Help, I need a new computer!

[vinjashira]

Do I want Pentium D or AMD Athlon? What is Dual Core? HELP!!

my dad had AMD Athlon and it was rubbish, I also had AMD Athlon and again it was rubbish..
never again will I buy another AMD Athlon

[Jessika]

I've always used AMD and have been nothing but pleased with their performance. The big difference between Pentium and AMD is that Pentium chips are already overclocked whereas AMD aren't.

And dual-core are just two processors in one. So basically... a 3GHz dual-core chip is really like having a 6GHz chip... And then there are the quad-core chips....

Ooh and another thing... DO NOT GET A DELL. And I've heard awful things about Windows Vista... I would try to find a comp with XP on it still, if that's even possible. But I've heard that lots of things are still buggy and lots of programs aren't compatible, etc.

[Randi]

Have you thought of getting a Mac? That's what I would do.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Have you thought of getting a Mac? That's what I would do.

I'm with you.

[Catty1]

Robin - one way to get a really good (and maybe free) computer is to find a company that has upgraded their computers lately, and is getting rid of the "old" ones. Often they are not that old, and great for home use.

You might have to get a new HD - but chances are, they have just scrubbed it, and the Windows and Office would still be on it.

I assume your keyboard and monitor are ok? So all you need is the computer itself.

Check it out!

[Logan]

I think it is funny how many differing opinions there are, based on everyone's individual experience. I happen to like Gateway computers, but that is because I've had good luck with them in the past. Would I buy a Dell? Never. Every Dell computer I have ever had went bad, way before it should have. But for every problem I have had, I know tons of people who have had good luck.

Robin, my only advice, as a novice and a computer killer (seems everyone I get near dies), get the best warranty you can.

Good luck with your decision. Perhaps you should look at Consumer Reports and see what their suggestions are.

Logan

[cyber-sibes]

Robin, my only advice, as a novice and a computer killer (seems everyone I get near dies), get the best warranty you can.

I agree! A good warranty is worth every penny.
And ask your son what he or his friends know about different computers, chances are they've had more experience with them than you or I will ever have!
I had a Gateway, then a Dell for years, was satisfied with both, but upgraded to a nice Mac a year ago. (I do tons of artwork on it & needed something that could handle large graphics files without crashing) Took me a while to get used to some of the differences, but I love my Mac.

Make a list of what your most important priorities are as far as what you use a computer for, so you ask the right questions & end up with a system that really does what you want it to do.

[wolf_Q]

I don't have any advice as I haven't really researched different computers that much. I've had mine for several years and it hasn't given me any real issues...it's a Sony Vaio. Anyway, I just hope you are able to find something that works for you soon (its already been too long since we've seen new pics of Katie and Tori ).

[Cinder & Smoke]

Pick a place within "normal" driving distance (think about 6" of SNOW on the ground
the day you have to make the trip) that provides IN-the-STORE Service.

Example: Best Buy has the "Geek Squad" inside their larger stores ...
the "Geeks" may not be rocket scientists, but they know more about 'puters than you & I do!

Don't overlook a LOCAL Computer shop - as long as it's neat, clean, and the Head Tech
looks like he's taken a bath/shower within the last month.

Select a Service Provider; THEN talk to their Sales Department.
Buy what the Service Guys are authorized to service & repair.

Ask to talk to the Computer Dept Sales MANAGER ... feel him/her out for who's the
most experienced (longest employed) sales person. Come back at another time if
the lead sales person isn't working when you're there ...
you DON'T want to be sold by the kid with a week's experience!

Ask to see last week's, last month's, last year's models - they'll be the ones on SALE,
and chances are you'll never know the difference (other than $$$) between
the "old one" and the "new one".

As others have said - AVOID a unit that runs "Vista" --- too new to trust.
INSIST that you want the machine loaded with Winderz "XP" - accept no substitutes!

[vinjashira]

Ooh and another thing... DO NOT GET A DELL. And I've heard awful things about Windows Vista... I would try to find a comp with XP on it still, if that's even possible. But I've heard that lots of things are still buggy and lots of programs aren't compatible, etc.

I disagree.

If you already have a computer with Windows XP running then don't rush to upgrade to Windows Vista. But if you are getting a new computer then get one with Windows Vista installed. It is faster and safer and yes I am using Windows Vista.

Run a search on google on Vista vs XP and see what others say.

[Jessika]

I disagree.

If you already have a computer with Windows XP running then don't rush to upgrade to Windows Vista. But if you are getting a new computer then get one with Windows Vista installed. It is faster and safer and yes I am using Windows Vista.

Run a search on google on Vista vs XP and see what others say.

Well it depends on what or who's perspective its coming from. I live with, work with, and have family that are computer programmers/techs and they all say the same thing. Not that it's a bad OS but, like with any new release, it still has kinks to work out and to just wait a few months/year before upgrading to it.

[Lady's Human]

I disagree with Dells being bad computers. For two years doing tech support (among my other jobs) for a mob site, where the computers were abused beyond belief, the only issues I had were 2 bad hard drives and one bad nic card out of 50+ computers in the unit.

As far as an operating system, STAY AWAY from vista. there are major security holes, and there are things Microsquash is putting in the upgrades to the OS that are truly irritating, for example, targeted ads which bypass ad-blocking software, and are based on your web site visits and searches. They are planning on putting this IN the O/S, which means no way to turn it off if they do in fact include it.

[Hellow]

Well, what is wrong with your computer? Will it just not start up? Because there is an free operating system called Linux. I use Puppy Linux on my older computer and Ubuntu Linux on my newer computer. I have revived an reallllly old computer, back in the times when DOS was common, with Puppy Linux. Also, if you get tired of all of those errors that you encountered with Windows, you wont get them with Linux. If you wish to run Puppy Linux, you have to have a computer with a cd-rom drive, at least 64 MB of ram, and a 80 MHZ processor. But if you want to run Ubutu, the computer must be able to rum Windows ME sufficiently fast to even be able to run ubuntu. But, keep in mind, Linux and all of the distributions are still developing so don't blame anyone if you mess up your computer with it. Here is the Puppy Linux website:
www.puppylinux.org and the ubuntu website: www.ubuntu.com . And the Puppy linux forum: www.murga-linux.com/puppy/
If you need any help just send me a PM or e-mail, e-mail preferred. PM me for e-mail address.

[lizbud]

I disagree.

If you already have a computer with Windows XP running then don't rush to upgrade to Windows Vista. But if you are getting a new computer then get one with Windows Vista installed. It is faster and safer and yes I am using Windows Vista.

Run a search on google on Vista vs XP and see what others say.

I agree. Dell is a good one & windows xp works fine for me.

[Alysser]

Ooh and another thing... DO NOT GET A DELL. And I've heard awful things about Windows Vista... I would try to find a comp with XP on it still, if that's even possible. But I've heard that lots of things are still buggy and lots of programs aren't compatible, etc.

I agree! Dells are the worst. Especially, DO NOT GET A DELL LAPTOP. They don't last. Where my dad works, they were testing Windows Vista. He said it really isn't all the great and still has alot of bugs.