Buying a new computer

[florida_guy]

A long time ago in a place far far away I used to be up to date on all the latest hardware and software thanks to the great people on this great BBS I belonged too.

Then came a time when I actually had a couple of jobs in which part of my duties was to occasionally build computers.

Alas, much time has passed since then and my hardware and software knowledge is completely out of date and I don't know how out of date my knowledge of building computers is although I'm sure I forgot some of it.

Now here I am with a Dell 350 MHZ computer with 128 meg of ram and a Pentium ?. I have a full 20 Gig main drive and a full 8 Gig secondary drive. I have a Dell 17" color monitor a CD-ROM and a CD-RW (both internal) the CD-RW is SCSI.

I have no need to upgrade my sound system. My color inkjet printer serves my needs as does my keyboard and mouse. I wouldn't mind getting an optical mouse or a faster printer but my system is hooked up to my high end audio system so I don't really need any sound upgrades. I don't do any gaming and very little graphics work. I would certainly use a second monitor hooked up to my system and wouldn't mind having a monitor bigger than 17" but these are luxuries I could do without. The computer I develop on at work is a 1.8 MHZ with 128 meg of RAM and a 17" monitor. I need to be careful that I don't get such a good home system that I am miserable when I go to work and have to try to develop on the inferior machine there.

What I do need at home is a faster system, more hard drive space, and a convenient way of backing up my system.

I don't do a lot of heavy work but I frequently have many applications open at the same time. I also have Norton Utilities running and a program called DataKeeper that backs up my important files to my second drive whenever they change. Both of these things slow my system down. Having full hard drives is another thing that bogs down my system.

On the expensive side of my options is a full $1500 Dell 8300 with a 80 Gig hard drive 512 meg RAM XP Pro and a bunch of other stuff I can't take off the system that I really don't need.

On the cheap side of my options is a plain box with no OS off the internet. I don't have a real desire for XP or any other upgraded software but if its cheap enough I would consider it. I'm running Windows 2000 and using Office 2000.

I'm considering a Maxtor 160 Gig external drive $300 as my off site back up solution.

The concern I have with buying a box off the internet is that I don't know enough about the components to know if its a good deal or a bunch of cheap stuff thrown together to look attractive but really its a bad deal.

I'd be content with a faster processor, and more storage (two hard drives minimum possibly three the second one might be internal or external).

If I could get some of the other toys like a dual monitor and stuff cheaply enough I would consider it. I don't plan to spend a lot of money but I don't want to cheap out and be sorry later. My computer usage is not likely to change.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[74PILOTMOM]

Hey you on the other side of the country...

I just ditched my old Dell 550 MHZ Pent III (running Win98) completely for a brand new Dell 8300 Series 2.8 GHZ, with Windows XP. Now the kiddoes have our old machine for games and the occasional dial up connection.

We love our new speedy black Dell , and are amazed at what kind of machine we got for 1/2 the price of the old dinosaur.

We thought about rebuilding the old one, but the new bundles are really affordable now. Especially when you get free goodies with them...I bet they'll do all kinds of discounts too with school getting back in session.

Get a new one, and pick up a new '04 PILOT while you're spending
Florida_guy vs Tracy...who'll be first?
(She has the color and model picked out already BTW!)
There will be some serious posting going on when one of you finally becomes official. You guys better post some photos too

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by 74PILOTMOM
Hey you on the other side of the country...

I just ditched my old Dell 550 MHZ Pent III (running Win98) completely for a brand new Dell 8300 Series 2.8 GHZ, with Windows XP.

If I go with Dell it will most likely be the 8300 series but I don't have anyone to give this thing two and buying from them I will be duplicating a bunch of stuff. Sound system, software, keyboard, mouse, that I don't really need. I'm not sure that their discounts are enough to offset all of that stuff. I really just need a faster machine and more hard drive space.

[kemosabe]

florida_guy: You said that you were considering a Maxtor hard drive -- perhaps our buddy colorider can help you out with a discount? How about it, old-timer?

