Where to buy a computer ?
 

Well, my old computer has failed to start. It's about 8 years old. The power fails to come on at all (I think maybe the power box has failed completely), the hard drive is full, the explorer doesn't correctly load all my programs, and other problems.

Where to purchase another? 1. Dell?, 2. Gateway?, 3. Local? (Best Buy type stores), 4. Ebay?.......I've seen prices all over the place........

:rolleyes:

Love my HP with Intel M processor. More memory than I will EVER use.

For an EXTRA GREAT DEAL, buy at HP or any website for that matter, typing keyword "REFURBISHED LAPTOPS or PC" into search.

These units are fully prepared components where 'they' , the manufacturers, started building based on an earlier order. Something happened in production, like a minor mark or scrap, that won't allow it past CQ,,, thus it ends up in their reduced marketplace.

Viable merchandise with a ding here or there that will never matter in the total scheme of things. You save sometimes hundreds of dollars and they sell a marked deck.

If that doesn't work, check retail outlets or online stores like www.Circuitcity.com and make interest free installments while cruising the net.

Good luck.

I'm getting a Mac for one specific reason:

If you play with the machine and mess something up, you can reload the operating system without penalty.

Maybe I'm wrong here, but Windows gives you a limited amount of - at lack of a better word - "reloads" - of its operating system. After that, you have to purchase a new serial #, or, like me, you get a nasty notice every 15 minutes from Microsoft that you have an invalid copy of Windows.

I'm sick of that crap.

Plus, the new Vista operating system from Windows is no great shakes, and demands nearly all users to get a new more powerful computer.

With the Mac, you can run both the Mac OS and Windows; even if Windows is "invalid." :rolleyes:

Good luck with your decision. SmileWavy

The computer that's gone belly-up, is an HP. Was happy with it, and 98 OS. I'm somewhat worried that my old programs, such as Office 95, Word, XL, Excel, etc., won't load into these new systems.

In other words, forcing me to "upgrade" I wonder.

I have a Mac, for my needs at home, it is perfect, easy to use ..... and looks pretty sweet as well

I like the idea of having a local shop with a good reputation build one for you. There is no secret to computers but matching components correctly will make for a good running and reliable machine. In this "send it offshore" mentallity economy I hate having to call a 800 number for service or advice and have to talk to someone who can't speak English ! I would much rather deal with someone local.

In my 10+ years of computing I have never had to reload Windows.

Anyway, get a dell you'll be fine and they are incredibly inexpensive.

If you're looking for a desktop, I recommend an Emachine. You can get them online or at Bestbuy. Great price for a great machine. Unfortunely they don't sell laptops.

I got one for my son for gaming and another engineer at work who's a gamer has one and swears by it. When I got my son his I think the top of the line was about $600 wo monitor.

I'm not a Dell fan even though I use one at home and work. I've seen too many problems with them.

If you have a membership discount store like Costco available to you use it. I'm looking at an HP v5000 series laptop about $400 less than the same configured price at HP. Admittedly not configured the way I'd like it, but that will cost less than $400 to fix and I end up w/more RAM and hard drive than I originally intended.

If you're up for it - build your own. I built mine with no experience at all. Nothing to it. I had Thompson's Computer Warehouse help recommend the components and I put it together. They can also assemble it for you for an extra charge. This way you can select the best parts available in your price range and use some of your old stuff to save cash. I have a bunch of Dell's and none compare to the rig I built for the same money.

Since XP was introduced - I have never had to reload windows.
That is a pretty drastic solution to a problem.

dell, build it online, then open up the box in about a week when it comes. my new laptop has basically the same features as my friend's new macbook (for about $400 less)

Well I looked at some machines today. And actually I liked the e-machine out of the other brands. Has 512 MB of memory, and for the lower price the 100GB hard drive will serve my needs fine.

The main problem upon inquiry, is the salesman mentioned it's "hit or miss" in loading my old software (MS Office, Word, Excel, etc.,) depending upon the version. My Office goes back to Office 95 :rolleyes: (The printer I'm not sure either.) But the machine looked clean. I'll ponder my options yet for another day or so.

Thanks for the responses so far. SmileWavy

One other note, the processor is an AMD Sempron 3100 +, which I know very little of. (The computer that just broke down had an AMD K6.)

AMD is not a bad chip. They are actually taking market share from Intel.

Emachines haven't had the best reviews (I have never bought one). If you have internet access, maybe you can look up reviews from PC mag. They are not completely unbiased, but taken with a grain of salt, worthwhile overall.

Best Buy also has a Gateway with an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ and LCD monitor for $699. It's more expensive than the emachines but a hell of a lot more computer.

right NOW the geeks are going nuts over the new conroe intel chip
so they are dumping their old rigs for the faster conroe
that means you can get a good deal on a PRO built high end box
with very good parts built in the last year
I would pass on the semi-porns and celrys
and all the big name computer CORPs
as they all use CHEAP parts
and get a A-64 dual or a P4 dual chip box built by a geek
look on craigs list or on-line geek sites like http://www.sharkyforums.com/

btw save your old H/D and use it in the new box as a dual boot slave to keep you old programs

go to techbargains.com then check out the Dell deals.

Most of the desktops at the office (MSFT) are Dell and 3 of the 4 at home are Dells as well. The 4th is a home built machine that looks like a Transformer for my 6 year old.

If you are looking a PC get an Alienwere if you want to try a Mac then get the MacBook Pro

the Toshiba Qosmio is a good choice as well.

I use to buy my lap tops on line
http://www.alienware.com/product_pages/notebook_all_default.aspx
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/0.RSLID?mco=925997E8&nclm=MacBookPro
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cmod.to?coid=-30600&seg=HHO