Need to buy new Desktop Computer..Advise please

[TwingleMum]

My old desktop died and I need to purchase a new one. Its 4 yrs old. The one I have is a homemade by a friend which was great but when there is a problem you felt like you were bothering them and it took days for him to fix so I don't want to go that route again. I have 4 kids (10,9, 7 & 7) I don't want an all in one. They can be rough so I want a desk top. I would like it to handle all the games they play and the photo playing I do. What should I look for?? Is a TB enough??? What processor?? I'm pretty clueless. I was hoping to spend around $1000 or hopefully less. I have a pretty new HP all in one printer/scanner/fax so I don't need that. Any advise is really appreciated.

PS This will be from Santa

 

[PatsGirl]

I've had Dell and HP and liked both. If (when) I get another one, it'll be an Apple because that is what is used in our district schools and DD13 is constantly having issues with transferring data from one system to the other. That is really the only reason I'll change over but I've also heard that the chances of virus and such are limited on Apple too. Unforunately, they are MUCH more expensive but I think if you don't need special graphic cards or such that you might be able to get one for $1000. You typical Dell/HP runs as low as $500 set up pretty well.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I'm a Mac....

 

[golfgal]

We have had very good luck with our Dell's, both laptops and desktops. Our desktop is about 6 years old. We recently added more memory and that has made a world of difference in it's performance . Our kids have Mac's at school and never have had an issue with transferring info back and forth. They have a server they can access online, upload info there, download it at school.

 

[agnes!]

I looooove our iMac. It helps that we have some Apple stores close (one's maybe 15/20 minutes drive), and it is sweet to be able to take it in for servicing the one or two times I've had issues (which were basically *me* not understanding how to do things). The seamlessness of the hardware & software working together and then...the utter joy! of not having the hardware manufacturer's call service center blaming the software vendors for problems and the software company's call service center blaming the computer company for problems...ah, it's wonderful.

agnes!

 

[Christine]

My old desktop died and I need to purchase a new one. Its 4 yrs old. The one I have is a homemade by a friend which was great but when there is a problem you felt like you were bothering them and it took days for him to fix so I don't want to go that route again. I have 4 kids (10,9, 7 & 7) I don't want an all in one. They can be rough so I want a desk top. I would like it to handle all the games they play and the photo playing I do. What should I look for?? Is a TB enough??? What processor?? I'm pretty clueless. I was hoping to spend around $1000 or hopefully less. I have a pretty new HP all in one printer/scanner/fax so I don't need that. Any advise is really appreciated.

PS This will be from Santa

I just bought a desktop a few months ago. I got an Asus and the customer service was great when I called them during setup. I don't do gaming or photo editing so I got an i5 Intel processer. The desktop cost me $600 but I didn't get a monitor or printer because I had that already. If I were you, I would look into this brand but definitely get an Intel i7 based on your gaming needs. Also, you might look at one targeted at gaming specifically so that you have the highest level graphics card.

 

[TwingleMum]

Thanks I think I'll stick with a windows based product (we use Dells windows at work). I'll probably go to Best Buy b/c I don't know where else to go . I'll try to get the most memory I can afford and maybe splurge for a blue ray drive.

 

[bonoriffic]

Thanks I think I'll stick with a windows based product (we use Dells windows at work). I'll probably go to Best Buy b/c I don't know where else to go . I'll try to get the most memory I can afford and maybe splurge for a blue ray drive.

Going to Best Buy will be the most expensive option. Get it online direct from the manufacture be it Dell, HP, Lenevo, whatever. Sites such as gotapex.com are devoted to finding these deals, coupon codes to apply, and recommend upgrades. You may have to look through 2 or 3 days worth of deals to find what you need. They take advantage of sales not always advertised or other ways to save such as going through the small business entrance to the website instead of home consumer. Same desktop, much better price.

 

[golfgal]

Thanks I think I'll stick with a windows based product (we use Dells windows at work). I'll probably go to Best Buy b/c I don't know where else to go . I'll try to get the most memory I can afford and maybe splurge for a blue ray drive.

Check at work too, if your company is large enough they may have an employee deal with Dell to save you money-usually 10-20% or so.

 

[tvguy]

Going to Best Buy will be the most expensive option. Get it online direct from the manufacture be it Dell, HP, Lenevo, whatever. Sites such as gotapex.com are devoted to finding these deals, coupon codes to apply, and recommend upgrades. You may have to look through 2 or 3 days worth of deals to find what you need. They take advantage of sales not always advertised or other ways to save such as going through the small business entrance to the website instead of home consumer. Same desktop, much better price.

Until a few months ago, I would have agreed. But the regular price in Best Buy on a HP desktop was less than on line. So don't assume Best Buy will be more expensive.
Dell would be my choice, followed by HP.
My daughter talked me into an Apple for her for college, we bought it at Best Buy too (our Apple store was temporarily closed for a remodel at the time), they offered a better warranty than Apple for less money. No issues...YET with the Apple, I just know from our experience with iPods, Apple service via the Apple store is awful.

 

[Christine]

Until a few months ago, I would have agreed. But the regular price in Best Buy on a HP desktop was less than on line. So don't assume Best Buy will be more expensive.
Dell would be my choice, followed by HP.
My daughter talked me into an Apple for her for college, we bought it at Best Buy too (our Apple store was temporarily closed for a remodel at the time), they offered a better warranty than Apple for less money. No issues...YET with the Apple, I just know from our experience with iPods, Apple service via the Apple store is awful.

When I was computer shopping this past summer, Best Buy actually had the best prices for what I wanted. I spent weeks comparing and price shopping and they came out the winner. And I'm pretty anti-Best Buy and it killed me to go there but, hey, I'll do it for a good deal.

 

[TwingleMum]

Thanks for the input. I'll check online and best Buy also.

 

[Poppinsme]

I would never buy a Dell.
I'm sitting here using a Alienware laptop which is now made by Dell and is one of the best made. BUT when I got this laptop last year it didn't work out of the box. Went through hell trying to get it replaced. From the BBB to the Attorney General of my state. Dell's customer service is the absolute worst. Horrible!

My next desktop will be a Velocity system or a Falcon.

This site is excellent for information.

http://www.tomshardware.com/us/

Good luck.