Computer Advice

[dmclone]

I'd really recommend finding someone in your family/friend that knows how to build a PC and have them do it for you.

There is a good chance that you won't save much money but you can pick the parts and you'll end up with a Mercedes instead of a Kia that you get from Dell, HP, etc. Plus when it comes times to upgrade it makes it a lot easier. You'll also end up not having a bunch of junk software that the PC makers install.

I just built a PC a few months ago for a family member. It had a seagate HD, Asus motherboard, cosair power supply, Antec case, 2gb of ram, etc. It runs like a charm, is super quiet, the motherboard has a bunch of technology you wouldn't get with a standard pc, etc. The person I built it for was going to spend $1,000 for a Dell and I built her a PC that's really a lot better and will be more reliable.


BTW-I have no beef with Dell. I think they do a decent job and I have a cheap dell laptop.

 

[cytech]

I'd really recommend finding someone in your family/friend that knows how to build a PC and have them do it for you.

There is a good chance that you won't save much money but you can pick the parts and you'll end up with a Mercedes instead of a Kia that you get from Dell, HP, etc. Plus when it comes times to upgrade it makes it a lot easier. You'll also end up not having a bunch of junk software that the PC makers install.

I just built a PC a few months ago for a family member. It had a seagate HD, Asus motherboard, cosair power supply, Antec case, 2gb of ram, etc. It runs like a charm, is super quiet, the motherboard has a bunch of technology you wouldn't get with a standard pc, etc. The person I built it for was going to spend $1,000 for a Dell and I built her a PC that's really a lot better and will be more reliable.


BTW-I have no beef with Dell. I think they do a decent job and I have a cheap dell laptop.

I used to build all of my computers and what dmclone is right you will end up with a much higher quality sytem. When I did this you could buy the parts much cheaper then you could buy the systems at a store.

And if you are looking at getting a gaming PC you can still buy the parts cheaper than you can purchase it from the store and you will get a much higher quality machine then in the store.

But for the people who only need to use their e-mail, surf the web, type a paper here and there, get pictures from their digital camera, and download music.

Well all they need in a computer to last them a long while is that $399 computer I posted in a link from dell.

Sure you could get yourself a higher quality system from around 200-300 dollars more. But if you save that money now when something happens to the el cheapo computer 3-4 years down the road you can use the money you saved to buy the next one.

 

[Cyclone42]

I'm going to let you in on my biggest "secret". Go here:

Dell Factory Outlet

Now, near the top, uncheck everything but "scratch & dent". Then click "filter results". Then click the "price" link to sort by price. I have found some really good deals that way. I even saw a Core 2 Quad once for $340! (Still kicking myself for passing that one up!)

 

[NebrClone]

I buy all my computer for home and office at Dell Outlet. We currently have 30 computers and servers bought this way and minimal problems, but they always show up next business day with the warranty. It saves a lot of money buying off the outlet. I just bought a XPS 630 and 22" monitors for home, my Christmas present to me.

Dell Factory Outlet

 

[Jer]

You could also check out the Lenovo Outlet - you can get new (not refurbished, etc) units for about 50% off. Great way to get ThinkPads.

 

[Cyclone62]

I used to build all of my computers and what dmclone is right you will end up with a much higher quality sytem. When I did this you could buy the parts much cheaper then you could buy the systems at a store.

And if you are looking at getting a gaming PC you can still buy the parts cheaper than you can purchase it from the store and you will get a much higher quality machine then in the store.

But for the people who only need to use their e-mail, surf the web, type a paper here and there, get pictures from their digital camera, and download music.

Well all they need in a computer to last them a long while is that $399 computer I posted in a link from dell.

Sure you could get yourself a higher quality system from around 200-300 dollars more. But if you save that money now when something happens to the el cheapo computer 3-4 years down the road you can use the money you saved to buy the next one.

So you're implying that I won't be able to use this new computer as long as my other one (that was replaced yesterday) that I used for 12 years?

