Cherie asks: What would you look for in a small shop to build one specifically for you?

Recommendations and nothing else. Yes, that is hard to find but is the only way you can start to feel comfortable in my mind. I went to a store and had one built (the last I ever bought as I now build my own) I listed make and model of everything except 2 items. Those 2 items were supplied at the store's discretion and they used cheap parts. My own fault of course, you would need to study all the parts and do the same for your build if you want to have full control.

Of course there are thousands of good, reliable small stores. Your task is to find one of those. A store must sell to generate income to pay bills. Now he will usually use parts already in stock rather than bring in components.

Got any high school kids near you? Ask amongst them, they may not be computer geeks but ask enough and a name or two will pop up a few times. Then seek him/her out and have a chat. They may offer a store name they like and trust.

The biggest constraint is How much can you spend?

Your GPU is as almost as important as your CPU. That and RAM (even HP has a sign up on their computer buying configuration page: WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND 2GB RAM FOR VISTA) plus COOLING and of course a tower that can handle power.

For everyday use and enjoying multi-media along with playing a few games...you would need an entry level gaming computer. That's what Vista and all the new applications would require.
My cousin was just over we were watching video reviews of "Oblivion", and he asked me how come I can watch Oblivion on my computer but not play it? Because a video game isn't a movie. You are controlling your character and how its effects the surroundings.

He said I bet that makes that makes you mad...it sure does.

Micro Express was a choice from PC World, I believe. I liked what I saw. The cables are bundled nicely for good air flow within the case. There was a choice of getting a better case that would handle more electrical power. For a budget entry, the graphic cards available didn't seem bad at all.

One of my all time favorite computer companies is ABS. They started being the little engine that could and blew Dell and even Falcon Northwest away with their gaming models, eight or nine years ago. Then they got famous and made about 60 different computers and fell flat on their face.

They are climbing back and blew $10,000.00 (yes that is ten thousand dollars) Falcon Northwest away with there $4,000.00 X9. Now I'm expecting anyone to blow $4,000.00
away on a computer. But the point is that Tom's Hardware thought is was as good, and even better than the ten thousand dollar Falcon.

ABS makes gaming computers and workstations...nothing else. They really got themselves in order.

I lean towards gaming computers, not only because my only goal in middle aged life is now to play Oblivion on a computer, but because they are built to deal with usage that graphics demand. Vista and Aero are all about graphics. That's how people should envision the new OS...a big game, one that puts just as much heat and stress on a computer as Oblivion would. Oblivion (while being almost two years old itself) is still the ultimate test of any worthy computer.

Dell has many contenders in this category, I think PC Magazine gave Dell 2nd or 3rd behind Falcon Northwest, but this complete Dell system rang in at over 7,000.00. Better costs, and costs quite a bit more. This is another problem with the bigger PC commpanies, they all make some very good computers, but they all make some stinkers too.

PC World Review of Micro Express (the case can be upgraded upon configuration, I don't think the monitor is included as the review states):

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,127980-page,1-c,desktoppcs/article.html


ABS M5 (entry level) compare page:

http://www.abs.com/app/m5v_compare.asp

I configured the Elite at 1,335.00 and that was for the tower only. That was with premium 2GB RAM and Mirosoft Works...and I think a slightly better processor and GPU.

Its going to be very expensive once you are out of the value group, especially with Vista.

These computers come with great cooling options and top of the line RAM options. It costs. These are probably more affordable than the Dells in the same category.

For monitors, I think Samsung has some great deals on their 19 inch widescreens, but their 1280 X 1024 aren't too shabby either.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SyncMaster-941BW-Monitor-Black/dp/B000JKERJG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2368742-1836666?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1174535967&sr=1-1

I you are curious as to what all this Oblivion talk is about:

http://elderscrolls.com/art/obliv_pc_screens_01.htm

Click the thumbs for a view of some incredible detail of this 3D world where the game is amaziongly interactive, raising the graphic bar to a whole new level.

marf

What kind of connection do you have to the net? I've an old land line and my '98 Dell setting the garage does almost as well as the finer, newer one I am using because the connection is so darn slow.