Posted: 7/16/2008 8:21:21 AM EDT
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My current computer is a Dell and (hard to believe) is at least 5 years old. I haven't kept up with the comings and goings of computers since, so I'm out of the loop as to who's on top and who's making crap. Basically I'm a typical home user, surf the net, the most complicated thing I do is burn photos and home movies to mail to family in Georgia. But, I use my computer as my Home Entertainment system for listening to CD's and MP3s and watching DVD movies. I would like to max out RAM and hard drive and only need a tower. (Current monitor is DVI capable and 4 months old) Any suggestions? Thank you! |
I love our Mac Mini. As soon as my HP dies, I am putting a mini in my office with dual OS's Windows/Mac and be done with it. It has NEVER crashed or given us one problem and it is left on for weeks at a time. pat |
this is the only way to go! |
+1 put whatever you want on it OS wise I can't say much for Mac's anymore Intel chips..Instead of RISC processors 
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I built my own. So far so good except I'm on my 2nd motherboard, and I have a video card fan that I need to replace someday. Other than that it's all A-OK. If you have good computer building skills, or know someone that can help you(which I had), this may be a good route to go on. If I were looking to buy a desktop off the shelf though, I'd buy either a Mac or a Lenovo. I'd choose Mac because I borrowed my sister's now dearly departed Ibook two summers ago for about a week while my comp was out of commission. I'd choose Lenovo because I had an IBM Thinkpad, and they're great computers and I've heard little bad about Lenovo's line of desktop machines. |
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Build your own. It's so simple it's not even funny. The $$ savings are immense over pre-built systems, and you know exactly what components go into it. I had no idea whatsoever about how to build one, but decided to try anyway. Took less than one hour to put everything together, and the thing works perfectly. I am not a computer expert by any means... www.newegg.com www.tigerdirect.com |
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If that's all you need it for, just keep it and re-install Windows on it to freshen it up. Add RAM, most towers can take a 2nd hard drive, so put one in as a slave. Add a DVD burner. If you have room for it, add an HDTV tuner card. I'd also set up dual boot with Ubuntu, with it as the default. |
Zaph, You could get the MacMini and use your current LCD screen. It is plenty powerful for most all applications. You can also get some upgrades in the memory or use an onsite memory upgrade. I have a friend who did this and incorporated it with macTV. He has the remote memory unit running everything in his house from the alarm system to all of his TV, stereo, DVD's and music collection. It is accessible from his iPhone, macbook or his desktop, all wirelessly. It is a very neat setup, all wireless and hidden from view. |
No monitor for $700? Yeah, sounds like the best deal going for sure. He could easily get what he needs for under $500 with a nice LCD monitor. |
To each his own. I was referring to the best deal mac has to offer.  |
Sometimes having a computer that ALWAYS WORKS and doesn't give you headaches is worth a little extra money. |
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For starters NEVER go with Dell. They basically suck and always run hot being as they want there systems to be "quiet". Personally I just build my PCs from scratch...but if you aren't the techy type I can suggest small computer businesses in your area. Usually they will do a better job then companies like Dell etc... Here is what I have for system specs and I love it! Manufacturer: Me Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz Memory: 4GB RAM (1066) Hard Drive: 400 GBs (raid 0) Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT EVGA (which works great over clocked) Monitor: 21" LCD gaming moniter Sound Card: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) Speakers/Headphones: Turtle Beach HP2 5.1 surround sound headset Keyboard: USB Root Hub Mouse: Logitech MX510 Mouse Surface: Mouse-pad Operating System: Windows Vista™ Business (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.071023-1545) Motherboard: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. (Dual 16x SLI) You can order them all off Newegg...then perhaps have someone build it for you? If you are interested in doing that heres some links... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128339 (Motherboard is almost the same as mine) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146785 (Awesome memory comes with a nice bench mark tool too) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130360 (Heres my video card it has good cooling and I'm having good luck over clocking it/if you get it let me know I have a program for it so it runs cooler) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103228 (Can't go wrong with AMD it's cheap and performs well) Oh yes I almost forgot to add while those are the basic most important parts...you may need Hard-Drives, a new case, new Power supply unit etc... For the power supply I suggest (if you don't want any headaches) buying an Antech 650W Power supply and not some cheap one...if yo go cheap you can have serious problems like frying your whole PC. |
