Posted: 5/21/2006 8:02:10 AM EDT
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I'm looking for computer package suggestions. My computer right now is about 5 years old and it 's about time to get another one. I'm looking for a good computer package- speakers, monitor, keyboard, mouse etc. for less than $1500. I'm not really interested at this time in building my own. Uses are: internet gaming (I've been out of PC gaming for a while due to compatibility of games to my computer and want to get back into it) multi-media etc.-DVD- digital pictures be able to save info on CD Thanks! |
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i would seriously rethink building your own, you can save a ton for a little work. and i would go for something with a AMD X2 dual core processor and atleast 1gb ram (get a matched set of 2 sticks for dual channel). if you need info on building or suggestions for parts feel free to IM me, i have lost count on how many pc's i have put together for people, both gameing and budget. |
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I just bought a Asus mobo, AMD cpu and video card for $550. I already had the other parts in my system, but figure $100 for 1 gig of good ram, $75-100 for a case, $100-150 for hard drive depending on size, $100 for a good keyboard and mouse. Decent speakers $75-125. DVD burner $75-100. You will probably have to buy a new PSU (power supply) too, $100. You could use the onboard sound on the mobo if you don't want something better. Most onboard sound does 5.1 or 7.1 now. Network card will be onboard too. These are just rough estimates and can definitely be had for cheaper, these are the middle of the road figures. -d |
Since you did say you'r not interested in building,might want to take a look at a Dell XPS 400. Start with the EL model at $990 and add speakers/cd/DVD burner and whatever, or buy and add your own (better) + a decent keyboard & mouse as Dells are throw aways. I upgraded vid card/RAM and a couple other things myself and saved a few $100. They did have 0% interest for 18 months when I bought mine. And you do get an XPresS code/number to use if you should ever have to call Bombay/Calcutta for tech help. You actually get someone who speaks English and knows what they'r doing!  DELL XPS |
your wrong on both counts 
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Well,thats been my experience though I'v only had to call once re my computer. Back up and running within minutes without going thru the usual long checklist of trying things totally unrelated to the problem because, "thats how we do it sir". I'm fairly certain he WAS speaking English. 
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im my 4 years experience at the shop i work at. you have a 95% guarantee your going to talk to somone oversees. that your going to have to retrouble shoot 5 times something you have already diagnosed BAD. then you have to be redirected to the purchase department tell them your credit card number 5 times because you can't understand each other  dell = THe SuCKaGe |
The thing that pisses me off beyond belief is when you have to call the cable company or a computer mfg and troubleshoot something you KNOW is bad. "Uhm, sir can you please reset the modem. I'll walk you through it." NO WE CAN'T do that.. I've already done it many times, I've done X, I've done Y, I've even done Z... it doesn't work!! Send me a new one. It gets worse with the pc people, "Okay sir, I want you to put in your restore cd's and reboot the computer. At the prompt, select 'full restore', this will fix your problem for you." FUCK THAT! They don't even bother to tell their customers sometimes that it will erase their data... AND... the original problem was that their optical light on their mouse didn't light up anymore! -d |
at least their is one other person out that feels my pain |
Exactly what I was talking about! Went thru that with Qwest for 2 days once before I finally realized that their DSL modem installation disk didn't work with 98SE. Installed the drivers from their site,called back to tell them what the problem was and the guy said,Oh yeah we'v heard that. "WELL WHY THE F*CK DIDN"T WE DO THAT INSTEAD OF THE OTHER USELESS SH*T UMPTEEN F*CKING TIMES?" Sorry,I thought I was over it. 
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| Someone mentioned Alienware. Don't do it. Just don't do it. All your buying is a name. Alienware actually is ownded by Dell now. Alienware systems suck in my opinion. I have an Alienware MJ12 7700m ($3000.00 laptop) that i've had for about a year and so far the motherboard has been replaced. Last night it went tits up and shows no sign of life. Tech support is a joke, they don't speak english, other than "i see" and "ok." I'll never do business with them again. I cut my business off of Dell ages ago to when i realised their systems were proprietary. Complete shit in other words. |
just a FYI if your laptop dies out of warranty they do not keep ANY parts in stock for their products. their desktop are standard, so at least you can buy it elsewhere. |
Indeed, i spent the day diagnosing the system and it won't even POST anymore. I think it's become my next interactive target. I may have to record it and send the video to Alienware. lol. Right now i'm drawing up specs for a new desktop to build. Every desktop i've built has been rock solid, now if i could only build laptops. lol. ETA: Oh and FYI to anyone with an Alienware or considering one. If you send them your system for work to be done, company SOP dictates that they wipe your hard drive and install a fresh copy of XP to see if that fixes the problem. I shit you not. lol. |
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I would have to say that Alienware a few years back was actually a good product. They weren't even close to mainstream and their customer base wasn't too big... so they actually had good tech support and their products were good. But then they started selling them through Best Buy and did a lot more advertising.. and as soon as their customer base swelled they had to outsource a lot of their tech support and their mfg'ing. -d |
i wish i could do that on 50% of the systems i work on. virus, spyware , trojans 
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The tech support guys really hate me at work, because I refuse to become part of their problem, or help them out. When someone complains of having spyware or trojans or whatnot, I start handing out ubuntu CD's 
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| Ubuntu is nice. I just sent the laptop back to Alienware ($259 to diagnose it). I figure i'll let them look at it and fix it (possibly if they dont want an arm and a leg). Once its fixed and back in my hands. Off to Ebay the SOB goes. So if anyone is looking for a deal on an MJ12 7700m, providing its fixed when i get it back it'll be up for sale. lol. Washing my hands of this whole company. |
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My recommendation is to go find one of those smokin' Dell deals...some nice fast machines w/19" LCD monitors for $500-800. But don't order the extra memory or video card from Dell. Then go buy 2GB of RAM and a GeForce 7900GT video card to plug into it. |