Computers, what do you use?

Subject: Computers, what do you use?
From: reggie miles
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 12:56 PM

I recently lost my frail tether to the online arena. my computer went down. I'm not sure at this point that it can be ressurected. I now hang on by yet another cyber thread not knowing how long this spare one will last. I would like to find a more suitable computer to stay connected with. There must be some of you out there with opinions about what the best options are for home computers. Ideas about where to find the lowest prices or free stuff would help. What do you use and why?

Thanks for the advice, Reg

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 01:39 PM

Go through the Dell site to get an idea. Not only are their prices reasonable for what you get, but the reviews are always high, especially on the service. When I was getting set up, I had many talks with their technical help, 99% connected to my ignorance and not to any failings on the part of their equipment. Their sale bundles are very good and save you a lot. I priced out one package item by item at several places and came out over 30% more than their package price. Any package can be upgraded, drives, sound cards, etc. to get just the setup you want.
They upgrade their production line frequently, and in making the setup, the only problem I had was plugging in the speaker system- they had moved the connection sockets, but that was handled by a phone call.

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Don Firth
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 02:13 PM

I definitely agree with Dicho's comments about Dell. Good stuff for good prices. I have one of their notebooks (Inspiron 3800) and it's a neat little machine. I would have no qualms about getting a Dell.

My desktop is a Pentium II, 350MHz, 9.4 GB hard drive, with 128 MB RAM and a ViewSonic 17" PS775 monitor -- built for me in fall of 1999 by ACI Micro, a "screwdriver shop" in north Seattle. It has a fairly big case with lots of bays that are still empty. I planned it that way. The advantages of having one of these shops build a computer for you is that you can get exactly what you want made up of off-the-shelf (not proprietary) parts that are easily replaceable and easily upgraded. Any time I feel it's necessary, I can take it back to the shop and have a Pentium IV 1.5 GHz chip, another bucket full of RAM chips, a 40 GB hard disk, a hotter soundcard, and a new motherboard (if necessary) stuffed into it.

I've heard that computer sales are pretty soft right now, and this reflects itself in the currently pretty low prices. I paid about $2,000 for mine, but I could replace it now with a computer that would blow it's socks off for less that $1,000. But it wouldn't be as easily modified and upgraded. So far, mine does everything I want it to. Check the "screwdriver shops" (usually listed in the Yellow Pages as "computer manufacturers" -- but you'll note that they're local). But if you don't want to go that route, check Dell. Good hunting.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 02:20 PM

This one is made by Big Red (no surprise there) but I do have a newer one made by my local shop Webworks - Larry knows his stuff. I would go for a name or a person I can trust technically.

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Hillheader
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 02:24 PM

I bought mine (in the UK) only recently from Time. Again a bundled package suited me best and while accepting the premise that you get nothing for nothing I got a printer, scanner and digital camera included. The spec for the system is a 1700 mhz AMD processor,512 mb RAM, DVD, CDRW, 17" monitor and 60 gb hard drive for 1200 pounds -- and I think the price has come down in the 2 months since I got it!! While the hard drive is probably too big, I do notice the difference in speed from my old machine.

Think about what you want to do with the system. If you're into graphics then get as much memory as you can afford. A CD writer will also enable you to hold some of the data on disk rather than on the hard drive.

Try and get as much freestuff as possible from the seller but be aware that some will offer software packages which are not the latest version and most of the reference stuff may be useless to an internet user who has the whole of the web to find the data on. All of that will (in some way) be included in the price.

Basically, shop around and don't jump right away. I hung around for 6 months waiting for what I wanted to come down into my price range. I know I could have waited longer and got it for less but the old machine simply gave up the ghost and packed in altogether. That forced my hand.

Good luck

Davebhoy

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: 53
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 02:30 PM

ours ia a hewlitt packard. BOB

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 03:17 PM

I got tired of being dependent on what vendors chose to pre-package their systems with, and the choice of components used, so I decided earlier this year to build my own system from scratch, so that I could select each every component. (Also helps if you know how to do this.)

