Help me buy a computer

[digger]

Hi everyone,

I'm about to purchase my first computer (yea I know, welcome to the 21st century). Can you guys help me out with some tips on what I should get? My main issues would be to be able to download music onto cds or some other device, watch video like youtube.com, and copy my cds that I already own, and maybe online poker. Do I need to spend over $1,000? or can I get something usable for around $500.

Part 2: I also need a laptop/notebook. Can one of those take care of both needs (I'd need the laptop for writing/sending stories away from the paper. I could set it up at my house when I'm not using it to file stories from on the road. But would one of those be able to do the things I need above?

Thanks for your help!

 

[DyePack]

The Altair has 5K of memory now and comes very cheap.

 

[fmrsped]

Get a MAC. Seriously. PCs suck, and I have a PC. Dumb decision.

You'll spend a little more than a grand, I think, but it's worth it.

 

[spup1122]

I agree. I wish I had listened to the smart one's and had a Mac instead of this PC. Three weeks after I bought it, it crashed (my taxes were all still on it because I had only finished them the night before).

 

[n8wilk]

I've had a PC for about three years and couldn't be happier. Make sure whatever you get has wireless capability. Entire cities will be wireless in a few years. Trust me, there's nothing better than sitting your computer on a coffee table with no cords attached whatsoever. Any decent laptop should be able to provide what you're looking for. One thing you may want to consoder is a same as cash plan. I paid my computer off over the course of 12 months with no interest. Meanwhile, I got to use it the whole time. I know Circuit City has that program and I imagine Best Buy may have one as well. For what it's worth I got an HP and have been very happy with it. It's pretty user friendly.

 

[joe]

Doesn't matter what kind. Get as much hard drive memory as you can, 1 gig at least. Buy something you can add features to, such as sound cards and video cards. And go for DSL or cable; dial-up sucks.

 

[Pastor]

Regardless of whether you choose a PC or a Mac, your primary concerns should be processor speed and RAM. Whether it is a desktop or a laptop, you will have limited slots for RAM and this means updating costs more.

You can always purchase a newer and bigger hard drive that can sit outside your computer if you want. If it doesn't come with wireless built in, you can always add it on via a PCMCIA, USB or PCI card.

None of your listed requirements should force you into purchasing a high end video card. So, you shouldn't worry about such things. If you would later like to upgrade, a new video card can be installed on a desktop. (The laptop has its monitor built-in, so a new card would not make much sense.)

To answer the issue on cost, the desktop can be purchased for under $500 as long as you are willing to accept a CRT monitor instead of a flat panel. The laptop will definitely cost more.

 

[PaseanaARG]

Get as much hard drive memory as you can, 1 gig at least

Wow, a whole gig on a hard drive? Is that possible?

I vote for Mac Book. How about this one at www.smalldog.com
MacBook 13in 1.83GHz 512/60/combo/AP/BT white . . . . . n 23 1,099.00
Add 512K RAM: $100

You're in business.

 

[John]

Get as much hard drive memory as you can, 1 gig at least

Wow, a whole gig on a hard drive? Is that possible?

I vote for Mac Book. How about this one at www.smalldog.com
MacBook 13in 1.83GHz 512/60/combo/AP/BT white . . . . . n     23   1,099.00
Add 512K RAM: $100

You're in business.

I've got a MacBook, bought it for a little over $1,000 about a month ago, and I've been very pleased so far. I'd used PCs in the past, and never had any real problems.

Just remember, you usually get what you pay for.

 

[loveyabye]

Get the Macbook, save $50 with the Mac educational discount. It's done on the honor system.
With the Macbook it's really easy to connect to wireless networks and switch to different ones in different places.
Also, you can get a free iPod nano if you buy a Macbook on Apple's site (again using the educational discount). I'm wielding mine right now.

 

[User 1019]

Paging Rosie ....

 

[DougDascenzo]

Absolutely get a Mac.

I have a Powerbook G4 (pre Intel chip) and it kicks ass.

Very user friendly, everything works on it, and it allows you to become a computer elitist overnight.

They cost a bit more, but after a year, I've had no problems with mine and love it ... which, to a former PC guy, makes it worth it. My PC (a Sony VAIO) seemed to have a different issue every week, and I never knew if it was compatible with stuff on Web sites, downloading, etc. To this day, there is nothing I can't do on the Internet or with other stuff (digital cams, external hard drives, bluetooth mouse, speaker system, etc.).

Seriously... A Mac ... do it.

 

[Gob Bluth]

I vote for the MAC as well. I got mine when I graduated two years ago and I have not had one problem since.

 

[OTD]

People who have Macs love them. I'm more of a PC person. You will certainly save money buying a PC instead of a Mac. If you use a PC at work, you might want a PC just for familiarity of use questions. Same with a Mac.

It would be a good idea to talk to whomever handles the tech issues at your office. Make sure whatever you get is compatible with your office's system. On our system, it didn't work as well with Macs at first, although those problems have been fixed. Also, your company system might require you to have Microsoft Office. If it doesn't you might consider getting the WordPerfect suite, which can save you money. I've got that on one of my computers and it works fine.

I've got a Dell (company) laptop. I've had no problems with it. The one thing I don't like about it is that the disc drives are separate and kind of a pain in the ass to deal with. I have a Dell desktop and HP desktop also at home (yes, I'm kind of a computer geek). I've had no problem with either of those.

Definitely go with the laptop. Get as much memory and hard drive as you can afford. Make sure it has at least a CD burner and DVD player--getting a DVD burner is better, especially if this is your only computer.

When shopping for laptops, check the battery usage. Obviously go for as much as you can. It's a good idea to order an extra battery when you buy the laptop and keep it charged.

Get an internal wireless card. You will be very glad you did.

You will also need to consider what kind of internet hookup you're getting at home. For heaven's sake, spend the money and get DSL or cable modem. You will hate dial-up. When you get your DSL or cable, you can get a wireless router, then you can use the laptop anywhere in the house (or outside).

 

[slappy4428]

I have a Dell desktop (3 yrs old) and a laptop (7 months) and other than minor software issues, have had no problems. Had windows wipeout on desktop which happens; not backing things up was my fault.
I know some hate Dell, but other than having to talk to Banglore for customer service issues, its been fine and I'd buy one soon...

Also have a ton of coupons from enterin gtheir laptop give away so can help there if needed...

 

[The Duke]

get a Dell.
their support staff, though in India, is always helpful.

 

[farmerjerome]

DO NOT GET A DELL. I will shout this from the rooftops. DO NOT GET A DELL.

While I was finishing my final project for school, it overheated -- no **** -- every 10 minutes. Not fun when you have a 30-page presentation due.

DO NOT GET A DELL.

 

[zeke12]

For those who have Mac laptops, do you have the Mac Book or the more spendy model?

Thoughts on each?

 

[Gob Bluth]

I have a G4 Powerbook. Of course Apple has replaced them with the Mac Book Pros now, but my parents just bought one of those. Other than running pretty hot, it has worked really well them.

I love the Powerbook I have. It turns on eveytime and I don't have any problems. Now that I have all the design software stuff, I am about to upgrade the memory to 1GB to help run a little faster.

 

[MacDaddy]

I have a G4 PowerBook, and my wife has an iBook. Unless you're doing some heavy-duty processing there's no need to go with the MacBook Pro instead of the MacBook unless you're a geek like me who likes things like illuminated keyboards.