1st time computer buyers need serious advice

[Cindy's Mom]

Help, we are finally putting away the laptop and are going to get our very own computer. Problem is we don’t know a thing about them. I need help in which order this should all happen. I need an electrician to come in and add power to the basement – (we have a 75 yo home with only 2 outlets in the basement so we will need it, we got the house rewired about 2 years ago and have space on the breaker box). Then I guess I need to get Comcast out there to run the internet thing that they do. Then buy my furniture (desk, etc) and then the COMPUTER. We have no idea of what we need all I know is that I want a large flat screen monitor, a color printer (nothing fancy) and we probably want to spend about $1500-$1700 on the whole thing. And then what happens after you buy it….do they send you home with this box and you have to figure it out or is there a service I hire to put the darn thing together. Any guidance is appreciated. If it helps our kids are DD6 and DS4.5,

 

[my3kids]

I don't know why you need an additional circuit run. Just plug the computer and the printer into a surge protecting power strip.

For that price and what you want, I'd get a Mac. Very easy for the kids to operate, won't break and it works right out of the box.

I guess you already have Comcast for internet? The Mac will pick up the signal if it is wireless, or just put the ethernet into the back and you are ready to go afte you plug it in. There is no tower. The large flat screen is the computer. The only extra piece is the keyboard & mouse.

I'd order the computer, get the table, and plug everything in when you get it.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I don't know why you need an additional circuit run. Just plug the computer and the printer into a surge protecting power strip.

For that price and what you want, I'd get a Mac. Very easy for the kids to operate, won't break and it works right out of the box.

I guess you already have Comcast for internet? The Mac will pick up the signal if it is wireless, or just put the ethernet into the back and you are ready to go afte you plug it in. There is no tower. The large flat screen is the computer. The only extra piece is the keyboard & mouse.

I'd order the computer, get the table, and plug everything in when you get it.

Thanks for responding....I need the outlet because I have a TV, DVD, 3 lamps, ejector pump and phone all in one outlet Mac won't work for me, I've been a PC user for 20 years, never ever touched a Mac. I have a laptop at home and my PC at work. I have nothing for internet at home - I really never connect from home but if I have to, I dial up AOL. I'm living in the 80's at home w/ my computer stuff but at work, I am so current, its two world coliding!

 

[my3kids]

I'd always been a PC user too, until I got my Mac this year. Now i wouldn't want to be a PC user again.

And yes, have the electrican come first given your situation!