My current main computer consists of:

- Asus A7V133 Motherboard - Ata 100 compliant with RAID controller
- AMD 1.5 Ghz processor
- 512 megs of PC-133 S-Dram
- Quantum Fireball ATA-100 60 gig Hardrive
- Sound Blaster Platinum 5.1 with Live Drive
- Voodoo 3DFX 64 meg AGP video card
- Creative 52x CD-ROM
- HP 8200i CD Burner (internal components are Sony)
- Viewsonic PF790 19" flat screen monitor
- 2 Network Cards
- Cable internet (shared between 2 computers) - Operating System: Windows 98 SE (can't find anything more reliable for gaming and general use - including XP)

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: GUEST,Ian
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 03:24 PM

Justa Picker,

I'd be curious to know how much it cost you to put that lot together - did it save much from buying a 'pre-made' system?

- I know you can't exactly answer that but generally, how big are the savings by building it yourself?

Thanks a lot

Ian

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 03:33 PM

I've got a clone I bought off the internet. You get a lot of features for your money with Macintosh. It doesn't matter much now what you buy. The technology is fairly mature. Shop on price and buy it from someone you trust.

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 03:54 PM

Well the monitor I had, which I bought back near the beginning of 2000 which at the time set me back around $700.00 (CDN)

I'd say all in, excluding the monitor, around $1,400.00 CDN. There was nothing on the market that could touch this for what the parts cost me. It took me an afternoon to install everything - with the motherboard being the most time consuming, but not difficult to do. I also bought at new ATX tower case to house everything with lots of spare room inside, as well as a 300 watt power supply. The case and power supply were about $80.00 It was really a matter of doing a lot of research, visiting pc and gamer sites, reading editors choice comments, reading comments on various message boards about what seemed to work best with what (regarding motherboards, hard drives, processors, video card reviews, etc.etc...)and then making a list of each and every component with manufacturer and model number, and then finding a computer wholesaler or discounter near me that had all the parts, and buying everything, coming home and assembling it. It was a very reward experience building it all myself and it taught me a lot.

I reckon to get a system comparable to this store bought, it would have been at least 2K - but even then you're stuck with whatever the manufacturer bundles as far as peripherals and components. Since there is very little markup and very slim profits on computers these days (5% profit on systems), any way the big boys can cut corners and use brand-name/compatible hardware, they'll do it. Also, avoid integrated motherboards, like those that have modems/sound cards built onto them. In the long run they'll give you nothing but grief.

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: CaptainLewis
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 04:22 PM

Greetings!

You may want to check out www.arstechnica.com. It is a US base but they really cover the field on PC configuration, and even give an occasional nod to the Mac side. I have a Mac Performa 630 CD (pre PowerPC), an iMac 350, and my venerable workhorse - an IBM 330 running NT4.0SP6. I also have eight servers running NT4.0 server, Linux and Novell - but they're beyond the scope of your request.

Ready-built vs. piece-built: done both, I loved buying and building from components, but like my stereo system I get tired of tweeking and troubleshooting - especially when the ready builts from HP, Compaq, Dell and gateway are pretty doggone solid.

Also keep in mind that most systems will be shipping with Windows XP installed - convenient in some respects, but pushing the "Big Brother" spectre a little harder than I like. I'm looking at some Linux desktop configs to see if I can wean myself off M/soft.

Hope this helps!

-CLB

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 05:04 PM

BOB is right, href=http://users.starpower.net/extree/28AM.jpg>hewlitt packard is purty good. I might sell this'un for the right offer...(comes with it's own crank and a spare ribbon for the printer!)

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 05:14 PM

I happened to have a Novatech (UK supplier) to hand and thought I'd try a pricing exercise. They was a basic AMD Duron system which was £299 + VAT. I went through the same catalogue picking out the cheapest components that met their spec (which for JP, included on board sound) and I arrived at a figure of £320 + VAT.

