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Posted: 10/20/2004 2:54:20 PM EDT
[#1]
get a dell. I just picked up a spare dell Dell wtih a Pentium 4 processor, 80 gig harddrive and cd burner for 400 bucks. add a dvd burner for 75 or so and you're set.
You want it? |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 2:55:50 PM EDT
[#2]
lol proprietary tools? philips and flathead are open standards as far as I know.
If you know you are going to replace it, why not just buy some mass produced cheap computer then and quitcherbitchin. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 2:56:58 PM EDT
[#3]
Weren't you asking about building a computer here several months ago?
If you just need a computer for the average stuff, go to Dell.com, find something in the price range you want with the couple features that you want, then buy it along with a 3 year warranty. Dell sets up their computers for the average user. After 3 years your computer will be so slow you'll want a different one, so buy getting the warranty up front you won't have to pay for anything to get fixed for the life of the computer. Simple as that. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 2:58:16 PM EDT
[#4]
What is it YOU need the PC to do? I'll point you in the right direction.
it easy for compugeeks to recommend stuff they wish they could afford because it's not their money being spent. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 2:59:44 PM EDT
[#5]
+1 I didn't read this thread but I stayed at a holiday inn express last month |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:00:43 PM EDT
[#6]
Get one of the cheaper Dells. That'll do fine.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:01:03 PM EDT
[#7]
And I hate people who are ignorant, and refuse to learn anything about what they are asking about.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:01:07 PM EDT
[#8]
for you I would recomend an Emachine.
proprietary tools????? you can work a screwdriver can't you?? |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:02:07 PM EDT
[#9]
Emachines and HP do well, and I know HP and SONY do great with multimedia.
Sorry people are dicks. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:03:53 PM EDT
[#10]
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:04:14 PM EDT
[#11]
Well i hate you to.
If you dont play video games then get a Dell. look at www.slickdeals.net for a good deal on one. they have one every month it seems. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:06:16 PM EDT
[#12]
Its in my post above but, for the sake of clarity I use outlook. Just to check email, not to organize my entire life. I don't use the calendar, I don't use any of the other options. Just email and email addresses. -Internet Arfcom, porn, shopping, etc. Noting fancy, no creating my own website, no hosting videos, no online games. I do have a tendency to have alot of windows (IE) or tabs (Firefox) open at one time. -Download music I am a thief. I steal music with various brands of MP3 downloading software. When I can I also like to download software this way. -Digital photos I like to use Photoshop to crop and resize and such. I don't get into all of the fancy techniques or effects or anything like that. -CD/DVD burning I like to be able to make audio CDs of the music I steal, and I like the idea of being able to back things up onto DVD. I can't imagine getting into making DVDs for my friends to take home and play in their DVD players. Nobody is that interested in my life. -Chatting I use Yahoo messenger tokeep in touch with friends out of town and such. I want to make sure that it will work on whatever machine I buy. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:06:46 PM EDT
[#13]
Just go to Best Buy or Sam's and buy something on sale. You obviously don't want a performance machine. Make sure you buy the extended support plan, your techie contacts won't want to touch a generic brand retail PC.
I used to build a new gaming rig every year, and give the old machines to relatives & family. No more, with all the support calls from friends & relatives I give up. Either learn it yourself like I did or pay someone in India $3 an hour to help you.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:07:52 PM EDT
[#14]
What do you know about how to build furniture? Or fix your dishwasher? Or add an addition to your house? Or pick a realtor? Some people just don't give a shit. The computer for normal people is a tool, not a lifestyle. Sorry you can't understand that. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:07:59 PM EDT
[#15]
I've gone over this time & time again with family & relatives... Basically, you could go to Best Buy & get the same old Compaq shitbox for $1200... Or you could buy a DELL for $1750 to $3500 and pay a lot for a whole little bit of computer...
OR you could check out this little-known gem of an Internet-Based PC builder: Internet - I - Shop They buy IN HUGE BULK and sell decent computers to businesses for DIRT CHEAP. If you don't mind re-using your current Monitor it'll be even cheaper! I used to be one of those major computer nerds who drools over PCs... Then I wisened up, and realized I didn't need the top of the line PC & Gadgetry. HOWEVER, this website my friend told me about seemed to have VERY NICE PCs that REALLY PERFORM GREAT, and they're DIRT CHEAP compared to other places. I showed my parents this website, and as a result they bought a PC from them. A NICE deal for $750, and with all the components & features (Sony DVD/R, Sony CD R/RW, USB 2.0, NVIDIA GEForce AGP 8x Cards, etc...)! Honestly, I don't know where they're making any profit margin! Edited to add: I just checked, and their website doesn't seem to be working...  Maybe they didn't make a profit, and are going out of business? 
