buying a computer

H

Horn Chick

25+ Posts
I know very little about computers, but it's time to get one of my own. I know, I'm embarassed too.

There is so much information out there, I'm having a hard time knowing where to start. I don't need anything fancy, just to be able to use the internet/email, burn CDs (music and photos), and use any toys-mp3 player, camera, etc. I thought I wanted a laptop until I saw how much more expensive they are than a desktop. So I think I'll just get a desktop and I think I've figured out what size memory and all that, but here are some of my questions (so far)-

Is it better to get a computer online or in a store like Best Buy, or does it matter?
Would a refurbished model be just as good as a new one?
Are the extended warranties and service plans worthwile, or are they a waste of money?
Are you supposed to use memory keys as a way to back up files you don't want to use- do I need one?
 
I recently bought a Dell Pentium 4 3.2Ghz machine with 512MB of Ram. It does everything I want and then some. For the uses that you outlined here, you could go with something with less power easily. There are lots of people on here that know more than me about computers, but mine was based on advice from a comuter savvy friend. I would not get a Gateway based on the last few that he has seen. Compaq I don't like either. Dell is fine, but slipping a little. They also tend to get a decent bang for the buck. Try this coupon code that I found. Also, look both in home and in small business through Dell's website. If you are at UT, you can go through Campus Computing's website and get a discount, but it might be cheaper to go through Dell's small business section.

New! $400 Off & Free Flat Panel w/ Select Dimension Desktops $999+ • w/ Coupon Z7QT422JJ$JCLK • (may not be combinable w/ Deals of the WEek, $ off, % off, or select other promos - exp after 6000 uses) exp 4/14/05
 
I personally don't think desktop Linux is ready for the complete newb yet, unless they have a friend who's willing to help them around installation and configuration from time to time.

While we're all advocating our particular favorites, I'm going to chime in here and suggest that if you're a complete computer newb who doesn't have any specific needs other than general consumer needs then I'd suggest an Apple machine.

You get all the stability and power of the linux boxes aforementioned. You don't get the malware/spyware of Windows, and you don't have to deal with the UI nightmare that is Windows. Consumer hardware (printers, cameras, webcams, etc.) works much more smoothly with Mac OS X than Windows, and the bundled applications that come with a Mac beat what comes with Windows to a bloody pulp.

For those on a budget, you can go to the
Apple Store website and click on the "Special Deals" section for refurbished Macs.
 
horn chick,

i'm sort of in the middle of geekdom i guess, i've built several computers(the one i'm using now for ex) but recently the kids 'puter went south on me.

after looking around i decided to get a package deal at bestbuy for a emachine, it's a 2.6 celeron with 256mb of ram(i upgraded to 512). we got a 17" monitor and a color printer and after rebates it was less than 300 bucks.

it's not the fastest thing on the planet, software was minimal, operatiing system is xp home ed. it's fine for the kids who play a few games and use the web. wife uses it for a few word docs and internet.

i'm one who sends in the rebates and i got them back w/in 3-4 weeks.

their monitor was in need of upgrade and the old printer my wife had been using was also about to die so all in all it was a deal..

it came with a cd burner, 60 gb hd and modem/nic. it's not a bmw but i feel like it was a good deal and at the time i needed to get them a system pretty fast.....here's a similar deal they are running right now..
The Link


good luck
 
Get a Mac Mini.The Link

It wont crash, It will do what you want without you even thinking about it. It has any program you will ever need, and will be compatable.
 
Horn Chick.......Dell is running a 1/3 off sale on many desktops. I stuck the link below. I also just got a coupon code for 20% off Dell Memory online in my e:mail that I won't be using. Coupon code:
VZ65QH??T8GV1L



Hope this can be of some help to you. Dell 1/3 Off Page
 
Horn Chick,

If you haven't made the move already, see this link for a great buy on a Dell 4700, which includes a free 19" flat panel LCD monitor ($430 value) The Link

Suggested options:

512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (2x256M) [add $40] (makes your PC more future proof)

Single Drive: 48x CD-RW / DVD-ROM Combo Drive [add $60]

No ISP requested

Thanks to Mack Tripper for posting this link on another thread.

theropods' discount post above might be a better overall deal. You'd have to price one out on the Home side to compare.
 
Sorry, but HP.com flat out beats Dell hands down with price and it's not even close....

AMD Athlon 62, 3200+
512MB RAM
80GB Hard Drive
LightScribe Double Layer 16X DVD +/-R/RW drive
HP Pavilion v72c 17" CRT Monitor
128MB DDR NVIDIA GeForceFX(TM) 5200XT, TV-Out
---------------------------------------------------
Total Price: $690 (regular price)

Similiar Dell System = $786 (and that's with the 20% off already)

And don't give me any **** that HP's aren't worth a ****. Bought mine 1 1/2 years ago and haven't had one problem. And since Dell has out sourced their customer service, there's is just as good/bad as HP's.
 
That HP is a nice machine for the money, but it sounds like it's more than she needs. I bought a Dell 2400 for the kids with a Pentium 4 2.8ghz with a 17" CRT, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, 80GB hard drive, 128 mb of RAM and a 3 year warranty for $373 about 6 months ago. I threw 512 mb more RAM in there ($30 after rebate). For $400, it would do everything she described needing to do.

Me....I like yours with the DVD burner and the AGP slot and it probably has firewire ports which Dells never come with, but she didn't describe a need for any of that.

...and as for the service with Dells, I just posted about that.
My Dell Experience


To get the best deal, I would watch here
gotapex.com

Or here
techbargains.com

...and there is a good deal on a Dell 3000 with an LCD on here now
slickdeals.net
 
Horn Chick -
These guys are probably speaking over your head... Check this out:

Mac Mini (you can get it at best buy or comp usa, or online atThe Link

Email? YES! and you wont get any viruses because you have a mac!

Programs? All microsoft programs like word and excel and powerpoint and outlook

Price? Sure you can find a dell or HP cheaper, but they will break, get outdated in a month, and take up all of your desk space.

Ease to Use? It is ridiculous how easy it is to use, my grandmother could use it, and she can't even figure out how to use the odometer on her car.

Service? better than any PC company, research that if you want.

MoxY? Heck yes, you will be a trend setter among your friends, and you'll look like you are on top of things because you have that little apple box on your desk! Mac Mini is to affordable desktop as Ipod is to mp3 player.
 
Thanks for the tips and advice everyone. I ended up ordering a Dell last week, and feel like I got a pretty good deal on the price from what I researched. I did look into the Mac's, but they were a bit more than I wanted to spend. I got an email this morning telling me that it has shipped already, which is several days earlier than they had estimated, so I'm pretty happy about that. I should get it sometime this week!
 
I can't rember the official names for everything, but I got the Celeron instead of Pentium. 512 memory and 80 hard drive. CD RW. I think that's about it. It's not anything fancy, but then I won't be doing anything fancy with it.
 
IBM and Toshiba make very good laptops. Dells and Acers and Sonys are also good. Check the link I posted above about 1/3 off laptops at Dell. Also check slickdeals.net they had some great deals last week.
 
I'll keep the penguin in mind when it's time to upgrade. Maybe by then I'll have a better grasp of it all and feel more comfortable with it. Besides, he is a cute little guy!
 
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