Computer Buying Advice Needed

[mkt]

I use Macs on occasion for my graphics work... and it freezes up when I get an IM... AN IM! I can be just browsing the web, but if I get an IM.. it's useless for a good 15-20 seconds... at best.

Don't even get me started about when I HAVE to use it to run more than one graphics/publishing program... or Quark. It's useless.

I can honestly say my PC runs more smoothly than a Mac.

 

[Testtrack321]

Geeze, what Mac are you running? You might want to rebuild the desktop...

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by Testtrack321
Don't go Dell, today they said they won't help customers removed installed spyware off their computers, even stuff installed by Dell! (Spyware reports back what you do on your computer to ad agencies).

So, download the most recent adAware... its free from lavasoft.... keep your refrence files up to date.... Problem solved. :wave:

Rob/MKT is right though... dell harware is great!!!... the preloaded crap they toss into XP sux though.

It took me awhile to get rid of most of the pre loaded garbage, and edit the windows registry, to kinda get it where I want it.
I still tweak it now and then...lol Its never perfect.

Gateway is the same way... with the pre/factory loaded garbage.

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by Testtrack321
Geeze, what Mac are you running? You might want to rebuild the desktop...

It's not my Mac.. it's the schools. Newer G5 running OS X. My $5 700mhz P3 laptop runs Photoshop 7 more smoothly... seriously. Granted.. that's all my $5 laptop is used for, but even on running photoshop only, I don't have as much lag with my PC than with any of the Macs on campus.

 

[no2apprentice]

To the best of my knowledge (what little there is) XP Home doesn't ship with any word processors, especially Wordperfect.

Something to consider when you are computer shopping, is looking at Dell's website, pick out a system online, write down the specs, then go to a local computer shop and ask them how much they would charge to build a similar system. Ask around and try to find a computer shop that has been in business at least 7-8 years (if they build junk, they wouldn't have made it that long).

You may pay a little more for a similar system at a local shop than at Dell, but the real advantage is the computer is built with "off the shelf" basics (like power supply, motherboard, memory). If there is a problem down the road with the computer, ANYONE who deals with computers will be able to work on it, with "off the shelf" parts, not parts that were purchased in bulk and spec'd just for that company (Gateway and Compac were bad for this, but I think Gateway has been better about this in the past couple of years).

Don't be afraid to talk to people who may know about the local computer business. Go to OfficeMax or Office Depot (if you have some in your area) and ask the person who works in the computer area something like "You know, you have some really nice systems, but I need something more basic. Do you know of any good computer stores that could build something custom?" Try this with several people and see if you get one store that is mentioned by several people. Also, try to find out the school person who handles the computer stuff, and get their opinion on a local shop (many school systems buy from local shops, and find out quickly who to steer away from).

If you decide to deal with a local shop, ask them if they stand behind their products. If they say yes, then try something like "You only offer a one year warranty, but I see ads from other places that offer a two year warranty. Would you be willing to stand behind your product with a two year warranty in writing?" Ya' never know, they just might say yes. I did this with one computer I bought, and the owner of the store said "No problem, we can do a two year warranty." Happy customer = return business.

Well, that's my 1 cents (inflation, ya' know). Whatever direction you take, and whatever you decide to buy, I hope you are happy with your decision. Good luck!

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by Yellow Shoes
I am using a Compaq Pentium 2 Windows 98 computer.

A new computer will be the family Christmas gift this year.

My computer needs are modest--e-mail, word processing (I need to have WORD), internet use, checkbook balancing (I use MSMoney, but don't mind switching to Quicken).

OK--I figure that any new computer will blow the socks off what I have--even the $300 ones.

I would like to spend around $700 for the whole thing--computer, monitor (the older bigger ones are fine--don't need the flat ones), speakers. Is that a realistic amount to spend?

I have a laser printer that is nearly 10 years old (HP Laser jet 4L) and still works great. Will it be compatible with a newer machine? (If I need something in color, I print it at work, so b&w is just fine at home)

Don't need a scanner. Not going to digital photography in the forseeable future.

Any recommendations?
Anyone with a prediction about whether I should wait until January?


Thanks for helping a slightly out-of-touch middle aged woman.

As your computing needs are modest, may I suggest you keep your current PC?

There seems little point in getting a new one if you have no need for the extra processing capacity. If the current one is running slowly then wipe the hard drive, reinstall Windows and it will seem like a new machine.

You then have $700 to spend on your next trip to Disney World.
:animwink:

As regards XP, when I upgraded my PC a couple of years ago, my printer, scanner, TV card and assorted software titles were not compatible with it.

 

[Testtrack321]

Originally posted by mkt
It's not my Mac.. it's the schools. Newer G5 running OS X. My $5 700mhz P3 laptop runs Photoshop 7 more smoothly... seriously. Granted.. that's all my $5 laptop is used for, but even on running photoshop only, I don't have as much lag with my PC than with any of the Macs on campus.

Photoshop relased a G5 patch for it, so see if you can get them to install it. It allows for them to use the 64 bit chip-set better. So get it. Plus, I'm guessing that the machines arn't dual 2ghz, but single 1.6.

Now, as for that, my P4 1.8 runs slower than a 1.6ghz G5, so something must be wrong with the machine, or your exadurating.

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by Testtrack321
Photoshop relased a G5 patch for it, so see if you can get them to install it. It allows for them to use the 64 bit chip-set better. So get it. Plus, I'm guessing that the machines arn't dual 2ghz, but single 1.6.

Now, as for that, my P4 1.8 runs slower than a 1.6ghz G5, so something must be wrong with the machine, or your exadurating.

it's exaggerating... and no, I'm not. You have an invitation to come and see me (or anyone else) attempt to work on these machines. Personally, I don't care... school is out next week, and I will NEVER have to use these machines again. Let the next suckers deal with it.

 

[isnet396]

Re: Re: Computer Buying Advice Needed

Originally posted by barnum42

As regards XP, when I upgraded my PC a couple of years ago, my printer, scanner, TV card and assorted software titles were not compatible with it.

I haven't found a single peripheral that DOESN'T work with XP. The only things that don't are the ancient, never-used things like joysticks from 1992 and paralell port scanners from the windows 95 era. Everything else is just about covered though, especially those older HP Laserjet printers (my dad has a laserjet 3 in his office from 1898 and it still works like a charm).

My recoomendation is to definately go dell.


Ian

 

[Testtrack321]

Originally posted by mkt
it's exaggerating... and no, I'm not. You have an invitation to come and see me (or anyone else) attempt to work on these machines. Personally, I don't care... school is out next week, and I will NEVER have to use these machines again. Let the next suckers deal with it.

Thanks, my spelling sucks. I really think that something is wrong with those machines, because I was playing with some using a 400 inch, yes, inch, document, and it was flying through photoshop....