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Archive through February 24, 2007

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jan. 2007 ~ Mar. 2007: All Things Technical: The Help Desk: Which computer is 'better'? (ARCHIVES): Archive through February 24, 2007 users admin

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Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 9:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Our computer is slowly dying on us and right now we just don't have the fund to get the top of the line. Trust me, the two that I am looking at are definitely bigger than what we have now (bought in 2001)! LOL

are there in any differences between these two computers? which one is better? (I know the printers are diff and the monitor sizes are diff too)
Compaq
http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/170738/bundleId/7557/rpem/ccd/bundleDetail.do

Gateway
http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/170745/bundleId/7567/rpem/ccd/bundleDetail.do

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 5:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Personally, I'd prefer the Gateway. The computers themselves are very similar... the Gateway has a bigger monitor and an all-in-one printer. The Compaq has LightScribe (which lets you label discs as you burn 'em).

So it's really a matter of what extras you get and what you'll really use. And money, of course, since the Comnpaq is slightly cheaper than the Gateway.

One thing... check out computers at your local Costco or whatever your big box store is. You can usually get REALLY good prices there. (And personally, I don't think Circuit City is the best in pricing, but they may be in your neck o' the woods.)

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 5:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Checking out Costco is an excellent idea.

If you don't need a new monitor and printer, you might also check Dell, where you can just get the computer without the extras.

A good place to check out good prices on computers is www.bensbargains.net. Just go there every day for a couple minutes for a couple weeks, and you should get a feel for good prices and where to get them. It is mostly online shopping, but sometimes they have the same prices in the stores.

bensbargains does a good job of keeping up with the Dell specials. ALWAYS get a special at Dell; don't pay sticker.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 6:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Actually, now that I think of it (and thanks Juju!)...

I bought my mother a computer for Xmas. I priced out HP and Dell, and got her a lovely Dell computer for about $500. The only thing I didn't do was upgrade her RAM, but she got a 19" monitor for that price (no printer since they didn't need one).

Check your Sunday paper. Dell always has ads running. Or go to Dell.com to check out what they've specials they've got.

Another trick at Gateway... you can purchase a refurbished computer for a lot less than a new one. One of my laptops was refurbished. Since it was a fairly new model, I have no idea why it was a refurbished. But sometimes, someone buys one and decides they didn't like it or whatever, and they can't resell it as new if the box is opened. So it sells as refurbished for a lot cheaper. That refurbished Gateway I've got is still going strong five years later (although it IS five years old, so the process speed is slow! <grin>).

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 6:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Thanks for the suggestions Cost and Juju! Even though I am a Texas gal, I just don't like Dell's. I think CC is high too, but I have a $100 credit there. In the past we have just called Gateway and 'built' one.

Chiliwilli
Member

09-04-2006

Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 7:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chiliwilli a private message Print Post    
One thing to be sure to do before you buy is check the warranty/tech support for each brand. That part could be as important as anything else.

My brother bought a Gateway and had to threaten a lawsuit to get tech support.

The State of AK used to purchase all their computers from Compaq. The tech support at that time was almost non-existant. The couple of times I had to call them they wanted a credit card number before they would let me talk to anyone. They now only buy from Dell but I don't know if that's better or worse.

Not that I'm predicting you'll have trouble. Just make sure you check this area out also.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 7:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Tex, I'm not big on Dell's, as a general rule, and have always preferred Gateways for home (although I use Dell at work, and even requested one when I started at PGP).

I've never had a problem with Gateway's support. Then again, I've never really needed support.

I had a major problem with HP recently, and have since refused to purchase anything from them. They even gave me a $50 coupon, but I'm not gonna use it.

Why don't you just do the Gateway thing? And spend the $100 on other peripherals? A new monitor, mouse, printer, or whatever (music, DVDs?).

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 8:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Yeah, Texannie, but Dell just got Michael Dell back as CEO, so things are going to be looking up.

And I also agree with Costacat about checking out refurbished units at any manufacturer you are thinking about.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Monday, February 05, 2007 - 5:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
I love Gateway support! Of course, I've never used any other LOL, but they have helped me on my poor old 2001 computer recently.
I will look into the refurbished.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Monday, February 05, 2007 - 5:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
What's everyone's take on Windows Vista? I see alot of the computers bundled with this.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, February 05, 2007 - 6:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
It's not necessary to get it right now, but if it is a free option, get it. And if you find a great deal on a new or refurbished computer that is a great deal because it doesn't have Vista, get that. Since you are trying to save money.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Monday, February 05, 2007 - 10:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Actually, you'll probably get Vista on a system, now that it's been released. If you have a choice, get XP and get the free upgrade option.

I'm using Vista on one of my work systems, but that's because I'm developing on it. I'm not planning on updating my production laptop or my own personal laptop for a while now.