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:08:05 PM EDT
[#16]
same shit happened to me, I was like screw it I am just buying one from frys
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:10:34 PM EDT
[#17]
That's the kind of stuff I need to hear. As long as the Dell/HP or whatever will last me a couple of years that's all I ask of it. You'd think that those machines were going to catch fire and burn down the entire neighborhood from the way some people react when you talk about them. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:11:27 PM EDT
[#18]
Go with a Dell. they have a really good setup for 500 and if you wait a little while it will probably go on sale.
-Computer Geekhave |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:20:44 PM EDT
[#19]
OK well then i'd say jump on This Dell Deal - Choose to upgrade the HD and add the DVD drive.
or This Gateway Deal of the week.. You should be able to get 4 or 5 years out of these. Stay away from the emachines - They are not exactually the most reliable company out there. If the power supply was to go out you'll be shipping the thing to CA to get fixed as an example. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:23:34 PM EDT
[#20]
Get the most expensive computer you feel comfortable getting. Don't get too cheap or you will kick yourself. Get teh most expensive model if you want the fastest and most bells and whistles.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:41:05 PM EDT
[#21]
Here's a Better Dell deal. Higher level computer, less money. It's dell small business, so you pay sales tax but still free shipping. Use your last name when they ask for the name of your business. www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/outrageous_desktops?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd ETA Deal ends tonight!! |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:44:09 PM EDT
[#22]
any of the cheapest entry level dells or hps will do this
hell, my 6 year old system running win98se that I'm posting from right now will do all that and a bit more fine. which is why I'm still using a 6 year old computer running win98se I'm not abig HP fan so I'll recommend getting a dell. if you have time to wait before buying it check out techbargains.com and bensbargains.net for a while until dell has one of their $500 desktops with free monitor deals. might even be able to get a cheap lcd for free if the right coupon comes around soon edit: www.bensbargains.net/
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:45:43 PM EDT
[#23]
Dell's are crap eh?    Did you buy one of those from that website you posted? I hope that was a joke, cause you got assraped. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:45:51 PM EDT
[#24]
It looks like from the Dell site that after I configure it how I want it I come out with a $700 machine +/-. That's not too bad at all. That includes a DVD burner and player, and a couple of other upgrades including a $50 Norton Antivirus package.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:48:14 PM EDT
[#25]
You could save 50 bucks by using AVG antivirus. It's all I use now that norton kept letting things get through...
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:48:25 PM EDT
[#26]
unless you are a serious gamer almost ANY mid to low end machine will be more than enough power for the average user. Don't get hung up in the numbers game it will cost you money you don't need to spend.
VERY little home based software <games excluded> actually put a load a modern pc. mike |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:52:02 PM EDT
[#27]
oh yea and do an arfcom search for dell.
might be enlightning. i will leave it at that. mike |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 3:52:07 PM EDT
[#28]
Rule number one re: computers
If it says gaming anywhere on the machine or the advertisement, its overpriced. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 8:02:22 PM EDT
[#29]
The only recommmendation I will give is get at least a minimum of 512Mb of ram. Dell and other companies boast low prices by not putting extra memory in systems, and still sell systems with 128 or 256mb. To give the pc utility value, they package a bunch of software with the system that runs in the background or is resident in memory so it starts up fast when you need it, but it all eats up working space. Most of the problems I see with relative's pc's have little to do with processing power and have a lot to do with not having enough memory to run smooth enough. Same applies with users at work.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 8:17:53 PM EDT
[#30]
Actually, speaking as a geek who's had a computer since 1980 Ihave to say this. Good, don't bother learning about high tech stuff. The internet has been ruined by million morons march into cyber space. You want to download? Go to Kazaa but what ever you do don't go to internet relay chat. Back in the day (1992) we nerds were able to do all sorts of naughty things on the net until it got popluar, now the feds are everywhere. Alt Usenet has now been shut down thanks to spammers. Now thanks to the terrorists, any e-mail with certain "keywords" in it WILL be intercepted and will be read by some alphabet soup asshole. Actually the net is better now, i just wish it could go back to "the best kept secret " status it had before.
 oooopps sorry ! rant off. long live archie and gopher.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 8:21:31 PM EDT
[#31]
Buy a Cray.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 8:22:48 PM EDT
[#32]
...  + 1
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Posted: 10/20/2004 8:32:58 PM EDT
[#33]
1. Nothing is "5 billion gigahertz yet." 2. Alienware isn't for you unless you're a hardcore gamer and can afford a premium for performance. 3. Most sound cards top off at 6.1 audio right now. Most people don't even use that, at least not on their computer. My home theater is a completely different story. 4. I've built all of my previous computers except for one, and none of them required a single proprietary tool. The only tool required at all was a phillips head screwdriver. 5. T1 satellite connections suck. I used to work for a sat provider of bandwidth and dialtone into South and Central America. 6. See below.
