Re: Gonna get a new computer... any recommendations?

"TNTW" <justpostit@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:tfmvc1ps62fljfjl16klo6j08o86j2mnps@xxxxxxxxxx
|
| Hey guys, just thought I'd ask for some advice from everyone.
|
| Basically, I tihnk it's time to get a new computer (still on Windows
| ME, running at 700 mhz etc, etc). Among other things, I kind of need
| it for school (all their programs run on XP) and I really want to get
| into a lot of things that just won't run on my system.
|
| But, I'll alos be honest, I'm also wanting to play a lot of games my
| old computer is too slow for, so the more speed, the more memory, the
| better. (Might even try to get a kickass 3d card...)
|
| Anyway, just wondering do you guys have any recommendations on a type
| of computer I should? Any experiences (good or bad) you want to tell
| me about?
|
| My current model is an HP... I think some of their stuff but my last
| model I had some trouble with all this extra crap they installation
| automatically put on my hard drive I didn't really need. And another
| friend of mine (one of my college teachers) told me she had a her hard
| drive crash a few times because apparently Windows XP didn't like
| something HP put on her system.
|
| So, I dunno.. kind wary of HP...
|
| Been kind of leaning towards Dell or maybe Gateway. A friend of mind
| recommend a brand Micron, it's a smaller group that doesn't advertise
| on tv, but he says they're good products and don't put too much extra
| unneeded crap on their system. Only downside, they cost a bit more.
|
| Like I said, I don't want to spend too much, hoping to keep it around
| the maxium of $500 or so. (Yeah, I know, maybe I"m expecting too much
| for that price range.)
|
| Some of you might recommend I build my own computer, but I don't (of
| yet) have all the technical knowledge to do that (or, with the full
| time I have, the time.)
|
| Anyway, I appreciate any suggestions you guys might have!
|
| Thanks!

Go for www.tigerdirect.com

They have a "Build your own" option like Gateway and a much larger
selection of choices (at a lower price by the way).
http://www.tigerdirect.com/sectors/systemax/index.asp


This is their $200.00 to $499.99 range lineup (I do warn that the majority
of cheapo PCs in general *all vendors* tend to have dirt-slow hard-drives
installed with my pick of hard drive substitutes you should have decent
performance).
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Lprice=200
&Hprice=499.99&Nav=|c:1307|&Sort=0&Recs=10


My pick for you
SystemaxT Ascent BA3000 AMD Advanced Business Built-To-Order Desktop PC
From: $459.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
179700&CatId=0
Specifications

Operating Systems Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition SP2
Form Factor Tower
Processor Brand AMD
Processor Class Athlon 64
Processor Number 3000
Processor Speed 64 3000+ / 2.00GHz
Additional Technologies HyperTransport Technology
Memory Type DDR
Total Memory 512MB
Interface SATA
Capacity 80GB
Optical Drive Type CD-RW
Audio Description Integrated Audio
Graphics Description Integrated AGP Graphics
Communications Description Integrated LAN Support
Data Transfer Rate 10Mbps/100Mbps
Power 300 Watt
Mouse Type Standard
Buttons 3
Keyboard Type Standard
Keys 104


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
179700&Tab=2&NoMapp=0
Other stuff not listed, but needing some explaining
* 4 USB ports
* 3 expansion ports free + the AGP card slot
* Motherboard has a Socket 754 processor (meaning you can purchase a
faster processor later and have it installed when you have the cash)
* Power Supply --- 300 Watt (Not a concern with the graphics card I
suggest, but for the latest NVIDIA 7000 range of graphics cards you'll want
at least a 400 Watt supply to power them).
* Two RAM stick slots (usually these motherboards can be expanded up to
1 GB to 2 GB of memory).

Clicking the "CUSTOMIZE ME NOW" button... I would suggest the below,
although you can get a barebones pick and plug in any choice of suitable
cards as required. I assume you have a monitor and speakers (though both
are cheap to purchase).


Otherwise I'd click this customized pick which starts out at $459.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/configdetails.asp?Base=1
179700
SystemaxT Ascent BA3000 AMD Advanced Business Built-To-Order Desktop PC
Item No. BTO 988735 -------- Price: $644.95

Select Processor
AMD Athlon 64 3000+/1600FSB/512K CPU (Add $55.02)

Select Memory
512MB DDR400 PC3200 Non-ECC Memory (512MB x 1) (Add $19.98)

Select Hard Drive ----------->>> Ultra ATA is quicker and you get more
storage
IDE Hard Drive 120GB (7200RPM) Ultra ATA (Subtract $10.00)

Select Optical Drive
16X DVD+R/RW-R/RW Dual Layer Drive (Add $54.99)

Select Card Reader
9-in-1 Card Reader Black (Add $9.99)
(Internal card reader uses the lowest port on the visible motherboard and
not the PCI ports)

Select Input Device
Logitech Black Optical Mouse (Add $4.99)

Select Video
GeForce FX5200 128MB 8X AGP Card w/ TV-Out (Add $49.99)

=======================

Pretty much all laptops are, of course, a royal pain in the ass to upgrade
later for graphics and processors so are not what I would personally
recommend.

