Computer Shopping

[DanStat]

Hey everyone!

I'm shopping for a computer. I don't really know much about them, so I will rely on your help. I went to Circut City today and saw a big SONY Trinitron flat screen computer monitor. It was around $399. I also saw a $899 SONY VAIO computer with DVD Player, and CD writer.

I have a Hewlett Packard Deskkjet 648C printer. Can I still use it if I buy that SONY computer?

And...is that computer above a good deal? Should I get flat screen/panel or a conventional monitor with a flat screen?

I don't know what MBs or anything like that is, but I need something fast, with lots of memory...what should I be looking for? I also need room for a palm pilot, digital camera, and mp3 player (I haven't bought the MP3 yet).

Help is appreciated!

 

[TURKEY]

The big thing is the speed and hard drive size. Without that I wouldn't dare say anything about it. If I were to guess, I would say no on the 399 and possibly on the 899.

 

[CmdrTostada]

try looking at an HP they have ports on the front of the computer so its easier to use mp3 players.

 

[DMC-12]

Viao's are nice but way overpriced....
dell's are great as are IBM's.....DUDE...I hadda a Dell.....well two of there laptops actually..... I had bad luck with both of them....now I have upgraded to a fast IBM ThinkPad....upgrading to a dvd-rom soon...

as for prices... cant beat www.computergeeks.com
and http://www.microcenter.com/

Whatever you do.....DO Not go to BestBuy for a computer..those pimply geeks are rude and very dumb...(but that is just my...and alot of other people I know....Experience with them)

 

[no2apprentice]

I recently had a lo-o-o-ng discussion with one of our computer "gurus" at my workplace. I told him I was tempted to get a Dell or a Gateway instead of upgrading my current system's motherboard and CPU. He warned me that the reason Dell and Gateway, as well as other major retailers, can sell systems for $1100 and under with pretty good specs, is that the motherboards they use have limited cache size and other little design cutbacks. He said for simple tasks, you won't notice much of a performance difference, but with higher end graphic needs (like some of the recent games), the system is at a disadvantage.

Of course, the guy who told me this is VERY particular about his equipment: he is A+ and MCSE Certified, but he still has his own personal bias.

I thought about getting a 15" LCD monitor, but instead I went for a 19" flat screen CRT monitor. Sure, it takes up more space on my desk, but it was cheaper, the picture is brighter, the picture is bigger (don't have to wear my glasses as often), and there is no blurring on graphics.

Web sites that I have used for research are pcmag.com, zdnet.com, and cnet.com. Some of the information may look the same, I think all three sites are owned by one company.

Whatever you get, make sure it's something with a good warranty and can be serviced locally. Good luck.