So you knew what you're requirements were, what your budget was, and ultimately what you could buy because of those previous requirements and you still decided to get advice from the geeks? What kind of answer did you expect? Spend $500 or less on a Dell and pray to God you never need tech support. Anyone with an 80 IQ could have figured that out.  Remember the Alamo, and God Bless Texas... |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 8:36:51 PM EDT
[#34]
Call Me.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 8:37:22 PM EDT
[#35]
Well if you want some advice let me know I can give you some.
Myself, I have an older system with a dented case that has a few knife holes in it. Most people at computer stores have about the same knowledge as some gunstore "seals" |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 11:21:26 PM EDT
[#36]
Whatever you do, PLEASE, for the rest of us users out there who DO game over the internet, keep your system patched up, run a good antivirus (and keep THAT up-to-date), and don't click yes to every dialog that pops up during your forays on the internet.
A clean PC is a happy PC. |
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Posted: 10/20/2004 11:24:53 PM EDT
[#37]
Why dont you just learn it yourself instead of asking questions and bitching when someone trys to explain technology to you. Oh wait, just go buy an intagrated mother board POS that will take a crap and not let you replace simple components if they ever go out.
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Posted: 10/20/2004 11:29:20 PM EDT
[#38]
<--professional computer geek OK.. seriously. dell.com Find a machine that they have on sale.. and add the cdrw and/or dvd burner. get the price they want. then.. go to a local computer shop and ask for a quote. buy the cheapest one. if you have a monitor dont buy another one unless you really want a new one. same goes for keyboard and mouse. also, never underestimate the power of an extended warranty. |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 12:12:54 AM EDT
[#39]
Well you can have someone tell you what you want, or to give you the information for you do decide what you want... This isn't like buying something that is subject to just "eye balling" it and deciding if you like it (like your examples). I'm the kind of person who would prefer to be educated in ALL of my purchases, rather then go soley on someone elses advice. I think your the one who doesn't understand. |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 12:15:29 AM EDT
[#40]
If you dont know much about computers Dell is ok. I owned one a Dell Laptop, and I consider it the biggest POS computer I ever owned. But I have used worse.
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Posted: 10/21/2004 12:37:59 AM EDT
[#41]
$500 PCs are designed for EXACTLY the type of use you describe above. Any of the namebrand PCs (I prefer Sony, but Dell, HP, Gateway, or even eMachines) will work for you. You aren't a 3D gamer, 3D animator, or one of the other classes of user who really does need a top-end processor and a top-end graphics card to get the job done. Your stated needs are FAR less, so buying a badass gaming PC would be a serious waste of money for you anyway. I would recommend 512 MB of RAM, which means you may need to add some if they only give you 128 or 256, and get a nice big hard drive (that porn sure eats up the space...  ). Don't worry about processor speed, as even the slowest ones are plenty fast for what you do. Same with video.If you were going to invest some money, the place to spend it would be on a nice, big flat-panel display (assuming you aren't going to just use your existing monitor and save money). Monitors/displays should really have a decent amount spent on them, so that you get at or near the best quality and as large as you can afford at the time you buy. Unlike the PC itself, a monitor can realistically be expected to give 10+ years of service, which is the lifespan of 3-5 PCs. It is also your primary interface to the computer world, and has serious ergonomic/eyestrain issues attached. What I'm trying to say is: WHEN you decide to buy a display, don't settle for a cheap one; pay the money and get something that's good and worth having for a while. -Troy |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 1:17:02 AM EDT
[#42]
I'm sure you'd rather get something from a major company but I'll build you a box for $500 that'll be better than any DELL or Gateway
For $500 you'll get: -2.5 GHz CPU (more than enough for everything you'll be doing + some gaming) -80 GB Hard Drive (that's aprox. 23842038575.344 pictures) -512 DDR400 RAM (more than enough to run several programs at once) -16X Dual Layer +/- DVD-RW/CD-RW -64 MB Video Card -LAN (or 56k if you use dialup) -5.1 Sound -3.5 floppy drive (if you want it) -Windows XP Pro -Norton Anti-Virus -free shipping and you'll have it on your doorstep in about 2 weeks Anyone that's build their own system will tell you that even with the same specs a custom built one will be noticeably faster. This is because DELL and others load their systems with a bunch of crap you never use that eats up CPU/RAM for advertising revenue so they can get lower prices. That and the fact that they use crappy motherboards. |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 3:35:10 AM EDT
[#43]
