512 MB-1 Gig PCIe Gfx card
4+ USB ports
multiple PCI slots

Make sure it comes with good software.

[Deadbent]

Yeah bro.
Shoot me your budget. I'll have you with several selections for a great pre-built oem pc.

[agentjmw]

I went Mac a few months ago. Its the cats ass. Whatever you do, avoid Dell.

[ginaf20697]

My husband is an IT manager. He agrees Dells are shit. He wants me to get a Macbook when my Thinkpad dies. Should be around October since my three year warranty expires in September. All I do is surf and watch stuff on it anyway so a Mac is ideal for that.

[Deadbent]

I'll also suggest a mac, but ONLY ONLY if the model you're looking at offers you everything you need right out of its box.

Switching platforms is still a pain in the ass, especially to old dogs who hate having to learn new tricks just to keep up with the joneses (like me)


With that said though, my macbook c2d is great, and it did come with everything I looked for right out of the box without bloat-ware that dell is famous for. I do all of my white-hat stuff on it.

also, mac laptops actually are more cost effective than just about every other laptop out there. (There was a recent article on slashdot detailing this, I don't have the link handy)

Again, bam, if you need a hand, shoot me your budget. I'll have ya 5 or 6 picks you can review and check out yourself. In both lappy and desktop form.

[Arc Lite]

There's a lot out there worse than Dell. I've had two and will probably get another when my current one needs replacing.

[madbam]

I'll also suggest a mac, but ONLY ONLY if the model you're looking at offers you everything you need right out of its box.

Switching platforms is still a pain in the ass, especially to old dogs who hate having to learn new tricks just to keep up with the joneses (like me)


With that said though, my macbook c2d is great, and it did come with everything I looked for right out of the box without bloat-ware that dell is famous for. I do all of my white-hat stuff on it.

also, mac laptops actually are more cost effective than just about every other laptop out there. (There was a recent article on slashdot detailing this, I don't have the link handy)

Again, bam, if you need a hand, shoot me your budget. I'll have ya 5 or 6 picks you can review and check out yourself. In both lappy and desktop form.

I'd love to get a mac but it isn't in my budget right now plus I have a thinkpad for a work pc but I want a desktop for home.

My budget is anything less than 700 bucks. The things I would like to have are:

2 GHZ or more (Don't know Intel or AMD)
1Gig Ram or better
160G HDD
cd/dvd drive or dvd r/w whatever is the best
no floppy
6 or so USB 2/0 ports
1 Firewire port
Windows XP (Pro or Home)


THanks for the help dude...I am pulling out my hair here...and Dell's are really that shitty now...I guess a lot has changed in 6 yrs huh?

[Deadbent]

Dells really aren't that bad if you get a budget model and blank their operating system and freshly install your own right out of the box.

So a desktop around 700 clams.

Lemme figure out a few for ya. I'll have a report for ya tomorrow or later tonight. I'm also sure several of the other buddies viewing the thread can help on some good input.

[thelord68]

Here, check this out

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103038

I've used Acer computers in business applications on occasion, though I use Acer monitors in most applications, and they've held up well with little attention necessary.

Pentium D 3.0 ghz (64bit, dual-core Pentium)
1 gig RAM
160gig SATA hd
DVD+-RW (burns and reads CD and DVD)
8 usb (4 front/4 back)
Integrated graphics (Intel 3000) but has PCIe x16 slot for dedicated video card
also has a PCIe x1 and two PCI slots
Windows XP Pro

$499.00

Just add a monitor - 19 or 20" LCD < $200 (Acer, Hanns-G)

[madbam]

Dells really aren't that bad if you get a budget model and blank their operating system and freshly install your own right out of the box.

So a desktop around 700 clams.

Lemme figure out a few for ya. I'll have a report for ya tomorrow or later tonight. I'm also sure several of the other buddies viewing the thread can help on some good input.


Very much appreciated man...

[Sam_Adams]

Here, check this out

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103038

I've used Acer computers in business applications on occasion, though I use Acer monitors in most applications, and they've held up well with little attention necessary.

