computer suggestions?

[donnA]

My husband wants to get me a new computer for our 25th anniversary, mine is an HP with windows 98se, and if you know me and my computer from this forum, you know it's about time I get a new one.
So any suggestions? We don't want to spend a hugh amount of money. I've been checking the Wal Mart and Best Buy web sites and I'm not sure. Does anyone know anyhting about eMachine computers? One on Best Buy site I am looking at is a GateWay, what about it? So far I'm liking this GATEWAY here.
We will probably make this purchase in the next few days so I need quick help!

 

[rsr]

It depends on what you want to do with it. Do you want rewritable DVD and the new printer?

The machine you've linked to looks fine. Personally, I prefer Dell to Gateway, but that's just me.

You might check out this DELL just for reference; it needs a floppy and an extra stick of memory, but the price is still right and its a flat panel display. (And free shipping for a few days.)

 

[exscentric]

We've had three emachines and have been totally satisfied, though if you have trouble, you have to ship it to them for repair.

Dell has had some tv ads that are close to the emachine packages that Best Buy and Circuit city run.

You might want to consider getting a laptop, depending on how rich you feel right now They are coming down in price and save some desk space, then you can take it with you if you need.

I'd recommend 512meg of memory minimum. I've run xp on 256 but it gets a little slow if you have a few programs open.

 

[donnA]

What is a rewritable DVD anyway?

 

[donnA]

Ok, isn't THIS the same computer minus the printer?

 

[donnA]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3649964&cat=41937&type=19&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A3951%3A41937

 

[Trotter]

Laptops? Check this site first: http://onthegopc.com/

eMachine? That's what I am 'puting on, although I have modified mine a wee lil bit. Most of them you find now are better than or equal to mine, except for my graphics card.

In looking at a new computer, remember these things...

1. Do not settle for less than 512MB of RAM (memory). Windows does not abide well with 128MB, and 256 limits you as well. 512MB is a safe bet, and one you will not be sorry over.

2. Do not settle for less than 120GB of hard drive space. This may sound like a lot, but trust me, it can be gone in no time if you are not diligent in cleaning out the old stuff. Music and video take up a lot of space, and you probably have it on there eventually.

3. You can re-use the monitor, keyboard and mouse from your current system (unless you really just want a new one of those as well).

4. Don't let anyone talk you into anything on the spot. If you are not allowed to walk away from a deal, then it probably isn't a deal at all.

Feel free to PM or email me if you have any questions, or want to know if something is a decent deal. I don't mind

Oh, and if you really want a nice, big monitor, check this one out (it's the one I got):http://tinyurl.com/49hsr

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[Ben W]

Here is the best deal for a PC on the market.

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

 

[exscentric]

"Here is the best deal for a PC on the market.

http://www.apple.com/macmini/ "

I think there might be a bias here somewhere

Does it actually work Wouldn't mind playing with that one for awhile. One of my sons would love it, he is a mac freek.

Quite the unit! I look for all compters to start getting smaller before long.

Won't surprise me if hard drives aren't a thing of the past before too many years.

 

[Ben W]

Bias? Surely not!

It is the future of P.C's, it is aimed at people that have purchased an iPod and are looking at a new P.C, people are often surprised to see that you can get a Mac significantly cheaper than an IBM clone, the initial purchase price of a Mac used to be the major sticking point with a number of people, yet with the advent of the iPod and the sheer number of 40, 60, 80 Gig Hard Drives they are making, their costs have gone down significantly.

 

[exscentric]

Do macs come with a suite of software to get you started? Word proc. etc.

I think that the main reason many of us in the early days went windows was the cost of mac software. I flat couldn't afford it. I jumped from commodores to windows units and that choice was based on price alone.

Have the first model of mac in my garage, someone gave to me. Still works to the step where it needs a system disk which he didn't give me

 

[Trotter]

RE: Mac Mini

Be sure to get it with the extra memory.

And if you want wireless, get one that has it already installed.

^^^Advice from online news sources.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[donnA]

I got the gateway from the link in the op.
Not that I wanted a new computer, mine is 6 years old and has win 98se. I makes me threaten to shoot it sometimes, but it's my baby. But Rob wanted to give me a new computer so I let him so he would think I was rejecting his gift. Made him feel good to do something big for me.
Thanks for the advice all.

 

[Ben W]

Originally posted by exscentric:
Do macs come with a suite of software to get you started? Word proc. etc.

You bet, you load on the discs that come with the Mac, and away you go, Appleworks is a particurly nice Word Processing Programme which reads any word docuement without any probs. Mac have the Java platform also, so you can run most microsoft programmes if you wish to, the number of freewares available for Mac is quite incredible.

 

[exscentric]

Might just do some snooping when I get ready to replace things. I've really had it with Microsoft. They have caused me more problems than they are worth.

Running windows programs would be great as I have a ton of software.

 

[PJ]

My iMac's given me a great ride. It's a fair size for a desktop model too ...

PJ

 

[mcgyver]

Tiger Direct is always having sales on systems, you might want to check there:

www.tigerdirect.com

 

[Victory in Jesus]

25 years and all you're getting is a computer that's going to be obsolete before you get it out of the store parking lot?

Unless the thing is made of pure silver, you should wait 'till your birthday for the computer and make him get you a silver gift, Lady! You worked too hard to get something that's just going to make you work more. That'd be like getting a vacuum cleaner for your birthday.

25 years is nothing to sneeze at. That's a major accomplishment these days. Congratulations!!!

(er..just kidding about the computer thing.) Mine is custom built since I couldn't find anything on the market that came close to what I needed. But, now it's a dinosaur.