Getting a new computer-help!

Wonderlandmom

<font color=blue>Still Wondering...<br><font color
Joined
Mar 21, 2001
Messages
1,124
The Dell we have now is almost 4 years old, still on Windows 98. We want a new Dell-is XP the thing to get? OR will there be a newer format in the next few months? We can wait a little while if anyone knows of something new and exciting to wait for.

Also, the computer we have now has a DVD player, but not a DVD burner. We will want a CD drive and CD writer. Any advice about a DVD burner? And should all of these be in separate bays? Or would the DVD/CD drive be in one bay and the DVD burner and writer in another? What is the BEST way to get this? I am getting myself confused and don't really know what I am talking about .:crazy:
 
I just purchased and installed a new Dell last week. My previous one was almost 4 years old also, had upgraded it though to XP Pro a few years back.

XP Professional is the most current, the replacement is not scheduled from MS till '06, in design now. The setup I have has double drives, one a CD/DVD player, the other a CD/DVD burner. Most of the Dell systems are equipped that way, and I like it.
 
Actually XP Pro is what I was considering Dan! :D Thanks for the info. These are the 2 choices for "dual" drives I am seeing...
Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + FREE UPGRADE! 48x CD-RW Drive OR
Dual Drives: 8x DVD+RW Drive + 16x DVD-ROM Drive-add $159

Is the second choice above the only one with with DVD writer? Would that have CD burner too? See, I am confused...this is a Dimension 4600. Maybe I should start with the 8300??
DH is out of town, and I wanted to narrow it down while he was away-so we can order soon after he gets home. There are SO many choices of things to get. My mind is boggled. :crazy2: By the time you add Powerpoint the price goes WAY up. Not sure what to add! How much memory? AAAAHHHHH!
 
I purchased an 8300. With the extras it gave me, plus the additional savings/freebies, it did not make sense, IMO, to get a 4600.

The dual drive choice I ordered was the second one you listed. MS software is not innexpensive, I have the Office Professional, costly. But not needed by average home user. I also have 1 gig memory. Price a 4600 and an 8300 and see how little the difference.

My config is...................







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Dell recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP

Description
Dell Dimension 8300 Series
Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology 3GHz w/800MHz FSB, Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

Module Description Product Code Sku Id
Dell Dimension 8300 Series: Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology 3GHz w/800MHz FSB SP308H [221-2452] 1
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional WPXP [313-7222] [412-0409] [420-1922] 11
Mail-In Rebate Offer: Save $150 with mail-in rebate. Price shown before rebate. 150Q1 [462-7637] 56
FREE TurboTax Basic: FREE TurboTax® Basic for Tax Year 2003 TAX [420-4125] 106
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz (2x512M) 1GB4 [311-3002] 3
Hard Drive: FREE UPGRADE! 120GB Serial ATA Hard Drive, 7200RPM 120SP [462-4819] 8
Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices: 3.5 in Floppy Drive FD [340-8628] 10
CD orDVD Drive: Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + FREE UPGRADE! 8x DVD+RW Drive DVD8DVP [313-2559] [430-0594] [462-7704] [462-7813] 16
Keyboard: Dell ® Quietkey ® Keyboard QK [310-1582] 4
Mouse: Dell® 2-button scroll mouse SM [310-1871] 12
Productivity Software: Microsoft® Office Professional 2003 with Money® XPEPROM [412-0467] [412-0551] 22
Security Software: McAfee Security Center w/VirusScan, Firewall and Privacy, 90-day trial MCAFE90 [412-0632] 25
Monitors: 17 in 1703FP Ultrasharp™ Digital Flat Panel Display 1703FP [320-0659] 5
Video Card: New 128MB DDR GeForce FX 5200 Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI 128FX52 [320-0735] 6
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 (D) Card with Dolby® Digital 5.1 capability SB1024 [313-1932] [313-6010] 17
Dell Media Experience: Dell Media Experience™ DMX [412-0519] 115
Speakers: Dell 5650 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System with Subwoofer D5650 [313-2246] 18
Digital Music: Dell Jukebox PLUS powered by MUSICMATCH MMPLUS [412-0517] 27
Digital Photography: Dell Picture Studio, Paint Shop Pro Trial, Photo Album Starter Edition DPS [412-0521] 28
Multi-Media Players: RealOne™ Player, with 14 day SuperPass trial REALBAS [412-0380] 40
Dial-Up Internet Access: 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included AOLDHS [412-0587] [412-0625] [420-3224] 37
Modem: 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem DFAX [313-1313] 14
Network Interface: New Dell Gigabit Ethernet GBN [430-0472] 13
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options: SAVE $60 (system price shown before rebate) 4 Yr Ltd Warr plus 4 Yr At-Home SPRO4OS [412-0360] [900-2933] [950-4270] [950-7447] [980-0469] 29

I did order a low end mouse and keyboard, prefer the ones I had. I ordered a low end modem, I don't use it, a higher end ethernet card, in anticipation of higher output from Comcast in the future, an upgraded, higher end flat panel, easier on my old eyes, more memory, a gig, most important, IMO, the slowest processor, 3 G, anything more is a waste, for me, IMO, 4 year, in house/office service, cheap insurance, the lower end video card, not a gamer here and the others are a waste, for me, a stepped up sound card and speakers, not the best, but I enjoy music. Hope that helps some
 

THANK YOU!!!! :D That is a big help!
We do have to have Powerpoint for DH (Kids enjoy it too), we have it on this computer, so the Microsoft Office Small Business is the minimum we can go with.
I did just do the comparison and see your point!
We have a digital camera, so it was good to see what you went with.
We already own and did TurboTax, too bad we can't get something else in that freebies place :smooth: .
Looks like a great system you have-thanks for sharing! :cool: I need to go back and sort out all the must haves on the 8300 now.
 
Thanks again! Looks like we might as DH is away at reserves right now! ;) I will have him read this as you must pay a small fee and join, but savings would be 10% at Dell plus savings at other places too. Thanks for the link. :D He may qualify for the state too, but not sure if that is for personal purchases.
 
more memory, a gig,
I have to second that. I uprgraded to XP Pro about two months ago and was running it with 512 MB of memory. It moved very sluggish and some programs were hanging up. I went out and bought another 512 MB and it runs great now. Really smooth and load time for most programs is very fast.
 
So will we be sorry if we only get 512MB? It sounds like so much as this one only has 128MB!
 
Most computers from places like Dell, Gateway, etc only come with 128-256 to start, and you usually have to pay extra to get more. Luckily the price of memory isn't too high right now. If you know what type you need and how to do it yourself it is even cheaper. I bought 512 MB for $79. This was at a small, independently owned computer shop. Best Buy, CompUSA, etc all wanted twice that.
 
It is another $130 through Dell to go from 512 to 1 gig. :eek:
And should I get a DVD burner? What would I use it for? I hijacked another thread and asked that :o , no answer yet.
 
130 is cheap for 512. You know you have the correct type for your PC, and it is installed, and under warranty for whatever length you have, I have 4, in house. Memory is the most important item in a PC, IMO. As for DVD, it is an automatic upgrade currently with Dell, no savings not to get it. It is the most current technolgy, you won't be in the market for another number of years and the prices are excellent now.
 
I think I just figured that out. Though it looks to me that if you take the DVD burner, you don't get a CD writer?? :confused: You can ignore me Dan-I am confused...
 







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