Any computer people out there?

[kellyinkc]

I'll go check it out. Got a Consumers Report yesterday. Did not look at it. Today Best Buy had a Compaq for a nice price. Out shopping today. Too cold to do anything else.
Thanks
Kelly

[gb387]

Originally posted by jfelbab
Latest issue of Consumer Reports has computer ratings. HP is the bottom of the list for tech support and second from the bottom in brand repair history only one worse was Gateway.

IMO, HP isn't the company it once was. They still make decent printers but I wouldn't touch one of their PC's.

It was sometime ago now but I tried 2 HP computers out both had problems in the first week, was irritated so I spent a little more for a Sony, never had a problem... So I vote no on HP.

[kellyinkc]

Looking at mag now. I see. Looks like they have an eMachine and Compaq budget computers as a CR Best Buy. Fun shopping though.

Kelly

[SiriusRIMZ]

Go for an E-Machine or Dell, I've had both and they each worked. I've now built my own custom rig, to better fit my needs. I'm running Dual Channel 2 Gig of RAM, 3.4GHz P4 HT, and 6 MBps Fiber Internet connection, very very fast

[kellyinkc]

I bet that is fast!!! Went to Best Buy they have a eMachine for 500 then a 200 rebate. Has a Celeron D 256K RAM For what I am going to do with it, its fine. Though I will "crank it up a notch or two" on the RAM. FYI I work for a major bank ( plus I have Monday off!!) that has a technology center . I know a few of the guy's and gals. So if I need tech support they are a phone call away

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by jfelbab
Latest issue of Consumer Reports has computer ratings. HP is the bottom of the list for tech support and second from the bottom in brand repair history only one worse was Gateway.

IMO, HP isn't the company it once was. They still make decent printers but I wouldn't touch one of their PC's.

That is interesting. I have had an HP for 3 years and not a major problem with it. The only problem I have had were related to HP's partioned hard drive as it does not like to work with external hard drives. But other than that, it has been really good!

Can you tell us what CR says are the top 3 computers? I too am looking at upgrading to a newer, and faster model.

Tim

[gb387]

Originally posted by kellyinkc
I bet that is fast!!! Went to Best Buy they have a eMachine for 500 then a 200 rebate. Has a Celeron D 256K RAM For what I am going to do with it, its fine. Though I will "crank it up a notch or two" on the RAM. FYI I work for a major bank ( plus I have Monday off!!) that has a technology center . I know a few of the guy's and gals. So if I need tech support they are a phone call away

Glad you found one! I would guess its going to be night and day over your old computer! Do you have high speed internet? If not might have to be the next upgrade.

[kellyinkc]

Hey Tim, I'm looking at CR right now. They have it broke down by Budget, workhorse and a MAC. I assume you want a workhorse.
They rank :
6. HP Pavilion D4100E 2.2 GHZ Athlon 64
7. Gateway FX400x 3 GHZ Pentium D 830
8. HP Pavilion D4100Y 3 GHZ Pent D 830
9. Dell XPS 400 3 GHZ Pent D 830

Of those they pick the Dell
It has 1 GB of RAM and 256 MB of video RAM. Plus it's been reliable.

Then the MAC which they pick. Doesn't crash

The other 1-5 are the budget computers.


Kelly

[Tim Lingor]

Hey Kelly,

I did look at the Dell XPS 600, with the Pentium D 940 3.2 GHz, and 2GB of Ram. But I really would rather have an Athlon 64 around the Dual 4200+. I just prefer the Athlon.

It becomes quite the headache not knowing for sure what computer is best.

Tim

[kellyinkc]

Yeah I like the Athlon 64 too, actually any AMD. Seems like Intel is trying to corner the market. Dell just uses the Intel. MAC does so now. Maybe have a local computer guy build you one? I am thinking about it.
Getting a headache myself trying to figure out which one.

[cydewaze]

I love my AMD Athlon. For me, half the fun of a PC is buying the parts and throwing the whole thing together, so what's good for me might not be good for everyone.

My only problem with this us when I get "upgrade fever", and I see a new motherboard or video card out, and I think "Ooooh! I want me one of those". It can get expensive quick!

My next purchase is going to be an LCD flatscreen though. 19" Got one at work now and I'm spoiled!

[Wayfarerwalk]

One thing you might want to consider is if you are going to network. I just recently switched from a Dell PC to a iMac and a iBook. With Mac's Airport Extreme it is a plug and play network. I had to make one setting change in the iMac. I doubt if I go back to a PC, the Mac's are too good in the small details.

[6Robert2]

I build high end gaming machines for customers upon request. Right now I typing this out on a machine that at the time of building cost 5k 2gig of ram 256mb video card 2 serial 10k rpm hardrives in raid, in a watercooled case. Yes it has antifreeze in it.

Anyways as computers go. Dell makes a good Comp but Helpdesk is in India, Gateway puts some of there bios info on the drive so upgrading is a PITA, Best be so far is an Emachine I bought one for my dad it had a gig of ram 128 video card and 60gig hardrive best of all it had memory slots built into the front so all you have to do is take memory card out of your computer and slide it into the front of the comp. Plus it had winxp and basic office on it. Its been great and trouble free for him.

[Hitman]

Originally posted by 2hotford


It becomes quite the headache not knowing for sure what computer is best.

Tim

That's like trying to decide whats the best wax. No right answer. Besides what ever you buy will quickly be out dated by something else. Within a year at most, probably 6 months.

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by Hitman
That's like trying to decide whats the best wax. No right answer. Besides what ever you buy will quickly be out dated by something else. Within a year at most, probably 6 months.

Good point!

I want a computer that works well with multimedia including using it as a PVR, photoshop, etc...

I also want something that is fast, and somewhat geared towards the future...at least the near future in computer terms.

Ideas???

Tim