It also helps if the user isn't computer retahhhded. I have seen people take a NIB Mac and cause a fatal Kernel panic it in 2 days. Reinstall. Also had quite a few of the little buggers come with bad "logic" boards. Repair via Apples HORRIBLE repair services, usually a third party certified vendor.  Same with Dell, but the service is better at the business level. Apple has no business level. They don't belong in the enterprise at all.I suggest the self build as well. More bang for the buck... unless you WANT to fuck around with OSX.  ETA: My computer: Intel [email protected] ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 HSF Gigabyte GA-EP45-DQ6 8GB Adata DDR2 800 RAM XFX 9800GTX WD 300GB 10KRPM Raptor OS drive Random assortment of 300-1000GB drives 1200w iStarUSA power supply Windows Vista Ultimate x64 and openSUSE11x64 Makes a helluva computer for what I do. |
 Wow, a regular effing commodian. OSX runs circles around XP or Vista. I have used XP for years and it is ok, but it highly prone to crashes, as are all Windows products. I have used OSX for 10 months now and not one (read 1) error, crash, slowdown, blue screen or other problem. There are 2 macs in my household and both of them run flawlessly. My previous laptop was a Toshiba and was MORE expensive than the mac. It crashed and burned about an hour after being let out of the box. What a POS. If I knew I needed a degree in IT or computer science to be able to do the most basic of tasks on a desktop or laptop, I would have gone to college for it. |
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-1 on building your own. If you were a build your own kind of guy, you wouldn't be posting a thread asking which brand to buy. Plus, being able to call 1800-INDIA when it messes up is probably good. Your needs are not that demanding. I recommend an eMachines from Wal-Mart. You can get them without monitors. Then, open up the back of it, replace the power supply unit (google it if it sounds hard) and add some RAM. Your computer will be cheaper and faster than most. |
Awwww... did I hurt your feelings? Internets is serious business. |
Yes, my 24" iMac is just what the Dr. ordered. I am sure your Avatar pic would look real good on the 24" screen when you finally get one. 
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Mac schmac. 3 gig RAM, 500 gig HD, Athlon 6000, $399 I loathe Vista, and will be buying this motherboard and putting a dual boot Linux / XP installation on mine. For under $500, I run circles around a Mac. |
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Any Mac. I personally would recommend a MacBook Pro. Don't forget you can EASILY run Windows XP or Vista on a Mac AT THE SAME TIME as your working in OSX. Best of both worlds. Actually PC Magazine (or one of those mags) rates the MacBook Pro as the FASTEST WINDOWS LAPTOP on the market! Get a Mac. Seriously. |
No feelings hurt. I just love the PC superiority police that come out of the woodwork whenever someone mentions mac. And before you say it, nobody trashed a PC until the mac bashers started. |
yep. Just built my own pretty high end gaming rig for ~$1250 after rebates... |
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+1 for Apple. I've been a PC user for 17 years building my own and for friends for 13 of those and finally got fed up with the Windows shuffle every couple of years. Bought an Apple power book for my business and will never go back. Runs Office programs and imported windows based files seamlessly, no interoperability issues to speak of no viruses, great customer service, tech support. Infinantly better than PCs and Windows; I'll never go back. Can't say it loudly enough, BUY THE MAC!!! DuxRus |
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This thread may help... www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=729248 |
Oh man, turn it around. Don't feel bad. The OSX infection can be cured with delpart. |
From what I gather, Delpart is responsible for "curing" more pc hard drives than anything else.
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Hey, it is the cure for what ails ya. Fuck trouble-shooting, time is money. Delpart. |
It is a good thing I have a mac and I don't have any problems I would need Delpart for.  I still have my Toshiba laptop (POS). It is collecting dust in a closet somewhere. Worst $1100 I ever spent.
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The reason Apple sucks is mainly the fact that it's not made for professionals(doesn't even have server)....it's for the home user... Hey I guess whatever you are best with stick with...though being as I'm not a home user.... That and this fall I will be learning ethical hacking and countermeasures which will pry be windows based "ethical hacking and countermeasures". For that reason I will stick with the Windows. That and Apple is the borg... Basically I want compatibility with everything and performance...Macs can't do that. And for the record I have never had a blue screen of death on my Vista or XP box. *edit* And I don't want to sound mean but people that have PC problems usually messed up there PC themselves.... |
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Thanks for the advice guys. I'll check out the NewEgg site and see what it takes to build one myself. I've added a hard drive and RAM to my current computer, so I know the hardware isn't difficult, but the software may give me fits. Or, it's an option I didn't consider, but I think I'll take a look at the local shops too. Thanks again! |
Plus you learn more about computers and can customize it exactly the way you want. It took me a couple hours to build my computer and a little research. |