What Omputer should i get. [Archive] - VoIP Forums, Internet Phone Service Forums, & Web Hosting Forums

SnakEyez

01-03-2004, 12:00 AM

What are you planning to use the computer for. For general use, and especially design and video, I would recommend Apple computers, the desktops and the great laptops.

On the PC end there is Dell. Also HP is adopting the Athlon 64's so they are becoming a good choice (as long as you don't need a warranty). Despite that comment on the warrenty I have found HP support very good. I had a problem once with their writer and they shipped me a brand new unit overnight at no cost to me.

If you are building your own, pricewatch is good for prices but you must research the sellers because most are really small, so you are taking some chances. Some good places to buy quality products are newegg.com and crucial.com is great for memory only since that is basically all they make at a reasonable price.

fac3less

01-03-2004, 12:07 AM

resellerratings.com and pricewatch.com (with its new ranking system for sellers)

can't beat it. Just start making a list of parts and which sites have the best warranty/ratings.

You'll end up with a great system at a lot less than regular cost. (+ not paying for bloat)

u6crash

01-03-2004, 01:07 AM

I'd also recommend Apple Computers. There are lots of naysayers out there, but I was a diehard PC user for years and enjoyed switching to Apple after OS X came out. I've had my G4 for a year and a half and it's never crashed once. The only problem was when lightning hit it, but Apple can hardly be blamed for that.

On the PC side of things, I really like the work done by SAG Electronics. They are a lesser known custom builder, out of Pennsylvania I think. I did research for six months before going with them the first time, and have bought two computers from them before going with Mac.

johca

01-03-2004, 02:38 AM

There are lots of naysayers out there, but I was a diehard PC user for years and enjoyed switching to Apple after OS X came out.

Apple/Macintosh system and software is top notch, but I'm a naysayer for other reasons. Primarily on the money I invested in Apple IIs, only to be abandoned by Apple when they dropped the Apple II product line. So for me, the issue is a refusal to put all my software and system needs in the same basket.

SnakEyez is correct about the quality and capabilities of Apple/Macintosh systems but unless you are buying a dual 2GHz Power Mac G5 running Mac OS X Panther and investing in some professional software for video and graphics design arena, I recommend you consider the supply and demand advantages of an Intel/Windows or AMD/Windows based system. These systems are less expensive than buying and using an Apple/Macintosh system. Gaming applications are considerably less available for Mac’s than what is available for systems running a Windows OS.

Assembling your own system is probably more expensive up front than buying from Dell, Gateway, Alienware, etc. Even a custom build from them is usually cheaper, when you consider software and OS costs.

Fac3less is recommending some good sites to shop, but if you go that route you need to have your component list made and perhaps understand the specifications and capabilities of the components as perhaps one manufactures graphics card or older release component might give you what you want or need at a considerably less price.

Tammy

01-03-2004, 03:00 AM

If you are a novice computer user, Dell. Sorry for those who are snobs about it, but get a Dell, dude. It's easy and painless and support is good and you will have a working system on your desk within a week.

For someone more advanced, Pricewatch will find you some good deals. I have gone this route in the past and been satisfied. This is best if you just have to have that 128 MB video card and the 512 RAM and a kickin' sound card but don't want to spend more than like $600.

For advanced, I would either build from scratch or get a real cheap basic unit from anywhere and get all the components I want and add them separately. This gives you just what you want and can be cheapest because you can usually find things cheaper individually, especially if you are not under any time pressure. For instance, I can get sound cards and network cards and stuff Free After Rebate by looking around and waiting for deals, which saves a lot of cash over paying Dell or someone $20 a pop for each.

I actually bought the desktop on which I am typing this from Dell for a friend and he really likes it. Not all of us are geeks who need to prove something or have the ability to build from scratch. ;)

Unicorn2

01-03-2004, 10:48 AM

It all depends on your budget..

I mean, you could have me build you a complete custom rig, but I haven't sold a computer for less than 3 grand in 5 years..

fac3less

01-03-2004, 11:53 AM

My 'rig' is completely custom built. It was everything I wanted a whole two years ago. ;)

You can build a complete system for like 200 bucks via pricewatch depending on your board. Chip is 114.. for 2ghz..

