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Topic: Is now the time to buy a computer? |
Mel Culbreath
From:
Waynesville, NC, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2006 8:03 pm |
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A neighbor of mine wants to get a new computer to replace his 6 year old PC which runs on Windows 98.
He has his eye on a Compaq at Wal-Mart that they say is Windows Vista-Ready and they claim that when Vista comes out it will be free to the buyer of the computer.
Here is the description of the computer.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5238475
Should he buy one now, or is there a reason he should wait a few months until he can get one with Vista installed at the factory?
Thanks,
Mel
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2006 8:31 pm
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Windows XP will be around for a long time. I wouldn't trust a Wal-Mart computer, though. It's probably packed full of "trial" software that slows it down and expires in a few months.
The guy should buy a new computer. Windows 98 is no longer supported, and a lot of the newer software doesn't run on it.
------------------
 Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com
System Administrator
My Blog[This message was edited by b0b on 05 December 2006 at 08:31 PM.] |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2006 9:36 pm
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| Mel, your friend can go online to both Dell.com or Gateway.com and compare prices. This time of the year I'm sure he'll find a good deal. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 6 Dec 2006 2:41 am
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| At this stage, since consumer Vista machines will be out around Feb 1st, I'd wait on a new PC that comes preinstalled with Vista. You can buy many now that will give you a "free upgrade" to Vista when it comes out but that can be messy to install as it's best to do a complete "clean" reinstall - not just upgrade XP to Vista over top of the existing install. Best to just wait on the new machines that are preloaded with Vista. That guarantees 100% compatibility. |
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Mel Culbreath
From:
Waynesville, NC, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2006 6:13 am
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Thanks for the quick replies.
I'll pass on these recommendations.
Mel |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 6 Dec 2006 7:02 am
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Mel,
I too am in the market for a new unit. Anyone have comments on Emachines..CompUSA has them on special ocasionally at what looks like a pretty good price,I only need to replace my tower which is what they sometime offer.Is it upgradeable, ie.better sound/video cards,second HD, etc down the road?
Bill |
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Dave Potter
From:
Texas
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Posted 6 Dec 2006 7:22 am
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| Given he's still running Win98, I presume he's not much into high performance stuff or multi-media. If that were the case, it would be worth considering that Vista will also bring with it DirectX v10, which will incorporate features, capabilities, and hardware demands which will only be met with new generation hardware not even on the market now. That'll take another 6-9 months or so, at least. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2006 4:41 pm
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Vista is like Mac OS X, but with viruses.  |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 12:10 pm
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To clarify what b0b was insinuating (I think!): GET A MAC! For many reasons, the top one is it's system is essentially locked up and not prone to viruses. But the experience is so much smoother, easier and more creative than a PC. Visit an Apple store to see what I mean!
All current Macs can also run Windows, if you need to, so there's no reason NOT to migrate to the Mac, you're gaining benefits, but not totally losing your investment in PC knowledge and software.
OK, let the flaming begin. 
------------------
E9 lessons
Mullen D-12 9+9/Carter SD-10 4+5/Webb amp/Profex II+Lexicon MPX-110 OR Line 6 Pod XT / BJS bars / George L strings & cables
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 2:07 pm
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The subtitle of this part of the Forum should give you all a clue: "The machines we love to hate". I always figured b0b named it that because most of the members use Windoze.
C#
www.calsharp.com |
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Marcia Rodrigues
From:
Rhode Island, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 4:29 am
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| Just be careful of Dell. A lot of call backs and they are not real supportive. Do your homework, look at the consumer reports. If you are looking at a laptop, the life expectancy is no more than 3 years. |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 5:27 am
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I have ALWAYS bought Gateway computers and never had any major beefs. My son got a Dell for college and after a few weeks on the phone with tech support from India reading their scripts I finally gave up and replaced the defective hardware myself. Horrible support! I agree that you should not base your buying decision on one person's experience. So I agree with the poster above who said, read the reviews like Consumer Reports or any decent web site where there's a significant volume of unbiased reviews.
