In the market for a new computer.

I have begun to look into buying a new computer. I would like some opinions on ‘what is what’. I usually use mine for surfing the net, email, playing some cd rom games, and the occassional personal documents for at home use (in other words, a high priced toy). I am in the price range of $1200 or so. Thanks for the help.

If you have a Circuit City nearby, you can get a computer for your needs for about $1000. And if you’re willing to switch to Compuserve, you can get $400 off of that.


When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled

no offense AWB, but i would never, ever, give that advice to someone looking to buy a computer.

First off, the big stores will screw you. Several hundred dollars worth. And $400 off for paying $700 for 3 years of crappy compuserve is no good anyway.

What I’d do is find a small local computer shop. Talk to someone there, tell them your needs, and give them a slightly deflated maximum price.

You should be able to get a pretty good system for that money. For instance, when I built mine in August, I spent just over $1000, and I have a Celeron 550, 256Mbs RAM, 13 gig hard drive, and excellent video and sound.

That was august. You should be able to do better today. Except on the memory.

A local computer shop around here (Houston) has a system that would be just fine for you from your description for less than $500.

You have to be careful with small computer companies. I have a friend who bought one in GA and when he got the computer it did not work and they guy would not fix it and he has been trying to get his money back for a few years (it was a 166Mhz so it had to be a few years ago).

The computer has never worked.

I agree with the not buy one and using the $400 deal. Then you are stuck with the provider and you might not want them later.

I saw a good HP system in Costco the other day for around $1200. You could also check Dell.com or Gateway.com or maybe buy.com, though Dell and Gateway will provide better service than most and you can usually only get them online or by phone.

Jeffery

My current computer, a two plus year old thing, was purchased by a local company with good success. Well, it was local when I bought it in Denver and I lived there.

You can find good deals at local computer stores, far better than the big chain stores, the big guys have big marketing budgets and you pay for that.

Your best bet is to research local firms to see their satisfaction rate. Ask for references, if they don’t give them to you leave. Computers are a crappy investment as it is and the last thing you need is to buy a piece of crap. Check with the BBB too. Ask local network people etc…

As a network consultant I wouldn’t recommend anything less than a 450 Pent III (no Celeron), 128 RAM, 32 MB video card, 10 GIG hard drive space and a 32 bit sound card for your needs. As I said, computers are a bad investment, but when you purchase one you need to make sure that it will last you at least 2 years. Mine is great for say my father’s needs now (I am going to give him mine when I get my new one, he has a Pent 100, this is a Pent 233.) I have outgrown this computer and paid nearly 3 grand new, now it’s worthless for my use.

The brands I frequently run across with problems: Compaq (they have a serious lawsuit on their hands too) Packard Bell and NEC (last I saw partly owned by Packard Bell.)

HP is usually a good brand, Dell is good and Gateway is good too. These are the three major brands I would recommend if you want to go with a major company.

Thanks everyone.

I have seen some HP Pavilion’s that i liked and the Compaq Presario sounds like a good system.

What is the real difference between Pent. III, Celeron, and Athlon Processors? Honestly, the only thing i know, or heard, is the PIII is best for playing games?

Sorry Techchick, i didn’t see your reply and what you said about Compaq. I will remember that when i go to pick out a computer.

Go to a real computer store, the type that actually make them themselves. Try one of their demo computers.

Watch out though, often HP’s, Compaqs, Emachines, DO NOT come with the full operating system. They use a semi-pirated version on cdrom, which is not a complete version.

Forget Internet Rebates, we already discussed them, besides you can get FREE internet access from lots of places these days that have just as many ads. MSN from CostCo at $12/month is about the best you can do if you have to pay.

“Watch out though, often HP’s, Compaqs, Emachines, DO NOT come with the full operating system. They use a semi-pirated version on cdrom, which is not a complete version.”
I feel I need to clarify this. All major manufacturers, HP, Compaq, IBM, etc. ships their machines with legitimate licenses for the included software. The box should include the Microsoft license statement with the holograph in the front. What can happen with small, unscrupulous dealers is that they can substitute internal parts with inferior products (for whatever reason, resale, I suppose), or in the case of locally built machines, they could install the software without a legitimate license.

