Vallerina 2 #1 November 11, 2003 So, there have to be tons of computer geeks on here just waiting to help me out, right??? I have to get a new computer since my current one is evil. So, give me the scoop on what to get. I just want it for internet use (I currently have dial up, but I will eventually get DSL or something) and for my digital camera. I don't want anything too fancy shmancy, and (of course) I don't want to spend too much money. I'm also considering getting a flat screen monitor. So, what should I get???There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alanab 0 #2 November 11, 2003 dude, for what its worth... get a dell! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #3 November 11, 2003 Quotedude, for what its worth... get a dell! Actually she's pretty much correct. For what you want to do getting a factory job would probably be your best bet for the price. Building one would be much more trouble then it's worth. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #4 November 11, 2003 A laptop. Go to http://www.ubid.com - you can get some great laptops there for $600-$800 - some are even cheaper. If you have a bit more money, go with the Sony Vaio - those start at about $1000. Otherwise, the IBM Thinkpad is pretty good. Toshibas are also very good, but harder to find. Use it like a desktop - spend another $30 and get Logitech's cordless freedom keyboard and mouse, and it's as good as a desktop system. And you can take it on the road with you if you want Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #5 November 11, 2003 I have to agree with the riddler on this one. If you must get a new computer, get a laptop. You can actually walk into a WalMart right now and pick up a Celeron powered HP with a printer for just under a grand, or an Athlon powered one with a printer on line for under $900.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #6 November 11, 2003 Like the Riddler says, look at a laptop. I'd suggest taking a look at an Apple iBook (one of the new models with the G4 processor). The included iPhoto program is great for digital photography...managing your photos, e-mailing them, putting them on a website, creating a book with your photos, etc, etc. As a side benefit, a life free of viruses and spyware.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 November 11, 2003 Your BF is a geek... make him build you one! Price point on Flat Screens 15's is about $250 and 17" is about $425 still. You can get a 17" CRT flat glass for $300 or less anymore. Unless you are getting it for just the geek factor or need the desk room, its still better to have a CRT. I'm needing 2 19" flat screens to replace the 2 on my video editing machine and its going to cost me $1000 on just the screens. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #8 November 11, 2003 I'll be the dissenting vote on the laptop. If you don't need the portability, don't bother. Drawbacks of laptops, compared to desktops: Cost Expandability Cost of add-in components Bizarre and proprietary drivers Smaller screen Smaller keyboard For the money, less memory and storage If your requirements dictate that you get a laptop, then you have no choice but to live with the drawbacks. Otherwise, go for a desktop. As others have said, for a simple, affordable computer, go with a Dell. You probably don't need much in the way of customization. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #9 November 11, 2003 QuoteYou can actually walk into a WalMart right now and pick up a Celeron powered HP with a printer for just under a grand, or an Athlon powered one with a printer on line for under $900. DO NOT buy an HP laptop!!!! They are total shit! I've had one for almost 3 years - it's been back for repair at least 8 or 10 times. Monitors failed, hard drives failed, motherboard failed(THREE TIMES!), keyboard quit working(certain keys, not the whole thing - this happened FIVE TIMES!), etc... I thought I got a lemon, but have heard from many people I know and work with the same type of thing from their HP notebooks. It was back to HP 4 times during the first year - the manufacturers warranty. It's a damn good thing I bought the 2 year extended warranty(for a total of 3 years) when I bought this POS. After the warranty expires, and this thing has another major failure....I'm taking it skydiving! Get a Dell! Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #10 November 11, 2003 QuoteI'll be the dissenting vote on the laptop. Eek! I probably should've stated that I do not want a laptop! I'm not even considering one. So, yeah!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflydrew 0 #11 November 11, 2003 Apple iBook Dependable, super fast, looks great VIRUS FREE, totally worth the money... Extremely compatible with everything. How many people do you know who switched from a mac to windows? Didn't think so! Edited to FIX!!! If you were going to get a laptop, there's no other realistic choice besides from an Apple... sorry windows lovers... But, the Dell desktop is so outrageously affordable, it's hard to look past. It's a shame that with it comes windows, the trajedy of the current world of computing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #12 November 11, 2003 Dell. For basic stuff: (plus an extra $300 for flat screen) http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&kc=6V773&l=en&oc=D24TVF&s=dhs For better graphics: (change graphics card to 128 Geforce, add an extra $300 for flat screen) http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&kc=6V774&l=en&oc=D46PO&s=dhs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
