So, our last computer (some kind of Dell, I think; we barely used it because it was always broken) has met its maker and we need another one. Instead of wringing our hands over sales and bargains and rebates, we just want to get the best that’s out there.
Our needs are pretty simple–something strong enough to handle large music and photo/video files (we have neither right now, but anticipate we will). Something easy to use and very, very reliable. No Macs and nothing that requires programming language or anything. Set-up can be complicated (we’ll call out the Geek Squad to hook everything up, including the wireless, at first) just so long as day-to-day maintenance (troubleshooting, updates, etc.) is intuitive and relatively hassle-free. We’re not gamers, though, so that’s not really an issue when it comes to speed, functionality, processing capability, etc.
Essentially, we want something strong, simple, and with a good service history. And money is not really a factor*.
So what should we get? If you could choose any computer you wanted, what would it be?
Thanks!
*I won’t say money is “no object”, but we’d prefer to pay top dollar to make things easier on a day-to-day basis, so for the purpose of this inquiry, don’t let financial parameters affect your recommendations.
A computer without programming language. Wouldn’t that be like a person without cells?
Within reason: I pretty much own the computer I always wanted (at the time - If one can have “always wanted” something at one particular time) Quad core intel 2.4ghz per core. 4GB ram. 1TB hard disk (two 500gb in raid 0) nvidia geforce 8800 ultra.
For music and movies I’d go for - Dual core 2.4ghz, 2GB ram. 300GB storag.
Gaming (outside of professional video/art/engineering/programming work) is what drives commercial PC performance and is the activity that would be most taxing on a system.
If all you are doing is listening to music, surfing the web, and doing a little picture editing, you don’t need an expensive PC.
I’d go with whatever name brand will offer you a dual core or low end quad core AMD CPU (cheaper than intel, and performance that won’t affect the activities you want to engage in). and two 500 to a terrabyte drives in RAID 1 (for data redundancy) with a minimal but discreet video card and 2 gigs of RAM at a reasonable price.
You may want to try out some of your local mom and pop computer stores, they will probably be able to custom build a system for you.
Just out of curiosity, why are Macs out of the running? They satisfy all of your requirements and have significantly less day-to-day maintenance due to lack of Spyware and viruses.
Both our work laptops are PCs, so for simply compatability purposes, it would be easier that files we generate on one computer be easily transferred back and forth to the others.
I would recommend spending less on the machine and more on a local computer shop, if you can find on with a good reputation. Let them set up your new pc to your specifications. Make sure they load spyware and anti-virus programs that run in the background, and enough RAM so it’s not an issue. Also, get a support plan and let them handle anything that may go wrong down the road.
For you needs, I’d suggest also budgeting as much as possible for the display.
Right, the display is crucial, I’d budget for a nice widescreen LCD. I just got myself a 24" gateway with the glossy panel and it makes everything I do on the PC a pleasure.
Get yourself AVG virus protection and you’ll be just as safe as being on a MAC, as long as you aren’t one of those people who actually click on unsolicited .exe files in emails form nigeria
In fact you may be even safer, taking into account the last dev sponsored hack’a thon where the MAC was hacked into and remotely controlled in the first few hours, while the vista machine only fell several days later and only after the rules of the contest were relaxed and the vista user was made to download a ocmpromised flash application.
Bottom line is, as long as you follow some common sense rules and you run a virus app in your PC you shouldn’t have to unduly worry about viruses. Macs aren’t magical boxes that no one can compromise, it’s just that since they represent such a low percentage of the market share there aren’t many viruses out there targeting them.
Oh, please don’t. A neighborhood 10-year-old will do it much better and FAR cheaper. Or, hell, for that matter, post here when you’re ready… we can walk you through it!
Depending on how much this is true, I can heartily recommend a Falcon. They are NOT cheap, and they are gaming systems, but if you want easy, they’re easy. They come with no bloatware installed, and the support is top-notch. Get this: if you have a question, you pick up the phone, dial their tech support number, and a real person picks up and answers your question. No “dial 1 for tech support”, and no waiting on hold. Occasionally I’ve had to leave a message, and they call back promptly. Most of the time, though, someone answers, it’s someone with a brain, and they fix whatever problem you’re having.
It ain’t cheap, though, and even their low-end machines are high end. I’m just sayin’ if you really want a well made machine and tech support so good you’ll want to cry, get a Falcon.
You do realize that people have been saying this sort of thing since the inception of OS X? Apple’s hardware sales are booming. And here we are, still no significant security problems.
They may be booming but they still only account for about 8% of market share and only a year ago it was more like 5%. The numbers are just not there yet.
Not only that but the acocunt clealry shows that MACS ARE just as vulnerable as PCs, even more so perhaps given that the Mac was hacked before the vista machine, and given the fact that Macs don’t have many hackers actively trying to attack them. In other words it’s not that windows is less secure. It’s a great, secure OS, but every hacker and their grandmother is out there trying to find ways to compromise it on a daily basis 24/7 365. If Mac had their sights turned towards them from these same people I’m guessing they’d be virus and malware alerts and security fixes just as often as there are for windows now.
This isn’t a rip on the Mac, I’m just pointing out the Mac isn’t some magical machine that can’t be broken, as some would have us believe.
My guess is that if Mac had 90+% share of the market and windows 8% people would be coming in here saying the same you are saying about Macs about windows machines: “ooh, but vista is Sooo much safer, you don’t even need an antivirus app! Get one!”.
The rules were relaxed for ALL THREE SYSTEMS (Mac, Windows, Linux) on Day 2, after none of the hackers were able to get into any of the systems on Day 1, “when hacks were limited to over-the-network techniques on the operating systems themselves.”
OP:
If saving a few hundred bucks here and there is less important to you than a stable system, i would also recommend finding a good, reliable, local computer store to put together your box and set up your network.
We have an awesome independent store in my neighborhood, and they are amazing for repairs, setup, etc. The guys who work there are all really great, and they stand behind their work. Last time i priced a new computer, buying from them was a few hundred dollars more than buying an equivalent system from Dell, but if money isn’t a big factor, i would go with them every time.