Have you considered having a computer built from a Mom & Pop store? I bought my 1.8 GHz from Hewlett-Packard as a complete system, and then I bought another 1.7 GHz system for a heck of a lot less money from a local store -- just told them what I was looking for and within two days, I picked it up...

...I've also gone to Computer Shows and picked up the individual pieces and built my own -- even cheaper when you go that route!!!

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by kemosabe
florida_guy: You said that you were considering a Maxtor hard drive -- perhaps our buddy colorider can help you out with a discount? How about it, old-timer?

Have you considered having a computer built from a Mom & Pop store? I bought my 1.8 GHz from Hewlett-Packard as a complete system, and then I bought another 1.7 GHz system for a heck of a lot less money from a local store -- just told them what I was looking for and within two days, I picked it up...

...I've also gone to Computer Shows and picked up the individual pieces and built my own -- even cheaper when you go that route!!!

I am definitely not opposed to building my own box but I am concerned about my lack of knowledge of which components are the best value and I don't want to run into any compatibility issues.

Basically I'm looking for the best bang for my buck that will speed this thing up.

[guitarman]

Dell sells off-lease computers on E-Bay. I've purchased two laptops and they were both in excellent condition at an excellent price. And, you get the remainder of the warranty.

[colorider]

Originally posted by kemosabe
florida_guy: You said that you were considering a Maxtor hard drive -- perhaps our buddy colorider can help you out with a discount? How about it, old-timer?

Have you considered having a computer built from a Mom & Pop store? I bought my 1.8 GHz from Hewlett-Packard as a complete system, and then I bought another 1.7 GHz system for a heck of a lot less money from a local store -- just told them what I was looking for and within two days, I picked it up...

...I've also gone to Computer Shows and picked up the individual pieces and built my own -- even cheaper when you go that route!!!

I'm limited to two purchases per year and I blew both of them back in January (a 7200RPM 120Gb for myself and a 7200RPM 80GB for a friend). The prices erode so quickly and by watching the sales, you can likely pick up a drive for less than I can! Buying a Maxtor would make me happy but there are other brands out there as we ALL know.

One thing I will suggest is to watch this site as it has some VERY good info on stackable coupons at Dell. We have used this several times for everything from an iPod to a new Dell monitor to a new Canon digital camera. Highly recommended!!

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by guitarman
Dell sells off-lease computers on E-Bay. I've purchased two laptops and they were both in excellent condition at an excellent price. And, you get the remainder of the warranty.

Thanks for the info. I'll look into that.

[bigpuma]

Hey Florida_guy, I built my own computer about 2 years ago and I never regretted it. If you are interested in that I would reccomend going to http://www.pcmech.com and check out there forums. there you can learn all about building your own or about which parts are best.

If you do not want to build your own I would agree with Kemo and go to a local shop that can build one to your specifications.

You can also save a bit of money by re-using some of the components from your old machine like the CD-rom and CD-RW drives and maybe the sound card.

[Arrgh]

If you go to...

http://www.extremetech.com/

and hit the build it link at the top of page you'll find some good info.

[florida_guy]

Thanks for the links guys.

Any opinion on this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...gory=undefined

[Arrgh]

I'd go for a Dell refurb for the same price before I'd get a noname off EBay.

http://www.dell.com/html/us/outlet/r...s_top_mast.htm

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by Arrgh
I'd go for a Dell refurb for the same price before I'd get a noname off EBay.

http://www.dell.com/html/us/outlet/r...s_top_mast.htm

I'm considering Dell but the bad part about them is I say. I don't need a sound system. They say "It's include". I don't need the software. "Its included". I already have a monitor, mouse, and keyboard. "Its included" etc.

Maybe that's the way I should go. You're not the first person that has advised me this way but others have said that a whole new system for me would be overkill.

[guitarman]

That's what is good about getting the Dell system from Ebay. These computers don't come with monitors or high end sound cards.

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by guitarman
That's what is good about getting the Dell system from Ebay. These computers don't come with monitors or high end sound cards.

Geez! I was over there looking at them and didn't even notice that stuff wasn't included. I was wondering how they could sell them so much cheaper. Thanks for pointing that out.