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Computer suggestions
We might finally bite the bullet and upgrade our computer at home. We currently have an ancient 2nd hand Mac, and dial-up internet (hey, don't knock it, it's free via my work). Anyway, hubby isn't happy with the status quo, so I'm in research mode. For a long time I thought a laptop would be best, but now I'm considering one of the touch screen all-in-one designs.
Anyway, please help- I'm pretty much lost when it comes to what's good, what's useless, etc...I think we'd like to keep it under $800 if possible.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by mcglory13 on -
Would need a lot more info on what you want it to do and how you will be using it. :)
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Permalink Reply by mightyninjamom on -
AlphaGeek likes to buy his computer stuff at New Egg, since they have really good deals. AG has also just informed me that they do sell stuff in kits, so you can buy everything together, unless you're getting a laptop.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/Notebook.aspx?name=PCs-Laptops
They have a little paragraph on this page talking about which things may work best for your needs.
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Permalink Reply by hermit crab on -
Ooh! I signed in to recommend Newegg! I just bought a desktop computer there for less than $200. Plus $67 for a nice new monitor.
I'm not sure what the benefit of the touchscreen computer would be - seems like it would get smudgy pretty quickly. My own experience is that desktops last longer than laptops and it's easier to set them up ergonomically so they're better for sustained work periods. However, if you're looking to bring it around inside or outside the house, it's obviously not so useful. I have also had fine luck with refurbished computers, so long as they have a clear and reasonable-length warranty.
Put your extra cash into getting a cable or DSL connection for a year!
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Permalink Reply by Herasmus B. Dragon on
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I would also recommend Newegg, we buy from them for work machines.
If you're not going anywhere with it, a desktop is best. For my personal computer, I elected for a 17" laptop billed as a "desktop replacement", with comperable memory, media abilities, and a full keyboard, and I got it from Staples on sale for $800, two years ago. I felt it was worth the couple extra hundred dollars. Hubby just replaced his laptop with an HP meant for listening to music, but he uses it as a desktop with a monitor and keyboard hookup, until he leaves the house. Those were our needs, and they work. We've had both good and not-so-good machines fom both HP and Dell.
I also don't see the point of a touchscreen. They seem geared more for customer service kiosks than for home use.
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Permalink Reply by SweetJudyB on -
We're not going to be doing any heavy gaming, or video editing- just basic internet/email/music/photo, video chat would be nice too. Thanks for the info so far, I'll look into Newegg since I've never heard of it before.
mcglory13 said:Would need a lot more info on what you want it to do and how you will be using it. :)
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Permalink Reply by DLBK on -
I absolutely love my Mac laptop. Personally, I never want a desktop again. However, I don't know how to get a Mac in your price range, they're certainly not inexpensive.
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Permalink Reply by rommie on -
Another Newegg fan here. I built my first two computers from Newegg parts back in 2002, and I was thrilled with both their prices and their customer support. We've bought a lot of stuff off that site since then, too. My happiness with them can be summed up by saying that I really dislike wearing "brand" apparel, since I see it as paying to advertise for a company. Accordingly, I've only ever worn two branded t-shirts--Newegg and CMU (my dream college).
I've also gone through two laptops since 2004. The first was a Toshiba. It was a gift, and it was an overpriced piece of horse crap. I will never buy a Toshiba computer again. The current one is a rather expensive Dell, mostly because we get a discount through my husband's employer and my husband ordered it without consulting me (don't even get me started on that little incident). It had a faulty hard drive upon arrival, and it took over 24 hours total on the phone with Dell "support" to get it sorted out. I was about to book a flight to India and show someone what Short Angry Geek Girl Rage is all about. (Not stereotyping about Indian tech support; that's where the folks on the phone randomly informed me that they were located when one asked if he could call back on what happened to be Thanksgiving about something.) I will not buy a Dell again, either.
Basically, that leaves me with wanting to go back to desktops, because I can build them my own bloody self and not have to deal with idiots and inferior parts. Desktops are a lot easier to do basic repairs on, too. I've found it cheaper a couple times to just replace a part than it would've been to ship a heavy computer back to Dell or wherever. We use a laptop because we only semi-recently got internet at the house and because The Engineer needs the ability to take the computer with him when he's running sound and needs recording capabilities, etc. However, that first desktop I built when I was 16 is still running marvelously, as is the one The Engineer built around the same time. We're on our second factory-built laptop, and if we hadn't spot-fixed problems with the first one (soldering bits back together and the like), we'd probably be on our third. Not only are desktops easier to repair, in my opinion, but they seem much sturdier as well.
Anyway, that's my bit. Newegg--teh awesominess.
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