I’m thinking of buying a new computer, and am just starting the shopping process. I haven’t bought one in a while, so I’m not sure where to start or what to avoid or whatever. I have no price range in mind, so I’m pretty much hoping to keep costs down in general without cutting corners, but am willing to spend money if its worth it.
The only absolute requirement I have is dual monitors. I’m dead set on that, and its actually the main reason I’m upgrading. I’d also like MS Office to be included, but am willing to acquire that separately if it makes more sense. Its not a big deal to me for this to come all as one package, so if I should buy the monitors separately from one place and the computer from another, that would be fine.
This computer is more or less for personal use, although I want to make sure its capable of logging into my employer’s network via Citirx when I occasionally work from home.
The majority of my personal use would be web browsing and managing my iPod/iPad.
I haven’t bought a computer game in years, and do most of my gaming on my Xbox 360, however I could possibly see myself purchasing computer games again depending on the circumstances. Basically I’d be willing to spend a little extra to make this computer capable of playing games, but its not that big of a deal, so if it added more than $100-$200 to the price, I’d probably skip it.
At first I was definitely thinking PC, which is still the direction I’m strongly leaning, but I’d also consider an Apple/Mac if one made sense. I know that a Mac would cost a lot more, but I’d still consider it if there were good reasons why it might beat out a PC. I love my iPad, which is one of the reasons a Mac crossed my mind (I used to be pretty strongly anti-Mac).
So, any advice for me? Any suggestions on where to look or buy this? Ballpark price I should expect to pay?
Thanks for the reply, and sorry I forgot to mention that my current computer is in pretty bad shape and not something I’m looking to upgrade (or even salvage anything from ). Its about 10 years old and a hand me down that’s just getting me by (although it has been doing that for about 4 years now).
I think you can dual monitor on a pretty simple, low-end PC. Maybe even a 2-300 dollar off-lease PC. I can achieve that effect on my now 7 year old notebook PC, so I don’t imagine it’s especially high tech.
I have an iPad FWIW, and I don’t think owning a Mac contributes the experience, unless you follow the logic of, “Because Apple makes the best tablet, surely they also make the best desktop!” I have an old shitty Mac mini, though, so perhaps I’m not the best example. Frankly, since I got my new (Sony) laptop, the iPad has been relegated to the video player and web browser that I use on quick access to google something really quick. The apps sync on here just fine.
Sounds to me like your needs are relatively cheap. I wouldn’t plunk down serious coin for a tower unless you suddenly decided you wanted to become a hardcore PC gamer.
One other thing you might not have considered, but even low end laptops (~$400) will support a second monitor out of the box. I have a desk set up for working from home with my work laptop, with a mouse, keyboard, and monitor. I plug them into the laptop, with it open for the second monitor, and it’s like working on a dual-monitor desktop.
The laptop screen is probably a little smaller than the monitor you’d get. I suspect there are also laptops that support dual external monitors as well, for more money.
Then you’d be able to do your personal web browsing anywhere, and not be tied to the desktop location. You’d need a wireless router, but those aren’t that much ($20 or $30, I think). A wireless mouse is another $15 on sale, so you wouldn’t have to use a touchpad…
Just something to think about. I don’t have any desktop advice, so I’ll shut up now.