Need advice from computer-oriented types .....

TexasTimbers · February 25, 2006, 06:18:03 AM

It's time for a new byte-processor. This old cow isn't gonna be put out to pasture I am going to designate it as the kid computer, because theirs went belly-up, and I don't like them on mine because they go to those IM sites and other sites that expose it to viruses more than the sites I visit. I go to about 3 places (besides all the googling I do) on a regular basis and that's it.
Like most people, I don't want to spend more than necessary but I don't want to be sorry I spent too little either. My requirements are that I don't need anything big enough to plot a re-entry phase for the space shuttle, but I want speed too.
My present archaic device is an older HP Pavillion 8570C with Windows 98. I hear 98 is a good OS but I know it limits me some too. It has 256 RAM which was alot when it was bought, but I know I need twice that now probably.
I don't have any software like Dietrichs or Auto CAD or anything but I plan on getting some within the next year.
Any suggestions, guidleines, rules of thumb I would be grateful. I am not totaly computer stupid but it's close. :

crtreedude · February 25, 2006, 06:33:26 AM

I tend to not get the latest, but a step or two down from there. Memory is king - but it is really cheap now. I recently put together a very nice system here. 3.2 Khz, 3 GIG of memory, harddrive, etc for about 700 dollars - and computer stuff cost more here.

XP seems to be a fairly stable OS - as long as you get SP2. Much, much better than Win98.

johnjbc · February 25, 2006, 08:05:36 AM

http://www.tigerdirect.com/

Has some good prices on reconditioned systems. Sign up for their email flyers and wait for one. $400 - $500
They also have some nice barebones systems but till you buy the os you will have more than that. It not for the faint of heart :P but should be faster.
If you get one with a rebate make sure you read the FINE PRINT
>:(

Minnesota_boy · February 25, 2006, 08:17:32 AM

Dell usually has some pretty decent machines for not a lot of money in their "small business" section. You do run a small business, don't you?

TexasTimbers · February 25, 2006, 08:22:14 AM

Yes I run a small biz. That was somethign I was goign to ask but forgot. Whether or not I should buy from a big co. like Dell or a small outfit. Local/online etc. I'll check out Dell. Mainly I'm looking for advice like how much memory/RAM I need, what speed processor to look for all that.

jbc thanks for the site. I don't think I'm computer savvy enough though to wade through it without making a bad decision :

Jeff · February 25, 2006, 08:29:40 AM

Go to walmart and buy the best system they have on sale. All your getting with the big names is the big name and if you got along without their support before you can get along without it now. We spent almost 3000 dollars on state of the art computer in 1997 from gateway and had things going wrong with it all the time. We went into walmart a little over two years ago to buy chalk (I kid you not) and walked out with two new computers at a little over 300 a piece. 17inch flat screen monitors, 2 gig CPU's and speaker sets. I ended up buying more memory for another 100 bucks and have not regretted the purchase once.

woodmills1 · February 25, 2006, 08:48:37 AM

I will have to say that my first computor was a gateway and it gave yeoman service. The 2 times it had problems in the 6 or 7 years I used it gateway was right there with service even out of warrenty. There tech center can get right into you system and fix it over the net. Was so impressed with it and them that the new one is also a gateway, well actually the new pair are both from gateway as the lovely wive wanted more time on the machine!! :D :D :D

TexasTimbers · February 25, 2006, 08:48:50 AM

I didn't even think of Wal Mart. What about Sam's? I have one of those business memberships that might save a little. I will compare both and see what gives.
Not trying to one-up you Jeff but I have gone into Wal Mart to buy one or two items and come out with $200 worth of groceries! I swear they pipe subliminal messages into our heads.

Well, inasmuch as it's raining to quench hellfire today I guess I'll go to Wally World and ......... shop for some chalk. ;D :D

I got a kick out of that. I no longer feel like the lone member of the IBC (Impulse Buyer's Club)

Radar67 · February 25, 2006, 11:55:11 AM

I would have to say the Dell. They have a special going now for a nice machine under $300. I own 5 Dells and will not buy another brand. Just my 2 cents.

Stew

JimBuis · February 25, 2006, 12:40:41 PM

Don't be overly focused on the CPU. :

Nowadays all of the CPUs are faster than most of us need. I bought a 2.8 GHz Gateway notebook awhile back and it was slower than my old one. :P I finally figured out that my problem was the harddrive. I upgraded my 4200 RPM harddrive to a 7500 RPM unit with more storage space while I was at it. It was like a totally different computer. 8) 8) Now this thing is so fast I get speeding tickets. ;) ;)

Jim

scsmith42 · February 25, 2006, 12:54:49 PM

I've got both Dell and Gateway systems - they both work well. Have also used Toshiba and HP at work - again w/o any problems.

