Help desperartly needed

Shiz · 10-07-2002, 08:54 PM

Hey guys!my sister took our old computer to college, and we are getting a new one.

I need to know how many gb you think my nw hard drive should have. Is 80 gb good?

I also need to know if u think it should be above 2.0ghz, or if it should be just 2.0ghz.

AND most of all, i would like to know what brand of computer you think is the best and why, and which is the most expensive:

Dell
Compaq
Gateway
Hewlett Packard

Thanks so much!right now im at the library using their computer, and i thought you guys would be the best to ask.

jeepnut · 10-07-2002, 09:29 PM

Well, first we will start with brands.

Hewlett Packard - AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!

Compaq - AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE ON STEROIDS!

Gateway - I have one of these and I'm satisfied. Customer Service is pretty good with Gateway. However, I'm pretty sure I paid a little too much for what I got. So with Gateway, price is my only complaint.

Dell - Dell is comparable to Gateway in tearms of service and reliability. With either of these companies, you can more or less be pretty confident that you aren't getting a piece of junk. Things may break, but for the most part, tech service comes through. I haven't owned a dell but most people I know who have one are pretty satisfied. As far as price between Dell and Gateway go, they seem to go back and forth. Get an idea of what you want in your computer and configure it on both companies sites and find out which is cheaper for what you want.

Unless you have a ton of programs or a ton of music and video files, 80gb should be plenty. I have a 20gb right now and I'm feeling the crunch, but it is perfectly livable. Now if you plan on storing a lot of music on the computer, you should probably step up.

Currently, a 2.0ghz processor is plenty. What you should be worried about is RAM. Make sure you get 256 to 512mb of RAM and then use the left over money in your budget to up the processor speed. A fast processor is great, but you won't notice it unless you have enough RAM.

Also, make sure to check about video, sound, speakers, drives, and ports (i.e. - usb, firewire, and other slots for external devices you have or want.) There is nothing worse than not being able to hook up all of your goodies.

If you have any more questions, bring them up.

P.S. - This topic will probably get moved to the computer forum.

Mushlafa · 10-07-2002, 09:38 PM

Yeah i didnt read the last reply.. but get an alienware comp for a ridiculous price.. but you get a wicked system.. so its all good...

jeepnut · 10-07-2002, 09:43 PM

Don't let cyrax know you said that.

GameKinG · 10-07-2002, 09:51 PM

1. Dell
2. Micron
3. Gateway

80 gigs is great if your a moderate PC gamer, and you have Windows XP with other users then just you. 120 is great if you play and download PC games like mad. 40 should do it if you dont play many PC games, dont use Windows XP, or just use windows XP but dont download a lot...

Shiz · 10-07-2002, 09:51 PM

ok, so no compaq or hp!thanks!

i want:

2ghz+
80 gb+
512 ddr-sdram (is dr-ram alot more?)
64 mb graphics card, some kind of radeon i beleive
windows xp comes with it
2-6 usb ports, i want 6, but who knows

how much do u think this will cost me?for dell or gateway, not hp or comaq.

Jason1 · 10-07-2002, 09:52 PM

Alienware is overpriced, im sure their good computers and all, but you can get just as good for cheaper.

www.abscomputers.com

Thats where I got my computer which ive had 4 years now, and its been a great computer. You can get a wicked system there for under 1000 dollars.

jeepnut · 10-07-2002, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shiz
ok, so no compaq or hp!thanks!

i want:

2ghz+
80 gb+
512 ddr-sdram (is dr-ram alot more?)
64 mb graphics card, some kind of radeon i beleive
windows xp comes with it
2-6 usb ports, i want 6, but who knows

how much do u think this will cost me?for dell or gateway, not hp or comaq.

Both Dell and Gateway's sites let you customize a PC with the options you want and see a price quote on it. (Tax is not included in the estimated price however.) So, just go to one of their sites, point and click for what you want, and hit "update price" and you will a very good idea of how much it will cost.

Dyne · 10-07-2002, 10:04 PM

Actually, my Compaq works great. It only had one minor problem at the beginning of our setup but that was fixed. (Lines on the monitor and such). No other computer has served us better. And that's just my experience.

gekko · 10-07-2002, 10:26 PM

www.apple.com

GameMaster · 10-07-2002, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gekko
www.apple.com

What he said.

Jason1 · 10-07-2002, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dyne
Actually, my Compaq works great. It only had one minor problem at the beginning of our setup but that was fixed. (Lines on the monitor and such). No other computer has served us better. And that's just my experience.

Compaqs are crap. I have 2 friends that both have compaqs, one whos is old at only 300 mhz, and the other who has one that is 1.7ghz. They both have had bad experiences.

Mushlafa · 10-08-2002, 03:52 PM

and up untill last onth i also had a compaq... and... i dont eaven wanna list the things wrong with it :d just to name one.... YOu have to close all the programs except Explorer that start when the comp starts within 2 minutes or when you try to close a program after the comp will freeze :d

and if your gonna complain about alienwares prices... the most expensive mac is more expensive than the most expensive alienware computer... plus you dont eaven get a moniter along with it..

Dyne · 10-08-2002, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jason1
Compaqs are crap. I have 2 friends that both have compaqs, one whos is old at only 300 mhz, and the other who has one that is 1.7ghz. They both have had bad experiences.

Well, who knows. I'll let you go with your opinion.

bobcat · 10-08-2002, 06:06 PM

Get a Dell.

They are quite good. We used to use Compaq @ work ,but now we are changing to Dell for the price difference.

Honestly speaking I don't think Compaq are bad or anything, but their support sucks