Coming back to reggie's question, do you have any feelings or preferences between PC's or Macs, have existing software that you wish to use on your new machine, any indications of your usage other than Internet, etc?

As for me, I use an upgraded PC - I add/update when I need to or when an oppertunity arises. It stared life as a P133 and currently it is an AMD 1ghz with 256MB RAM. As to why, money!

OS, I run Windows 98SE. I've never have had any desire to go any higher (or give money to MS). Why Windows? Mostly becuase of the vast range of software availible - most things have a Windows version. Even for using something like Paltalk, having a WIN PC is pretty well esential unless you want to try mucking around with emulators with no guarantee of sucess...

I keep toying with the idea of having another play with Linux which I found it a bit too fiddly for my liking and I'd almost certainly still need a Win PC anyway and have no vision of going down routes such as running a Webserver where the Linux/Appache option looks very attractive - at least not at the moment. Jon

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 05:14 PM

It probably makes a lot of difference where you're located. The best machines, and the best deals will be quite a bit different if you're in the UK, Canada, or the US (to name only obvious places).

FWIW: I've been happy with Micron computers through (currently) 5 generations of replacements. Since I do support some business uses, my requirements may be a little different than yours. Performance ratings posted in various mags, etc., have always been near the top, and prices have been "fair" for what you get.

There seem to be some real bargains now, especially if you're interested mainly in what's "popular" at the moment. Shop around.

John

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 05:18 PM

ya'll caint see my HP computer iffn I don't make the address right

(if you mess it up the first time, Bill, why bother??...oh, I don't know, just stubborn ,I guess)

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Amos
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 05:27 PM

This also depends on your importances in using the machine. If you're in love with tweaking hardware and de-coding crashes the above advise is all to the good. If you enjoy cussing about freeezes and crashes, they're riught on the money.

If you care more about using a computer to get work done, I'd say go for a used G3 or G4. I have a dual-processor G4 just now which I am delighted with and it runs like a racehorse day in and day out.

Reliability is important to me. I hate having to invest my time in fretting with IRQs and mysterious settings.

That's why I use a G4.

A

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 05:28 PM

In an earlier post, I lauded Dell, but I also kept my old one which is a "screwdriver" local job, as Don calls them. It sits besides the Dell, and I use it for inventories, lists and letters (with an old Canon laser printer).
I talked to the fellow who put my old one together and he said he couldn't beat the package prices Dell was offering. With the Dell, I also got one years free full time highspeed cable, which is another thing to watch out for when buying.

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Grab
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 05:33 PM

I had a P233 for ages, but the mobo died when I added new memory. Incidentally, a lesson from that - when installing new memory, always take the mobo out and do the job on a flat surface. If you try to do it with the mobo in the case, you'll bend the mobo pushing the DIMMs in, and that may kill it.

My new one's self-built anyway, 3 months back - cost £200 for a mobo, Duron, modem and new case. Definitely the best way - you don't need a new hard drive, a new monitor or new memory unless you're going for a real spec upgrade. It's nice to have, but you don't need more than that for office-type stuff, so everything else (CD-RW, hard drive, memory, graphics card) I just stripped off my old machine. Took a few goes to get everything working, but it went in the end, and it would have cost _significantly_ more than £200 for a new machine.

Plus I wouldn't have got to choose the spec I wanted. An ISA slot on the mobo was essential to let me keep my old parallel port cards - PCI parallel port cards cost a fortune. And lots of PCI slots on the mobo too for expansion. A proper modem (not a WinModem) is essential too.

An AMD processor is the only sensible choice. If you think there's the remotest chance you'll want to upgrade, do not ever buy an Intel. AMD have one processor socket, and everything backwards for some distance and forward for some time too will fit that socket. Intel have invented a half-dozen different fittings, so if the processor or mobo goes then the chances are you won't be able to find anything to match it, or you won't have any choice in the one or two available. A good idea it is not, young Jedi...

