.

[GymTime]

.

[240 is Back]

i went on ebay, found a store, and got a refurbished Dell optiplex.  Loaded better than my last computer, with XP, office, etc... the entire thing was 399.   I couldn't be happier.  I don't know the store offhand, but I can look it up for you if you're interested. 

[grab an umbrella]

Hey GetBiggers,

If anyone knows anything about computers, please give me some tips on what to get for my next desktop purchase.  Which brand is the best?  Is it better to build it yourself?  Specs?  Etc.?

I've been wanting to upgrade, but I don't know what to get.  I want something very high speed and top of the line.  Price range would probably be $3000 and below.

Thanks

www.newegg.com

www.tigerdirect.com

these are your two best bets.  You probably want to get a computer with a dual core processor.  At very minimum 2 gb of ram.  I would say at bare minimum a 300gb harddrive and a 19" monitor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113088
fantastic computer for 500 dollars.  Pm me if you are very serious about this pm me and we can talk more.

[BayGBM]

the iMac is available as a 20" or 24" screen!  Visit your local Apple store to see it in person (but configure/order it online).  Whatever memory or screen size you choose, I recommend a 500gb hard drive as a minimum.  A wireless keyboard and mouse is an option.  You will not be disappointed!

http://www.apple.com/imac/features/

[grab an umbrella]

the iMac is available as a 20" or 24" screen!  Visit your local Apple store to see it in person (but configure/order it online).  Whatever memory or screen size you choose, I recommend a 500gb hard drive as a minimum.  A wireless keyboard and mouse is an option.  You will not be disappointed!

http://www.apple.com/imac/features/

Suprise suprise, the gay guy uses a mac.

[HTexan]

first, what are you going to used it for?
then what programs do you what to run?

[titusisback]

 

[gordiano]

i went on ebay, found a store, and got a refurbished Dell optiplex.  Loaded better than my last computer, with XP, office, etc... the entire thing was 399.   I couldn't be happier.  I don't know the store offhand, but I can look it up for you if you're interested. 

Let us know....please.

[spinnis]

DAmn 3k?

If you build your own comp you could get one HELL of a computer for 3k.

[Rome]

If you've got 3K to throw around, I agree with Bay. I have an old low end 17" IMac and it runs better than ANY PC I've ever owned. For $3000 you can get a new 20" with great specs.
If you need Windows you can run it on an iMac through boot camp.

[spinnis]

Dont get a fucking Mac.


Get a normal computer with windows on it. Windows PROFESSIONAL NOOOOT Vista.

And install firefox right away. And AVG anti virus.

[Tre]

Do not, I repeat - DO NOT - get a Dell, if you are looking for a decent computer. 

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

Go there and spend about $1200 or so configuring your own. 

You can get a brand-new 24" iMac for about $1500-1600, so you could conceivably have both systems, if you wanted.  Agreed on getting a Windows platform installed on it as well. 

The only advice - other than avoiding Dell - that you really need, however, is to stay away from Windows Vista.  If your PC comes delivered with Vista instead of Windows XP, you may as well throw the machine in the dumpster.

[The Showstoppa]

Do not, I repeat - DO NOT - get a Dell, if you are looking for a decent computer. 

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

Go there and spend about $1200 or so configuring your own. 

You can get a brand-new 24" iMac for about $1500-1600, so you could conceivably have both systems, if you wanted.  Agreed on getting a Windows platform installed on it as well. 

The only advice - other than avoiding Dell - that you really need, however, is to stay away from Windows Vista.  If your PC comes delivered with Vista instead of Windows XP, you may as well throw the machine in the dumpster.

Tre, I'm not a computer guy...is there a difference between Vista that is on laptops and on desktop's?  My laptop has been great...my desktop...not so much.

[spinnis]

Tre, I'm not a computer guy...is there a difference between Vista that is on laptops and on desktop's?  My laptop has been great...my desktop...not so much.

Vista mainly depends on how much RAM you have installed on it.

But overall vista sucks so much its not even funny.

[The Showstoppa]

Vista mainly depends on how much RAM you have installed on it.

But overall vista sucks so much its not even funny.

Swede, I want to throw the desktop out the window, but it's been perfectly fine on my laptop.  WTF?

[spinnis]

Swede, I want to throw the desktop out the window, but it's been perfectly fine on my laptop.  WTF?

I dont get what you are saying.


Are you talking about windows vista on a Laptop and on a stationary computer?

[The Showstoppa]

I dont get what you are saying.


