Best Computer?

  • Thread starter Blazing20
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Blazing20

Blazing20

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I just started working and now I'm saving up for a new computer. I was thinking about getting a Dell or Gateway, but I'm still not too sure. I don't need a DVD player or CD Burner (but I won't complain- that would be nice to have:embarrassed: ) I just want a nice working computer. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
~*~Ashley~*~
 
What would your main purpose of the computer be? That will have an effect on hardware and platform that you might choose.
 
Yes, it would help if you told us what your main purpose of computer would be.

If you have no interest in gaming, I would suggest a Dell. A Pentium 4 1.8 GHz with 512MB of DDR would be enough for generic, everyday use?
 
My main purpose for using it would be for the internet. I'll either get AOL or MSN. I am into gaming, but with school and other things I'm involved in I really don't know if I'd have enough time for computer gaming. But there might be a game or two uploaded onto the computer- just depends on space and time. I also write a lot, so I would have the most essential version of Word there is. But again, main purpose would be internet.
 
Um, Macs are Internet-friendly (you just need to give your account name and password when you first turn your computer on, and that's it), and Microsoft itself has admitted that Word for OS X is better than the XP version (weird, I know)... I can't speak for the games though.

Budget ceiling? (That'll obviously make a difference between buying a Wintel box and buying a Mac ;), though the iBook laptops are only $999... I have one, and it's great!)
 
Well, it could be more. I just thought some computers/lap tops ran for around $600-$800--guess they were the bad kind. But I'm willing to pay $999 for a good working laptop.
 
Oh god, don't even start with Macs.

You can get a Dell desktop or laptop for $999 with XP Home and Office XP installed.
 
Originally posted by Viper Zero
Oh god, don't even start with Macs.
Click to expand...
:P Sounds like somebody hasn't used OS X yet...

Seriously, OS X kicks some serious butt. In the 6 months that I've had this iBook, it has only crashed once (and that's when I was messing with some system resources with an outdated editor... nothing that you would be messing with anyway). I know a webmaster whose son has an iBook, and has never shut it down in the past 4 months!, since OS X doesn't need a reboot to "tidy things up"... it has cron tasks that it runs every once in a while that keeps things clean.

However, I will note that the iBook is not a gaming machine... the graphics card can't handle the more complicated games out for the Mac. Not to say that you can't play games, but you definitely won't be mistaking it for an Alienware computer... ;)

But still, OS X has really changed my computing experience. OS 9 and earlier (the non-Unix based Mac systems) are absolute rubbish compared to X. Not to detract anything from the hardware itself - the iBook is one heck of a durable machine (I carry mine in my backpack at school all the time), and the form factor is wonderful. In addition, I use mine as my desktop machine. :) (Bought an iCurve for it, plus a Logitech keyboard and mouse... great setup).
 
If you get a desktop, don't even start with Windows, because it'll only make the migration that much harder to get used to how much Linux kicks so much more ass!
 
... but he's just using it for basic tasks (plus, I don't think Word is available for Linux... sure, there are a bunch of open-source word processors, but Blazing20 specifically asked for Word). "Casual" users really shouldn't be getting into that kind of stuff...





...especially when Apple has already put a beautiful and simple GUI on a Unix platform! :D :P

Sorry, couldn't help it.
 
Originally posted by Blazing20
My main purpose for using it would be for the internet. I'll either get AOL or MSN. I am into gaming, but with school and other things I'm involved in I really don't know if I'd have enough time for computer gaming. But there might be a game or two uploaded onto the computer- just depends on space and time. I also write a lot, so I would have the most essential version of Word there is. But again, main purpose would be internet.
Click to expand...

Based on your requirement, school, word processing, surfing the net, you could save a truck load of $$$ go with a PC based machine, not to mention the over abundant supply of software titles that are not written for the Mac platform.
 
;) Don't pursuade someone into something that's a closed platform just for the ellite. The general populas will run a PC based machine, and sharing files back and forth will a lot easier and a lot more frequent on a PC based machine.

For business apps (he did mention M$ Word), the IBM platform is the only way to go, it just is what is. Internet? Doesn't matter, that's the beuity of the internet. Games? Not so much on Mac. Mac's have their place in world, especially for the rich and famous. :) Keep it real, keep it simple, invest the savings on buying a PC and in two years you can afford a BMW. But on a serious note, I'm in no way discounting the option of a Mac based machine, just for what your requirements are, a PC based machine would still be your best bet.

:cheers: and good luck!
 
I used to be a huge Mac fan and still am but I now own a PC. I don't like but it does more stuff so it's a fair trade. If the Mac could do everything a PC could at the same price then I would so go back, if the mac had Kazaa I would probably go back. Anyways since you just want the net and word just go on ebay or find some 500MHZ machine with 128MB of ram and a 10gig hard drive, make sure it has USB and ether net ports though. It will probably cost you like 100-200$. There really is no point in getting anything faster if that's the only thing you will use it for. Mind you my 1.4 GHZ P4 feels slower than my old 200 MHZ mac, it's been quite a disappointment speed wise :(
 
The question of budget isn't one of performance, it's of longevity. The more money you spend now, the longer the machine will last.

Of the two manufacturers that Blazing20 has mentioned, Dell is the better bet. Not only are their machines built better but the company is in much better shape, and that means that you are more likely to be able to call on them for support and drivers etc.