Graham.

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: John Routledge
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 05:35 PM

I have a 4 year old 266Mhz Dell which has been superb. I am now looking to replace and will almost certainly buy another Dell online. First class quality and service in UK. John

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: bigchuck
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 06:51 PM

Well, when I decided to upgrade, I went to Staples amnd bought the cheapest AMD they had.(May, 2000). I already had a good monitor and sound dtuff, so got a Compaq Presario 7360 (500 Meg AMD, 32 ram, 20 gig HD)Has been working fine since with no more than the occasional reboot. This is the second time I have followed this strayegy, and its been fine. Cost me $547 as I recall.
Sandy

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: reggie miles
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 07:41 PM

Wow, thanks for your responses so far. To answer a few questions. Where do I live? I'm right here in the heart of Microsoft country, just about an hour outside of Seattle. What do I need it for? I'm a musician, so I'd be interested in something that could fit with those pursuits, like downloading or uploading music to or from the web. I'd also like something for recording and editing my music or online performing via sites like Paltalk. (Is that still happening? It's been a while.) I've used my previous machine to work up graphics for posters and manipulating photos for promo etc. In general to be a tool for my musical endeavors.

Amos, funny you should mention IRQs. A friend told me the stuttering I was hearing while trying to listen to others perform during Paltalk sessions was due to an IRQ problem.

Bill, thanks for takin' the time to fix that blicky. (LOL) Mine was old but not so old so as to come with a crank but merely succumbed to the ravages of web forces beyond my control, a virus, I suspect, is what turned my relatively new (less than a year old) Western Digital hard drive to toast.

Thanks again for your suggestions, hangin' by a thread, Reg

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: 53
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 08:24 PM

it seems that no matter what type you buy, they are always out of date before you can get them home, i thought ours was new but by the next week HP had another series that they had already put on the market. i'm not very good with the computor, as most of you can tell, but with all the time that i have , i try to learn something everyday,sometimes i do and most of the times i don't. BOB

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 10:22 PM

Several people I know have been pretty satisfied with their Dell purchases of late. I don't want to update for awhile as I'm still pretty happy with this Gateway 450. But getting one of those faster processors........Ain't it weird? I thought the 166 was a speed demon......matter of fact I used to be amazed at my Commodore 64! The 450 is great, but uh.......

Anyway, the greatest thing that has happened to me lately and has really increased my enjoyment completely is getting this cable modem.......Man alive, what a difference!!!!!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: 53
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 10:25 PM

yeah i wish that we had a cable modum they are really nice. BOB

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 01:13 AM

I was still in business when I bought my first computer, an IBM that cost me about $7000. It went to that great recycler in the sky sometime ago. It got charged off as business expense, but I have to watch expenses now- maybe I ought to start selling Nigerian fortunes so I can charge off against taxes again.
Reggie Miles, I installed good recording equipment because I wanted to record from BBC classical and the folk stations, but there was a problem. In the big middle of something, there would be a loss of service- server too crowded, etc., also funny hums sometimes, so I gave up. The napster type stuff left me cold, so except for using the system as a radio, I copy very little. Maybe the sites will install larger servers, but I doubt it.

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 03:42 AM

A Western Digital HD that toasted in under a year might be entitled to some sort of warranty service?

If all that's wrong is the hard drive, they're a lot cheaper than a new computer, and if you have at least Win98, I've found them a real snap to install.

(Not that they were that difficult back when it was plain old DOS.)

Of course a new drive doesn't get you some other bells and whistles and fancy chrome that you can get with a new box......

John

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 03:52 AM

I have built 2 at home and I am definitely happier with them than with previous store bought ones. I know what the components are and that they are good 'uns.

Mind you, being a good folky, the one I use most is a traditional abacus with a piece of taut string connecting me to the information footpath...;-)

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 12:29 PM

No complaints with the Dell I bought on line,but I have to say UK prices are a rip off compared to US and Canada.