Anyways..

brb!

SnakEyez

01-03-2004, 12:54 PM

Fac3less, could you please be more specific with your post on pricewatch for those who are unaware of what it does. Pricewatch is not a store. Pricewatch is merely a search engine that lists prices from different stores. Would you mind posting some of the actual stores you bought your parts from and comment on them?

fac3less

01-03-2004, 12:58 PM

Well as I've previously stated - pricewatch has a rating feature (as does resellerratings). Basically what I do is I find the stores that are the 'cheapest' and then find the one with the best rating out of them all. On the 'right' when viewing things for sale is where the rating is. You'll see something like 9/17 or -300/950. Just click those numbers to see some reviews/comments.

I buy from all sorts of stores - I don't stick with just one. Why? well - I guess from a personal side of view I'm out to get the best deal I possibly can.. now when I begin to build for the company however - I'm going to try to develop relations with one or two specific companies and then let them fight over my business.

;) thats the best way to do it - that way they both want to keep you buying from them so they offer you discounts or less shipping etc.

uhsites

01-03-2004, 01:42 PM

I don't know what an "omputer" is, but as far as computers, the first one I got was a Gateway and I thought their support was good.
I've never had a dell so I don't know about that.... but my personal computer is a HP pavilion.
I have an HP printer that goes along with it, and I'm happy with my set up :-)

Fuzzylogic

01-03-2004, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by intricate
I am looking to buy or build a cmputer does any one have any suggestions which parts or company to buy a good computer from. It would be every appreciated.

What do you want it to do?

Here is a great place to start, they have 3 computers already configured by price and of course performance.
http://arstechnica.com/guide/system/index.html

Pick from the 3.

Now you said you wanted help building it, well this guide here should do:

http://arstechnica.com/guide/building/

Let us know if you have any questions.

Oh, you asked for "safe" places to buy from.

www.mwave.com
www.newegg.com
www.cdw.com are a few good ones.

Unicorn2

01-05-2004, 01:07 PM

Personally, my standpoint at this very second is

1) Wait if you can

2) If you can't wait, go intel, unless you are rich and don't mind overpaying for tech that will be more helpful TOMORROW than right now, then if thats the case, go for AMD 64-FX-51 Processor

But basically, the amd32 processors are just the economy line right now. The amd64's are more expensive, and unless you get the best one, marginal in performance to intels ia32 offerings.

The best bang for the buck processor, right now, in my opinion, is the p4 2.6C

@ ~~$170, you've got an 800mhz fsb, tons of speed, and a decent overclocker.
You don't have to buy cas2 ram for an i865/i875 chipset motherboard (because that's the only thing you SHOULD use with a p4 "C" processor...).. the chipset cares more about bandwidth than timings .. i.e. you're better of with cas3 pc3700 than cas2 pc3200 (i only have mine cause it's leftover from my amd rig)...

The amd options tend to need REGISTERED ram (i.e. much more expensive per megabyte than regular ddr) which is why I am recommending people shy away from them, because the cost for a 1gb ram/motherboard/FX-51 bundle can be around a grand..

You could buy the best of the best P4 motherboard (with every bell and whistle you can imagine), a p4 2.6c + a gig of ddr for ~~ $500.

Post #75 : Consider this my first entry into the lcd contest!

Fuzzylogic

01-06-2004, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by intricate
I am looking to buy or build a cmputer does any one have any suggestions which parts or company to buy a good computer from. It would be every appreciated.

Well post back, let us know what road you are going to take.

Oh and we demand pictures once you start building. (Of the computer, not you... put that VS catalogue away)

fac3less

01-06-2004, 03:54 PM

as previously stated -the best bang for the buck IS the 2.6C right now (800mhz bus, etc)

+ the best type of ram would be 3200->3700 Micron, 30-50 for a chip depending where you buy. So like 60-100 dollars total for 512mb, 150ish for 1gig.

P4800 - by asus, if you can get the P4800D which comes with built in lan/few other spiffy parts.

as for harddrives - the best deal right now is... WD 80gb, Maxtor 80gb - you can get them for less than a dollar per GB.

Anyways.. just my two cents. I'm personally building 2 systems right now.. one server and another for my brother.. for less than 800.. so not too shabby.

