I am getting ready to buy a new desktop, but don't know exactly what I need. Someone please help?

Question

I would like to get a desktop computer in the near future, as I'm going to be starting school again in the spring. I don't need the most high-tech computer out there. My basic need for the computer is to do school work on, browse the internet, check email, use AIM, store lots of pictures, and possibly use it for music downloading. I am on a tight budget, but want to make sure I'm getting the best computer for my needs, for the best price I can get. Please help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer 1

As someone who used to sell computers and now builds them I'll give you some real advice. Don't buy a used computer. You have no idea how it has been treated. Technology is moving so fast now that a used computer is likely to be horribly outdated.



Processor: The best bang for your buck will be the AMD Athlon processors. Currently they are cheap and they are better than the Intel Pentium 4. If you are really trying to be super cheap you can get an AMD Sempron. Do not get an Intel Celeron processor! I don't care how cheap it is, you will regret it. Don't worry about GHz. That is the least important factor in how powerful a processor is. If you decide you want to splurge and get a powerful processor, the Intel Core 2 Duo is the best.



Hard drive: Most computers come with a minimum of 80GB. The only way you'll need more is if you do alot of gaming, or save alot of videos onto your computer.



RAM Memory: 512MB is enough for just about anything. You don't need more and you won't want less.



DVD/CD RW/ Lightscribe, etc.: Get what you will use. Lightscribe seems cool and all but it's not worth the money if you'll never use it.



Video card: This is only critical if you are either playing games or doing alot of video editing. If you want a good video card make sure it says either ATI or NVidia Geforce as your video card. Anything else, including Intel, is crap for graphics.



For brands I'd say to avoid Gateway and Emachines. I have more people bring those in with problems than any other brand.



EDIT: Ignore thebandit guy. He has no idea what he's talking about. There are only two brands of processor, AMD and Intel. There is no "off-brand". Also he said something about a 60 MB Hard drive. I have no idea what he was thinking with that one.

Answer 2

Go to Dell.com

You can look at all different price ranges.

They are good for first systems that you want to work and not have to wonder about all the time.

Dell also extensively tests their products to work with all the options they offer, They have great support, and it is easy to know how to upgrade your system because it has an ID tag on it. You can go to their website and enter your ID tag and they will only present upgrades that will work in your system. Also, Windows comes installed as does a few other programs.

The company I work for buys almost exclusively Dells because of all this.



Go to www.bensbargains.net and select 'Computers' under the catagorys on the left. Search for Dell Deals, here is one they are offering today:



Rebate:

Dimension 5150 3.06GHz 512MB 80GB 19" $506 at Dell Business

Click Here

Discuss (8) : History : Posted 7:52 AM PDT 09/26/06 by Ben

Enter E-Value code AFFT-S50942a to find this Dimension 5150 Desktop (3.06GHz Core Solo) for $429. Add the 19 inch Ultrasharp 1907FP LCD, 16x DVD-ROM, and 3 Yr On-site Warranty (last page of config) for a total of $678 - $172 rebate = $506 with free shipping.



# Pentium 3.06GHz Core Solo, 512MB DDR2, 80GB SATA, 16x DVD-ROM, Intel GMA 950

# 10/100 Ethernet, 19" 1907FP Flat Panel, XP Home, 3-Yr Warranty



A really nice computer and 19" flat panel monitor for $500

good luck

Answer 3

From what I see with your description, you are using it to do some basic working stuff (surfing net and typing works) and not using it for some power-hungry gaming.



If you are not using it for gaming I would recommend you to take using:



1) Either Intel Celeron D or AMD Sempron 64, what type of speed will depend on your budget (This is the cheapest processor, suitable for works and daily usage and perhaps, some games)



2) A motherboard with onboard graphic and sound. (Such motherboard won't cost much plus saving you the cost on graphic and sound card. Again, type of choice depend on your budget)



3) CORSAIR ValueSelect RAM (Or other types that are similar). 512MB should be enough for daily usage, if you have some cash to spare, get 1GB.



4) Hard Disk, there are cheap ones too. (About 40GB-80GB is fine for saving of documents and some video/Music).



5) DVD Burner (Its cheap nowadays, shouldn't be a problem)



6) A Eithernet Card



7) Monitor, PC casing, mouse and stuffs you got to look around.



Note: Some less power-hungry games is ok (Eg. MapleStory or such), however its not suitable for power-hungry gaming (Eg. FEAR or HL2).



Best would be getting it from supplier like DELL, the above is just a guideline for what you should be looking for.

Answer 4

First, decide very carefully what you intend to do over the next 3 years. I bought a computer on sale which was set up for graphics, digital photography, etc. I wanted to enter original music and print sheet music. The cheap computer had little room for expansion. A 10-year old computer running Windows 98SE had room for 6 more expansion slots. It cost only $50. and does everything I had hoped for.

Answer 5

you do not favor to get a clean router - only get a on the spot get entry to point (AP) like the Linksys WAP54G. It plugs right into a port on your latest router on a stressed port. This type runs about $sixty 5 on Amazon and different information superhighway merchants. i understand this works, because I have this right setup and use it with my Toshiba laptop and Lenovo T-60 laptop. Works very reliably. in spite of the indisputable fact that, you should purchase a clean on the spot able router with both stressed and on the spot ability for an identical value, and sometime even a lot less. yet it really is what you want to get both stressed connections for the triumphing personal computer gadget and on the spot for the laptop. inspite of you opt for, make certain it is going to help WPA/WPA2 encryption. maximum of them do now, yet an older type would no longer. Then set up the on the spot with a WPA2/AES connection and also you need to be prepared. be particular to set a complicated passphrase for the encryption.

Answer 6

Buy a computer with a lot of "hard disk space" like 60 MB or more. You could buy a used computer if it is just a temporary fix, but if you want reliability, buy a computer that is new and get a long warranty with it. Look also for a brand that carries an "Intel" processor, it is not a good idea to go for off brands. Other than that, I dunno what to say. Just tell someone knowledgeable at a store what you need in a computer, and they could probably show you one to fit your needs. If they aren't cheating you....

Answer 7

go on ebay and find something used... processor speed between1gig and 2gig at least a 80 gig hard drive and no less than 256meg of memory

Answer 8

Good answer from hhmmm no dude I got my laptop from e-bay check out laptops unlimited...

Answer 9

http://reviews.cnet.com/Desktops/2001-3118_7-0.html?tag=cnetfd.dir