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New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 9:54:20 AM   
califsue


Posts: 593
Joined: 2/2/2008
Status: offline 		Well...It looks like I am going to have finally get a new computer.
 
Dell or HP and I know Vista but all the choices anymore...not a gamer so that isn't an issue...but photo and ...
 
Any wisdom to share regarding a new computer purchase??
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RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 9:55:51 AM   
michaelOfGeorgia


Posts: 4253
Status: offline 		try buying a MAC...no chance at getting Vista with it

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RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 10:00:09 AM   
cjan


Posts: 3513
Joined: 2/21/2008
Status: offline 		My computer tech, a very savy young man who was doing some work on my desk top answered this when I asked him the same question regarding his advice on considering buying a new laptop. He suggested Apple products without reservation. He said that, as a computer tech it was against his own financial interest to recommend Macs  , simply because they very rarely fail. Also, you can pick your OS now and previous issues regarding compatible sofware are a thing of the past.

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RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 10:15:02 AM   
michaelOfGeorgia


Posts: 4253
Status: offline 		HPs and compatables suck

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RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 10:15:09 AM   
kdsub


Posts: 12180
Joined: 8/16/2007
Status: offline 		Hi there

I would be sure to get lots of memory...at least 4GB

I good video card with as much memory as you can get...Many photo editing programs are beginning to use OpenGL video processing.

As much storage as you can afford.

Don't skimp on the monitor...nice to have all your menus displayed but not hiding your work area.

A good fast CPU...but not an oddball make.

Apple is great for graphics...BUT...often new programs...such as Elements or Photoshop will first release a PC version and often the Apple version is months behind... For instance the newest version of CS4 will be 64 bit for the PC but not for the Apple. Eventually there will be  a 64 bit Apple version but they don't know when.

When it comes to the vast majority of software the Apple versions are always more expensive...if available at all.

Don't get me wrong... The Apple version of CS4 will eventually be as good if not better than the PC version it will just take longer. There was a time when most graphic artists used Apple almost exclusively...That is far from true today


Butch

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RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 10:16:02 AM   
celticlord2112


Posts: 5732
Status: offline
quote:

Any wisdom to share regarding a new computer purchase??

First, as much memory, CPU, and hard drive as your budget will allow.  Spending the dollars now will postpone the next computer purchase for quite some time.

Second, decide in advance what computer uses are important to you.  If you do a lot with photo manipulations and editing, you want a system with robust graphics--and MacOS is definitely something to consider in this case.  If you play a lot of music, you want a decent sound card and speakers.  If you do a lot of so-called "actual work" (i.e., word processing, spreadsheets, et cetera), then a basic system without all the bells and whistles is probably best.

Know what you want to do, and it will be easier to select the system that is best.

(needless to say, Linux rocks no matter what! )


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RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 10:30:31 AM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		Yes.  You do not want Vista.

get a laptop with XP.

this place is reputable. I bought a montor here and a towew- when I returned the tower- the refund was prompt and courteous.  I personally will buy refurbished. 

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=3449&name=Laptop-XP-Pro

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RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 10:32:02 AM   
michaelOfGeorgia


Posts: 4253
Status: offline 		last thing i bought from Tiger Direct was crap

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RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 10:36:42 AM   
kdsub


Posts: 12180
Joined: 8/16/2007
Status: offline 		When Vista first came out there were the many problems of new software and drivers...Those problems have been mostly solved. Unless you have some vital programs that will not run under Vista then I would recommend using the new operating system.

Many of the new generations of software will not work under XP you don't want to limit your possibilities before you even start.

Butch

(in reply to michaelOfGeorgia)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 12:17:52 PM   
bipolarber


Posts: 2792
Joined: 9/25/2004
Status: offline 		Get a Mac. They're relatively virus proof, and are designed to handle graphic, photo and video files much better than any of the PC boxes...

I'm currently running on an HP, and I've hated it since the first month it come out of the box.

I'm going back to Mac when it comes time for me to replace this POS... and I'm NEVER leaving it again.

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Profile   Post #: 10
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 12:19:40 PM   
Musicmystery


Posts: 30259
Joined: 3/14/2005
Status: offline 		Others may have their passions, but I also advise you to get a Mac.

Easy. Reliable.

Skip the expensive service plan.