Fuzzylogic

01-06-2004, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by fac3less

Anyways.. just my two cents. I'm personally building 2 systems right now.. one server and another for my brother.. for less than 800.. so not too shabby.

I'm curious, what are you paying for your software? OS, office, etc?

Unicorn2

01-08-2004, 12:51 AM

Originally posted by Fuzzylogic
I'm curious, what are you paying for your software? OS, office, etc?

OH.. he's gonna be using Linux with Wine and OpenOffice, dontcha know?

(Wine = "Windows in Neutered Environment")

Unicorn2

01-08-2004, 11:55 AM

I think he needs one built in tibet..

I mean.. where else are you gonna get an "OM"puter from?

Fuzzylogic

01-08-2004, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by Unicorn2
OH.. he's gonna be using Linux with Wine and OpenOffice, dontcha know?

(Wine = "Windows in Neutered Environment")

Fair enough, but don't you still need a Windows license since you are running Windows on a Windows emulator?

vanselus

01-11-2004, 01:51 AM

Originally posted by Unicorn2
Personally, my standpoint at this very second is

1) Wait if you can

Why wait now? Isn't there always going to be something bigger, cheaper, faster on the horizon?

Viper007Bond

01-11-2004, 07:51 AM

Buying a pre-built? Get a Dell.

Or even better, if you know how, build your own. Try www.newegg.com for parts.

As for specs, is this a gaming machine or just a word processor? If it's just a word processor, I think you can figure out what to get.

If it's a gaming machine and you're not looking for a top of the line machine, but have some money to spend and want a good one, I'd get..

A P4 personally, but then again, never used a AMD and they are cheaper (still prefer the extra price of a P4 tho).
1 GB DDR RAM
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (All-In-Wonder or not is up to you and your wallet)
80+ GB (depends on how much you download) Hard Drive

And the rest is just how much you want to spend, etc.

Unicorn2

01-11-2004, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by Fuzzylogic
Fair enough, but don't you still need a Windows license since you are running Windows on a Windows emulator?

I don't think so.
It hink WINE is completely written with no windows copyrighted code, so, therefore, you don't need to own windows.

I mean, for me.. if you did, then there would be even LESS reason to run linux. If i still have to PAY FOR WINDOWS, then it's not exactly a free o/s, is it?

I have a linux machine. (mandrake) and it runs solely linux apps. There are tons of apps I would *like* to run, that simply do not have 'real' alternatives in the *nix world. Yes, there are similair progs, such as Gimp instead of photoshop.. but it's just not the same.

fac3less

01-11-2004, 01:46 PM

Thats nice - unicorn is answering all my questions for me.. *sweet*..

and where do you come off thinking I don't own any windows licenses?

I own quite a few.. and yes, one of the systems being built is going to run on XP.

The other - linux.

The laptop will also be running dual boot lin/win and the rack will either be windows 2000 or Linux (yeah, we're making a lot more purchases than we thought)

But thanks for answering for me unicorn.

(and btw, what does wine have to do with windows licenses? unless you're using VMware.. then you'd need a license..)

Unicorn2

01-11-2004, 02:01 PM

Listen. Linux, MacOs, Windows, all have their place in the world. If you think of these operating systems as forms of transportation, then I would consider Linux to be a bicycle, Windows to be a car, and MacOs to be a lear jet. Why?

Linux : Pretty simple in it's technilogical design. It does what it does well. However, there are a lot of things you can't do with it, much like a bicycle. 1) You can't pick up your date on a bicycle, (linux doesn't play well with 'other' apps) 2) You can't go to a job interview on a bicycle (linux doesn't play by the 'rules of business') 3) You can't go very far without having to take a rest (linux requires rpms, recompilations of the kernel, etc.. to enable features)

Windows is like a car because its
1) Medium prices, with medium functionality. It will get you where you want to go most of the time (unless you are trying to scale mount everest with your car/do something windows simply can't do) .
2) There is a very widespread highway system for your car : Cars are the "best supported" transportation application out there (like windows has the most software for it)
3) Cars require regular maintenance, and checkups for problems (windows systems should be defragged, virus scanned, and have their security updates put into place)
4) Minor repairs are user serviceable, major repairs (which can occur, especially if minor repairs are IGNORED) need an advanced technician

MacOs is like a plane because while it's very fast and powerful, you can only go a few places with it. It's not very practical for day to day usage (i.e. your not going to jet to the grocery store.. ) and expensive to own and maintain.. While it might be technically superior, the high expense is not justified, due to the lack of usability for other anything other then the 1 or two things it does well.

