How out of date is my computer?
It’s a pentium II, 233 mhz, 32 MB of RAM and 4GB hard drive?
If I buy one of the current desktops that are advertised at around 700 or 800 dollars, will it be alot faster? Thanks
Waaaaaaaaaay faster. You’ll wonder how you ever got anything done with the old one.
This has to be a trick question. Your machine is several generations out of date. It’s ok for word processing, but as you’re clearly using some sort of browser, you will indeed see a huge change from such a move. As someone who owns stuff from 8088s onwards, I highly recommend such an action.
Your PC is definitley WAY out of date as others have noted but consider what you use it for before purchasing a new PC.
You clearly can’t run new software on the thing but I know people who STILL use Word Perfect for DOS…on their $3,000 laptop no less (an attorney stuck in his ways…'nuff said). He’s happy with it and sees no reason to change (except that he gives his support staff fits). I know someone else who uses something even older than that for word processing (just can’t think of the name of the software right now but the guy is a programmer and surprisingly has some utility in the old program he’s never found in the new stuff [command line actions are superior for him]).
If all you do is browse the web and a bit of word processing and you don’t feel a need for the bells & whistles available in todays software then you might consider saving your money.
That said a new PC will be NOTICEABLY faster in every respect no matter what you choose to buy (assuming it’s new). You might find things to do with it you had never considered being saddled with your old PC.
I just received two computers with substantially better credentials. For free.
I have a ~1.6Ghz Dell with 512MB RAM, with big hardrive, etc. I also have a 350Mhz with 196 RAM. Honestly, I don’t notice much difference between the two when doing everyday things such as using the internet, MS office, etc.
If I were you, I would see if I could get up to 256 RAM (not sure if that’s possible with your computer). Bring it into a computer shop and have them stack out the memory and test drive it in the store. If that doesn’t produce the desired effect, then buy a new computer.
Modern processors are way overpowered for the RAM, bus-speed, HD speed offerred today, IMHO. The bottleneck is almost never the processor (again, in my opinion).
From the specs you presented, you might have a compaq presario from 1997/8 … if that’s the case, just buy a new computer because you can’t upgrade the RAM efficiently.
You’re in luck… I just upgraded from a near-identical system to yours, johnjdopey…
I had an HP Pavilion 3260- P1 MMX 233, 32 megs of RAM- the computer I just upgraded to (because the HD on the old one kicked the bucket and I was tired of being limited to the games they sell in two-packs at WalMart these days) is an AMD athlon 2200+.
The old one was okay for word processing, but it was running Windows 95 and most new software (and my broadband service) are phasing out support for 95. Browsing the web was slow, because it wouldn’t play Flash animations at the normal frame rate.
Now, you don’t have to go cutting edge; I’m guessing you don’t play a lot of games, and you won’t need a processor faster than about a gig for anything other than graphics-intensive software or mathematical modelling. At the very least, you’ll want to upgrade your memory to at least 256 megs- this will speed up your system to a degree you wouldn’t believe. I suggest you get a larger hard drive too- you’re probably running out of virtual memory at 4 gigs.
DO upgrade though- you’ll be able to run the same programs in at most, half the time… You shouldn’t need to spend $700 either though- your neighbourhood Best Buy will have a competitive modern system for $600 if gateway.com doesn’t…
Incidentally, an HP system that age with that specification probably won’t have space for a memory upgrade either…
There is no such an out-of-date Wintel machine. Or, to put it in other words, all Wintel machines you can buy are out-of-date. Take your pick.
Anyway, the thing is to see if the computer can run all the applications you need. If it can, there’s absolutely no problem with it.
No need to spend 700 dollars on a computer for only processing and stuff, but I would definately say UPGRADE!
At a bestbuy or online you can probably find an E-Machine for rather cheap. I know they’re not the best quality out there, but when you pay 4 or 500 dollars for an entire computer set its worth it. (No I don’t have one, I build my own computers… as I am a gamer)
My own PC crashed recently and I have since been using my daughter’s old HP Vectra with identical specs to yours. I have to say, all I use a PC for is word processing, message boards like this one, and shopping … and I haven’t really noticed a difference!
Julie
Yours: 233hz
Current Dell deal with 15" LCD monitor ($550):2,600hz (Or 2.4)
Thus, looks about ten times faster than yours. But that doesn’t include the idea that the newer HDs are much faster too.
I have a similar computer (233Mhz Pentium II with a 2GB HD) and I was able to upgrade to 128 meg of RAM.
lol , i feel so out of date with marketing
I am typing this on a 233 , admitedly with 300 meg of ram and a 64 bit video card.
So far the only thing i cant do , is to run newer generations of games from say 99/y2k onwards.
If you get a better box for a good price , by all means go for it , litterally more power to you. But keep the clunker and throw linux on it ,and have it run your firewall and mail proggies.
Declan