Collect Questions

I need a new computer , Id like to hear some feedback as to whats good out there!
Thanks!


Hi Deb,
My computer crashed over the summer. It was seven years old and I was thinking about replacing it, but the fact that I was forced to make the change was very painful to say the least.
I'm partial to Dell so that's what I bought. (The one that crashed was also a Dell.) I bought a souped up model. I added memory, a cd burner, a floppy disk drive, a flat screen, etc. etc. It's probably more than I need, but it's what I wanted. I'm very happy with it.
Hope this helps.
Mike


Ditto........I have a Dell and even though it crashed after I had it only a year and an half, I don't blame it on the computer I blame it on my son because I'm not sure what all he was doing with it.
I'd buy another Dell. My daughter just bought one. Check their website. They always have specials like - free shipping and handling, rebates or upgrades.


MAC'S RULE!! Get a Power Mac G5!!
But if you like PC's, I agree with MikeK. Go for a Dell. They have a new model out right now, the Dimension 2400 I think, that's around $4-500 for the base model. Buying the right computer really depends on what you'd use it for.
Good luck!
-Steve


I definately would like to give my "Florida vote" to the Dell (and not because I like their commercials). We actually own one and like it and have no problems.


I usually Build machines or take broken ones and make then better. I'm just too much of a geek and too cheap to actually pay for a computer.
What happend to your machine that caused it to crash for the final time?
My most reliable machines are older IBM 300GL's but I have a few completly built from scratch no-namers using ultra cheap tawian CPU's. That are still clunking away. The Dell machines generally are very reliable, your old one may just be in need of a new hard drive or perhaps a reload of the OS and some house cleaning of the hard drive.
If you toss them out a window, they generally can't be fixed.


Dell here also!:) I have not had one single problem. I have a Dell Demension 8200. I would recommend them! I want a Mac G5, but they are pricey!


Mine has'nt completely crashed...I need more memory...only 4 gigs memory here....The monitar screen jumps...I have a digital camera and I like to download music so I have the cd burner...I can't keep too many songs on here because I don't have enough memory and it seems I have to keep a third or the memory empty for it to work at all....I do want a flat panel monitar...
I know I could install more memory but I guess I just want to get a new one...


A Mac without question....PC's cause p. flareups because you stress too much getting them to work properly! ;)
Macs are VERY user friendly!
Denise
aka Flatstanley


Yep.........I vote for Dell also. I have a Dell laptop and Dell Dimension 4550 with extra memory.....no problems with either.
First computer was Micron...liked it too.....


Get a Dell. No question. Monitor this web site to look for the secret coupon codes so you can get a good deal.
http://www.edealinfo.com/index.shtml


Thanks very much I will do that!
And welcome merito!
Thanks to all who took the time to answer! Sounds like a Dell Dude!


Do not overbuy but make sure you buy enough...
get at least 259 meg memory
Get the slowest pentium 4 for the best for the $$ its about 2.4giga vs. 3.1 for a ton of money.
Dell has good sound and video built into their cards, but if you really like computer games go and buy a separate video card with 128 meg and 512 meg on the memory. If you want to run a DVD stereo performance you may want to upgrade the sound card
Go with Dell like they said, just bought my second one in a couple years, the first one was so good I wanted one not to share with the kids.


Thanks Z!


Before you purchase your computer you really want to think about what you are going to be using it and possible future up grades. If you just use it for downloading music and internet plus some word documents you will be just fine with one of Dell's mid-class computer.(yeah Dell is one of the top computer company right now on the market with great price and good hardware and support) Since you are talking about music and maybe even digital photo. You want to make sure you have a hard drive big enough to back it up. You might even want to consider to get a machine with 2 hard drives. so you can save all your music and photo files on a different drive than your C drive. Which would make life so much easier if you ever need to just back up the stuff you want on your 2nd hard drive. Since downloading music is something you want to do. A CD burner is almost a must unless you only want to listen music on your computer. A decent sound card would be nice too. There are a lot different choices out there for sound card and speakers. It's really up to you on how much you want to spent. You can spent anywhere from 80 buck to easily 500 bucks on sound card and speakers alone. Memory I would recommand at least 512. If you play computer games a nice 3 D graphic card is a must. Nvidia Geforce is a good bet. 64meg or 128meg. Do a little more research before you buy it. you can even call up one of the dell sales person they are pretty good on recommand what type of computer you are looking for and won't push sales on you for stuff you won't need.


Thanks Jerry and everyone!


I don't think it's neccessary to bother with getting a sound card. The integrated one is all anyone but the most serious audiophile would need. And the cheapest speaker system (w/ bass) works fine too. No need to pay extra for a difference in sound you probably won't even notice. It also helps to watch their site until they have a deal you like (I waited unti they offered a free DVD burner and flat panel monitor upgrade). If you really don't plan on using your computer for much beyond web browsing and simple games (and your current monitor still works), then you should get a refurbished model. They're cheaper and have the same Dell warrenty.


I am very lucky because my son got me a second-hand computer for under $200. It does everything and of course he is kind enough to keep it running properly. You do not have to buy a brand new expensive deal. I can do everything on this one and the internet. Good luck in finding such a deal.


Advise
If you are not familiar with a MAC than stay with a PC.
MAC :mad:


Thanks Paw I am not at all familiar with a Mac , so a pc was in my plan..I had hoped to get a refurbished model, I had heard there were big sales in a nearby town but I have'nt been able to find one yet...This I am sure is on it's last legs and it sure is betting on my last nerve!


debber
i have a pc, but my next comp is gonna be a mac. a couple friends of mine have macs and they are much easier to use and i havent heard of them ever going down, EVER. lots of the same features but without all the useless crap that MS has jammed in that do nothing but crash yer comp. if you have kids that play video games on it stick with a PC as mac games suck.


For a paper (in college) i had to study both Mac and PC and give my conclusions on which one is the best
My finding was that they both were awful but if you are used to a PC changing to a Mac is a nightmare
In my opinion.
That said both Mac and PC users have opinions i believe and sometimes very strong opinions for and against
:p


About a year ago we purchased an emachine from Best Buy. I like it so much I just bought one for the kids to give to them at Christmas.
Hubby is constantly downloading and burning music and plays lots of games on it. I use it for mostly email & MS Publisher, Word & Excel.
Yes Dell's are very good pc's, I had one at work, however we just couldn't afford the Dell name & this one has been working great, or dare I say better!
Good luck with whatever you choose:)


Get a Fisher Price!
Thats what I have, but the colors are kinda bright, Yellow and Red.
LC