I Need A New Computer

Published on August 2, 2006 By Sally jacobs In Personal Computing

I am ready to lose an old friend. A friend that is good to me. A friend that I have grown very fond of. It is time for us to both be glad of the time we have had together and go our separate ways. We have had some good times together, and some bad times, and some confusing times (well for me at least) and now is the time to cut our losses, and call it a day. Yes folks, that's right, me and my beloved computer are parting, forever. The end of a big romance, how will I ever cope? The thing is I am quite attached to my PC and I really like it. I am not good with change, and getting used to new things, which means I have things until they are old and worn out and on their last legs. This is my poor old computer now. It is just on its way out. There is nothing really wrong with it, but I have had it a good few years, and I just feel that it is time to get something that is bigger and better. Or should that be smaller and better, since all the good stuff appears to be tiny now. This leads me to a little problem. Just what kind of computer do I go for? There is so much choice out there, that I really am at a loss.

For about a year now I have considered replacing my old faithful computer, and I have looked online, and in shops and what's on offer, and I have to tell you all, I am pretty confused. I am not computer stupid, but I am pretty damn close. I use my PC for the basics. I don't play games on it or anything like that. I do the whole music thing on it, and I like playing with pictures and stuff on here, but I am seriously not that techincal, and I don't particulary want a computer that is smarter than me. I only really need something pretty basic, that can do all the things I want, and maybe a few added extras, as I am always willing to learn. When you go in a PC shop though, they try and blind you with science, and all these bloody added extras that you just don't want. I went in one shop the other day and before I knew it I was buying not only a computer but a desk and chair to boot. Which of course I didn't want, so I ran from the shop as quick as I could!

The point is that I don't really know what I want. I just want the basics, but unfortunately that just isn't good enough for these salesman anymore, and really I am like a lamb for the slaughter when they see me walking in there all on my own, within a few moments of throwing technical jargon at me they soon realise I don't know my arse from my elbow and proceed to take me for all they can. So if anyone could give me an idea of the best computer system I could go for, one that is pretty simple and basic, I would be really grateful.

Comments (Page 1)

foreverserenity

on Aug 02, 2006

Doc's pretty good at suggesting something to you I'm sure. Danny too but he's not around too often. Also anyone else from JU whose computer savvy. Don't feel too bad, I know what you mean cause I'm not too technical either!

Say goodbye to your old friend for me. It's done a good job in introducing you to a lot of people!

Hippie

on Aug 02, 2006

Hi. Sorry to hear about you're old friend, I know the feeling. I have an eMachine, I know I'm going to hear how bad they are ,but, I've never had any problems with it, and, eMachines are made by Gateway. I paid, I think, around $400 for it. It has 512mb ram, a 160 gig HD, and a 2.8 ghz prossesor and the media card thing for caneras and things like that. I've never used that part. I bought a nVidia GeForce 5500 graphics card, and put it in, and it does everything I want it to do. It even play's DOOM3, which the guy at the store said it wouldn't. I've been fooling around with computers since around 1971. I'm no expert, but, like I say, my nephew bought a computer this past Monday, and he called me from the store with about a million questions, to make it short, he bought an eMachine, with a lLED flat screen, and they put his old hard drive in the new computer for a little over $400. I have a recording studio on mine, because I play guitar and sing and also write songs, and it never lags or anything. I'm perfectly fine with. If you want to spend the money get an Alienware. They'er only $2000 or $3000 Dollars. Hope Igave you alittle help. By the way, you can buy a Dell for $299, but it doesn't have near the stuff the eMachine has. Cheap machine, but works fine for me. If you lived close to me, I would build you, and maybe come out even cheaper. Good Luck, and may the computer fairy's be with you. Peace. Hippie

shadesofgrey

on Aug 02, 2006

Hey Sally:

I'm the same as you. I use my computer for the internet, music and photos--and not a whole lots else. I also didn't want to pay for a lot of extras. So, I went with a Mac. Now, I don't want to start the whole Mac/PC debate--cause I don't know enough about them. But I adore my new computer (I've had it about 3 weeks), and the price I paid was exactly what the sticker said. I didn't have to add software or hard drives or memory or anything.

You can even buy online so you don't have to deal with those icky sales people

Hippie

on Aug 02, 2006

You're right, if I had the money, I would buy a Mac, but they cost twice what a PC cost. One otehr thing I do with any computer, is take off anything that has to do with AOL, McAfee or Norton. DL AVG, and Sygate. Both free, and very good. They do put a lot of stuuf that you don't need. Just unistallit. It took 10 minutes to uninstall all the junk off my nephews new computer.

MasonM

on Aug 02, 2006

Two words for you: carrier pigeons.

Dr Guy

on Aug 02, 2006

Ok, how soon do you want to get it? That will determine what you get. because Microsoft is about to come out with Vista (maybe - microsoft is always late with their new releases). But it is scheduled for the fall. So expect it in early 2007. If you can wait.

If not, dont upgrade to Vista when it comes out. XP will do you fine for what you want.

Now Hippie (Love that name!) has a good machine. And Gateway makes good machines. I like them. Not particularly the eMachines as I have had bad experiences - but that was pre Gateway, so perhaps they are better.

I personally prefer Dell. You can go on Dell's web site and configure what you want. I would start at what Hippie has. I would upgrade the RAM if you can afford it (there is no such thing as too much RAM these days). A gig is good, 2 is better. And usually not too expensive. Both Dell and Gateway (Hippie can tell you about the eMachines) come with Ethernet standard (so if you have high speed, you are set). If you are doing dialup, that is a modest addition to the cost.