 

[cytech]

no not at all, but 12 years is a bit long on a life cycle.

If you managed to make your last computer last you 12 years I would imagine you could do that again.

Though if you had that computer with no problems ever in those 12 years. I would say no matter what brand you go with you would be lucky to have one last that long without issues.

 

[DanCyn]

My entire network for my businesss in built on Dell machines. Have never had a problem that was hardware related - only software. I want something proven and that can be serviced within hours - I'm a CPA and being out of commission for a day can severely impact my tax season.

 

[CYdTracked]

This site usually has some good deals, especially for Dells: GotApex? Deals & Coupon Codes

Personally I am a Dell guy. Had the same Dell for over 6 years now and this is coming from someone that works in IT and is a little picky about his hardware. Yeah I'd like something newer but why replace something that I think runs just as well as the brand new HP's we are getting at work. Software and how you setup your OS and software settings is a huge part of how a PC is going to perform. A lot of this free stuff you install usually has stuff that runs at startup or in the background that hogs resources. You can probably get a decent PC for around $500 right now minus software. If you are going to get MS Office or other expensive stuff go look online for it because you'll find it much much cheaper than ordering it with your PC.

Just a few of my thoughts. I've either bought or help pick out several Dell machines within my family and hardware wise they have been very solid machines.

 

[Cyclone62]

no not at all, but 12 years is a bit long on a life cycle.

If you managed to make your last computer last you 12 years I would imagine you could do that again.

Though if you had that computer with no problems ever in those 12 years. I would say no matter what brand you go with you would be lucky to have one last that long without issues.

It was just slow as hell once I got to college. I also couldn't watch videos on it because it would crash the thing. Now I just have to get all my files from it transferred... That's going to be a pain.

 

[jbhtexas]

I am curious where this impression that dell desktops are crap is coming from. IMHO they are the best bang for your buck systems you can buy.

I too am curious where that impression is coming from. I've got three Dell desktops at home, and we've used them for years at work. The only issue I have with Dell is the power supplies could be better.

 

[cytech]

It was just slow as hell once I got to college. I also couldn't watch videos on it because it would crash the thing. Now I just have to get all my files from it transferred... That's going to be a pain.

Easy Solution get a external hard drive enclosure

Newegg.com - Eagle INEO I-NIA302U Aluminum 3.5" Black USB 2.0 External Enclosure - External Enclosures

This one will will adapt to your older hard drive (IDE) but also allow you to after you get your files off to get a new SATA drive and use it as a back up drive so when you do need another new computer you won't have to bother with it again.

 

[Cyclone62]

Easy Solution get a external hard drive enclosure

Newegg.com - Eagle INEO I-NIA302U Aluminum 3.5" Black USB 2.0 External Enclosure - External Enclosures

This one will will adapt to your older hard drive (IDE) but also allow you to after you get your files off to get a new SATA drive and use it as a back up drive so when you do need another new computer you won't have to bother with it again.

I"m just going to use a flash drive to move my files (90% are word documents). Thanks for the tip though.

 

[pdxclone]

I too am curious where that impression is coming from. I've got three Dell desktops at home, and we've used them for years at work. The only issue I have with Dell is the power supplies could be better.

Be careful with Dell ... you get what you pay for ...

 

[isubeatle]

the reason for my hate for dell is that everyone i've used and owned have fallen apart. at my job, for the first 5 years i was on a PC and they were dells. in 5 years i went though 4 dell desktops. granted i was pushing it pretty hard most the time. I'd have ATG dynamo running, photoshop, and many other programs running. but they always crapped out on me after about a year. and our laptop that i owned and the same one my sister-in-law owned both died in about a year.

i love HPs and of course Apples

 

[cstrunk]

My HP laptop has been pretty reliable.

I'm never buying anything like it from Best Buy ever again. I will be buying my next laptop somewhere online. Best Buy normal prices = rip-off. Always wait for a big sale, or look on-line.