New Computer Purchase Help

Some basic info. before my question:

Current System: HP Pavilion 6333, AMD-K6, 64 mb SDRAM, 6gig Hard Drive, 32x CDROM, ISA 56k USR modem, HP 380 Printer/Scanner/Copier, 15" HP Monitor, Windows 98, MS Works.

Main Usage: Internet surfing, Email, Downloading digital photos from camera to email (using Adobe Photo Deluxe), Scanning Photos, using same, Word Processing/Printing Projects (resumes, forms for work, basic word processing, cards, etc.), some games on CD (not high-tech, though), and hubby likes listening to music either on radio on-line, or downloading samples from web sites to listen to (not to keep on CD)...would someday be interested in CDRW capabilities for photo/data storage, and music)

I've searched and looked through some older posts on this, but want some current advice/experiences...our computer is getting old, slow and small, in comparison to today's market...if we get ready soon to purchase a new computer, I have a few questions.
1. Should we try to upgrade our current computer, or buy a whole new system?
2. If we go with a new system, should we buy a "name brand" package deal, or have a local shop put together a system for us?
3. Should we try to keep our current monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse, or get the whole new system?
4. Is Windows XP the way to go now?
5. If we have the local boys build us a system, what software would you suggest we ask for?
6. What price range are we looking at?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Barb

 

1. Buy new. HP would be difficult to upgrade (proprietary parts) and I am betting that you don['t have much hardware experience.

2. Neither. Buy from reputable internet vendor.

3. Depends on whether you like your current accessories. If they are the ones that came with the computer toss them all. Buy a microsoft or logitech keyboard with audio controls and get an optical mouse and at least a 17" monitor (I wouldn't get less than 19 for myself).

4. I Haven't used it yet, but probably your best bet.

5. see #2

6. Thats a ? you have to answer. When I buy a computer my first decision is how much $$ to spend.

Thats my $0.02. Your mileage may vary

 

1. Your pc is a little to old, so u'll have to upgrade almost everything, so yout best choise is to get a new one.

2. i don't advice anyone to buy a brand pc, and the local shops have many ways to rip you off, so i also advice the interner vendor, or if u know someone thats as hardware experience, talk to him first, he will help u make your hardware choises depending on your needs.

3. "A microsoft or logitech keyboard with audio controls" tends to be a little expensive, a normal keyboard will do just fine. unless u have a little more money to spend then the logitech keyboard is a nicer choise.
The optical mouse and at least a 17 "monitor is a good choise. The financial diference between a 15" and a 17" is very low so you'll be better off with a 17 ", but the $ diference between a 17" and a 19" is a little bigger, so it may be a little expensive buying a 19 ". the quality/price choise will be the 17. (note: i'm giving my advice based on my contry (Portugal) price list, i don't know how much things cost in other contries)

4. The windows XP is easy to work and has a lot of capabilities, but like all the windows if u r not carefull, it can also give u much problems.

5. Again the best way for u to know this is talking to someone u understands a little about the subject, and can indicate u to the best quality/price choise.

6. the price range will change a lot, depending on your choises, since u'll probably get a new computer with new software.

 

The Choice Has Moved Closer...HELP!

OK...had problems with the new (old) modem they installed (due to the lightning strike we'd had), and now they say if we want to go on the net (duh???!!!) we need a new computer...the damage to our PCI port prevents us from being able to replace with a newer modem, and they can't get any more ISA modems like the one they tried...so, they are going to refund us the cost of the modem they installed, and will write us an insurance damage quote so we can claim it. They of course are recommending a new system to us from their shop. We need to decide what to do. Their recommended system is as follows:
AMD Athlon XP 2.0
256 DDR RAM
WD 40GB Hard Drive
3.5" Floppy Drive
LiteOn 52.24.52 CDRW
Amplified Speakers
32MB Shared Video
Norton Anti-Virus 2003
17" Monitor
Internet Keyboard
Optical Scroll Mouse
56k V.92 Modem
10/100 NIC
APC Surge Suppressor
MS Windows XP Home
1 Year in Shop Warranty

This is all for $800, and we can upgrade as follows:
To 512 MB RAM - $60
To 120 GB Hard Drive - $80
To CDRW/DVD Drive - $30

I would love any advice as to whether this sounds like a good system for what we need/want (as posted above) for the price, and how everyone feels about AMD Athlon processors (which this guy recommends) vs. Intel. I know folks recommended internet vendors, so I am checking into that too. It's appealing to deal locally where service is close at hand, and a big advantage to me is that they will transfer any/all data from our old computer for us to the new one. He recommended upgrading to the 512 MB RAM if we use graphics much, but said we probably wouldn't need the 120 GB Hard Drive for our purposes. I am also checking on whether our current printer will be compatible with XP...he doesn't think so, and he pointed me to a website to check on that (microsoft.com), which I am also doing next. So, guys, HELP, please!!
Thanks in advance, once again!!
Barb

 

drewbarbpi You hit the nail on the head by asking about the software first.