You dont mention your price points (Figure 1.8 dollars to a pound). But Dell starts around $299 (about 167 pounds) plus shipping (usually modest and sometimes thrown in - although they would probably charge extra for a UK Drop). That does not include a monitor. But if yours is doing fine, you may not need one. However, if you do have some extra cash, then look at a flat panel. I recommend the 17inch, but again it is a cost issue (the 17inch would run a bit extra and dell is running a special on the $499 so no extra cost - but the specials change weekly).

The $499 comes with a DVD/CD-RW drive, 512mb RAM, 80gb SATA drive. You can bump the RAM to 1gb for $33 and the drive to a 160 (not necessary if you are not going to do video, but songs......probably best to) for $44.

You are not going to network this, right? If the answer is no (other than a high speed internet connection) stick with XP Home. If the answer is maybe or yes, do the Pro upgrade (pricey at $124).

You can also upgrade a lot of other things and it will add to the cost. Again it depends upon what you want, and how much you have to spend.

If you want to jump to about $1000, go with a laptop! With Wireless! I got my wife one for a few bucks over that, and it blows all my computers away (and why I am getting a new one SOON! I hate not having the best in the house!).

Although you say you "just want the basics", there are still a lot of things to consider. Music? You probably want to upgrade the sound. Mobility? Do a Dharma and blog from the doctor's office with a laptop! Wireless of course.

So, here is a starting point. Pick it apart and say yea or nay to the smorgasborg above. Then let me know price and what "Basics" mean to you. You can go el cheapo (the $299 one) for basics, but while I recommended that one as recently as a year ago, it is just not cutting it with Vista on the horizon.

And good luck!

Dr Guy

on Aug 02, 2006

So, I went with a Mac.

While Hippie is right on the price, for PC Neophytes, the service with a Mac store in the area almost makes up for the price difference. See my latest accolades to Apple.

MasonM

on Aug 02, 2006

Not particularly the eMachines as I have had bad experiences - but that was pre Gateway, so perhaps they are better.

I can say they are definately better since gateway took them over. I have an eMachines W3400 bought at Wally World. AMD64 Athlon +3000 processor, nice sized HDD, CD/DVD burner, lots of USB and data card ports. Only 512MB of memory but that's easily upgraded. Can't beat the price at $599.

Dr Guy

on Aug 02, 2006

Do they have Wally worlds in the UK?

just john

on Aug 02, 2006

Guy is right on the laptop idea. Let me paint a picture for you...

Your sitting in your favorite chair wrapped up in your favorite blanket on a cold morning. The coffee is finished brewing and you're ready for your daily JU fix. You reach down beside you and grab your wireless laptop and just start working. I would love this if I ever felt like touching a PC after work. My laptop is wireless and I do occasionally work on it from my easy chair but most of the time if I am really working I need desktop space and lots of horsepower.

You can pick up a low end Dell for $550. For the basics this is all you need. If you want to run PhotoShop, this isn't your computer. If you want to do a little light photo editing and browse the web they work perfect. I have about 25 of these in the field now and have had no problems to report (yet) after almost a year. These are out in the oil field. I have gotten computers back with enough sand to fill a sand box in them because the guy forgot to grab it off his truck in the sand storm. If they can survive our environment it is surely strudy enough to toss around the house.

Dr Guy

on Aug 02, 2006

You can pick up a low end Dell for $550.

Tank you, Tank you, Tank you Dear John!

He is right on the price. My price included some extras, PLUS a 3 year warranty. I dont do the extended on a desktop (they are tinkertoys after all), but on Laptops, I DO NOT open them up (except memory). SO I got her the max on that (plus a few other extras). That is why I said $1000. But yes, you can go cheaper, and the blanket is on your own card.

MasonM

on Aug 02, 2006

I have to say that, except for the excellent carrier pigeon suggestion, a Dell laptop is a great choice. My road computer is a Dell lappy and it's a great machine. A bit more on the higher end, but even the lower end ones will work great for you if you're demands aren't that intensive.

Hippie

on Aug 02, 2006

I like the "carrier pidgeon". That sounds like the best. I 've scavenged some eMachines, and, 400 gigs of hard drive I've got a gig and a half ram, but, like I said, I do music, recording and writing other stuff, 200 tracks, and Ive never had any lag. seriously, that suprized me. It boils down to how much you want to spend for what you're going to do. Good luck. And say goodbye to you're old friend. Peace.

P.S. When I started working with computers, I was in the Army, Military Police, and I was going by the computer room one night,and I heard Beep Beep Beep Beep beep beep, Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beeep, And for the the people that are saying what the hell is he talking about. The guy was trying to get it to play "Stairyway To Heaven". So he taught me a little about programming, and around a month later we got it to play. I was astounded. I have been into computers since. By the way, this computer was about the size of a football field, and now , my watch has more power.

dynamaso

on Aug 02, 2006

Sally,

I'm just about to buy a laptop too. I have to say, most of my friends have them and have absolutely no complaints. With a good wireless modem (and good security to protect your connection) these machines are fantastic for the blogger/writer. We're moving to a new place that has a large balcony and awesome views. I can hardly wait to be sitting out there, laptop at hand and blogging while watching the sun set over the city.

I don't really know what the comparative prices would be in England (and those previous responders to this thread probably don't realise you're not living in the States) but the prices here have come right down and you can pick up a good laptop (not top of the range, sure) for a decent price.

Good luck...

MasonM

on Aug 02, 2006

#13 by Hippie
Wed, August 02, 2006 8:55 PM

Sounds a little like my first experience with a computer. My dad was Air Force and he took me to the base to see where he worked. He took me into a warehouse sized building that was filled with banks of reel to reel machines. The whole building was a single computer that had far less computing power than the average scientific calculator has today but I was in love with computers from that day on. I think I was 6 or 7.

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