Need some computer advice.

[J. A. Michaels]

Hey guys,

The wife and I are thinking about getting a new computer. I would like you guys to offer some advice on what brands to look at? What brands to stay away from. I want it to be fast, do the basics, we really do not play any games. Just forums, pictures, stuff like that. Any advice would be appreciated.


We are also looking at external hard drives, and maybe a printer. Any advice on these would also be appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

[Mikejl]

Re: Need some computer advice.

J A Michaels,

For your situation, I would go with Dell. I like their current offering of AIO computers. If you have a Best Buy near you, you can go check them out.

I would also think about going to a laptop. I have always liked the Dell Laptops. I have replaced 4 of our 7 household computers with laptops.

They are a good Idea if you have wireless internet in your home.

Mike

[03mach1]

Re: Need some computer advice.

I would go with Dell my friend has one and it is three times as fast as my custom built. Even though I have a LG custom built, I always have issues with it and it locks up a lot.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Need some computer advice.

I have 2 Dell XPS laptops, and love them

Just another vote for Dell.

Nick

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Need some computer advice.

Don't forget to look at the Mac's

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Need some computer advice.

Well so far it looks like a dell. Have to get the wife's input about a laptop. The computer I am on now is a Dell. We have had it for about 6 years. It has been good. I just was wondering if some other company really has come out with a great computer, as far as reliability, speed,etc. Overall we have been pretty satisfied with the Dell.

Thanks a lot everyone.

[gb387]

Re: Need some computer advice.

Dell is a good option thats all we buy at work - I bought a HP last year when CompUSA had their store closing sale and I could be happier. So HP would be another great option!

[C30-Mike]

Re: Need some computer advice.

I suggest Dell computer.
Operating System: Vista Business Edition or Home Premium
Do NOT get the 64bit edition. Many apps will not support it.
Memory: 1.5 Gig to 2Gig will be plenty
Hard drive space: 250Gig or more
CPU: Intel Core2 or AMD Phenom x3

External storage: Western Digital My Book series (do some research)
Printer: Lexmark for basic purpose Canonn for Photo printing

If you buy Dell online buy it from the Small Business Product section
You will get USA based tech support! No more 3 hours on the phone with a tech that is reading from a book.

Refurb units are excellent choice (I suggest MicroCenter)
Computers depreciate faster than boats

Give Costco a try if you have membership (good deal)

Holiday season is coming up so wait for the right time.

[drculinarian]

Re: Need some computer advice.

Your biggest choice may be whether you want Vista or XP. XP is a proven commodity while Vista still has some issues. With Vista you will have to upgrade everything, all your old programs will not work. It something to think about.

Dr. Maurice

[Mikejl]

Re: Need some computer advice.

Your biggest choice may be whether you want Vista or XP. XP is a proven commodity while Vista still has some issues. With Vista you will have to upgrade everything, all your old programs will not work. It something to think about.

Dr. Maurice

That is not correct. Almost all (probably all) of your old programs will work with Vista.

Mike

[kellyinkc]

Re: Need some computer advice.

Dell is good. I have a HP/Compaq and it has done well.
Stay away from the 64 bit Windows.

Kelly

[Wolf-Strong]

Re: Need some computer advice.

I assume you want a desktop, and recommend it unless you really want the mobility of a laptop.

I think a few things need to be cleared up first; he already mentioned that he will not be using it for games really, just basic computing. 99% of the issues with Vista is that it is a 64 bit system that, simply put, uses an 32bit emulator to run older applications. The problem with this is that older hardware uses drivers built for 32bit systems, which causes problems seeing as it can't directly work with the 64bit core OS. Some older software may have this issue as well when it needs to communicate a lot with the hardware such as older versions of Photoshop, Premiere, and games. Almost all the complaints fall under two categories: 1) Someone is trying to upgrade their old system (or build a new one) and installs Vista without checking to see if the hardware is compatable or 2) They buy a new system with it already installed expecting their old games to work. Outside of these two things, Vista has gotten very few complaints, especially compared to pre-SP2 XP and if anything, is highly recommended.

As far as system recommendations, I personally recommend to stay far, far away from HP, Compaq, eMachines, Gateway, and Sony. Some people look at me crazy for not recommending HP, but after having EVERY SINGLE HP product my family, friends, and myself fail within a period of 3 years and never having a single successful repair of their products while still under warrenty, I simply can not recommend them. Compaq is simply the budget line of HP, so of course I see the same there. The rest are no better.

Now I do have good news; there are plenty of good companies for computers! Apple, Dell, Acer, Alienware, Lenovo, Falcon Northwest, iBuyPower, Cyberpower, Voodoo PCs, and Xi Computers are all fantastic systems that you can not go wrong with. What you didn't state is your price range, so you will notice that some of those systems are a bit pricey, so judge accordingly. As someone else mentioned, you may want to look into Apple because they are very user friendly, run very quick, and are overall just a fantastic system. If you really don't want to make that move, than the others will do just fine.

When it comes to printers, what you have to realize is that there is no 'best' printer. Do you print only B/W or color? Do you print photographs? Do you print at least a few times a week, many times a day, or once every great while? Obviously if you only print B/W, a laser printer will be the way to go. If you do need color, and only print maybe a few times a week, than inkjet would be the best option. However, if you plan to print multiple times a day or maybe once every great while (more than a month apart), than a color laser would be the way to go. The reason for this is that if an inkjet is left to sit for more than 3-4 weeks, the ink on the print head dries up along with the ink inside the cartidge, which means you waist a whole lot of money on ink. Ideally you want an inkjet to print at least once a week to keep the ink flowing.

When it comes to brands in printers, even though I recommended their PCs, STAY CLEAR AWAY from Dell printers. The reason is that they use special cartidges that are low capacity and cost almost twice as much as the normal inkjet without the benefits of good print quality...that is the reason why they literally give the things away. They are simply rebranded Lexmarks which are rebranded HP/Compaq printers, all of which I always would recommend staying clear away from. For inkjet, I HIGHLY recommend Canon as being the #1 inkjet printer, with Epson being a very close second (Epson has great ink). Brother makes a passable All-in-one inkjet while being highly affordable. When it comes to laser printers, Brother (for B/W), Canon (B/W only I believe), Xerox, Konica Minolta, and Oki Data are great. Out of all those though, while they may be a bit bulky, Oki Data is hands down the best consumer laserjet whether it be for color or B/W. Xerox and Konica Minolta make a good color laser printers that can also print good prictures. Canon's are just black and white work horses, while brother makes a very affordable B/W laserjet (even All-in-ones), though Brothers color laserjets are just marginal.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Need some computer advice.

Well, it looks like were going with the Dell. As of now its between the "Hybrid", And the xps 630.

We were going to get the dell all in one printer. But after reading Wolfstrongs post, that is out of the equation. Thanks Wolfstrong.

We appreciate all the feedback everyone has given us. It is making it a lot easier.

Will keep you guys updated.

Thanks again.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Need some computer advice.

Well got off the phone with Dell. We are getting the xps420. Should get it next week. Thanks again everyone.

[Ryan L.]

Re: Need some computer advice.

Congrats on the new computer!

Ryan