Buyer beware.

I think that if you do not know much about any product that you want to buy, you should stick with the major dealers, such as COMPUSA or STAPLES, and buy major brands. Because if you ever call their tech support and service during the warranty period, I have found very good response (even COMPAQ - don’t know anything about law suits).

In another thread, I also stated that I will only buy laptops because of ease of setup, as well as the built-in UPS in the form of the battery. I am partial to COMPAQ’s PRESARIO line because it has the best speakers (JBL - still not great, but a whole lot better than the others). You can still plug in the big stuff to your heart’s content, such as additional speakers, monitors, etc… The COMPAQ (not the 1200 series) can also play music CDs without turning on the computer.

Think Different.

handy,

Saying semi-pirated is like saying “I am sort of pregnant.” You either are pirating software or you aren’t. Microsoft enters into contracts with these companies, and takes pirating software seriously. Trust me, I have turned in my fair share of software pirates (not individuals, just businesses)and I am a reseller.

In the case that a major manufacturer doesn’t offer the original Windows 9x CD, this is usually because they do have it (the OS) on their own CD, but the problem with that is in most cases you can’t simply install Win 9x without all the other shit on the CD…be that the stupid games or other software they have included on their systems in conjunction with the software manufacturers. Also, you have to reinstall all the drivers included with the system, regardless of the fact that you may have upgraded and changed system components. This is why I go local and either build them myself or have someone build it for me with the licensing proof.

Another reason I like to buy local is to get the system I want without all the BS. I don’t have kids so I don’t need some lame ass Disney Blast software or Office 2000 Small Business Edition, I need the Premium version and no games. If I wanted a game I would buy it. Personally, the only reason the major manufacturers include this shit on their systems is a blind ploy to get you to buy the system. But they fail to realize not everyone wants all that crap taking up space. And I hate it when I get a new system to configure for our network and I have to waste my time uninstalling online services, virus utilities that always mess up my systems, and that f**king Disney Blast. Sheesh, it’s ordered as a business computer, why put a Disney thing on it for God’s sake.

Pardon me, got off on a tangent…

blackwrangler98
Another approach would be going to computer shows. Around the Boston area there are two producers who do a circuit of a few locations each in ME, NH, VT and MA. There is always a show within reach every few weeks. If your near Dayton or Columbus you probably have access to shows.
The show dealer group is usually made up of store owners in the area. Buying from them is fairly safe as they are local and getting any complaints back to the show producer is a big negative. The good part about shows is there may be 50 dealers with 3-6 people working their tables. You can grill them to no end with questions and they love it so its a great place to ask questions. The tech types swarm to these shows and off the cuff queries are usually answered in detail - very helpful. The prices are very competitive. You can have a system built on the spot so mix and match components at will. If your really looking for a bargain you can setup a system with outgoing generation parts say 450meg CPU and 20 buck 32 sound card etc., depends on what your going to do with the box. If your not into it then the big stores is a fine way to go. Just about everything the sell is OK and for a surfer probably overkill.

My PC died last summer. It was on its third hard drive and second motherboard. Fortunately, my job supplies me with a laptop - Gateway Solo 2500 - so I still access to the www. I have been researching for another PC since that time but I am in no rush. What I have found out:

** My wife’s job purchased several PCs from a local computer company. They are IBM-clones basically, made to specs, they work quite well and his repair service is very good. I’d get some references on these “local computer shops” in your town though.
** Compaq’s suck! Every PC and laptop we HAD at work gave us fits! Hence the Gateway.
** Dell & Gateway are highly recommended. I give the nod to Dell because of their superior tech support. If you get a body on the phone at Gateway, keep them there until you are sure you are finished! Also, Dell uses McAfee anti-virus software vs. Gateway’s Norton anti-virus.
** HPs are cheaper than either of the above. But I am a little leery of their tech support - too many stories of having to ship to HP for repair (locals can not fix them.) They make GREAT printers though!

