what should I buy?

16 years ago

Not my normal forum but I thought I'd ask complete strangers opinions as that has always worked well in the past...

I am shopping for my second computer. The first one is still functioning but is 6 years old, limited in speed and memory and unable to run many things common today that were not yet thought of 6 years ago.

Price is only a minimal concern...I am comfortable in the $800-$1300 range.

Desktops only (no interest in a laptop)and only for home use. Main uses would be web surfing, photo storage, music downloads (legal only), e-mail, bill-paying. Some on-line gaming but nothing excessively demanding.

My main concerns would involve adaptability, expandability and accessibility. Ability to plug a camera in to the front of the tower would be nice...or perhaps a card reader built in. I'd want to be able to upgrade the computer in the future (unlike my current desktop which is incapable of being upgraded. I cannot envision multi-tasking complex processes on my current system but if a newer system can do that it would be a plus. It'd be nice to have an extra DVD player in the house, but I'd never bother to record anything.

What specific models should I consider. I do NOT want to buy a problem. What Operating system? (started with 98 and am running 2000 currently). I am so NOT looking forward to figuring out the quirks of a new OP/sys. I am also usually able to figure out how to set up or add things to my current computer. Do you think I should spring for an in-home set up or can I tackle this myself?

Anything else I should consider? Opinions are more than welcome!

Thanks,

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Comments (12)

mikie_gw
16 years ago
Because you said upgradeable, you might want to head to your local computer shop and let them build you one.
Do some research on Front Side Bus, Quad Core CPU's & graphic cards.

Then you'll have nice future upgradeable path for cpu's for a while and can always just change out the motherboard when its outdated.
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turtile
16 years ago
It would be best if you bought a custom computer.

For future upgrades, I would go with the AMD AM2+ socket. It is capable of working with current CPUs with DDR2 and future DDR3. At the end of the year, Intel will be releasing a new platform which will have the memory controller on the CPU chip.

Riptide PCs is a good custom builder.
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jerry_nj
16 years ago
Also consider a full size Dell. I purchased a compact desktop for my wife a year ago last December. Dell (othes may as well) provides a "build your own" when ordering on line. I had 2 GByts of RAM and a card reader added (read SD cards and other camera cards). I may have "upgraded" other items, don't recall at the moment, but much larger hard drives may be of interest to some. While the unit we have has some spare space inside, a full size tower would allow for more expansion, e.g., additional hard drives, hot video card and RAM I can't see much more need for upgrading reasonable, forget the upgrade it when it is six years old, unless you want to start with a new motherboard, assuming the modern one will fit, and build from there and when you're done you've spent the price of the next-next-next generation PC new.
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
16 years ago
I like custom built computers also that way you get exactly what you want and not a bunch of extra junk.
I am an AMD person myself and only get AMD.
If you do not want to have to learn new then definitely go with XP not Vista.
DVD drives are not very expensive so I would go with a nice fast one that does it all so you will be able to use those features, I like the dual layer versions.
Hard drive size go for as big as you can afford especially if you do a lot of photo and music.
RAM is fairly cheap so get plenty min of 2Gig in a brand new pc would be my suggestion with option to go to at least 4.
As far as other options that would depend on you and what you want on it. I like the card readers but I have a USB hub sitting on my desk that I attach my little card reader to, that is easier than trying to reach under my desk to stick it in the pc slot.
You should easily be able to get what you want in your price range.
For pc companies I have had excellent luck with HP AMD computers.
It is getting harder to find computers with XP but they are out there just do some searching and of course a custom built one will give you that option.
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hortsense
Original Author
16 years ago
I'd like to thank everyone for the opinions so far. Perspective is always very helpful.

Coming from windows 2000...does it make sense to jump right to Vista? Would I have an easier transition to XP? I'd not want to have Windows XP support pulled out from under me in a few years (Win 98 never gave me the problems I had heard so many others complain about--I upgraded to 2000 out of necessity only).

