The time has come - I need a new computer. Need some advice.

[Scout1071]

I know we have alot of "tech savvy" people on these boards and I could use a bit of advice. I'm overwhelmed by all of the choices and quite frankly, I seem to have some type of repellent on the part of my brain that doesn't allow me to fully absorb all the details and differences.

Basically, I use the computer for a) lurking around DU b) downloading music c) digital pics and d) general work biz (powerpoint, excel, etc.)

I think that Apple is out of consideration because I want to be able to easily transfer back and forth to my office. Mac seems to complicate this process. I know it can be done, but remember that I'm not all that savvy.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[jjmalonejr]

1. What's wrong with the computer you're using right now?

[Scout1071]

2. Where to start? No sound, no real video capability, not much memory

It's old. And it's large. I bought it about 4 yrs ago and it was a refurb then!

[Donailin]

7. I have an old compaq from 2000 which was on its last leg

a friend installed windows NT professional, a new video card for gaming, and some virus software (avast, spybot and adaware) and i bought some more memory (another 64) and a subwoofer w/speakers. Works like a dream now. The cost was about 50 for my friend, 100 for the videocard, 30 for the memory, 50 for the speakers.

OTOH, I bought my son a new computer for xmas: emachine(bundle package including flat screen monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse) which was 500 after rebate, but we still had to buy a better video card (100) subwoofer (50) and netgear (120).
The only reason the new one is better is because it has lots more memory since each year they come with more and more memory and better faster processors. The netgear has built in firewalls and windows NT ( i think) and so is less of a hassle, plus, it's clean and bright and shiny and new.

[amber dog democrat]

3. i would not use anything but Macs.

If your'e using your puter for a) lurking around DU b) downloading music c) digital pics and d) general work biz (powerpoint, excel, etc.) - I do all this on a Mac effortlessly.

I use Windows under compulsion, duress, work requirements, but I am a Mac user at heart.

Jpegs, Mpegs, work on either platforms.. but i am not trying to be disrespectful.
Use a windows box if you like them.

One other thing to consider: most virusus are written for Windows machines, and you don't want to use IE.

Good luck to you.

[Scout1071]

4. Thanks, I appreciate that and I know a ton of Mac users, but it just seems

that when I work via email with some mac users, things have a tendency to get lost in translation.

With a new computer, I will be working from home more and don't want to risk any problems transferring files back and forth.

But I do appreciate the sentiment! I know you Mac users are a fiercely loyal bunch.

[Maestro]

5. Scroll down to post #5

Just follow the link. It is some advice I wrote out a while back.

Upgrade Advice

[Scout1071]

6. Thanks Maestro. Some of it is a little tech talk for me, but I will print

it out and piece together the info while I look around. I know I can get a corporate discount on HP. And my neighbor gets a deal on Dell that he has extended.

Thanks again!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

8. Bite the bullet. Build your own!

It's easy and you can build something that is upgradeable for years!

Go to pricewatch.com for the parts or a barebones and go from there. It's easier than you'd think and adds to the enjoyment of using your machine.

There are plenty here who would help you with any questions and you would have a better machine for a fraction of the cost. (Just my opinion... I hate the major brands because of proprietary softand hardware).

[Scout1071]

12. Thanks for the offer. I think I'll narrow things down and come back with

some specs from my different options to get advice from my good friends here at DU.

I do think wi-fi would be a great way to go! Oy....the desktop vs laptop is a whole other debate as well.

[MercutioATC]

14. I build my own computers. It's really not difficult.

If you decide to go that route, I have some great sites to check for reviews of components...I'm sure others here do, too.

[Beware the Beast Man]

19. Another good site is newegg.com

http://www.newegg.com

If you plan to go the build-your-own route, best of luck to you. I'm planning to build one this summer so I can do more home recording with less hassle. I'm doing the research now, and there's a ton of home-build resources on the web. :hi:

[ikojo]

9. Get a Mac and buy Microsoft office for Mac

then you will be able to transfer files between home and work.

[Scout1071]

11. Price is also a consideration and I know Mac's can get up there.

We just got a new Apple store so I'll go check them out, but I can get a pretty solid discount with both Dell and HP so that's something to consider.

[LSK]

10. used ibm thinkpad laptop + wireless

You can get a pretty good refurbished Thinkpad - like a PIII for under $1k from www.ibm.com (http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=-840&langId=-1&categoryId=2576396)

I bought a used Thinkpad for myself and my parents and my sister and they are all happy with them and they last.

I type this while eating soup at the dinner table.

[ConcernedCanuk]

13. "No sound, no real video capability, not much memory"

.
.
.

Those are good reasons to do SOMETHING I agree

But "It's old. And it's large. I bought it about 4 yrs ago and it was a refurb then!" - don't indicate a problem.

Answer These questions to yourself.

Does it crash much?

Does it get viruses alot?

Do programs mess up on it?

If not, it sounds like a good sound card, video card and more or larger memory sticks would "tune it up" for you, without you having to get used to the behavior of a new computer.

NEW computers and programs are like cars, it takes a few years/versions to get the bugs out of them.