Pentium D 3.0 ghz (64bit, dual-core Pentium)
1 gig RAM
160gig SATA hd
DVD+-RW (burns and reads CD and DVD)
8 usb (4 front/4 back)
Integrated graphics (Intel 3000) but has PCIe x16 slot for dedicated video card
also has a PCIe x1 and two PCI slots
Windows XP Pro

$499.00

Just add a monitor - 19 or 20" LCD < $200 (Acer, Hanns-G)

For $698 you can get a Dell desktop with 300GB hard drive and 1GB ram (edit: The sign I saw at Wal-mart the last time I was there must have been wrong about the 2GB RAM because the ones online have 1GB) at Wal-Mart. Hmmm looking at them closely...the processors suck dick.

DELL package: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5925440

Compaq package: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5707026


They also are carrying pretty decent laptops now. I picked up this laptop from Wal-Mart last fall for a graphics class (so I could work on graphics when I needed to). It is a Toshiba Satellite with WiFi, 90GB HDD (They have larger HDDs now), and 1GB ram for $700. Watch out though, because they also carry a model similar that has 512MB Ram.

Besides Toshiba they also have Compaq and Sony VAIO laptops.

[thelord68]

For $698 you can get a Dell desktop with 300GB hard drive and 1GB ram (edit: The sign I saw at Wal-mart the last time I was there must have been wrong about the 2GB RAM because the ones online have 1GB) at Wal-Mart. Hmmm looking at them closely...the processors suck dick.

DELL package: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5925440

Compaq package: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5707026


They also are carrying pretty decent laptops now. I picked up this laptop from Wal-Mart last fall for a graphics class (so I could work on graphics when I needed to). It is a Toshiba Satellite with WiFi, 90GB HDD (They have larger HDDs now), and 1GB ram for $700. Watch out though, because they also carry a model similar that has 512MB Ram.

Besides Toshiba they also have Compaq and Sony VAIO laptops.

Both the Compaq and Dell machines are loaded with Vista.

Toshiba's always my first choice in laptops.

[madbam]

I want to stay away from vista for the time being....Win XP for me

[ginaf20697]

Shoot I might just get a Mac so I can avoid Vista. The Windows OSs get more and more annoying with each upgrade.

[[OnA]UncleMo]

If you're buying a PC for gaming, whatever you do, don't buy a friggin Mac.

[agentjmw]

Dude we owned Dells for over 10 years. The last bunch are shit. Ram goes bad. Takes days to get them to come to fix. Refused at first. Replaced power supply. Did not fix. We had to get Ram out of pocket to get back to work. Dell's will be sold in Wal Mart. Should give you an idea where they are going.

[ginaf20697]

I had the misfortune of hearing my annoying loudmouth coworker talking with Dell support for weeks in order to get all his problems fixed. The usual crap, they kept trying to fix it, probably replaced almost every single part in it before he finally got them to just give him a new computer.

[madbam]

I had the misfortune of hearing my annoying loudmouth coworker talking with Dell support for weeks in order to get all his problems fixed. The usual crap, they kept trying to fix it, probably replaced almost every single part in it before he finally got them to just give him a new computer.

I hear that...I am leaning toward HP right now and maybe even Lenovo. Since I work at IBM I get a discount (Although it isnt a big one). Anyone hear anything about them?

[madbam]

From my company discount site...I configured this:

Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4400 Processor (2.00GHz 800MHz FSB 2MB L2)
Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
Form factor: Mechanical Package Tower 4x4 no FDD
Total memory: 2GB PC2-5300 SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
Video adapter: Nvidia GeForce 7300LE ( DMS59 )
Display support: DMS59 to Dual VGA Dongle
Audio adapter: Integrated SoundMax w/SPX Audio (ADI 1986 HD)
First optical device bay: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive 48X/32X/48X/16X Max with WinDVD s/w
Networking: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet

$650.25

[SOS]

http://www.intel.com/products/processor_number/chart/core2duo.htm
http://www.intel.com/technology/virtualization/

Two Monitors for what?
With lower profile cards in demand for HTPC users, the DMS59 (Dual Monitor System 59) This single 59pin external interconnect could transmit 2 DVI singles at a time, and have that optional capability to plug in an additional adaptor that can split the pin-out into any dual output combination of two DVI and two 15-pin D-sub outputs.

