Purchasing a New Computer, need assistance ASAP! Thanks!

[taylor1293]

(update on post 15)

I just started grad school this week. Also this week, my computer has finally decided it's lived long enough and is on the verge of death. Of course this couldn't have happened a few weeks ago!

I'm shopping for a new computer today. The problem is the computer I have is 8 years old. And I haven't paid a lot of attention to the progression of technology over the past 8 years. I have to say I am shocked and confused at all the options. Mostly confused!

Can anyone suggest features I should get on my new desktop? Something they wish they would have purchased or feel they can't live without?

How large of a hard drive? Don't laugh...okay, do laugh...my current computer has a whopping 12.8 GB! Which was HUGE back in 1998, lol!

What about a tv tuner? What exactly is that? And would I really ever use something like that?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated .

Teresa

 

[Sir Real]

Before you can get much help you have to give us a little more information. Specifically, what do you plan on using the computer for? Do you plan on playing games? Is it mainly for internet use or email? How about watching/recordin TV, video or photo editing, etc.?

Also, do you have a budget?

 

[taylor1293]

Thanks for responding .

I'd like to keep the total price under $2,000. I can go higher, but would prefer not to if I don't have to.

I'll be using it for school. My kids use it for games and video's. I'll put pictures and hopefully video's on it.

I don't plan on watching tv on it.

 

[cardaway]

Well then see if you can find one without the TV tuner for less, but you may find the ones without the TV tuner are not that much less. The cost of the technology is not that high and the TV tuner is very popular now since computers can be used like DVR's.

There are many people that use their computer as their primary TV tuner and DVD player and have them hooked up to their HDTV via a HDMI cable.

There are plenty of really nice computers out there under $1000. I would suggest finding one of the games that you know your child wants to play and make sure the computer has those minimum requirements.

This is just my opinion, but if it's going to be used for games get as much RAM memory as you can and splurge for the one with the best video card.

 

[taylor1293]

Well then see if you can find one without the TV tuner for less, but you may find the ones without the TV tuner are not that much less. The cost of the technology is not that high and the TV tuner is very popular now since computers can be used like DVR's.

There are many people that use their computer as their primary TV tuner and DVD player and have them hooked up to their HDTV via a HDMI cable.

There are plenty of really nice computers out there under $1000. I would suggest finding one of the games that you know your child wants to play and make sure the computer has those minimum requirements.

This is just my opinion, but if it's going to be used for games get as much RAM memory as you can and splurge for the one with the best video card.

Thanks!!

Would this amount of RAM memory be adequate?

2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (4x512M)

 

[cardaway]

Thanks!!

Would this amount of RAM memory be adequate?

2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (4x512M)

Yes, that should be fine for almost every application.

 

[Sir Real]

In addition to waht cardaway posted, you want to make sure you get a big enough hard drive. You're old 12.8gb hard drive would only hold a couple of today's larger games and a few pictures. Hard drives are not very expensive, so I would suggest getting at least 200gb.

For $2000 you should be able to get a more than capable computer.

I'm not pushing Dell, but I'm just using this as an example. You can get the set up below for around $1,000. You'd probably want to upgrade the video card, which would add $150-300 to the total.

PROCESSOR Pentium® D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
MEMORY 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x512M)
HARD DRIVE 250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ 8MB cache
OPTICAL DRIVE Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
MONITORS 19 inch Ultrasharp™ 1907FP Digital Flat Panel
VIDEO CARD 128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory
SOUND CARD Integrated Sound Blaster®Audigy™ HD Software Edition
Accessories
SPEAKERS Dell A525 30 Watt 2.1 Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer
KEYBOARD & MOUSE Dell USB Keyboard and Dell 2-button Scroll Mouse



Oops, I didn't see your previous post, but a total of 2gb RAM would add ~$100.

 

[JudicialTyranny]

I don't think you can buy a computer today with a hard drive that is "too small"... About the smallest you can get is 30GB and it would take a while to fill that up unless you are storing large numbers of pictures and videos.

Get at least 1 GB of RAM. Get a "dual core" CPU (Intel Core Duo or AMD Operton), at the highest speed in your budget.

I would recommend a DVD burner - if you like to store pictures, you will want to burn them to DVD - don't store them all on your hard drive - if you lose the hard drive, you lose all of your pictures. You can keep them on the hard drive, but don't look at that as permanent storage. Burn a copy (or two) to DVDs.

I just priced a system for my brother-in-law through dell.com and it was a nicely configured system with LCD monitor for around $1000.

Even if you are not ultimately going to buy a Dell, use dell.com and configure a PC there - it is useful for seeing the various options and their effect on the price.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well if you are going to be using it for college work, you might consider a notebook this time around. Most campuses have wireless connections now and then you can take your computer with you to work on. Either desktop or notebook, you can get a REALLY nice computer for $2k.