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Profile   Post #: 11
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 12:28:19 PM   
ScooterTrash


Posts: 1407
Joined: 1/24/2005
From: Indiana
Status: offline 		I'd recommend building your own no matter who you are, any reputable computer supply store like Frys or Microcenter can assist you in purchasing the components and you can install XP, thus avoiding the Vista nightmare. It's not rocket science putting one together, just follow the directions that come with the motherboard and your almost home free. If this is too intimidating, then I would go along with what many others have said...buy a MAC.

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RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 1:06:26 PM   
califsue


Posts: 593
Joined: 2/2/2008
Status: offline 		Thanks for all the feedback and recommendations.

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Profile   Post #: 13
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 3:15:53 PM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		According to the wonderful person who saved my tail end with my vista hell... which will never be over until a baseball bat is taken to it... but is better now after like five hours of remote working on it... HP does a few extra's with their vista to make things their own.  It made repairing things much harder.  Don't Do HP.  I have bought two HP machines... one with XP and one with what was worse, vista.  NEVER AGAIN!

I am with those who praise Mac.  I had a Mac on my second machine and it was great, even as a used machine.  In fact... in the coming months.. I am dumping this peice of crap and getting a Mac or will have an XP built for us. 

What is wild is I have an old EMachine, one of the cheapest machines at the time and their customer service until a couple years ago was still helping me and it had one of the most unstable os of windows 98 that still runs... and if it had more power, would still be what I would be using.  I guess I got lucky on that one, but I am comparing things to HP... so...  You might google complaints about any machine and don't get in a hurry to buy when the cute, young salesman tell's you all is well.  Do your research! lol 

(in reply to califsue)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 3:25:35 PM   
faerytattoodgirl


Posts: 5824
Status: offline 		i have never bought a computer from dell, hp..or any other crap...
i have always custom built my own from an ACTUAL computer store.

this way i know i get GOOD TOP quality parts and a GREAT warrenty.
some stores offer 3 yr parts and 5 yr labor...if the parts have less than 1 yr from the store the manufacturer warrenty is usually longer.

pick and choose what you want....dont get stuck with something that sucks.
not to mention it is generally CHEAPER to custom than to buy an already previously priced computer...because the parts you get on the previously priced computer are not nearly enough for what you need and often over priced.


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Profile   Post #: 15
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 4:02:22 PM   
sub4hire


Posts: 6775
Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline 		If you're only asking for brand.  I've bought about 4 dells before.  The last purchase and dealing with it.  I will never buy another anything from dell.  Customer service sucks.  I had to talk to 187 people over a 2 week process to get my issue resolved.  The issue was wanting something I had paid for and not gotten.  Of course they lost my order..then told me my order number was invalid...etc.
When I even faxed them the order form over and over that they sent me I was still told it was invalid.

Nobody in the company being able to get me to the correct department.  When I finally did 2 week's later my issue was resolved within moments.

So, no dells. 

(in reply to califsue)
Profile   Post #: 16
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 6:21:11 PM   
subrob1967


Posts: 4591
Joined: 9/13/2004
Status: offline 		If you want a phenomenal laptop, at a great price, go to your nearest Fry's and look at their Fujitsu line. Dollar for Dollar you won't find a better laptop, period.

Or, like others said, spend the money on an Apple.

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Profile   Post #: 17
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 6:59:49 PM   
DomDolf


Posts: 363
Joined: 7/11/2008
Status: offline 		I own a computer services and consulting company. If you'd like advice on your purchase please write me on the other side. Some of what you read here is decent advice. Most I would disregard. There are questions that need to be asked before someone throws out an answer. The answer for one person is not the one for all or even most necessarily. If you would like straight shooting no BS advice write me. I do not sell computers because the profit margin is not acceptable to me, but I am paid to make recommendations in all aspects and all markets.

Dolf

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Profile   Post #: 18
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 9:00:09 PM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		I use an IBM thinkpad T23.

I bought 2 (+ a T22) off of ebay.

I am pleased with them. I dont think I would buy a desktop again.   With the lap top I can bring it up stairs and back down- easily. I can sit in more positions.

With gadgets I want one that I am smart enough to use. I go for ease and durabilty.



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Profile   Post #: 19
RE: New Computer Purchase Question - 9/28/2008 9:10:19 PM   
marieToo


Posts: 3595
Joined: 5/21/2006
From: Jersey
Status: offline 		I purchased two HP Pavillions about a month ago. I couldn't be happier with them.

They do have Vista, and outside of a couple of little warts in the beginning, I seem to be doing ok with it.  I hope I'm not speaking too soon.

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