I'm running a Pentium ONE, a 7 year old Dell GXi with 128 megabytes of Ram, which I can upgrade to 512 if'n I want to spend the $$

I have Windows 98SE, the last of the "9x" series, and it is a reliable and robust system. I am reluctant to move on up so to speak until I see LOTS of good things said about a newer Operating System.

I have Mozilla 1.6, IE6, Avant(a plug in for IE that gives me tabbed browsing, pop-up blocker and more) Netscape 4.7 ( need it for certain sites for some reason) and Crazy Browser, another plug-in for IE with the tabbed browsing and so on. I can run any two browsers at the same time, and I think the most windows I've had running is around 15 - no problems(a wee bit slower of course).

I have PhotoShop 5.5 which I use alot, again with no problems, as well as other graphic programs like Image Forge and Microsoft's Photo Editor, which is part of my Office 2000 Professional Suite

I have Corel's Suite7, as well as Corel Draw 7.0

There's lots more like Adobe Reader, and a whack of system toys like Ram Idle, PowerDefrag(beats Windows defrag all to heck!), Tweak Manager, Spy bot and Ad-aware.

For tunes/video I have Media Player 10, as well as a couple of the old Media players (take less memory if'n ur just playing tunes), Winamp, dBpoweramp Music Converter, and Audio Active to name a few. I just have a small video card that only has 2MB memory of it's own, and for sound I only have the on-board (part of the motherboard that comes with the computer)

All this, on a 7 year old Pentium 1, running a tweaked 233MHz processor, slow by todays standards to say the least.

I'm on dial-up, and only running a 33kbps modem, where 56k is pretty well the minimum these days. (Where I live the phone service line is of such a low transfer rate that even with a 56k modem I would not get ANY faster service)

My point is, unless you have ALOT more than what I have for programs(and that is just a partial list) and or LESS in regards to processor speed and modem, upgrading your memory, video/graphics card, and sound card should do it for you.

Like I said near the beginning, you won't have to get used to the different "moods" of a completely new system.

Getting a whole new and different computer with different programs and Operating System is sorta like getting a new SO.

It takes a while to find out what makes them tick, and how to dance around their "moods".

But then, my vehicle is 26 years old(bought it used in 1990), and I just keep fixing it up now and then too! But I know EVERYTHING about it, what it will and will not do, and can find all the knobbies and controls in absolute darkness!

Hope I didn't add to ur confusion!

Good luck whichever way you decide to go

[Scout1071]

15. With all due respect and a genuine appreciation that you are trying to

help, but I have to admit that I began to gloss over somewhere after paragraph one.

No offense intended, but sometimes it's like reading a foreign language.

Although some might say that it's a little offensive, I would say that I have a bit of a chick syndrome when it comes to tech talk. And don't get mad if some of you fellow "chicks" out there are knowledgeable in said areas...more power....but by and large women sometimes gloss over on the details....

[mondo joe]

16. I suggest Apple anyway. Just got one, had NO problem with office transfer

I've never owned an Apple until as couple of months ago, and had never even touched one before.

I very easily networked it to my Dell desktop, and I frequently use it for office work from my MS Office at work.

I really like it.

[seabeyond]

17. hp pavilion with wide screen

music, movies, wireless.........lap top love it

[Scout1071]

18. Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out at work tomorrow via the company

discount link to HP.

[seabeyond]

20. my hubby bought it for me

he is the computer dude. owns a business. i wore my other lap top out. so he got a really sturdy one for me and a good one since he sees i really do use it, lol. i know nothing about computers.

[Ready4Change]

21. Any new machine will do those things.

Really. New machines have so much power they'll handle what your asking for with speed to spare. Set a price, go to a store and buy what you like. Maybe go light on the CPU and buy a bigger screen than you might be considering now. You'll find you'll like that.

Re: Macs. I've both PCs and a Mac. I honestly haven't had much trouble moving things back and forth between the two. But then again, I like twiddling with computer bits if there's a problem. So I can understand not wanting to deal with that.

Stop worrying. Go out and get it.

[HeyManThatsCool]

22. Let me be the first to suggest VAIO

A Sony Vaio. Either desktop or laptop- they are beautiful computers.

Between work & home I've literally had every brand of computer- IBM, HP, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, EMachines. I used to get a new computer every year- I've had my Vaio now for 2+. Which is a record for me.

Both of my co-workers who bought Dell Laptops in the last year have had to have the mother boards replaced & continue to spend a fair amount of time on the phone.

As for Apple- buyer beware. Not as many programs are available for their system. Apple is a great computer for people who do alot of graphic work & movie editing. It's true that it is slightly faster than a PC but in the end not as versatile. The person above who said internet explorer sucks is right! Use Netscape 7.0 & you wont have that little problem anymore.

Anyway- for my money it doesnt get any better than the Vaio. I was lucky enough to get a reconditioned one on http://www.ubid.com
for $789. Again, it has outlasted every other computer I had- including one that I paid $3,200 on.

This thing is speedy speedy speedy- 80 Gig, 512 MB, 2.4 Ghz, CD/RW,
Pentium 4.