OK Techies - HELP A BROTHER OUT!

you need a new flux capacitor. that little gadget solves all.

 

Go look around at Microcenter -- they have pretty much every brand there, and people who know what they are talking about. You can get a good idea what's out there, and what will meet your needs. It sounds like you have pretty basic needs, and any PC package out there will meet your needs. Just get at least one notch up from the cheapest from any reputable manufacturer, and you'll be fine.

If you buy from one of the online companies, there's no tax. (HP, Dell, etc.) You can also find 'cupons' in most PC magazines for 10% off. (It's actually a reference code, so you don't even have to buy the magazine -- just write down the #). They always have good packages going.

Also, if they price a package without a monitor -- do it. You can get a good generic monitor at Microcenter.

I got an HP laptop, with the package starting off $100 cheaper than Microcenter/$200 less than Best Buy. Add to that a 10% cupon, and no tax, and I saved 18.5%. That was before the mail in rebate, plus the $50 rebate on a $49 USB external 3.5 Floppy drive (which also had the discount!) I've had no problems with it.

 

Memory will help your performance more than anything else. When in doubt, more is better. It's usually a small difference in price, so get 512.

Everyone has their own opinion, but any Intel or AMD processor should be fine. My rule of thumb is that if you are looking for economy, one notch up from the bottom is usually the best deal.

I don't think you can buy anything less than an 8X write speed now. Quality is usually the concern now. Any CDRW that comes with a current PC (from a reputable manufacturer) will be just fine.

 

RMT, Do you want a good value for the bang (or something like that)..?

I think the Wal-...has a good HP package computer at a really low price that will do all the things you are looking for...

 

I'll second that. More memory is a cheap and effective way to improve the performance of your computer. When I upped my laptop from 256 to 512, the difference was very noticeable (it is a Mac though).

 

if you're into building one yourself, try

www.arstechnica.com

go to the buyer's guide, and they have three recommeded systems depending on your need. their recommendations are updated monthly, i think.

 

Assuming that you're intending to use this PC to play relatively recent games, definitely go for 512 MB. Also, if you want Windows XP on your machine then I even moreso recommend that you get 512 MB.

Both Intel and AMD are good for the things you want to do on this computer. I'd say shoot for around 2 GHz processor speed; that is plenty fast enough...you oughta be able to find PC's with that speed at good prices.

Although I prefer building my own computers, the only retail brand that I recommend is Dell. Dell computers are reliable, and they aren't too bad when it comes to adding additional hardware (e.g. another RAM DIMM, a different network or sound card, etc.) Stay away from Compaq desktop PCs...plain and simple they suck. Unreliable and not upgrade-friendly due to too much integrated and proprietary crap (which is not good for gaming).

 

Dell Dimension 2350 is a cheap box if you're looking for a machine that you won't be playing any really advanced games on and mostly just for internet surfing.

My pick anyways.

 

Right on with the 2350 (from someone on the inside ). You can get everything you want for about $800-$900. Dell only uses name brand parts and peripherals in their desktop machines. Every model undergoes significant life testing before being released to the market. Not to mention the award winning service and support.

Since you'll be using the system for apps like web surfing, CD burning, etc. I'd get at least 256MB for comfort. Most Dell systems ship standard with 16X burners (approx. 5 minutes for audio CD). But if you want to save money, you should buy it with the standard 128MB, then add a 256MB stick from like Fry's or crucial.com.

 

I never buy anything with more than a 1 year warranty as well.

If it doesn't break in the first year it's not going to break for awhile and by the time it does you'll want to replace it anyways so save your money.

Extended warranties are almost pure profit for Dell because, as I said before, if it doesn't fail at the beginning it's not going to fail for a long time.

 

Yes, but something as simple as a noisy notebook fan can potentially cost millions of dollars to replace. Desktop warranties, however, are VERY profitable, because they're more reliable.

 

Everyone notes Dell’s great support, but the one item I order from Dell was pure hell. I ordered a monitor, I didn’t receive any form of email confirmation for 3 days so I called their service agent, got transferred 4 times (each transfer was a 15 min hold time) from one department to another. They couldn’t locate my order anywhere in their systems, so I cancel my order and placed an order with Gateway.

Three days later, the UPS guy delivers me two monitors, one from Gateway and one from Dell. I refuse to sign for the Dell monitor, accept the Gateway order. Then I called Dell (again more hold times, and more transfers) and they confirm that the order was cancelled. Got the rep’s name and a cancellation number.

Two months later, I get a letter from Dell’s accounting department saying I have an outstanding balance for the monitor. So I had to do the vicious cycle again of calling them. Talk about a breakdown somewhere in their information systems.

Lesson learned: Dude I’m never getting a Dell.

 

Go to http://www.pricewatch.com. You can piece yourself together a nice computer.

 

Not bad...if it has all that you need, that might be a winner.

my recommendations as a long time builder and repairer..

for what you are sayin you want...256M will be fine, but the difference in price between 256M and 512 is negligable..

CDRW...a 40x will burn a full cd in about 3-4 minutes...and they can be gotten for 60-90 depending on where you go and if there are any rebates around..

My personal preference is AMD, but Intels will do just fine(especially since P4 mobos now support DDR)

I was pricing out some low level machines a while back and saw some for around 500-600 w/o monitor....once again, it depends on your budget and what you really think you need...

good luck

 

My suggestions:
1. I would go with the 512 if possible. 256 is OK but some things (games especially) seem to do better with the extra memory.

2. Either processor is good but I use Intel when building my own. Alot of my customers like AMD though. With prices so low I would suggest something like this.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=19-116-139&DEPA=1
A lower speed processor would work fine, however for gaming now and in the future I would get the fastest one I could.

3.Newegg has a lite-on 52x or 448x for like 50 bucks. At that price why get something slower?

BTW-go with the 17in. monitor for your games.

 

Getting a rebate back from Dell is pure hell.

It takes almost 10 weeks and the forms have to be downloaded and filled out perfectly otherwise they won't give you your rebate.

 

No he needs a new CRM114. Only I can reference "Back to the Future", do you hear me?

 

RMTex - how much are you looking to spend??