melstarr 0 #13 November 11, 2003 val*~ agreed with alanab ~~ i absolutely LOVE my Dell Desktop! i use it for downloading digital pics, photo-editing, watching dvds, creating cds & a few other misc things. it has Never given me Any trouble...and the customer service is splendid & quick... i never had to call them with problems ~ just ordering more accessories for my super duper Dell^^computer** yaaaaaaaaay! whatever your choice may be ~ i wish you lotts & lotts of fun with it sweetie! QuoteI have to get a new computer since my current one is evil --- girl you are funny! what kind of computer is being so evil? ~ meL* Pink Mafia / Tunnel Mafia Sister Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #14 November 11, 2003 QuoteGo to http://www.ubid.com Val- UBid is in Danville, IL so if you get something from them, don't forget to add tax. Learned the hardway where they were at. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #15 November 11, 2003 My 2 cents. Since you're not a geek you better buy a system with all the bells and whistles including support and maintenance plans, I would recommend DELL for desktops and TOSHIBA for laptops.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darius11 12 #16 November 11, 2003 Gateway I have had mine for 6 years never a problem. if you just want something to go online on you can get refurbished ones for under 400.I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #17 November 11, 2003 Gateway has changed a lot in the last 6 years.... I'd stick with Dell - you can get a really decent system for like $500 (including monitor) You can't build 'em that cheap anymore. And with Dell, you get a warranty.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shunkka 0 #18 November 11, 2003 CPU - AThlon XP - 2000+ HDD 60/7200 256 (512) DDR MB-assus CDRW-assus AGP MSI FX5200TD 128M a good flat monitor (17` or bigger) print this and go 2 ur dealer VAllerina it`s not the best but it`s a good one price - black market - 350 $ in shop 400+ $ ------------------------- "jump, have fun, pull" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #19 November 11, 2003 QuoteGateway I have had mine for 6 years never a problem. if you just want something to go online on you can get refurbished ones for under 400. My Gateway. 2weeks old, Hard drive froze up. Locked up tight. 4 1/2 weeks old, Power button on case stopped working (bad contacts) 6 weeks old, power supply kicked the bucket. 3 months, Gateway multi-function keyboard ceased to live, except for the num pad. 4 months, 2nd Hard drive failed. 7 months, 3rd Hard drive failed. 13 months, wanted to upgrade video for newer games. Can't, no AGP slot. This is just the majors. There have been countless minors, like the glaring lack of support. I paid for the 3 year on-site. Dumb, very dumb. 3rd Hard drive and keyboard were never replaced, and I was required to do the work myself. I know, I could fight, but what's the point? I'll never buy another Gateway, and I steer everyone I possibly can away from them. As far as new, prebuilt computers go, Val, they are all essentially the same inside. Go to WalMart, buy a new eMachine packaged with a 17" flat screen CRT monitor for 6 or 7 hundred bucks. It'll scream for all you want to use it for, and you get local service and/or returns.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gremlin 0 #20 November 11, 2003 My suggestion would be to try ACER laptops, lots of speed and features and comparably cheap. just bought myself one and rather chuffed.I'm drunk, you're drunk, lets go back to mine.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n2skdvn 0 #21 November 11, 2003 gateway = overpriced shit!!!!!if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN my site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #22 November 11, 2003 Quotegirl you are funny! what kind of computer is being so evil? That's the best compliment ever! I like being funny! My old Micron is being evil. Something odd happened, and it went back to my old desktop from last May, and all sorts of other weird "stuff" happened. It's not a virus; I already checked. Thanks, Nightingale!!! Some of their options I'm not sure if I want or not, but they have a nice little site there to buy stuff from! It looks like I'm gonna go with a Dell! I think I'll get the flat screen monitor for Christmas!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #23 November 11, 2003 QuoteIt looks like I'm gonna go with a Dell! Well, duh Val. We already knew you would say that. We just added our 2 cents to make noise. Everyone knows you would take the advice of another female. If 300 males posted how good, and inexpensive an eMachine, Gateway, HP, Compaq, Sony, ect. was, and 5 females said they sucked, buy a Dell, well, we know where that would go. We're are just the between the lines filler. Oh, and wildblue also saying Dell, he's whipped and doesn't count. Edit to add: p.s. Can't wait to see you again. I've been looking forward to opening a few more doors and pulling out a couple more chairs. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #24 November 11, 2003 > I think I'll get the flat screen monitor for Christmas! This from the one that says skydiving costs too much money? Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #25 November 11, 2003 QuoteWe just added our 2 cents to make noise. No! Not here on dz.com!!!! QuoteEveryone knows you would take the advice of another female. Noooo.....I'm not that sexist...I swear! Also, it looked like most people said Dell! QuoteI've been looking forward to opening a few more doors and pulling out a couple more chairs. That will never get old! Just a warning, though, I am looking into martial arts classes....so I can say that I can kick ass and mean it! Okay, for anyone who is bored, does this sound "okay." Is there anything you would recommend getting/not getting? QuotePrice: $887.00 Dimension 2400 Series P4: Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.53GHz with 533MHz front side bus Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition¹² WHXP Memory: FREE UPGRADE! 256MB Shared DDR SDRAM at 333MHz 256M3P Hard Drive: FREE UPGRADE! 80GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive (7200 RPM) 80P Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices: 3.5 in Floppy Drive CD or DVD Drive: 48x CD ROM Drive CD48 CD or DVD Burner for 2nd bay: FREE UPGRADE! New 48x/24x/48x Max CD-RW Drive 48CDR2P Enhanced Software for CD or DVD Burner: RecordNow Dlx: Burn/Copy CD Music/Data,Backup,Labeling (CD-RW/DVD+RW only) RNDLX Keyboard: Dell™ Quietkey® Keyboard Mouse: Dell™ Optical USB Mouse Bundled Software: Microsoft Worksuite® including Money® Security Software: Dell Security Center by McAfee with VirusScan Online, Firewall and Privacy Video Card: Integrated Intel® 3D Extreme Graphics IV Sound Card: Integrated Audio IS Dell Media Experience™: Dell Media Experience™ Multi-Media Players: RealOne™ Player, with 14 day SuperPass trial Digital Music: Dell Jukebox powered by MUSICMATCH Digital Photography: Dell Picture Studio, Image Expert Standard Modem: 56K PCI Telephony Modem Network Interface: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options: 3 Year Limited Warranty plus 3 Year At-Home Dial-Up Internet Access: 6 Months of EarthLink Internet Access Surge Protectors - Protect Your Investment: APC Back-UPS ES 725 - Battery Backup UPS725 There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
