alexseanchai | (no subject)

(no subject)

So. Getting a new computer in the not-too-distant future. It needs enough memory and a good enough processor that Firefox won't be crashing alla time, and a big enough hard drive to hold all my media, and ideally a Blu-ray player and whatever I'd need to vid with ease. And Windows 7, despite my loathing of same. And I need it to be as inexpensive as possible. I have no particular brand loyalty. I'm not even sure whether I want a desktop or laptop—I have a netbook (with a crap battery), so mobility is not vital.

Suggestions?

ETA: 1, 2, 3.

In related news, I am not in fact going to con.txt. Can't afford it. *sad*

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Just some very cursory research and someone with more recent and varied PC experience will probably have better input, but here's what I've got: most decent monitors are a little under a hundred bucks, so unless you have one already waiting you'll want to factor that into the price of any desktop computer. That said, of the computers I've looked at so far I'd probably go with a laptop, because the desktop options I've seen that are reasonably priced new are brands I have zero familiarity with and which, in some cases, may require you providing still other parts which will drive up the final price.

The laptops I've looked at, your least expensive options appear to be Gateway, Toshiba, Sony VAIO's 15.5" E series, or various refurbished machines. Sony's the lowest price if the only upgrade you get is the Blu-ray drive and optionally either bigger memory or hard drive, the Gateway is cheapest if you upgrade the VAIO to have both comparable memory and hard drive, and Toshiba is a brand I've actually used and got a lot of life out of, even though mine was secondhand and not even refurbished.

I want to say the order I'd recommend them is Toshiba, then VAIO, then Gateway, but I'm freely admitting computer nerd prejudice here because I can't seem to shake that "this is a computer for beginners" feeling I've had since I became aware of Gateway in the '90s.

If you can afford to hold off juuuust a little bit, we're rapidly approaching laptop sale season, so you may be able to get a sweet deal on your computer of choice. Also find out what electronics stores you have in the area if you haven't already, because this is definitely a situation where you'll want to shop around as much as you can.

Um, that's all I can think of right now, but if there's anything specific you want more info on I'll be happy to natter on.

ETA: Looking at the computers you've linked, I would give 3 a pass unless you're willing to take a few levels in computer-building DIY, already know a thing or two about that, or have easy access to someone who does know what they're doing. Otherwise, for the memory and storage you're looking at these are definitely better deals than what I was looking at. I would probably go with the Acer for that hair of extra processing speed. But, like I said before, if someone who knows more about these things says otherwise, I'd probably go with their advice instead.

Edited 2012-03-23 01:26 (UTC)

Dad has been building computers from scratch for work, so that's not a problem. Neither is monitor--the one I've got is more than adequate. He thinks I'm best with a desktop because at school most classrooms are computer-equipped and I have my netbook for otherwise, and other than school a laptop would basically sit where my desktop does all the livelong, and a desktop will give me more bang for the buck. I'm inclined to think he's right.

Thank you, though!

If customer service is an issue for you, I'd avoid Gateway and likewise, Dell. They haven't been the same company I loved a decade ago. I've had great success with HP -- in fact, the only non-HP computing equipment I have right now is my iPhone and my Nook; my netbook, laptop, and desktop are all HPs.

In general, computers have gotten down to a price point where for about $500, you can get a pretty decent machine (desktop or laptop) that will play streamed video, run an IM chat, have Word and Dreamweaver open, and Firefox without crashing. If you're looking at something more capable (to do video editing), you may want to spring for more memory and more processing speed, but the cost may be more depending on how the machine is configured.

That said, I like Apple's machines from an aesthetic sense, but the price is too much (IMO) for what you get, and a comparable Windows machine is usually much cheaper.

You may find a cheaper deal, but I'd steer clear of the $200 laptop specials unless you've done your research and feel comfortable with what you're getting, what you want to use it for, and how long you plan on keeping the machine.

I have never used a Mac and wasn't planning on buying one. Video editing is definitely on the wishlist.

Thanks!

I second the no to #3, and actually suggest a laptop for pricing. gateway is much more than a computer for beginners, now, and actually happens to dualboot fairly simply and well - I've been running on a literal second-hand gateway for the last 3-4 years. laptops tend to have better specs because they need to drop them like now in a store, but desktops are capable of being upgraded nearly indefinitely. cons to that is the peripherals, of course. honestly, even though you prolly don't have a physical store near you, i'd check and do pricing at frys.com, 'cause they start running tax season sales in february every year and go til near-june

oh, and i forgot to say, my gateway runs win7 at fairly good speeds, at that old, too (needed for school required software) so a new one would be better at it

Thank you!

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