Recently, my computer died so I logged onto the Gateway site and looked at their prices and delivery dates. Earliest delivery was 12/24/06 and I had to pay shipping AND tax. I began to wonder why I should pay shipping, tax AND wait so long. So I logged onto the Circuit City web site, ordered an HP for $200 less than Gateway, no shipping (saved $89 there) and picked it up at the store one hour later. I was able to get a highly rated LG 19" LCD monitor for only $229 and at 1268 x 1020 it is better than by beloved Sony/Gateway CRT monitor in terms of contrast and clarity and it has a response time of 4 ms. The only tradeoff with the HP was that it has a smaller power supply and less than stellar on board graphics adapter which eats into part of main memory. But for $740 after rebates, I got 2 GB main memory, 250 GB hard drive, Intel dual core processors, 1066 mhz front side bus. Yeah the 2 GB is overkill, but this thing rarely goes to the hard drive when I page around or switch between apps.
As a sidelight, it turns out my old computer was fixable. I discovered that a virus ate my diplay driver. McAfee quaranteened it and the PC booted up in safe mode. I wasn't swift enough to tie the 2 events together, but when I happened to replace the display driver later, everything came back to life with no safe mode.
I think all the computers being sold today are gross overkill for web surfing but I do use mine for more advanced applications and intend to get into video apps. Back when Dell and Gateway offered free shipping and no tax and better monitors they were a lot more competitive IMHO.
Greg[This message was edited by Greg Cutshaw on 13 December 2006 at 06:22 AM.] |
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Don Poland
From:
Hanover, PA.
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 6:07 am
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Marcia Rodrigues wrote
| Quote: |
| Just be careful of Dell. A lot of call backs and they are not real supportive. Do your homework, look at the consumer reports. If you are looking at a laptop, the life expectancy is no more than 3 years. |
I have a Dell laptop that I purchased about 7 years ago. Yeah, I realize it is not as fast as computers being built today, however it still works flawlessly and I have only called Dell once when I first got it and needed tech support. It was something that I had done at the time that caused the problems and tech support guy was very helpful and got me on my way. Not sure why Dell has had the bad rep that they do, but in my opinion I think it is more of a case of a "bad rap". |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 6:40 am
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| Dell has bad tech support because they sell computers so cheap that they have a very small profit margin and there's not a lot left in their budget for tech support. But that's true with most computer makers (Apple is an exception), so don't base a buying decision on that. |
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Dave Potter
From:
Texas
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 4:21 pm
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| Quote: |
| But that's true with most computer makers (Apple is an exception), so don't base a buying decision on that. |
On what..bad tech support? If I wasn't knowledgeable about how PC tech stuff works (I don't consider myself in that category, but many are), I'd think decent tech support would be right up there at the top of what's important.
I decided, after my experience with buying a Dell PC and dealing with their "tech support", that I'd just start the process of learning about PCs and what they are comprised of, and build my own. But, if my preference was to buy off the shelf, "tech support", or lack thereof, would be paramount.[This message was edited by Dave Potter on 13 December 2006 at 04:22 PM.] |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 4:33 pm
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I probably own half a dozen Dells. They never give me any trouble at all. As for tech support, I never use it. In my experience, I always know more about the machine than the tech support people. I don't have the patience to go up their chain of command to find someone who can actually help me.
People confuse the computer with the operating system. Windows is fundamentally not secure. If you're on the Internet, you need to add filters to keep nasty things out of your computer. Windows itself will allow external forces to install dangerous software without your knowledge. The philosophy behind the OS is just plain wrong.
On the Mac, you are prompted for your password any time new software is being installed. You have to EXPICITLY give the installer permission to run on your machine.
In Windows philosophy, that idea is very inconvenient. They want corporate system admins to be able to install software on any networked machine from their basement offices. Windows was designed at the core for that kind of operation, not for individual users who want control of their own computer.
If I were buying a computer today, I'd buy a Mac Mini. Actually, I might buy one today. I have one on my desk that belongs to the company, and it works really well.
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Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com
System Administrator
My Blog
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Dave Potter
From:
Texas
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 4:57 pm
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| Quote: |
| They want corporate system admins to be able to install software on any networked machine from their basement offices. Windows was designed at the core for that kind of operation, not for individual users who want control of their own computer. |
You may be 100% correct with that.
I can't cheerlead for MS, but I also have to say that as an individual user "who wants control of my own computer", I have not experienced any significant problems doing what I want with it, up to the WinXP Home OS. |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 7:44 pm
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Nobody's mentioned Linux yet, so I will. I installed Kubuntu, one of several GUI flavors of Linux, on a second hard drive on my Windoze box recently and it's pretty sweet. As a graphic designer, I wouldn't choose it as my main OS, since I need (Mac) Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc., but for everything else it's great, and you don't have the security nightmares like you do with Microsoft. And the best thing - it's all FREE! OS, software, updates, plug-ins, tech support... It does require some tweaking due to copyright issues with video and audio drivers, but it's fun. All you need to do is supply the computer. I heard about a guy who bought a Windoze machine, declined the Microsoft EULA on first boot because he planned to install Linux, and got a refund from Bill.