It's not necessary to update, and particularly now since Microsoft has extended the support period for WinXP to 2012 (or something like that).

There are some cool things with the new OS. But there are some things that are not yet "fully baked." For example, the new help system (now called Assistance Platform) is available only for Microsoft. They've not yet released the AP for those of us who develop online help systems.

There are some software programs that may or may not work on Vista, and some older peripherals. You can check to see if your hardware manufacturer (printer) has a Vista update on their Web site.

For a new computer, it's probably less of an issue. Of course, you'll want to be sure you can install all your applications, and that they'll work. I think Microsoft has an application compatibility matrix on their Web site. You may need to upgrade some programs to the latest version.

It's not necessary, and personally, I wouldn't upgrade yet unless there is a real need to do so or you don't have any choice. The computer I bought my mom for Xmas came with a free upgrade to Vista that I declined. For one, they already know how to use WinXP so there wasn't a learning curve. And for two, they call me all the time for help. It's easier for me to walk them thru the steps to do whatever it is they are trying to do if I'm using the same UI they are.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Monday, February 05, 2007 - 10:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
P.S. You may NOT have a choice as to which OS you get on your new laptop. It depends on the deal that the manufacturer has made with Microsoft. And the number of available licenses they have remaining that they can still sell. I would definitely ask if WinXP is an option if it looks like you'll get Vista.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Friday, February 23, 2007 - 1:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
This is a Mac vs PC question, now be nice! :-)

I have a friend whose son is doing music composition on a Mac currently, but it's an old one, so he needs to upgrade. He downloads music from his mixers into software that allows him to edit the tracks. His current software is both PC and Mac compatible.

However, in the long run, for this kind of work - is a Mac or PC better? Anyone else doing this kind of thing, and can help advise? Thanks!

Cndeariso
Member

06-28-2004

Friday, February 23, 2007 - 1:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cndeariso a private message Print Post    
i haven't, but i have friends that do and they all use Macs. i'm a PC person, though for stuff like that i would always recommend a Mac. and, for stuff like newsletter publishing, etc. too. from what i've seen Macs are better with the arts stuff than PC's.

Sheilaree
Member

07-19-2002

Friday, February 23, 2007 - 1:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sheilaree a private message Print Post    
PC is better, but then I don't know much about MAC

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, February 23, 2007 - 1:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
I will ask my dh when he comes home. He works on both and is HUGE into music. I would be way too prejudiced and guess a mac.

Kep421
Member

08-11-2001

Friday, February 23, 2007 - 1:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kep421 a private message Print Post    
Macs were originally designed for the publishing and media driven industries, and have evolved into a very high end machine, so for those types of tasks, MAC's are the best choice in my opinion.

BTW... I'm a computer technician who doesn't use MAC's because I think they are a PITA...I'm an IBM compatible, Windows Environment believer and most likely always will be.

But just because I'm not pro Macintosh doesn't mean I can't discern which system is better for specific tasks, and if this question was about gaming I would definitely not recommend a MAC.

Jes my two cents...

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Friday, February 23, 2007 - 3:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Besides the one program that is Win or Mac compatible, what else does he use? And which OS are they available on?

I'm sitting here typing on my Win laptop, and looking at my Mac PowerBook (that is sleeping, with the lid closed). I haven't turned on my Mac all week, but I use my laptop every hour of every day that I'm awake.

I learned computer graphics on a Mac (actually, Mac's grandma, the Lisa). But I switched to PCs relatively soon thereafter.

Macs are GREAT for graphics. But I have to say, the Windows systems and software is now comparable to anything you can get on a Mac.

And a friend of mine, who sings and records his own music, uses a Windows laptop.

(And for those who are geeks, I swear I love the fact I can shell out to a DOS prompt and do all sorts of things. On a Mac? Nope!!!!)

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Friday, February 23, 2007 - 9:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Music is definitely better on a MAC!! With the musicals we do, I have to make tons of CDs of piano accompaniment for all singers, dancers, choreographers, etc. Garage band is a dream to work with and there is NO equivalent in a PC. Go Mac all the way! My dad has one and it has been my lifesaver. My PC has not done me one lick of good. (Of course -- I'm holding out for the grand piano that has the built in recorder, but so far the Macs are cheaper! LOL)

Bonzacat
Member

07-08-2003

Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 12:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Bonzacat a private message Print Post    
Turn your Mac into a recording studio...

Garage Band

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 8:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
I dunno... The Quimbys use only PCs, and I think the quality rocks!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 8:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Okay, dh says mac.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 9:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Okay, that helps. Seems weighted toward the Macs at this point.

He also makes cartoons and does graphics, but sounds like that could go either direction.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 9:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
No way, graphics is mac all the way.