Is this a good computer for a high school student?

Question

I am 14 and in 9th grade... If I lived in America the computer would be cheaper but I live in Australia. It is a Dell Studio Desktop, The details are below...
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor E7400 (2.80GHz, 1066FSB, 3MB)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista(R) Ultimate SP1 Edition 64 bit (English)
Memory 6GB (2x2GB/2x1GB) NECC Dual Channel DDR2 800MHz SDRAM Memory
Keyboard Dell(TM) Consumer Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Bundle
Monitor Dell(TM) S2409WFP 24" Full HD Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor (Full HD 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz)
Video Card ATI Radeon HD 4670 512MB
Hard Drive 640GB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive with Native Command Queuing
Mouse Wireless Mouse is included in Dell(TM) Consumer Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
Modem No Modem
Optical Drive Dual Drives 16X Max DVD-ROM + 16X DVD+/-RW with Dual Layer Write Capabilities
Sound Card Creative PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi(TM) Xtreme Audio
Speakers Dell(TM) A525 Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer (ANZ)
Additional Hard Drive No Additional Hard Drive
Software Microsoft(R) Works (Including Microsoft(R) Home & Student 60 Days Trial Pre-installed)
Media Card Reader Integrated 16-in-1 Media Card Reader
Dell Services: Hardware Maintenance 2 Yrs Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
Dell Services: Remarks Dell's Terms and Conditions apply
Item included in the system Adobe reader (English)
Item included in the system Dell(TM) Dock Software
Item included in the system Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
Item included in the system System Drive DVD Kit
Item included in the system Shipping Documentations
Remark Mod Specs Info (Australia)
Remark ANZ Return
Remark Discount is only valid if the corresponding upgraded item is selected above.
Remark Limited time promotional offer only. No further discounts apply
Security Software McAfee(R) Security Center(TM) - 15 Months OEM
Microsoft OS Labels Vista(TM) Premium Label
Delivery Charges Standard Delivery: Delivery 9am-5pm - Monday to Friday (excl. public holidays)
Freights Dell | Inspiron Desktop(TM) Mini Tower Handling & Insurance Charges(Australia)
LTO LTO 2
Dell Services: Datasafe Backup Service Dell Online Backup 2GB

TOTAL Incl. GST:$2,234.80

Answer 1

You are right about the price - too much for what you're getting. Ways to make it better - ditch ATI for Nvidia, get a bluray writer instead of a DVD writer, get a second drive - a faster smaller drive for the OS will improve performance all around.



Things that are good about that machine - good processor, plenty of memory, AWESOME monitor (seriously, you'll love that 24), good soundcard.



Uninstall MS Works the day it arrives and install openoffice - it's a free alternative to MS Office, and it works as good if not better than the $600 MS package.



You don't have much of a choice but to run Vista on that machine, so that is what it is.



Is that price in Australian dollars? If so, it might not be a bad deal after all.... as long as you swap vid cards.

Answer 2

If you want a good computer, as you say, there's nothing better than a Mac. I've been in IT for 15 years, and supported both platforms. Macs are consistently 4 years ahead of Windows technology- at least! Notice that Apple has had 6 upgrades since 2000 (10.6), and Windows has had two, XP and Vista, and everyone HATES Vista. They wait until Apple figures stuff out, then they copy it. Is that what you want, the cheap copy or the real thing? You want your computer to be part of the criminal botnet when it gets infected, or you want no viruses? Your choice.

Answer 3

It depends do u want a laptop or a desktop what are you going to use it for do you want an apple or an orange LOL

Answer 4

if your Mom has that kind of money go for it.. But any regular 14 doesn't need that much computer for school work.

Answer 5

try to buy wireless laptop for u