Why not Vista?

The gfx card:
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce_7300.html
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce7.html
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce8.html

Are you going to use wireless devices to connect to your computer?

Do you have a HDTV?

[madbam]

http://www.intel.com/products/processor_number/chart/core2duo.htm
http://www.intel.com/technology/virtualization/

Two Monitors for what?


Why not Vista?

The gfx card:
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce_7300.html
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce7.html
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce8.html

Are you going to use wireless devices to connect to your computer?

Do you have a HDTV?

No HDTV and I do have a work laptop that I connect through wireless

[SOS]

I would consider getting Vista unless you have programs that aren't upgraded to Vista and a newer graphic card if you want to play the latest games or you do some sort of 3d modeling.

Also an internal wifi card.

[madbam]

I would consider getting Vista unless you have programs that aren't upgraded to Vista and a newer graphic card if you want to play the latest games or you do some sort of 3d modeling.

Also an internal wifi card.

I am not a gamer except for the occasional Half Life and GTA and what can a internal wifi card do for me? I do run a few older programs.

I changed a few things too:

Intel® Pentium® D 925 Processor (3.0GHz 800MHz FSB 2×2M L2)
Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Professional
Form factor: Mechanical Package Tower 4x4 no FDD
Total memory: 2GB PC2-5300 SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
Video adapter: Nvidia GeForce 7300LE ( DMS59 )
Display support: DMS59 to Dual VGA Dongle
Audio adapter: Integrated SoundMax w/SPX Audio (ADI 1986 HD)
First optical device bay: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive 48X/32X/48X/16X Max with WinDVD s/w
Networking: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet

$623.90

[ThunderPimp]

I am not a gamer except for the occasional Half Life and GTA and what can a internal wifi card do for me? I do run a few older programs.

I changed a few things too:

Intel® Pentium® D 925 Processor (3.0GHz 800MHz FSB 2×2M L2)
Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Professional
Form factor: Mechanical Package Tower 4x4 no FDD
Total memory: 2GB PC2-5300 SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
Video adapter: Nvidia GeForce 7300LE ( DMS59 )
Display support: DMS59 to Dual VGA Dongle
Audio adapter: Integrated SoundMax w/SPX Audio (ADI 1986 HD)
First optical device bay: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive 48X/32X/48X/16X Max with WinDVD s/w
Networking: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet

$623.90

No, no no. The Old intels are complete garbage compared to the Core 2. You should definetly get the E4400. The only thing I'd upgrade from the first would be the video card which you can do later I guess, once you find out how shitty the 7300 LE (lame edition) is.

The E4400 is at least 40% faster than the Pentium D you chose in your last post.

[madbam]

No, no no. The Old intels are complete garbage compared to the Core 2. You should definetly get the E4400. The only thing I'd upgrade from the first would be the video card which you can do later I guess, once you find out how shitty the 7300 LE (lame edition) is.

The E4400 is at least 40% faster than the Pentium D you chose in your last post.

OK...thanks for the info. What is so bad about the 7300LE?

Ok..here is another configuration:

What is the difference b/w the ATI Radeon X1300 256MB ( S-Video,DMS-59) and the Nvidia GeForce 7300LE ( DMS59 )

ThinkCentre A55 Tower
$650.25
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4400 Processor (2.00GHz 800MHz FSB 2MB L2)
Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
Operating system language: Genuine Windows XP Home Edition English
Form factor: Mechanical Package Tower 4x4 no FDD
Total memory: 2GB PC2-5300 SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
Video adapter: Nvidia GeForce 7300LE ( DMS59 )
Display support: DMS59 to Dual VGA Dongle
Audio adapter: Integrated SoundMax w/SPX Audio (ADI 1986 HD)
First optical device bay: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive 48X/32X/48X/16X Max with WinDVD s/w
Networking: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet

[Sinn Fein]

Take a look at what Newegg has.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16883227013

Spend $75 more to upgrade it to 2GB (2x1GB). Sell the pair of 512MB DIMMS on eBay to recoup some of the cost.

