Computer question

[Kfamr]

I really have NO idea ;x
My brother has built all of our computers, from our very first one to the one we have now.


I've been trying to get him to give me his NoteBook PC since he just got a new laptop.

[RedHedd]

Mine's a custom built too. I did my research via Computer User magazine, ZD Net, CNet and my computer classes at school and had a local shop put it together for me to my specs. I LOVE it - very upgradeable and (knock on wood) no problems in almost 2 years. Much cheaper than the ready-builts and I got exactly what I wanted and can add to it whenever I want, however I want. I guess it's a Burger King PC - have it your way?

[heinz57_79]

I used to work with computers and I finally decided to replace my dead Dell with a toshiba laptop that does everything but make me breakfast!

I'll never own another Dell as long as I live! Compaqs tend to be rather cheap. Oddly enough Emachines are pretty decent computers and less expensive than some of the other brands because they don't load the computer up with a bunch of crap you don't need, ie. 400 free internet trials, etc. HP is pretty decent for the money, and with Sony you pay for the name.

In laptops, Toshibas are top of the line, followed by IBM and Sony. HPs are middle of the road and Compaqs are bottom of the barrel.

My next desktop I'm going to build myself so I can be ahead of the game and build an awesome graphics/gaming/multi media machine!

A word of advice, get any extended warranty offered! trust me! I've seen so many die after the manufacturer's warranty has ended, and they can be expensive to fix. Also, if you live in an area subject to lightning, power outages/surges and spikes, most extended warranties will cover your computer if there's damage due to a power surge... manufacturers don't cover anything electrical like that.

Good luck!

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by heinz57_79
Oddly enough Emachines are pretty decent computers and less expensive than some of the other brands because they don't load the computer up with a bunch of crap you don't need, ie. 400 free internet trials, etc.

I agree. My last PC was an E-Machine and it was a very nice PC for the price. Lasted a good long time too.

[BCBlondie]

I have an eMachine computer now. Works pretty well... although I've had a TERRIBLE problem with popups (I probably have like 20 viruses ) I think I've finally gotten it under control... phew!
It's a good computer though.. I have 100GB of free space

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I have had Gateway since I started working here 12 years ago so I'm on my 4th one now and the only one I had problems with was two computers ago, and everything was replaced under warranty about a month before the 3 year warranty expired.

I've found Gateway tech service to be some of the best around. When I bought my laptop I debated between Gateway and Dell. Gateway eventually won out because I got a better/"bigger" computer and better service for less money.

I don't custom build, but there are certain "options" I wanted that Dell didn't allow unless I bumped up to the next higher system, and that had a lot of stuff I didn't want so I would have ended up paying more for something I didn't really want.

In my opinion, I have almost totally top of the line laptop so it wasn't cheap by any means, but it will last me for quite a few years. I've had it for 1 1/2 years now and it still beats a lot of systems that are being sold today, so it's not outdated by any means.....yet.

I really can't say enough good about Gateway, but I do believe that Dell and Compaq make excellent systems also. The only thing I would recommend is to make sure it's the kind of system that can have pieces removed and added at will so you can update later if you choose. Some of the ones from Circuit City or Best Buy CANNOT be upgraded, or they can, but it's very troublesome - I would not recommend one of those even though they are cheap.....and even though Gateway bought e-machines.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oops, forgot, one of the computer "experts" at Best Buy once told me that he would recommend the AMD processors over the Intel Celeron. He said they are a better processor and they are faster than the Celerons. So if you can't get or don't want an actual Pentium, get the AMD instead of the Intel Celeron.

Disclaimer - I am only quoting what the guy told me. I, personally have only had Pentiums so I have no experience whatsoever with either Celeron or AMD.

[My Peanuts]

My boyfriend built mine at home and all the ones here at work. He makes them to order and they are a really good deal. ANYONE THAT NEEDS A COMPUTER CAN CONTACT ME AND I'LL HAVE HIM CALL YOU.
lol, I put that big so more people could see it

[DJFyrewolf36]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
Oops, forgot, one of the computer "experts" at Best Buy once told me that he would recommend the AMD processors over the Intel Celeron. He said they are a better processor and they are faster than the Celerons. So if you can't get or don't want an actual Pentium, get the AMD instead of the Intel Celeron.

Disclaimer - I am only quoting what the guy told me. I, personally have only had Pentiums so I have no experience whatsoever with either Celeron or AMD.

For once, the guys at best buy was well partially correct. The REASON AMD processors are "faster" is AMD motherboards generally have a faster bus speed than the Intel boards, even the pentums. (so Ive noticed shopping around) Bus speed in lay terms *This what I know, if there is a computer expert here that can correct me please do* is the speed that the board can transmit info from the processor to the ram and the other stuff in the computer and back again. It doesnt matter how fast the processor goes if the poor board can't go that fast! The Celeron makes a good laptop processor Ive noticed *although it runs awfully hot*
AMD chipsets run cooler than the Intel chipsets which is a concern us desert rats have to deal with *computers HATE heat*. Also you can't mess with an Intell as much as you can an AMD. *I like to fiddle lol* I HAVE heard though that the AMD processors stink in laptop/moble aplications so if you are looking to go into a laptop I think Intel is better there.
Has anyone had a computer with the Intel Centrino? PM me! I haven't heard too much about it and Id like to know how it performs in real life.
PS IMO *disclamer this IS just an opinion* the Intel chipset is overrated and overpriced. But since they advertise and AMD doesn't, Intel is more popular and is in a lot more computers.

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by BCBlondie
I have an eMachine computer now. Works pretty well... although I've had a TERRIBLE problem with popups

Go to http://www.panicware.com and download, install and use their FREE popupstopper. I won't surf without it!

[carole]

My husband builds ours as well, so I have no idea what it is, probably bits of this and bits of that., but I have heard Compaqu and IBM to be very reliable.

[MariaM]

Well...uh...Dell, Dell and IBM. I wouldn't recommend *our* IBM which is an E94. Personally, I love it, 19 inch monitor, and black, but lately it has been screwing up. Of course, that could be because of my brother....Ok I'd say its good but not great. The Dell's, my brother and mother's, are pretty good, but not great. Better than the IBM though. I don't know lol, hard to put a label on it as to wether its good or bad. I say, just get a Dell lol.

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by RedHedd
Go to http://www.panicware.com and download, install and use their FREE popupstopper. I won't surf without it!

I agree! I have not had ONE SINGLE popup since I downloaded it!!! I used to have like 8-10 open at a time!!!

[davidpizzica]

I am pretty computer illiterate, so I am using a WEB TV! I have MSN service, and it's good and cheap. I had to buy a new one and it cost me $106.95, Icluding the wireless keyboard. That's why I call it the "poor man's internet"

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Our old computer [which we still have, and will become mine] was a Gateway. It was always having problems.

The new one that we got recentely, which is the one I'm on now, is a Dell. We've been pretty happy so far!