I agree about the 2GB of RAM. I also put a top video card in mine because I like to play Sims 2 and other Role Playing graphic intense games.

As for hard drive, I really don't see the need to go that crazy. I think I have an 80GB drive on here. There are plenty of external storage options available now. If it ever comes to a choice between a huge hard drive or an upgraded processor, I'd go with the upgraded processor nearly every time.

I love my DVD burner. It isn't absolutely necessary, but it is a really nice thing to have

 

[taylor1293]

Thanks everyone for your help!

This is what I ended up getting, hopefully it lasts for many years.


Dell Dimension E510 Series Pentium® D Processor 930 with Dual Core Technology (3.0GHz, 800FSB)

Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition

Memory 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (4x512M)

Monitor 19 inch Ultrasharp™ 1907FP Digital Flat Panel

Video Card 256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory

Hard Drive 250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ 8MB cache

Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability

 

[Xcited4Disney]

I feel your pain. I recently had a thread similar to yours on here. My computer is from late 1999. I ended up purchasing a Dell XPS 400 yesterday. I'm so excited to have a brand new computer and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. My current computer is getting on my last nerves. This is my 3rd try posting this message because my internet keeps closing down due to low memory and low virtual memory and some other c**p and the last time the computer just froze completely. *sigh* New computer I await you with open arms!!

 

[bapcap]

Coincidentally, I too, am in the process of looking for a new computer. I received a brochure in the mail from DELL and after checking with several co-workers, I think I'm going with the Dimension E310 Desktop setup.
I was going to just upgrade my current computer, but after talking to others, realized it would probably cost the same amount to get a brand new PC.
I'm, planning on calling DELL this afternoon to get some questions answered.
One thought...DELL offers discounts to employees at some big companies. I checked my company website and the brochure offer is cheaper

 

[Frantasmic]

It isn't much of an option, but it is cool. Look at comparable Hewlett-Packard computers with similar configurations. Almost all of them also include DVD burner with LightScribe technology, which lets you burn your label onto special DVDs.

It's just a cool added feature with most Hewlett-Packard models.

 

[Sir Real]

Thanks everyone for your help!

This is what I ended up getting, hopefully it lasts for many years.


Dell Dimension E510 Series Pentium® D Processor 930 with Dual Core Technology (3.0GHz, 800FSB)

Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition

Memory 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (4x512M)

Monitor 19 inch Ultrasharp™ 1907FP Digital Flat Panel

Video Card 256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory

Hard Drive 250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ 8MB cache

Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability

I hate to ask you now, but did you use a coupon code? Gotapex.com list valid coupon codes for Dell and HP PCs.

 

[taylor1293]

Update on my computer buying...

I no longer am getting a Dell. They have lost my order. I spent 45 minutes online with 3 different people who can't find my order. I found the whole experience frustrating and annoying.

And to order the same exact product today would be over $100 more with less of a warranty. Uhm...I don't think so.

Therefore, I'm going to get something else. I currently have a Gateway and it's worked great, so maybe I'll look at a Gateway.

 

[taylor1293]

I feel your pain. I recently had a thread similar to yours on here. My computer is from late 1999. I ended up purchasing a Dell XPS 400 yesterday. I'm so excited to have a brand new computer and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. My current computer is getting on my last nerves. This is my 3rd try posting this message because my internet keeps closing down due to low memory and low virtual memory and some other c**p and the last time the computer just froze completely. *sigh* New computer I await you with open arms!!

LOL, I understand about the closing down!

I am no longer getting a Dell, but I hope you love your new computer!

 

[taylor1293]

Coincidentally, I too, am in the process of looking for a new computer. I received a brochure in the mail from DELL and after checking with several co-workers, I think I'm going with the Dimension E310 Desktop setup.
I was going to just upgrade my current computer, but after talking to others, realized it would probably cost the same amount to get a brand new PC.
I'm, planning on calling DELL this afternoon to get some questions answered.
One thought...DELL offers discounts to employees at some big companies. I checked my company website and the brochure offer is cheaper

Good luck and I hope your experience is better than mine! I'm no longer going to purchase a Dell as they have lost my order and customer service was horrid.

 

[taylor1293]

It isn't much of an option, but it is cool. Look at comparable Hewlett-Packard computers with similar configurations. Almost all of them also include DVD burner with LightScribe technology, which lets you burn your label onto special DVDs.

It's just a cool added feature with most Hewlett-Packard models.

Thanks!

 

[taylor1293]

I hate to ask you now, but did you use a coupon code? Gotapex.com list valid coupon codes for Dell and HP PCs.

I'm not sure what coupon I used, but I did use a coupon a friend had sent me. Though it's irrelevant now since they lost my order !

Thanks for the site though, I'll check it out!