Here's an analogy maybe you and the other geeks will understand, since several of you are doing exactly what I'm bitching about. Your friend comes to you and says "I want to buy an AR15". You (at least if you have any sense) ask "ok, what do you want to do with it?" "I'm not sure" he replies "mostly just do some light target shooting at the range and maybe shooting at some cans down at the sand pit." This is where the geek answer and the rational person response will deviate. Geek: Oh, in that case buy a registered M16 lower for $10k and get two uppers for it; one LMT MRP with interchangeable barrels and anther SPR upper and add $1k worth of glass to it. Only buy a Colt. Stay away from Bushy, RRA, or Armalite. Rational Person: I'd suggest a 16" or 20" barreled rifle with a flattop upper receiver so that if you ever want to add optics you can. Stick to RRA or Bushmaster as they are good quality for a relatively low price. For your purposes you don't need to shell out the extra cash for a full-auto rifle or even a Colt. |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 3:41:10 AM EDT
[#44]
I see. So you know how to fix every single item in your house and car, including how to build the house and car, as well as how to build all of these things from scratch? Goddamn, you're like a prodigy. You should call Guinness and get in their book. Repeat after me: A computer is a tool, not a lifestyle. |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 3:47:45 AM EDT
[#45]
Go to Best Buy or Circuit City and look for the cheapest name-brand machine they have on sale. With in-store and factory rebates you'll walk out with a machine that was the cat's ass 6 months ago for about $500. I've bought a couple nice Sony Vaio's (no monitor) that were demos on the shelf for a couple hundred bucks. These are boxes that were almost $2k in the spring. Ask them to take something off the price if it's "the last one".
There is no reason to spend more than $500 for what you want. Spend your money on extra RAM and a GOOD monitor. I always tell people to ignore the instore geeks, buy the cheap PC and get a good monitor. (I'm an IT Director and spend roughly $1.5 mil a year with Gateway and Dell. But I get my personal machines and "need it now" machines at work this way.) |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 4:01:52 AM EDT
[#46]
Excellent post. You qualified yourself and gave good rational advice based on my stated uses for the machine. I appreciate it. Good idea on "the last one". |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 4:17:17 AM EDT
[#47]
Get a cheap computer, almost any new computer on the market will be more than enough for what you need.
+1 on the RAM. More RAM = More Speed. Plus many manufactures max out their slots... if it can take 2 RAM modules, if you get 512 they will put in (2) 256 M chips. Better to get (1) 512 chip so you can expand it when you feel it's too slow. Finally, don't get TOO wrapped up in hard drive size. Get one big enough to keep your installed programs on and a little data. Buy a USB 2.0 external HD, I got a 200G for under $200 about a year ago. Then I can move my mp3's, downloaded programs etc. from computer to computer, take it to a buddy's house, whatever. And if you keep it separate from your computer when you're not using it, maybe the RIAA won't find it when they break down your door. Plus it won't be as likely to crash as the one that your OS is on. (Several years of IT experience and learning experience here). |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 4:24:23 AM EDT
[#48]
Yep, Norman, the best advice when computer shopping is to TELL THE GEEK WHAT YOU INTEND TO USE THE MACHINE FOR. Or he'll tell you what's the new hot shit, and lose you with geekspeek. If you state what you are going to use it for, like you did above, and they still go into all this high end BS and rattle on and on about expandability and upgrading and shit, find someone else who will cut the BS and get to the point.
For your uses, a low end, low cost PC should do fine. You won't need anything more than a Celeron processor. You could probably get by with 256MB of RAM, as long as you don't let tons of BS software get installed on your system. So unless you know how to really find and remove stuff, and tweak a little performance, go ahead and get more RAM. 512 will do you more than fine. For a harddrive, 80GB will be plenty big. I have about 100CDs ripped to MP3s in a good quality bitrate (bigger size files) and that only takes about 10-15GB. (just to give you an idea for a 'little music' use). Video won't matter too much to you since you don't game. Most video adapters will be able to handle nice resolutions and, with a good monitor, should be good for photographs and such. Web browsing doesn't take much horsepower at all, so with the above recommendations, getting on ARFCOM, you'll have plenty thrust for your squeeze. ETA: Get a NICE monitor if you don't have one. Monitors are useful a lot longer than the computer itself. If you snag a nice monitor, in a couple years, when you want to get a new PC, you won't need another monitor, and can save money by not getting another. |
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Posted: 10/21/2004 5:59:33 AM EDT
[#49]
Quit griping and go buy a Dell.
And integrated sucks because if it breaks, you have to replace the whole freakin motherboard, instead of just swapping out one card. "proprietary tools" 
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Posted: 10/21/2004 7:19:07 AM EDT
[#50]
Definitely get the multiplexing parser bus and the sag blotter.
Seriously, you should do fine. But aren't you the guy who built the bling case with clear sides and fluorescent lights? |
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