The secret to speed is to get as much memory as you can afford. I'd recommend at least a gig of ram and several gig of hardrive.

Windows XP or XP Professional are pretty much the standard OS's today. aService Pack 3 is the latest (as of a couple of months ago), and it addresses all of the latest security concerns.

Whatever you buy, once you get it go to the Microsoft web site and download all of the latest updates for the OS. Most of the time the big companies like Gateway, Dell, etc don't install the latest versions of the OS.

You may want to consider a laptop instead of a desktop - often times the portability can be an asset and the hardware speeds are pretty much in line with the desktop systems. If you get a laptop, if you travel much it's worthwhile to get the wifi card built into the laptop - the reception seems to be better than the ones that go into the slot.

Good luck. Scott

Radar67 · February 25, 2006, 01:22:02 PM

Memory and CPU speed are great, but they are only as fast as the front side bus, I think 800 Mhz is the fastest FSB available right now. Memory will help, because the more you have, the less the system has to reload info.

Stew

jon12345 · February 25, 2006, 01:48:11 PM

I would buy a computer to keep all the business and important stuff offline, and a junker to use on the internet. You'd be suprised how much crap can get on a pc that is connected to the internet, especially on broadband, even if you have firewall, virus checker.

SwampDonkey · February 25, 2006, 02:45:47 PM

As Jim suggested, the most limiting factor on the Windows OS is the hard drive. Every move you make the hard drive has to spin. If you think 7200 rpm is enough just load up a GIS like ArcGIS with 20 layers using 2 gigs of memory, then zoom to extents of the map and sit a wait. crunch grind, crunch grind!! ;D :D Also if your hard drive is down to less than 15 % free space you'll slow up to and you can't even do a defragmentation to free up some blocks. Start uninstalling programs and backing up your images on CD. ;D I must say though that since I started using XP and upgraded from ME my old system is quite a bit faster and more stable. I should get a big hard drive. I don't need a faster CPU for what I do.

The marketing board office got a new Dell for the weigh scales and had several weeks of inventory on the hard drive. They came in one morning and she was seized up and wouldn't even spin up the HD. She was fried. That really doesn't mean much, happens to the best of computers, cars, toasters, what ever. ;)

Jeff · February 25, 2006, 05:02:21 PM

A lot of those cheaper business grade computers that go for around 300 bucks or so are hard wired and are not upgradable. No slots for any goodies if you decide to expand. Thats why the lower price. If you get one and all you want to do is get on line and other basic functions, then thats probably good enough.

rebocardo · February 25, 2006, 06:06:45 PM

> Yes I run a small biz.

What I recommend for (small) business owners is to have separate drives for each function.

HD #1:
C: systems
D: programs

HD#2:
E: data
F: CD-ROM image of the O/S disks
G:work partition (redirect e-mail to this drive so it can be accessed by everyone).

This way, if your system drive or computer gets wiped, it is very easy to take the #2 drive to another computer or rebuild a new #1. Plus, it makes backing up critical data at least once a week very easy. Just back up everything on E and G.

Then limit normal user access for Internet and such to C,D,G and not allow them any access to E and F.

GHRoberts · February 25, 2006, 08:35:41 PM

kevjay ---

80G is more disk space than anyone needs. Use one in the computer. Use an external USB for backup or mirroring.

The best deal on a CPU is currently a AMD Athalon 3700+.

2 G of memory.

Jeff · February 25, 2006, 11:48:18 PM

80 gigs can be filled quick if you have buds like I have that are into digital editing of outdoor films. Video takes tons of Ram and tons of storage if working with a PC platform.

Bill · February 26, 2006, 01:25:16 AM

FWIW - I gotta throw in my two cents.

I used to be hard core PC ( after getting weaned off the C-64 ) back when DOS ( CPM even ) was king. Made the switch to Win 3.1/95/98/2000 OK.

However back in 96 I started work for a company that uses just Apple Mac's. So several years ago they completed the transformation to ( from ? ) the dark side by giving me a Mac laptop to use - which is what I 'm using right now. No system crashes, stable software across the line mostly works the same between Mfg's, small problems ( if any ) with viruses, easier for many to learn/maintain, plenty of software comes with 'em so I've only had to buy a couple programs ( like MS Office to make sure I could talk to PC's OK ) - but - there is a big but if you want to run a PC program that doesn't have a Mac version - like say Autocad. It's just not there - not going to happen.