You can buy a Dell with a 2GHz processor, 256MB memory, 60GB hard drive and a 17" Monitor for $699, although if you've got the budget right now, they are doing a $150 discount.

Dell make great PCs. Their buying power with manufacturers allows them to secure vast bulk discounts that make their prices highly competitive unless you're being really specialised.

Sorry all you Mac-lovers, and Linux-lovers, and Build-Your-Own fanatics: at this price point and with Blazing20's usage profile, the best bet is a Wintel Dell.
 
Originally posted by youth_cycler
... but he's just using it for basic tasks (plus, I don't think Word is available for Linux... sure, there are a bunch of open-source word processors, but Blazing20 specifically asked for Word). "Casual" users really shouldn't be getting into that kind of stuff...
Click to expand...

youth_cycler...I'm a girl...not a guy...:lol:
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
The question of budget isn't one of performance, it's of longevity. The more money you spend now, the longer the machine will last.

Of the two manufacturers that Blazing20 has mentioned, Dell is the better bet. Not only are their machines built better but the company is in much better shape, and that means that you are more likely to be able to call on them for support and drivers etc.

You can buy a Dell with a 2GHz processor, 256MB memory, 60GB hard drive and a 17" Monitor for $699, although if you've got the budget right now, they are doing a $150 discount.

Dell make great PCs. Their buying power with manufacturers allows them to secure vast bulk discounts that make their prices highly competitive unless you're being really specialised.

Sorry all you Mac-lovers, and Linux-lovers, and Build-Your-Own fanatics: at this price point and with Blazing20's usage profile,
the best bet is a Wintel Dell.
Click to expand...

Wow $699, with a screen! Forget the e-bay thing you are better off spending that little bit of extra money now, and you will get a whole lot more bang for the buck. Yup go with that, it sounds like a really good deal. The 2 GHZ is that a P4 or a celeron? Probably a celeron for that price, anyway I don’t know the difference anymore.
 
The best computers would be the more exotic ones. Alienware, Falcon Northwest, for example, are the kings of future computer generations.
 
Originally posted by Klonie Gun
The best computers would be the more exotic ones. Alienware, Falcon Northwest, for example, are the kings of future computer generations.
Click to expand...
Too bad they cost thousands of dollars when you can build one, exactly the same, for less money.
 
Originally posted by km
why don't u build your own computer:confused:or get a used one
Click to expand...

1) I much rather spend $999 on a very good working, fast and up-to-date computer than buy a used one.

and 2)...Me...? Ashley...? Build a computer...? HA! Not in a million years! I'm a blonde trapped in a well...sandy blonde haired girls' body. You should've seen me my first week of work. I practically crashed the Gator (a tractor that picks up golf balls in the range) and got it stuck. In another words, I don't know how to build a computer. I want to learn, though.
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Sorry all you Mac-lovers, and Linux-lovers, and Build-Your-Own fanatics: at this price point and with Blazing20's usage profile, the best bet is a Wintel Dell.
Click to expand...
There's no saying you can't still put on Linux. I mean, it's never too late to put Linux on a computer. It's just whether or not the person wants to put much more effort in later by researching how to back up imporant data files for things like spreadsheets, documents, etc, or starting by reformatting the harddrives before they're full of data, then install Linux. It would be much faster to install it off of a fresh harddrive or cleaned harddrive than one that is full of data.

If you do go with a desktop, there's no saying you HAVE to go with Linux, I just think it's better. If you absolutley NEED Word, you can use WINE, which is the Windows emulator. Otherwise, there's Openoffice or Staroffice, basically the same thing, and they are the equivelents of Word. Plus, Openoffice is free, and includes an equivelent of Powerpoint, which costs a pretty penny if you get Microsoft Powerpoint.
 
Originally posted by Blazing20
youth_cycler...I'm a girl...not a guy...:lol:
Click to expand...
Ooh, sorry about that. ;) We don't get too many ladies around GTP (other than you now, the only others I know are lotus350 and TATINEE).

Anyway, you might as well go with Giles' and Pako's advice, and get a Dell... they're some of the most level-headed people around. :) However, my personal opinion is that the extra money one pays for a Mac, especially running OS X, is by far worth it... I absolutely look forward to using my computer everyday. I know people who turn on their Macs at random moments just to see the boot screen. :lol: And I'll admit that I turn on my iBook everyday, whether or not I'm going to have productive use of it. There's also the fact that Macs seem to last forever...

But, that said, it would most likely be in your best interest to invest in a Dell now, and as Giles said, bet your luxury mobile when you can better afford it.
 
Originally posted by youth_cycler
Ooh, sorry about that. ;) We don't get too many ladies around GTP (other than you now, the only others I know are lotus350 and TATINEE).

Anyway, you might as well go with Giles' and Pako's advice, and get a Dell... they're some of the most level-headed people around. :) However, my personal opinion is that the extra money one pays for a Mac, especially running OS X, is by far worth it... I absolutely look forward to using my computer everyday. I know people who turn on their Macs at random moments just to see the boot screen. :lol: And I'll admit that I turn on my iBook everyday, whether or not I'm going to have productive use of it. There's also the fact that Macs seem to last forever...

But, that said, it would most likely be in your best interest to invest in a Dell now, and as Giles said, bet your luxury mobile when you can better afford it.
Click to expand...
Any commentary for what I had to say?
 

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