Shopping for PC

[Rubyfruit]

A new one that is! I'm getting a new computer - yippee!!!!!!

Any suggestions on what to get?

 

[lobito]

get one a them there HP's, whole system, for under $1000.

 

[cymbidia]

My last three new computers have been Microns.

I love the quality, they have *really* good customer service, and the machines hold up exceptionally well.

 

[modest mouse]

Where I bought mine.

http://www.buyabs.com/index8.shtml

 

[Svedish_Chef]

And I thought that PC went cheap...

 

[Ayaka]

And I thought that PC went cheap...

Are you ever going to drink that?

 

[Bigdog]

get one a them there HP's, whole system, for under $1000.

I would recommend HP as well. I have one 3 years old, one 2 years old, and two at work that are 2 years old. All perform flawlessly. I found the trick is to make all your peripherals HP as well, they add on without a hitch.

Based on experiences by my friends and coworkers, Compaq is the Antichrist of computers.

Of the main "build to suit" sellers, I have heard better things about Dell than Gateway.

 

[dqrich]

Might you listen to anyone that won't steer you the corp. way?

 

[Calamity Jane]

A new one that is! I'm getting a new computer - yippee!!!!!!

Any suggestions on what to get?

I've got a gateway laptop, a custom system that i ordered through computer shopper, and an HP that's on layaway. The gateway sucks, though that may be the OS that's on it. We'll find out soon enough because it's goin back in for service.

The desktop is ok. It's older and hasn't held up as well as I'd like. The company had virtually NO support and then went out of business.

I'm excited about the HP. I'm picking it up in February. If you haven't gotten one by then, I'll let ya know what I think.

 

[Draco]

Three little words Ruby

DELL DELL DELL, best machines, best back-up, best warranties, best looking systems by far.

Dont buy over-priced INTEL P4, go for AMD XP range..more BANG for your buck

Draco
Systems Manager
D*T*F*O* NZ LTD

 

[Svedish_Chef]

Are you ever going to drink that?

I already am...

PC, you know it... Muff knows it... now admit to it.

 

[VanB]

Go for Dell or HP - both are hugely reliable and well built.

Gateways are shit - have had no end of trouble with them in the past and Compaq double shit!! Alternatively try a self build if you're confident enough but you will be unlikely to build as good a quality machine as a Dell or HP for the same bucks.

 

[sport]

XP version

The new Windows XP operating system has to have new programs too. The old programs will not run in XP, just a thought!

 

[Guest]

Shows how much you know. I can get Doom, Quake I and all old DOS games to play on XP. XP Professional Corporate (Build 2600)With no tweaking. If your gonna post, know your stuff first.

 

[Pechorin]

The best part about buying a new PC...

....if you're a saddo like me, is selecting the components and/or system, then shopping around for the best price. Once you've had it a few weeks, you get used to the enhancements and regard them as the norm.

THEN about a month after delivery you see your system, or a higher spec one, cheaper than the price you paid. You sulk for a few more months, but then things begin to brighten. Why? Cos you've decided to start pulling together the spec for your next system.

'Fraid I can't help you in your choice Ruby as in the UK, the best systems are often put together by smaller companies. Having experienced HP and Dell in the UK in the past, I couldn't recommend either. Maybe their service is different in the US.

 

[Dillinger]

I highly recommend you configure the components of the computer by yourself and have a company build it to spec.

Try http://www.minotaur.com/ - go to "build your own computer" on the right side of the page (under features). Give it a try and see what you come up with. You can play with different size drives, video cards, etc - depending on your need and how much you're willing to spend. You can also opt not to buy certain components if you want to re-use anything from your current computer (and save some money that way).

 

[Mike Hammer]

Does Apple have one of their new stores open anywhere near you Ruby? If money isn't one of the biggest factors in your choice it would be worth checking into. Even the prices aren't really that big of a jump if you have a mind to. I've used both and actually just prefer the Macs, just MHO.

Flame me Draco you motherfucker.

 

[Rubyfruit]

Thanks for all of your suggestions everybody. Just found out that my husband's work has a program where if you buy through them, you can get an interest-free two year loan. So, we're waiting to see what they have to offer. I'm assuming they have deals set up with major manufacturers.

 

[Guest]

tried to load office 2000, cd creator,and norton antivirus would not run write , maybe you could share how to get them to run .

 

[TN_Vixen]

I went shopping for PC, too

 

[bobo_daclown]

Wow, I must be a real nerd. I built the last three computers that I have owned in the last five years. I also built my father's server from an IBM box.

I personally suggest two courses of action. Either, buy an eMachine for their great price and name brand, or, purchase independant components from places like www.tigerdirect.com or www.microbarn.com and put the thing together yourself.

 

[Rubyfruit]

Ok, I got the info on the program through my husband's work. Looks like they have Dell, HP, Compaq, IBM, among others.

Anybody ever heard of CSI? That the the only system that has a flat screen monitor, which I was thinking I might like.

But the flat screen is only 15 inches. Which would have better quality - a 15 inch flat screen or a regular 17 inch?

 

[miles]

Buy a Dell. Excellent quality, great tech support, no hassle warranties.

Trust me Ruby

 

[Rubyfruit]

Ok, here are the Dell systems they have.

Dell GX400 & 19" Mon
GX400 Minitower P4 1.7Ghz 40G 256mb 16X CDRW NIC 56K M991 mon

Dell OptiPlex P4
GX240 P4 1.7Ghz 256mb 40G 56K NIC 16X CDRW W2K w P793 17"Mon

Dell GX50 & 17" Mon
GX50 Cel900 128mb 10g 56K NIC 24X CD W2K w 17" E771 Monitor

Dell Dimension 2100
Dimension 1200 Cel 1.1Ghz 128mb 20G NIC 56K 15" WXP OfficeSBE

That's all the info they have on them.

Any opinions? The prices go from highest to lowest.

 

[miles]

You can't miss with the cheapest, but get a 17" monitor. You should probably also have 256MB of RAM, but watch what they charge for it. You can get 128 RAM memory at Office Depot, etc. anywhere from $15 - $20.