So a couple years ago Apple switched their OS to a UNIX variation - cool stuff if you worked with it back in the 80's. Real stable and you can get to a prompt if you know ( or find some one that does ) what you're doing. Still has all the Mac look and feel - just a really strong solid engine underneath. Did I say that I can't even remember when the last time was that the system hung or I had to reboot ?

I still have a Dell PC laptop from 96 w / P II, 256 MB, 60GB, DVD and 15"screen running MSW2000 and of course MS Office. It's my back up and it's gotta be there in case I come across something that just doesn't run on the Mac. But if I had to chose one - well the conversion is complete - I 'd get a Mac.

BTW - I'm not trying to start any PC-v-Mac war here - just pointing out another alternative . . .

For PC's I'd echo what's already been said, decent Intel or AMD cpu, 512 or 1024 MB of memory, fast large HD 200-300 GB ( you'll fill it with pic's, videos, and such off the TV or the Grandkids ) @ minimum of 7200 rpm, good video board and best monitor that's in your budget. DVD burner, USB/firewire ports and such are ~ almost ~ standard, although check that it has ethernet since sooner or later you'll want a broadband ( DSL/cable/wireless(?) and note that some of the newer boxes in your area may use USB/Firewire instead of ethernet to get to broadband ) connection . ( Can't say what the availability is for broadband up Canada way but for $15/mo right now DSL is a deal here ) Cost to be whatever you can afford.

Good Luck

WoodSmith · February 26, 2006, 03:20:29 AM

Hi there,
I am the Lead Technology Specialist for our local school district and deal with computers and computer networks on a daily bases.
I can tell you that computers are like cars and chainsaws, everybody has a favorite.
Do you know or have close at hand any tech savy youth, if so they would be of great assistance to you in determining what you need and what parts you want or don't want in your computer or if you go to a major name brand what do you want to look for in that system.
Caution, with computers you more times than not get what you pay for.
Wish you the best of luck.

Lud · February 26, 2006, 07:41:53 AM

We just replaced and we're nontechies....... As the old one was getting Parkinson's with a bad modem ( computer Dr. tried a transplant and failed) , my wife did a lot of talking with the polka-dot indians and she got real frustrated. All I got to do is get her started these days ......it's semi-fun to watch.

Anyway, we bought from a service oriented sales outlet who we'll be able to talk to stateside folk whenever the new one gets us puzzled. Know what I'm saying?

WH_Conley · February 26, 2006, 08:59:58 AM

Where did you find somebody stateside?

TexasTimbers · February 26, 2006, 08:15:12 PM

Yeah Lud I catch your drift. My parents had a Gateway up until about a year ago. Constant problems. I mean continuous, to the point where we all thought Gtaeway ought to just let them have another one. No dice. I think they had to call the courteous-but-hard-to-understand people too.
I will want to know about that and forgot to consider it.

Bill, my M_I_L is a MACer. She loves them. I've treid to use her computer when we go over there and I pull my hair out! :D Man I am having enough of a time just trying to learn these PCs there's no way I'm switching now but thanks for the idea.

Was going to go to look around today after church but decided to go spend some time with the sawmill instead. I am gonna take Jeff's advice first and shop wally world and sams first, but knowing me and my problem with patience I will probably end up buying one online, unless the person in wal mart or sams is knowledgable enough to walk me thorugh it.

.

TexasTimbers · February 27, 2006, 09:13:38 AM

Is this a good deal or keep shopping?

then there is this Dimension E510.

Hate to keep bugging you guys but this is a obstacle course for me.

jon12345 · February 27, 2006, 09:32:14 AM

Based on specifications alone, I'd go with the Dimension for several reasons

1. Walmart doesnt do upgrades

2. You can get a lot more memory on the Dell

3. Walmart = 2 Ghz processor Dell = 3.0/3.2/3.4 ghz processor

4. Dell gives you a choice of 3 operating systems

5. You can customize the Dell

woodsteach · February 27, 2006, 02:24:22 PM

I went with a daktech computer. Service has been great. My LCD has been replaced 2x right away.( I keep a spare moniter). If I remember the CPU has a 7yr warranty.

Quote from: rebocardo on February 25, 2006, 06:06:45 PM
> Yes I run a small biz.

What I recommend for (small) business owners is to have separate drives for each function.

HD #1:
C: systems
D: programs

HD#2:
E: data
F: CD-ROM image of the O/S disks
G:work partition (redirect e-mail to this drive so it can be accessed by everyone).

This way, if your system drive or computer gets wiped, it is very easy to take the #2 drive to another computer or rebuild a new #1. Plus, it makes backing up critical data at least once a week very easy. Just back up everything on E and G.

Then limit normal user access for Internet and such to C,D,G and not allow them any access to E and F.