What kind of softwae is he going to toss in? Personally, I think yo could build that same system for yourself for a whole lot cheaper. Get the parts from www.newegg.com

There really isn't too much to assembling a computer.

 

You are getting a line of BS re: the modem and damage to a PCI port - avoid this shop like the plague. Get an external modem and forget about a new machine if you want the cheapest way out with no hassles. They have a problem configuring your modem because they can't get the IRQ's and port settings figured out.

As to the new machine quote, I'd say you are getting ripped off, but not too ripped off. The same thing you are being quoted will cost $325 - 450 in parts (low end to moderate quality) including the monitor but with no software. For a shop, XP pro cost would run roughly $65-80 (incrementally) - don't know what XP home is but its garbage by comparison. You can deduct $100 for the monitor and that puts you at $225-350. The questions you need to be asking are what kind of mobo, what speed drive, what kind of memory, what kind of case, PS etc etc ......

Personally, I'd say stay away from almost all of the name brands at the local discounter and I'd go with a known system builder instead of the internet , but I'd be asking a lot of questions and I wouldn't be looking for the cheapest guy in town. What you really want to do is ask for referrals - not new sales, but 6 months plus and get several.

 

I agree with Rockster2U. You have two fundamental decisions... find a trusted local individual(s) for advice OR become involved / knowledgeable in your own system... both is better. Then find a local builder that provides the equpiment AND services to achieve it. I would take Rockster2U advice, buy the external modem. The modem you buy now will work just fine next month on that new computer... if that is what you decide to do.

 

So, Dennis and Rockster...how hard is it to install an external modem? Is it something I can buy off the net and do myself? Now, remember, I am NOT a computer wizard of any sort (remember, Rockster, I'd buy swamp land, eh?)...Do I need a certain kind of external modem to work with the type of computer/OS I have?? If so, what kind, or how do I find out? Can you direct me to a site where I would find them for sale? I am glad to have your input on our local shop, as I am only trusting them so far in that they came recommended by a friend. BUT now I am surely skeptical, and will be careful. I will let them write up an insurance quote for the lightning damages, and I will let them reimburse me for the old modem they put in (which probably means they'll remove it and keep it, I guess...which means we'll need a new one soon). Then I will check around for another computer shop, or seek further advice on the BBS before we do anything rash. Thanks for all the help!!
Barb

 

Do a search on this BBS for external modems - there was a very good "opinion" thread in the general section a couple of months ago and everybody put in their two cents on favorite modems. You can also message Reboot because that guy knows more about modems than the rest of us combined. Personally, I like US Robotics Voice Fax Speakerphone Modem Pro - haven't been made for about three years but you can find one on Ebay if you look.

 

In doing a quick check, it seems that finding an ISA slot modem for a PC is easier than finding an external 56K modem.

ISA slot modems are readily available. They're not that hard to install.

 

For now, our modem problem is solved...the local boys walked my hubby through some adjustments in settings somewhere, and now it checks our email, and doesn't disconnect...so, other than the fact that it's a slower connection, we're ok for now. I won't trust them again, though, that's for sure! And thanks for all the advice, and help, guys! One day soon we will buy a new computer, I'm sure, and all the advice makes me feel more informed.
Barb

 

If you do look for a new system in the future. Consider looking at www.ibuypower.com . They have over a 9 rating (out of 10) over at www.reselleratings.com . For any PC-related company, that's an amazing testimonial! Contrast this with Dell's rating (a little over a 3) and Gateway's ( a little over a 2). These ratings are based on hundreds of customer reviews.

I've heard very good things about this company in terms of cost and customer service. But be very wary, there are websites that look very similar and do exactly the same thing that are horror stories. And if you do get a PC from this company, you'll be getting one in which every part adheres to industry standards - thus improving your chances of upgrading in the future. This still does not appear to be the case with say, Dell or Gateway.

By the way, I cannot get into www.resellerratings.com at the moment - not sure why.