Computer Advice

[MikeStrat]

I need to get a new computer in the next couple months. I currently have a Dell 8200 and it has served me well. I have no problem getting another Dell but are there a better options out there? It will mostly be used for business applications. No gaming. I'm keeping old faithful for JCF and music.

[heartfielder]

Mike,

If you need a whole system, go Dell again. If you just want another base unit, there's a place I just got a Dell 3.0 Ghz system for cheap and in excellent shape refurbed. Check 'em out at www.pcsurplusonline.com.

I'm pleased.

[beaner]

I went with a Mac two years ago when I needed a new computer. Best decision I ever made. It might take a month or so to get used to the differences, but most everything is intuitive. There's nothing you can do on windows that isn't available on a Mac. Though after saying that, my company has a few web applications that MUST have Internet Explorer to run. MS no longer makes IE for anything other than windows, so that sucks. On the plus side, Macs are now Intel based machines, and they can be booted to windows if you want (you have to install a dual boot utility, free from Apple, and you must supply the windows OS).

Just an option. I know there's a couple people here who switched and are happy with it. Well, at least me and Sully.

Dave

[hippietim]

Dells are very good machines. I've owned several personally. We have many thousands of Dell computers at work. I've been developing software (including Windows itself) on Dell computers for well over 10 years.

In addition to Dell - IBM, Acer, Compaq, and Toshiba make some excellent laptops. Unless you are setting up a workstation for high-end recording or gaming, I'd suggest a laptop. We have several laptops in the house - the portability is fantastic.

[OnlineStageGear]

For the average user, a name brand like Dell is fine. I do recommend you get the longer warranty because none of the parts in them will be covered by the actual manufacturer as in Maxtor or Intel.

[Sunbane]

While Dells are good bang for the buck and have decent performance, I will definitely not get another one. The reasons are three:

1) They use some custom propriety parts, meaning if such an item breaks, you need to get a replacement from them directly. Your typical downtown computer store won't have Dell parts.

2) In my experience, Dell are extremely slow in producing said spare parts.

3) I value my computer's uptime more than how cheap it is to purchase.

We had a Dell, and one day the power supply fried, and we had to wait a MONTH to get the replacement - even though we had paid in advance! This was our only computer with Internet at the time, so we were cut off from the 'net at home.

We made plenty of phone calls inquiring about the parts, always being told that they should appear "the day after tomorrow", "on friday", or "later this week". Not until week three did I talk to a tech who had the balls to say that they wouldn't ship until a week later because they had only just processed the order! Had I known that two weeks earlier, I would have considered just getting a new computer locally.

I've always tinkered with computers, and replacing a PSU isn't very difficult. If only the machine had taken standard parts, I could have taken a drive to a local computer store, and had the machine up and running again within the hour. You can't do that with a Dell, apparently.

If you're not comfortable fixing computers on your own, I suppose it will make much less of a difference for you. Just something to be aware of.

[ApeDosMil]

If you are not gaming, I would totally look into a Mac. What do you do most of the time when you're on the pc? Surf/Music/E-mail? If that is the case, a Mac would be great because of the lack of spyware/viruses etc.

[charvelguy]

I've been using Dell at home and bought a couple off eBay last year. The Dell refurbed stuff on Ebay has been very reliable depend on who you buy from and what form factor you purchase. If you don't trust that, you can get a extended warranty for up to 2-3 more years on most any decent computer. I'd look into the various processors and setups more than anything.

I've been considering a Mac as we do alot of business for Apple and use both Macs and Dells in the work environment but man.. even the refurbed stuff is expensive. If I were to get a workstation Mac.. it would be a refurbed mini.. or a laptop and go wireless.

[DonP]

I always build my own. It isn't rocket science. Hell, if you can play a guitar you can build a PC.

[ApeDosMil]

I've been using Dell at home and bought a couple off eBay last year. The Dell refurbed stuff on Ebay has been very reliable depend on who you buy from and what form factor you purchase. If you don't trust that, you can get a extended warranty for up to 2-3 more years on most any decent computer. I'd look into the various processors and setups more than anything.

I've been considering a Mac as we do alot of business for Apple and use both Macs and Dells in the work environment but man.. even the refurbed stuff is expensive. If I were to get a workstation Mac.. it would be a refurbed mini.. or a laptop and go wireless.

Macs are a little more but they do keep their value better then PCs.

[IrfaanSE801]

I actually needed a new PC and bought myself a Mac also. 2 months into it and I don't feel the need to use a Windows based machine ever again. I love the OS and feel. After being a Windows user since 3.1, I thought the transition would be a pain to re-learn everything, but it took a week to really get the hang of the system and I love it. And if you look at it, it's also not much more than a Dell too.

Oh yah, I run Parallels just in case I still need Windows and it works perfectly too

[charvelguy]

Thats another option too. Especially if you want to customize it anyway. Aftermarket MB's are alot easier to setup for overclocking and the like as long as the cooling and the PS can handle it.

But.. for a business PC.. really.. you don't need to get all out there. Just a basic high end p3 1100-1300mhz 5-6 year old machine really could do the trick too...and they are really cheap..under a 100.00.

I always build my own. It isn't rocket science. Hell, if you can play a guitar you can build a PC.

[Newc]

I bought an HP laptop from WalMart in 2003. It was a 2001 model that was on clearance for $985. Now the laptops with the same specs are about half that NEW!

And you can buy HP parts all day long from either HP or www.partstore.com

One thing though - I bought one for my Dad at the same time. Same model.
So far he's had to replace the display inverter twice. Only $50 each time, but as time goes by, the parts get scarce. Mine has had no trouble at all, and I use it at work in an environment with a fine mist of oil and metal dust.

Can't vouch for the Compaq and Toshiba stuff, though.

[Nuclear Vampire]

I always build my own. It isn't rocket science. Hell, if you can play a guitar you can build a PC.

+1 Me too. My next machine will be built by me from parts I get at ncix.com Great deals there.

[charvelguy]

AMD K6-2... 333mhz HP.. in '98 was over a grand in a tower. How times have changed.