Unicorn2

01-11-2004, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by fac3less
Thats nice - unicorn is answering all my questions for me.. *sweet*..

and where do you come off thinking I don't own any windows licenses?

I own quite a few.. and yes, one of the systems being built is going to run on XP.

The other - linux.

The laptop will also be running dual boot lin/win and the rack will either be windows 2000 or Linux (yeah, we're making a lot more purchases than we thought)

But thanks for answering for me unicorn.

(and btw, what does wine have to do with windows licenses? unless you're using VMware.. then you'd need a license..)
I know.. I never said wine = windows license required. I was clearing up the confusion. Wine, in my experience, is an "emulator" where vmware is more of a "bridge" to real windows.

fac3less

01-11-2004, 02:03 PM

.. that has what to do with what? :b..

we have our opinions. thanks. buh bye now.

Unicorn2

01-11-2004, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by vanselus
Why wait now? Isn't there always going to be something bigger, cheaper, faster on the horizon?

Yes.. but.. We aren't talking a year on the horizon. Prescott chips should literally be out any second (I have already seen them in use, and I know of at least two web-shops that have even written up product descriptions and pricing pages on them) so.. the minute the prescotts come out, the regular p4's are either going to drop in price seriously, or the prescotts will just be a much better buy.

I'm talking most likely by the end of the month.

fac3less

01-11-2004, 02:06 PM

no.. vmware is a little more than a bridge.

Read about it. It might just help! :b sure you can sit and give them all the fancy names (car, bike, plane, bridge, etc.) but we still all have our own opinions - you keep your windows, i'll keep whatever I use (and i'm not anti-windows or anything, take a guess what I'm on right now, and yes - my windows box IS secure, the only thing 'insecure' about my network are the other boxes on it, so yeah, which makes my system insecure..etcetc.etc)

anyways.. just don't answer questions for me.. you don't know my answer. (funny i'm going to install linux on it eh, since I've already got the win2000 license for it in hand.)

Unicorn2

01-11-2004, 05:50 PM

post snipped : I tire of dealing with br/-\inless.. Oh.. er.. wait..

fac3less

01-11-2004, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by Fuzzylogic
I'm curious, what are you paying for your software? OS, office, etc?

sigh. . always right. ;)

Fuzzylogic

01-11-2004, 08:18 PM

Calm down people, it's just a forum, nothing all that important.

I'm still wondering what the OP was going to end up doing, did I miss his reply or something?

Unicorn2

01-11-2004, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by fac3less
sigh. . always right. ;)

Yep.. You are always right, or so it would seem when you have a.d.d.
Lets see : Fuzzylogic posted this question.. and he quoted me..

Fuzzylogic
Senior Customer

Registered: Jul 2002
Location:
Posts: 125

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Unicorn2
OH.. he's gonna be using Linux with Wine and OpenOffice, dontcha know?

(Wine = "Windows in Neutered Environment")
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fair enough, but don't you still need a Windows license since you are running Windows on a Windows emulator?

fac3less

01-11-2004, 10:35 PM

I never said you were wrong in saying you don't need a license (only in vmWare..) but youdid answer for me.

vanselus

01-12-2004, 12:54 PM

The Apple II interface was the best there ever will be. Windows, Mac OS, and Linux can't hold a candle. You people are all WRONG - and I can prove it! (although i'll just keep saying that and never really will)

Unicorn2

01-14-2004, 12:28 AM

Originally posted by fac3less
I never said you were wrong in saying you don't need a license (only in vmWare..) but youdid answer for me.

for the nth time.. fuzzylogic wasn't TALKING TO YOU. he was TALKING TO ME.
That's why he QUOTED ME, NOT YOU.

Does that make sense to you yet?

I made a statement. He quoted MY STATEMENT when he asked ME a question about licensing.