Grooch | Friday, April 27, 2001 - 06:30 am  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  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  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  Thanks for the info! |
Echo | Friday, April 27, 2001 - 10:33 am  I bought a Dell awhile back and it is great!! They have great support too. |
Willi | Friday, April 27, 2001 - 04:34 pm  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  Am I the only Mac lover here?? ducks and runs really fast>>> |
Karuuna | Friday, April 27, 2001 - 04:40 pm  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  Mac rules. Love my G3. |
Schoolmarm | Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:11 pm  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  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  LOL Lance. |
Lancecrossfire | Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:25 pm  <ducks and runs for the safety of my thread!> |
Gail | Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:27 pm  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  <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  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  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  Yea, Schoolmarm...great to have you back btw! |
Moondance | Friday, April 27, 2001 - 08:26 pm  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  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  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  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  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  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  <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!! |