Archive through April 29, 2001

The ClubHouse: General Archives: June - July Archives: Computer Questions???: Archive through April 29, 2001

Grooch

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 06:30 am Click here to edit this post
My husband decided that when he gets back on his business trip this Sunday, we are going to buy a new computer. I have been left w/ the job of finding the best deal.

Can anyone help me with what I should be looking for? I am computer illiterate. It will mostly be used for the internet (for me) and he will be playing airplane simulators (he's going for his private license.)

The computer I have now, I had spent $2,000 for 100 mhz(?)compaq and was obsolete in 6 months, years ago. :( That's why I have held off buying a new one for so long.

I figure I want to spend around $1,200.00 or less.

What should I be on the lookout for?

Thanks for any help.

Twiggyish

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 06:53 am Click here to edit this post
I like Gateway computers. We use them at school and I have a Gateway laptop. The Gateways seem to be able to handle alot of use and still perform well.
Dell makes a good computer, too.

Zeb

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 08:51 am Click here to edit this post
Ok Grooch, unless you know someone who is good at building these, I agree with Twiggy on your two choice companies. Now for the hardware info. I would recommend a system with:

AMD Athlon 1000 (1 Ghz)+ Processor

ASUS A7V133 ATX Motherboard(Dell and Gateway probably use their own motherboards though)

Minimum of 256M of SDRAM or RDRAM memory

40 Gig + Hard Drive (If it's ATA100 then that's even better)

SoundBlaster X-Gamer 5.1 Sound Card (supports Dolby 5.1)

a Geforce 2 (Geforce 3 if available) AGP Video Card

17" or 19" Monitor
3.5" Floppy Drive
DVD-ROM
Intellimouse Explorer or Intellimouse Optical
Microsoft Internet Pro Keyboard
56K v.90 FaxModem

Optional: Hewlett Packard 9150 CDRW and some blank 80 minute CDs


You're probably looking at around $1200 to $1400.

Grooch

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 10:22 am Click here to edit this post
Thanks for the info!

Echo

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 10:33 am Click here to edit this post
I bought a Dell awhile back and it is great!! They have great support too.

Willi

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 04:34 pm Click here to edit this post
Good advice above & I want to add that I love my Dell!

(I've had MANY brands of computers & my Dell has been the most hassle-free experience & their support (albeit rarely needed) is outstanding.

Tess

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 04:39 pm Click here to edit this post
Am I the only Mac lover here??

ducks and runs really fast>>>

Karuuna

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 04:40 pm Click here to edit this post
mac all the way. I've recently d/l'd all my home movies and am editing them on my iMac. Way too much fun. You're in good company Tess, if I do say so myself! :)

Bijoux

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:05 pm Click here to edit this post
Mac rules. Love my G3.

Schoolmarm

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:11 pm Click here to edit this post
I'm another Mac user (Necessary to write music)...I'm thinking about upgrading my antique PowerBook520c with a Titanium PowerBook (I think it's a G4). Does anyone know about this machine?

I love my G3 at the office!

Lancecrossfire

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:19 pm Click here to edit this post
Ok, this is getting OT here! Thread title deals with computers, and now the conversation is about Macs.

Everyone go back to talking about computers now!!

Wink

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:21 pm Click here to edit this post
LOL Lance.

Lancecrossfire

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:25 pm Click here to edit this post
<ducks and runs for the safety of my thread!>

Gail

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:27 pm Click here to edit this post
Grooch - I have been working with computers for years (fixing, troubleshooting, etc) and my recommendation if you are buying a PC is buy Dell. The support is good and the computers don't seem to break down as often. I used to tell people to have a computer built at the small shops in town but the place where I had my computer built and upgraded went out of business and those that bought computers there are kind of stuck. I still prefer that kind of business but they have trouble competing with the big places.

Definitely do not buy Gateway, Compaq or Packard Bell. In my opinion, they are much harder to maintain and get support with.

Karuuna

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:40 pm Click here to edit this post
<flicks Lance> Get outta here, while the gettin's good!

Schoolmarm, I just got a new Powerbook, but they didn't have the titaniums in stock and I didn't want to wait. Mine's a G4, and I love it!

Tess

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 06:53 pm Click here to edit this post
Lance, you are in big time trouble, mister.

Schoolmarm, our next purchase will be a G4 and then I get my titanium. Can't wait.

Schoolmarm

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 07:01 pm Click here to edit this post
Hmm, think I'll order that Titanium tomorrow!! I know there's a big wait, but it'll be worth it. Then maybe I can "chat" and get graphics and use a web browser instead of Lynx.
Schoolmarm takes the plunge into the 21st century!!

Tess

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 07:03 pm Click here to edit this post
Yea, Schoolmarm...great to have you back btw!

Moondance

Friday, April 27, 2001 - 08:26 pm Click here to edit this post
Pops Rabbit in the head again!

Macs rule
PC drools

okay maybe not but I have been a Mac girl and always will be!

OOhhh MsMarm has a Titanium PowerBook and yes it is a G4 but I won't tell my G3 desktop :)

Grooch

Saturday, April 28, 2001 - 09:41 am Click here to edit this post
OK, you mac lovers. Do they have any realistic airplane simulator games?

Btw, thanks for all the info.

Karuuna

Saturday, April 28, 2001 - 10:00 am Click here to edit this post
Flight simulator, in all its versions and glory, has always been available for the Mac. You can check out MacWarehouse.com and search for "games" and then for "Flight Simulator" for other options. :)

Zeb

Saturday, April 28, 2001 - 12:03 pm Click here to edit this post
Ok, I believe Macs are awesome business machines, but not the best for the latest games. However, when I was younger, I owned one of the first Macintosh 128s and software was scarce. I remember going into a software store and the walls would be lined with IBM compatable software. I asked where the Mac software was and was lead to a small shelf area about 3 feet wide and maybe 4 ft tall. It sucked and I never bought another Mac.

It's not that I don't think they are great but software support was lacking.

Moondance

Saturday, April 28, 2001 - 12:06 pm Click here to edit this post
I have virtual pc a program for mac to be able to run windows and any IMB compatible software:)

Nancy

Saturday, April 28, 2001 - 12:07 pm Click here to edit this post
my very first home pc was a wang-(1980 or so-pre-windows--wow) now i have gateways(two one pc and one laptop) and love them both .... ;-)

Schoolmarm

Sunday, April 29, 2001 - 11:02 am Click here to edit this post
<Schoolmarm REALLY takes the plunge into the 21st Century>

Just ordered the Titanium PowerBook (G4)...I should get it before finals are over next week!!! YIPPEE....now I can use a graphic interface for the internet at home...and maybe CHAT, and, and, and! Should really make the dissertation writing this summer much more pleasant!!