Also regarding financing: Gateway has a 90 days-same-as-cash plan on all computers. Dell has a VISA with a similar plan - 120 days-no-payments, no-interest - BUT only on “home” computers, not business set-up machines nor servers.

I hope this helps.


“Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore.’”
E A Poe

I really have to recommend the build your own approach. Buy a semi-complete system from http://www.tigerdirect.com or someone like them, and fill in what you need. You will save hundreds of dollars - and with just a little time you will gain a better understanding of how your computer works. Also, you will have a strong upgrade path. Many of the HPs, Compaqs etc. are not very upgradeable simply because the boxes are too small, and its a pain in the ass (or impossible) to remove certain components - I had a PB that I literally had to drill the rivets out of to change the hard drive, many simply are not designed to be upgraded. And forget about ever replacing the motherboard.

My current computer is a third generation - it has drives (two hard drives and CD rom) from older computers, is in an old case, has an older 3d/2d card - new MB and processor. It has cost me very little to keep this guy current because I started with a home built system. Its much harder to do this with a name brand.

Amen Sister techchick!

As to the OP, I say check out the local computer stores. They are usually cheaper by a bit, and offer the greatest degree of customization.

However, if you really don’t care about customization all that much, many of the bigger electronics stores will sell their floor models at greatly reduced prices! I have seen P3 500MHz for as little as $1400, just because it doesn’t have a box or manual. The same computer is $1800 with the box and manual. $400 DOLLARS FOR A MANUAL AND BOX! Anyway, just make sure the warranty is still valid, it usually is.

Of course, if you want the best bang for the buck buy the components yourself off the Net and build it yourself. Computers are really rather simple to put together these days (a cheap book on doing it, or looking it up on the Net would suffice… I think Loyd Case of Gamespot.com put out a guide a few months back … or was that PCGamer … anyway I am sure you can find one). However, you pay the price in ease of warranty. Each of the components will be covered by their own warranty, so if you have a problem with any particular piece you have to deal with the manufacturer! Major Ick! Whereas with a store bought computer you bring it to them and let them deal with their middleman.

Lots of pros and cons to each. Good luck!


“Glitch … Window, large icons.” - Bob the Guardian

500MHz should be 600Mhz… I really really have to start proofreading.

Oh, also Gateway, Dell, Compaq, etc also usually have some refurbished computers (i.e. used) for sale at a pretty good discount. I know a couple people who bought computers this way and are quite happy.

Here’s another vote for the build-your-own approach. I got my computer a few years ago from my brother, who is a computer/network maintenance guy. He built it mostly from stuff that his employers were just going to throw away (What can I say? When you’re blessed, you’re blessed.) It was a Pentium 233 with 32MB RAM, and came with the monitor, a small but adequate hard drive, SB16 audio, and a 4X CD-ROM. My two main uses were and still are games and college reports, and for this, the computer was great. At my leisure, (and as I got the money) I’ve upgraded and expanded until I have a very good computer. I’m typing this on a Celeron 433 with 128MB RAM and all most of the original stuff gone. Ironically, that puny little 2.5GB hard drive is still in there, serving me just fine, although when I get my next paycheck it’s going to be swapped for one that’s 20 Gigs or so.

[shameless plug]Anyone who uses their computer for anything other than games should buy an Iomega Zip Drive. It’s the perfect tool for filling the void between floppy disks and CD-ROMs. Recently, mine saved my academic ass by allowing me to transport a 70MB report to my research advisor before an important deadline. It’s like having a 100MB floppy disk. It’s great![/shameless plug]


–It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats.

Buy an iMac. I’m serious. 800 bucks or something. Comes fully loaded, works fine, cheap for a mac, etc. Doesn’t support The Un-named Evil Lurking in Redmond.

(ducks and runs for cover)

Thank you to everyone for all the advice. I see I have several paths I can take and I will keep it all in mind when I finally decide to pick up a new one. I just want to say everyone is very helpful here with there knowledge and opinions.

Now let’s hope i go the right way and pick a winner!