Laptops $200.00 to $499.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Lprice=200
&Hprice=499.99&CatId=17

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6
96143&CatId=17
Item #: M975-3008
IBM ThinkPad T22 Intel Pentium 3 900MHz / 14.1-inch XGA / 128MB SDRAM / 20GB
HDD / DVD-ROM / Windows 98 / Off-Lease Notebook PC
The ThinkPad T22 is a corporate-class notebook, usually sold to Fortune 500
executives, now available at this industry-shocking price!
$489.99

Available While Supplies Last
Manufacturer: IBM

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
222932&CatId=17
Item #: M975-3062
IBM ThinkPad T22 Intel Pentium 3 900MHz / 14.1-inch XGA / 128MB SDRAM / 20GB
HDD / DVD-ROM / Windows 2000 / Refurbished Notebook PC
The ThinkPad T22 is a corporate-class notebook, usually sold to Fortune 500
executives, now available at this industry-shocking price!
$499.99

Available While Supplies Last

====================

This has a better selection if you're willing to put up a tad more cash
You'll probably want a CD-burner driver for external storage of anything
important that you might produce.
Many laptops have the option to literally yank out the CD-ROM / DVD-ROM
drive and replace them with a CD or DVD burner.

Laptops $500.00 to $999.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Lprice=500
&Hprice=999.99&CatId=17

Laptops Intel Based Laptops
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Sort=0&Nav
=|c:1891|&Recs=30
(I would subtract out the DELL choices --- seriously)
(Other thing is that you can install Windows XP over Windows 2000 on any of
these laptops)

Laptops AMD Based Laptops
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Sort=0&Nav
=|c:1897|&Recs=30
(eMachines also tend to be junk in a box too so I'd subtract them out too)

=============

Example...

*** MY PICK ***
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
350606&CatId=1897
Item #: A180-1046
Acer Aspire 3002LCi Mobile AMD Sempron 2800+(1.6GHz) / 802.11b-g Wireless /
15-inch XGA / 256MB DDR / 40GB HDD / CD-RW/DVD Combo / Windows XP Home /
Notebook PC
The AspireT 3000 is equipped with a powerful Mobile AMD SempronT processor,
integrated optical drive and a 40GB hard drive.
$599.99*
In Stock
Manufacturer: Acer


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
432343&CatId=0
Item #: J156-3002
Toshiba Tecra T9000 Intel Pentium 3-M 1.13GHz / 14.1-inch XGA / 256MB SDRAM
/ 20GB HDD / CD-RW / Windows 2000 Professional / Refurbished Notebook PC
The Tecra 9000 series continues to be the IT manager's dream, providing
hardware and software stability and flexibility.
$549.75*
Available While Supplies Last
Manufacturer: Toshiba


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
481307&CatId=0
Item #: J156-3030
IBM ThinkPad T23 Intel Pentium 3-M 1.13GHz / 14.1-inch XGA / 256MB SDRAM /
20GB HDD / DVD-ROM / Windows 2000 / Off-Lease Notebook PC
Protected by titanium composite covers, ThinkPad T series notebooks are the
lightest high-performance mobile computers.
$549.99
Available While Supplies Last
Manufacturer: IBM


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
356362&CatId=0
Item #: M975-1058
IBM ThinkPad T23 Intel Pentium 3-M 1.13GHz / 14.1-inch XGA / 128MB SDRAM /
30GB HDD / DVD-ROM / Windows XP Pro / Off-Lease Notebook PC
Whether on your way to a sales call across the town or a business meeting
across the continent, the ThinkPad T23 delivers the best experience.
$559.99
Available While Supplies Last
Manufacturer: IBM


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
089581&CatId=0
Item #: SYX-RFB-988613 OO
SystemaxT Pursuit 2100R Microsoft® Windows® XP Home / Intel® Celeron® 2.0
GHz / 14.1-inch XGA / 256MB DDR / 20GB HDD / CD-ROM / Refurbished Open Box
Notebook PC
Boasting blistering speed and breakthrough power, this refurbished SystemaxT
Pursuit 2100R delivers stunning performance.
$699.97
In Stock
Manufacturer: Systemax
Be the first to review this product


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
208297&CatId=0
Item #: A180-1012
Acer Aspire AS1414WLCI-XPH Intel Celeron M Processor 350 1.3GHz / 802.11b-g
Wireless / 15.4-inch WXGA / 512MB DDR / 40GB HDD / CD-RW/DVD Combo / Windows
XP Home / Notebook PC
Looking for solid performance, mobility and flexibility? The Aspire 1410,
with its clean and classy design, is the notebook for you.
$699.97
Available While Supplies Last
Manufacturer: Acer


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
333251&CatId=0
Item #: A180-1010 KIT
Acer TravelMate 2304LCi Intel Celeron M Processor 350 1.30GHz / 802.11b-g
Wireless / 15-inch XGA / 256MB DDR Plus FREE Extra 256MB DDR SODIMM / 40GB /
CD-RW/DVD Combo / Windows XP Home / Notebook PC
A powerful Acer TravelMate TM2304LCi wireless notebook loaded with fantastic
features and a FREE extra 256MB of high-performance memory from PNY.
$699.99
In Stock
Manufacturer: Acer



http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1
205047&CatId=0
Item #: A180-1050
Acer Aspire AS3502WLCi Intel Celeron M Processor 1.4GHz / 802.11b-g Wireless
/ 15.4-inch WXGA CrystalBrite / 512MB DDR / 60GB HDD / CD-RW/DVD Combo /
Windows XP Home / Notebook PC
The Aspire 3500 is a feature-packed, cost-effective choice for the
discerning buyer, with abundant processing power, wireless connectivity and
more!
$699.99*
Available While Supplies Last
Manufacturer: Acer


.

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