While the custom built computer has appeal...I am a little leery of the shops out in the boonies of PA where I live; and buying somewhere I cannot go easily with a problem bothers me.

I think I am leaning towards a Dell (even if I do get some stuff I do not need). I'll need to look into the customizations mentioned above.

Can I get comments on the Op/sys issue I brought up? Is Vista really all that bad to get up to speed on? I find myself dreading getting a new system and not looking forward to it.
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mikie_gw
16 years ago
I bought a Vista laptop early in December. Its really not much different from XP - except for the popups wanting authorization Yes/No's when you do something it thinks only the boss should do. Which I guess would stop some malicious program from doing you in. You get used to those and blindly click it automatically.
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jerry_nj
16 years ago
XP will look more familiar than Vista coming from W2K. I think Dell can still supply XP, you may want to consider XP Professional as an upgrade, otherwise XP Home and Media is what I have familiarity with. Microsoft is about to release (when? don't now) SP3 for XP, so I'd expect it to be supported for some time. Vista has not been well received and I think it still has some driver problems.

Best I can remember Dell, is set up on-line for you to pick a computer, desktop, one that looks about right, perhaps a little less than you want, because as you place you order you have a chance to upgrade every item from CPU to RAM to I/O... another though if you have a lot of bulky storage, consider adding a drive just for that purpose, but I'd opt instead for a USB connected external drive. This drive will have a lot less run time on it and should last "forever".

I'm not trying to sell Dell, but can say I am happy with the 2005 Dell Desktop serving my wife, and I liked the ordering process on-line, you can now buy Dell from a brick-and-mortar store, Walmart, maybe Best Buys, still I think the on-line gives you more choices and customization.

I also have in running shape, an HP notebook, and a Gateway notebook, both are good machines, the Gateway being my newest. I always buy on price/value, no brand loyalty in my mind, I've owned many, including a build you own from the motherboard up, and all have worked well.
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jane__ny
16 years ago
I would go to the Dell website and go to Small Business (you don't need to be a business to buy one). Look at the business desktops (all have option of Vista, XP Home or XP Pro.) and configure yourself and see what price you get. Then go to Fat Wallet and copy a coupon (they have lots of Dell coupons. You can get a good deal.

Their business warranty is good and No. American based. They are giving some with 2 yrs support.

I just got one of their business laptops and can't believe how fast it is. I went with XP Pro instead of Vista because of problems some people are having, plus I wanted to make sure all my peripherals worked immediately without problems.

I loved Win 98, but XP is so stable and smooth. I heard that Microsoft extended the license on it for another year. Dell will sell XP for as long as MS allows.

Jane
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
16 years ago
You can get great custom computers built from online companies you do not have to go to local in the boonies shops.
There are many to choose from, talk to people that have purchased from online custom builders.
Plus you can work with custom builders in larger cities or towns who will ship to you also.
This is a site I have looked at several times they offer some very good options on custom built computers.
http://www.pcusa.com/default.asp
they offer 3 yr warranty and life time tech support
if you google custom built computers you will find plenty to check out.
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luis_pr
16 years ago
"I'd not want to have Windows XP support pulled out from under me in a few years."

It will not happen tomorrow but, unfortunately, it will happen at some point. Microsoft likes to force people to buy they latest OS by doing that. That is how they make money after all. Even people who have Vista now will have their OS Support discontinued at some point once Microsoft releases yet another version of Windows with a different name.

Oh, well....
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jerry_nj
16 years ago
Micro soft has a SP3 nearing general availability for XP, so feel assured that XP will be supported for some time, how long, who knows, even MS doesn't...I bet it will be supported for 5+ years, enough time to get Vista working main-line.

I have a Vista upgrade, with Dell installation help CD, in my file cabinet, and I have no plan to use it any time soon.
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mikie_gw
16 years ago
Windows service pack support is 24 months. Office and other main service pack support is 12 months.

Think the main thing most here would be concerned with would be Security support which is 8 yrs.

Here is a link that might be useful: support.microsoft.com/gp/lifecycle
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what should I buy?

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