C# |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 9:38 pm
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| I've owned two Gateways and two Dell laptops without any major problems. Over the years I've learned to do some basic computer maintenance, but One of the best things I ever learned besides basic computer maintenance was how to reformat my hard drive. Sometimes a clean reformat will return your computer to it's "out of the box" condition. I do a reformat a couple of times a year just to keep things runnin smooth. |
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Jeff Agnew
From:
Dallas, TX
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Posted 14 Dec 2006 5:18 am
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| Quote: |
| On the Mac, you are prompted for your password any time new software is being installed. |
This is the default behavior in Vista. Finally. |
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Bob Martin
From:
Madison Tn
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 7:28 am
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I'm just the opposite as some. I say now is the time to get a good deal on a new computer. I just got a new Toshiba Laptop Core Duo processor for a song because of the new computers coming out at Christmas time. So I guess it just depends on your outlook on purchasing things. I guess if I wasn't so poor I'd wait and spend more money and get the newer laptop but the difference between the benchmark tests in the core duo's and the core 2 duo's are marginal at best. The ones I looked at were just a few points the winner in most areas. In the recording of digital audio they were about even and thats what I will use my laptop for. If your software apps can take advantage of the core duo processors it can really make a difference. I use Sonar 6 PE and it does support the use of hyper threading and core duo processors and it runs very fast with minimal processor power.
Bob |
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Doug Garrick
From:
Grand Junction, CO
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 5:56 pm
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I have bought several machines for business and/or home use off of ebay. However, I don't by these machines from a standard auction, instead I've found some terrific deals on high-end workstations that were 'Left on Dock' and offered through ebay superstores. The way it was explained to me was, large graphics shops will make a large order for workstations from the manufacturer and for some reason cancel the order after the workstations have shipped and even sometimes after the local vendor/distributor had received them. At that point the vendor's only choice is to maintain them as inventory or send them back to the manufacturer (in my case HP). If they send them back the only way HP has to deal with them is via their re-manufacturer channel which drops the price quite significantly. I have picked up some amazingly high powered HP XW8x00 workstations (that have never been powered up) from ebay superstores that come across these boxes from time to time.
They're still quite a bit more expensive than your general consumer workstation but if you're after performance... these things rock. And since the workstations are using mostly server grade components their reliability is outstanding.
Personally, I have enough machine to host several O/Ses and plenty of horsepower to do anything. Literally anything.
Doug [This message was edited by Doug Garrick on 21 December 2006 at 05:57 PM.] [This message was edited by Doug Garrick on 21 December 2006 at 05:58 PM.] |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 12 Jan 2007 8:47 am
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Can someone summarize in lay terms the advantages of Vista that make it worth waiting for? Also, every time they come out with a new OS, aren't there a bunch of bugs that have to be worked out before it works smoothly? So is buying a Vista-loaded machine in early Feb. too soon?
Thx,
jc |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 12 Jan 2007 9:13 am
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| Jim Cohen wrote: |
Can someone summarize in lay terms the advantages of Vista that make it worth waiting for? Also, every time they come out with a new OS, aren't there a bunch of bugs that have to be worked out before it works smoothly? So is buying a Vista-loaded machine in early Feb. too soon?
Thx,
jc |
The advise to purchase a Vista equipped computer was targeted at people who are contemplating replacing their aged Windows 98 systems. With most manufacturers in the transition stage between Windows XP and Windows Vista, and considering the level of difficulty that a newbie will encounter during the upgrade process, I would recommend getting a Vista equipped computer and let Microsoft and/or the manufacturer sort out the bugs.
Windows Vista is designed with hightened security in mind, to the level of paranoia, which is the level I preach. Users operate with reduced account privileges until they are required to perform administrator functions. When that happens they must escalate their privileges, using a password for the administrator, to allow that activity to occur. It is unlikely that a virus or trojan can do that without user interaction. This level of security will greatly reduce the number of new computers being recruited into spam botnets.
That said, if you can find a reasonably priced XP computer, with support, buy it. XP is well documented and very functional. The problem is that with the release of Vista the support life-cycle of XP now enters it's last legs.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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