new computer wish list

[CrystalInMinn]

:confused:ok everyone I need your two cents worth! I need a new computer and am clueless.I am puttering away on a Pentium III with DISK, CD r/w and DVD ROM, Dell PC. Could some of you post your wish lists for me with attributes you would like for digital scrapping or designing.

Keeping in mind a moderate budget, but I am planning on getting a 750 GB external hard drive as well. The comp. has to have a DVD/CD burner.




Then I will have a place to start :eek:

[angelwithin]

as much memory as possible with the fastest processor you can get for your money ;)

[Granny]

Ditto Fiona!

;)

[eye]

I hate the new Vista windows.Not a good one.I have a Dell but it is slow.Get a good name brand and lots of memory:).

[CrystalInMinn]

What is a good size memory to aim for?

[Granny]

AT the very least, 2 gigabites. If you can afford to have your computer built for you, rather than buying one already made (Dell, Compac, etc) do it. Name brand computers are a pain in the Caracas!

;)

[*eng*]

AT the very least, 2 gigabites. If you can afford to have your computer built for you, rather than buying one already made (Dell, Compac, etc) do it. Name brand computers are a pain in the Caracas!

;)

Definitely Granny! We have always bought from the same company and thought we were getting a good price , until we were offered to have one built and in comparison the built one was way in front for value and quality.

[eye]

Definitely Granny! We have always bought from the same company and thought we were getting a good price , until we were offered to have one built and in comparison the built one was way in front for value and quality.

My last one was a good one and it was a huge computer but after a year the mother board blew out in a wind storm.I had a great insurance that cost me almost $400.But I had a problem the company went under and so did my insurance:(.Now when I buy stuff I get leary and scared to say yes. when they talk insurance.I also paid 18 years into a retirement plan that when I get 65 I would get 100,000 and that was what we were going to buy our house with and in the end found out I had nothing:(.I was so upset.So I find it hard to trust any form of insurance period.

[angelwithin]

i'd say at least 2 gigs as well if you are using graphics a lot.

a pentium 4 processor (or better)

and a good graphics card helps speed up the pc when doing lots of graphics

[srussell]

I have to throw my two cents in here... (as I build computers all the time) Three advantanges that you get with a prebuilt computer are:

1. It usually comes with a operating system, a good software bundle and utilites (depending on what you're looking for) - Don't forget to include the price of an operating system if you build your own or have one built.

2. It usually comes with a set of restore CDs or DVD, which is always nice to have if you system needs to be wiped or the hard drive fails or want to upgrade the hard drive.

3. It usually has great support and warranty. Pre-builts usually have a longer warranty that a custom-built.

Althought I'm not a big fan of Dell, I've always extremely good luck with the Sony Vaio series.

As other said, as much RAM (at least 2GB) and disc space (split the drives - add an external) as you can affordable. Also, the faster process doesn't necessaily mean the faster performance. You can opt for a slightly slower processor and add additional RAM.

And always DO YOUR HOMEWORK before buying! Wait until January before buying a computer, as prices will drop.

Hope that helps!

[Granny]

I'm going to ignore Steve, he's a typical male, always has to be perverse and contrary...:p

Well, if you don't know how to fix anything on your own computer and don't have a reliable place near by to get them fixed, then yes, I agree with Steve, :rolleyes: , but otherwise, premade computers are very proprietory and a royal pain in the ......

And I agree with Fiona about the graphics card. Makes all the difference in the world. And I keep telling you, get rid of all the icons on your desktop, they do nothing but clutter and slow down your computer something aweful. And forget Vista, it's a piece of junk!

So there...... :eek:

[Marion]

I ditto Steve. I have friends that had theirs custom built and got 1/2 of what I got in a premade at twice the cost. I have 4 gb of ram in mine (thanks to my husband) and that makes a tremendous difference. I have a pc and also a Sony viao laptop with 2 gb of ram. I have several external harddrives.
My 2 cents:D

[Granny]

Ah, Marion, you had to take his side.... I thought we were palls!!!

:p

[Smile]

Where we live I don't think there is anyone who prebuilds computers. So we are stuck with all the rest. My computer is only three years old and they are quite sure it is on its last leg. So I guess I also will half to look for one if I can afford it, in the new year. I will try and copy down all the advice that you guys have given out and I thank you also....Lois

[pkdoll]

As you can see it all comes down to personal preferences. The few things that are consistently true is you need a minimum of 2 gigabytes RAM, a good processor, and a top end 3D gaming graphics card. The better the graphics card the better your computer will run when dealing with a lot of different graphics and photo editing programs. The reason I say a 3D gaming graphics card is because those graphic cards are made to handle the high end graphics that are in video games-which works awesome for your scrapbooking graphics. Hope that all these recommendations help you in choosing a computer that will work for you.

[CrystalInMinn]

OOhh ooh Thanks amillion guys and gals and yes, I am waiting until after Jan 15th. :D And yes, I know quite a few computer gurus who do work on them really reasonably so I am covered on that end. I was planning on a good graphics card as well. but the rest of it, I was quite "clueless" hee hee.