Are you talking about windows vista on a Laptop and on a stationary computer?

Exactly.  It's on both....laptop is operating fine.  Desktop has all kinds of problems.

[240 is Back]

I double-checked - seller was 199computerstore

I know, it's a refurb Dell.    But for someone who spends 12-14 hours per day parked on this thing, it was a complete steal.  XP with dvd burner, 2.8g processor, 3 gig of ram, and office.  I just couldn't be happer for only 400 bucks

[timfogarty]

Su(r)prise su(r)prise, the gay guy uses a mac.

yes, it's required to keep our gay geek card

[Method101]

www.alienware.com / www.dell.com


 

[spinnis]

Dont by a preesembled computer

[headhuntersix]

www.alienware.com / www.dell.com


 

Stay away from Alienware. If Dell is actually doing more for their quality control and customer service then u might be alright. I've seen both a laptop and desk top disaster with these guys. It depends what u need it for. I have a Dell XPS and the hard drive died 1 month after I had it. Dell shipped a new one that day and I was up and running in 4 days. I bought a 1 T-bit drive and have the 700 gig as the primary. I don't store alot of crap on my comp but things break. For 3 grand u could atleast design ur own online. Try these guys.

http://www.ibuypower.com/

[Tre]

Tre, I'm not a computer guy...is there a difference between Vista that is on laptops and on desktop's?  My laptop has been great...my desktop...not so much.

It's a resource hog, regardless of whether it's on a desktop or laptop.

Some of the other nagging problems with Vista include the fact that it now takes more mouse-clicks or keystrokes to do simple tasks - like bringing up the Task Manager - than XP did.  Navigating the desktop and file folders requires more clicks now and over time, those few clicks here and there really add up.

How many years did you use XP before switching to Vista? 

[grab an umbrella]

Wow, its like no one even looked at what I put here.  For 500 dollars you can get a computer that beats the shit out of anything thats been posted....here are the stats...

Brand     Gateway
Model    DX4200-09
Recommended Usage    Home / Home Office
Processor    AMD Phenom X4 9100e(1.8GHz)
Processor Main Features    64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Cache Per Processor    4 x 512KB L2 Cache
Memory    4GB DDR2 800
Hard Drive    640GB SATA II (7200RPM, 16MB Cache)
Optical Drive 1    18X DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash Technology
Graphics    ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics, Up to 256MB of Shared Video Memory
Audio    High Definition Audio
Ethernet    10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN
Power Supply    300W
Speaker    Amplified Stereo Speakers (USB Powered)
Keyboard    Premium Multimedia Keyboard
Mouse    USB Optical 2-Button Wheel Mouse
Operating System    Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Motherboard
Chipset    AMD 780G
CPU
CPU Type    Phenom X4
Installed Qty    1
CPU Speed    9100e(1.8GHz)
L2 Cache Per CPU    4 x 512KB
CPU Socket Type    AM2+
CPU Main Features    64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Graphics
GPU/VPU Type    ATI Radeon HD 3200
Graphics Interface    Integrated video
Memory
Memory Capacity    4GB DDR2
Memory Speed    DDR2 800
Form Factor    DIMM 240-pin
Memory Spec    2GB x 2
Memory Slots (Available/Total)    2/4
Maximum Memory Supported    8GB
Hard Drive
HD Capacity    640GB
HD Interface    SATA II
HD RPM    7200rpm
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type    DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Spec    18X DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash Technology
Write max: 18x DVD-R, 18x DVD+R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 8x DVD+R DL, 8x DVD-R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x CD-R, 32x CD-RW
Read max: 16x DVD-ROM, 48x CD-ROM

[Tre]

Stay away from Alienware. If Dell is actually doing more for their quality control and customer service then u might be alright. I've seen both a laptop and desk top disaster with these guys. It depends what u need it for. I have a Dell XPS and the hard drive died 1 month after I had it. Dell shipped a new one that day and I was up and running in 4 days. I bought a 1 T-bit drive and have the 700 gig as the primary. I don't store alot of crap on my comp but things break. For 3 grand u could atleast design ur own online. Try these guys.

http://www.ibuypower.com/

Dell has always used sub-standard parts in their machines, which is why they're so cheap and easy for them to replace. 

In my line of work, though, I need reliable machines and the Dells just don't fit the bill.

Careful with your configuration on Ibuypower...good company, but as recently as about a year ago, it was up to you to be certain that the internal parts you ordered were compatible with one another.  If you weren't getting an OS installed with your purchase, they might not have discovered that the machine would not work properly.