This is an open-architecture system with some good components, you'd be able to upgrade it easily down the road as needed.

[weeniewawa]

I'd love to get a mac but it isn't in my budget right now plus I have a thinkpad for a work pc but I want a desktop for home.

My budget is anything less than 700 bucks. The things I would like to have are:

2 GHZ or more (Don't know Intel or AMD)
1Gig Ram or better
160G HDD
cd/dvd drive or dvd r/w whatever is the best
no floppy
6 or so USB 2/0 ports
1 Firewire port
Windows XP (Pro or Home)


THanks for the help dude...I am pulling out my hair here...and Dell's are really that shitty now...I guess a lot has changed in 6 yrs huh?

get a intel core duo mac mini 1.66 or 1.86 I think. You already have a copy of Xp just download bootcamp from Apple and install it on the mini or use parallels in which you will need 2 gigs of ram to run both OS's at the same time. has the firewire that you can actually use, dvd/cd dual layer burner, 4 usb 2.0, gigabit ethernet, wifi,bluetooth all built in. maybe only a 80 gig drive but you can use external firewire drives,and you can find them all day long for under 700. Ram is easy to add and is a really quiet little machine. get one before they are discontinued.

[ThunderPimp]

OK...thanks for the info. What is so bad about the 7300LE?

Ok..here is another configuration:

What is the difference b/w the ATI Radeon X1300 256MB ( S-Video,DMS-59) and the Nvidia GeForce 7300LE ( DMS59 )

ThinkCentre A55 Tower
$650.25
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4400 Processor (2.00GHz 800MHz FSB 2MB L2)
Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
Operating system language: Genuine Windows XP Home Edition English
Form factor: Mechanical Package Tower 4x4 no FDD
Total memory: 2GB PC2-5300 SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
Video adapter: Nvidia GeForce 7300LE ( DMS59 )
Display support: DMS59 to Dual VGA Dongle
Audio adapter: Integrated SoundMax w/SPX Audio (ADI 1986 HD)
First optical device bay: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive 48X/32X/48X/16X Max with WinDVD s/w
Networking: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet

The problem with both of those cards is that they are entry level bare minimum to run modern games on low settings. You may be better off just getting the 7300 LE to try it out and then buying a better card off of Newegg later and installing it yourself.

[thelord68]

Take a look at what Newegg has.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16883227013

Spend $75 more to upgrade it to 2GB (2x1GB). Sell the pair of 512MB DIMMS on eBay to recoup some of the cost.

This is an open-architecture system with some good components, you'd be able to upgrade it easily down the road as needed.


I'm mixed on the iBuyPower systems. Standard, non-proprietary components a plus, but too many people reporting problems dealing with them. Granted, you shouldn't have to deal with them as much as Dell, etc.

[Sinn Fein]

I like the fact that it's got an MSI motherboard, etc. Seems like a great system for the price.

[Bobobie]

Are you nuts? Why would somebody do dog-slow gaming in an emulated mode on a Mac when they could just dual-boot windows, then you would still need a high-end mac.

apple.com
get ANY mac and get parallels to run windows inside of it for your occasional gaming.

nuff said. and NO i am NOT like the apple guy on todays show. they are just slick machines. i am a software engineer, i build stuff for windows and love my mac.

[SOS]

What are you considering?

[madbam]

Just got back from vacation and checked out a lot of PC mags...looked in the back and there are some killer sites where I can build my own....looks like that may be the route to go......

[doktormoo]

Macs are getting new support from EA and Id. While they are nowhere near where PC gaming is, they are all around superb machines. I am still running a G4 laptop and a dual liquid cooled G5 and they run fine. Apple has done a good job in keeping the legacy machines useful.

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

I do most of my gaming on various consoles.