We need to be a 2 PC household.

[Calamity Jane]

My laptop is apparently completely dead, and we can't survive with only one computer in this house. I *think* I can get a new hdd for the laptop without a huge cash expenditure, but ideally, we'd have another desktop too.

What I need is something that's able to do pretty intensive graphics, and has enough memory so that I don't get that annoying little "There is not enough free memory to launch this program" window everytime I try to have Dreamweaver Flash and Photohop open at the same time.

I was looking at a Dell system yesterday that seemed like it would do the job (if I can find the link later, I'll post it) and was around $900. However, I was told that Dell's really aren't up to high end graphics applications.

I can't afford a Mac, though that would be what I would looooove to have.

Any ideas? I'd like to spend around $1000 or less, and I don't NEED a monitor. Though, if a system in that price range came witha flat panel monitor, I wouldn't cry about it.

 

[alexandraaah]

I'm not the person to ask about computers, but for a nicer monitor, you might want to consider ebay.

Or that might be a really lousy idea.

*shrug*

I'm such a huge help, I know.

 

[Pixie]

Sorry, I can't help...but maybe someone else can give you advice.

aka *bump*

 

[batchman]

Define "high end graphics applications". If you mean the latest version of Photoshop, the Dimension 4550 ($899) should do nicely. If you mean something that can make Toy Story 3, then you may want to pass.

Drop the monitor and bump the RAM up to 512MB; the prices balance themselves out. Other than that, I'd spend $15 to upgrade to Works 2003 and buy a Sound Blaster sound card ($100 or so), but that's me.

 

[Bob_Bytchin]

Check here for some really good deals: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com

They are multi-award winning and offer a 3-year warranty (for free.)

 

[SuprSalor]

If you want a laptop that will do what you want for $1000, fugitaboutit! However, you should be able to get a desktop for that price range. What you'll want for graphics apps is at least 256Mb of RAM (512 is even better and RAM is cheap!) At least a P-III or better Processor, a 64Mb or better Video card and you'll probably want a good size hard drive, at least 40Gig (hey,internet porn adds up quick! )
Dell (Dude, your gettin' a cell!) is a good comp and if you check their website you can order one custom built to your specific needs. I'd suggest talking with a sales rep so you can tell him exactly what you need and he can reccomend what your system should be. Very helpfull if your not sure what you'll need.
Hope this helps!

 

[Miles_Cassidy]

I would suggest looking for these parts in any new computer you buy...
Radeon 9700 (9800 if its available yet) or Geforce 4600 video card (both come w/128mb of video ram)
minimum of 512mb PC2700 DDR or greater RAM
amd xp2500 or pentium 4 2.53ghz (or greater) for the processor
7200rpm 8mb cache harddrive
Creative audigy2 soundcard

All these components wil;l give you the greatest flexibility whne doing intensive work. I use flash, dreamweaver, photoshop, and play all the newest games with my system which is pretty much identical to what i described above.
If you build it yourself you will save tons of money but a dell with the mentioned parts would work just fine for ya. If you want to build it yourself checkout newegg.com, great prices and ive never had any problems returning things.
pricewatch.com and resellerratings.com are two good places to start. good luck.
-miles

 

[SaucyWench]

I know someone that can build exactly what you want for fairly cheap. Find out what you want/need and can afford, and send me a list and I'll find you a price. And no, labor won't be charged.

 

[Effigy]

And no, labor won't be charged.

You dont call it labor, now?

 

[Calamity Jane]

I know someone that can build exactly what you want for fairly cheap. Find out what you want/need and can afford, and send me a list and I'll find you a price. And no, labor won't be charged.

I always forget that Mr Saucy is a complete nerd!

So umm.... as payment, I get to do his wife, right?

 

[Problem Child]

You'd have your hands full with one PC. Don't even think about two, unless you don't plan on walking for a week.

 

[bknight2602]

My laptop is apparently completely dead, and we can't survive with only one computer in this house. I *think* I can get a new hdd for the laptop without a huge cash expenditure, but ideally, we'd have another desktop too.

What I need is something that's able to do pretty intensive graphics, and has enough memory so that I don't get that annoying little "There is not enough free memory to launch this program" window everytime I try to have Dreamweaver Flash and Photohop open at the same time.

I was looking at a Dell system yesterday that seemed like it would do the job (if I can find the link later, I'll post it) and was around $900. However, I was told that Dell's really aren't up to high end graphics applications.

I can't afford a Mac, though that would be what I would looooove to have.

Any ideas? I'd like to spend around $1000 or less, and I don't NEED a monitor. Though, if a system in that price range came witha flat panel monitor, I wouldn't cry about it.

I'm not sure it is a Dell thing, but if you get that error, then you need a lot more memory and a 64 m video card, with a very fast processor. That should take care of your problems.

If not then a dual processor set up might.

 

[freakygirl]

PCG-Can I come live with you? I'll take the extra PC. Wouldn't want you to not be able to walk.

 

[zipman]

You'd have your hands full with one PC. Don't even think about two, unless you don't plan on walking for a week.

Notice he isn't denying that there is a Problem Child 2! I think he was on cable the other day.

 

[Calamity Jane]

You'd have your hands full with one PC. Don't even think about two, unless you don't plan on walking for a week.

Hmmm... hunt season is over next weekend and competition season doesn't really start til June... so I've got like 6 weeks to let ya test that theory. When should I expect y'all?

 

[ozraven]

I know someone that can build exactly what you want for fairly cheap. Find out what you want/need and can afford, and send me a list and I'll find you a price. And no, labor won't be charged.

that is the way to go, find a friend or such atht can build one for you, I've built my last 4, and will start a new one in a couple of months.......I can build a P4 2.53Ghtz games machine (ie with the good bits) for less than 1000 Aus, which is about $700 USD. You should be able to do at least as well...... and a good 17" Monitor can be had on E-bay for less than $300 AuD.

Funnily enough, we need it for the same reason, we often would both like to be on at the same time, and sewat swapping can get boring...... just have to wait until we move and have more room for another tower.....

 

[cricketbug]

My B-I-L is a computer "geek/guru" --

Try this: www.tigerdirect.com

In-laws just got new comp's -- CPU's -- they didn't need monitors and the site/catalog has pretty good prices. You'd need a video card or sound card (can't remember which) but MIL is an artist so she NEEDS the graphics... she got her CPU for under 1000.00

 

[Guest]

Compaq puts out a cpu that should work for you

 

[Bobmi357]

Personally I'm partial to Dell machines. Over the years, first as a corporate buyer, then as a small business owner I've bought over 200 of them.

Most recently I replaced the machines here in our office with Dell machines. The ability of their website to customize, allowed me to configure the machines just the way I wanted them. UNFORTUNATELY, the numbnutz ignored my instructions not to install anything but a minimal operating system on them. With my current systems I can keep photoshop, illustrator, netscape, IE, opera, my perl editor and html editor open without any noticeable degradation in performance. If I open up my 3d photo rendering application, then things start to get sluggish.

My next PC purchase will also be dell, only this time I'll have them ship with linux installed.