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: GUEST,puterless Reggie Miles
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 06:45 PM

Welp, I lost my spare computer to another mysterious malady, as of yet unknown. Probably another virus. So that's two down and now I'm left webless. Well I guess there's the library. Yuck! They're getting kind of beset by too many rules there. So, I'm going to try to piece together something newer as suggested by some of you in previous posts. A screwdriver unit. Any further advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Reg

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Amos
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 07:13 PM

Gee, Reggie!! Another thing about Macs is they are much less prone to them umwashed viruses.

A little IBook would delight you and probably give you everything you needed.

A

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 07:35 PM

Well I've had a major change of heart regarding Ausus motherboards and AMD processors. (If you're not a computer tekkie person, you'll probably just want to skip this message).

I've been through 3 motherboards by Asus (all same make/model) in the past 2 months. Severe but intermittent read/write data coruption errors, resulting in installing applications that don't run; windows boot disks that can't be read; irregular windows shut downs; and a myriad of other problems.

Since then, I've been visiting a lot of motherboard forums and finding out my problems haven't been unique to me with this motherboard and AMD processors. At the time I bought this board and processor it was a cheaper alternative to an Intel board and Intel processor. The long of the short is avoid any motherboard which uses the VIA chipset and optionally, the Promise Raid controller. There are lots of problems with the drivers as well as how the board integrates with Sound Blaster products and hardrives larger than 20 gigs.

A week ago, I took the m.b. and AMD Duron processor back to the store, where they confessed to me, they've had a lot of problems with AMD and AMD supported motherboards, and most of it can be traced to the VIA chipsets onboard. The store was good enough to credit me back the full cost of this mb and the AMD.

For nearly double of the cost on the old mb and the AMD, I now have a MSI motherboard, with an Intel 845 chipset, and a Pentium IV, 2 ghz processor. It is the most stable system I've had in a very long time and for the past week, has booted very quickly, been extremely fast at everything, and have had no boot problems or blue screens of death. You buy cheap you buy dear. Lesson learned.

Of course my existing AGP video card wouldn't work with this new board because of a conflict with the voltage, so I was "forced" to buy a new 64 meg AGP 4X N-Vidia GeForce III T2 card. (It's unbelievable for 3D.) So that's my sad story and I'm sticking to it. *G*

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 09:08 PM

Sorry to hear about those problems JP.

I've been running an Abit KT133A motherboard (VIA chipset) and an AMD Athlone 1ghz processor for a few months and have found the system to be very stable.

The only hardware problem I have had in the interim period was unrelated to that set up - I had a hdd failure but that hdd had been making "funny noises" since the lightening zapped my computer so it's final demise was not surprising - I really should have replaced it when I rebuilt.

Prior to the storm that blew me (and many other PCs in the area), I happily used a VIA system with the AMD K62 500 processor.

The biggest software problem I had concerned PGP but Mark Clark explained that one and it's interference with certain firewall programs - uninstalling the Win PGP program put things right for me.

For my money, they remain a good option.

Jon

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 09:29 PM

I've been ghosting around on this poor old, overworked P200, 96Meg ram, for longer than I care to remember...

I'm hoping that one day, the bastards will stay off my back long enough to salt away about 1500 so I can follow suit and go out and get the bits I want and build my own...

and while I'm at it, I want a pony too!

:-/

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 09:45 PM

Should add, in reference to JP's comments as my experience has been so different.

The hard disk I fitted to this system is a Maxtor 40gb one and to date (admittedly only 4-5 days) I have experienced no problems - in fact the system is running faster than ever.

I run 2 sound cards on the one system both of which are Soundblasters and have experienced no problems. The 1st card is a Soundblaster Live which I use for most purposes. The 2nd card is a SB AWE 32 which exists to accept an old Yamaha DB50XG daughterboard for MIDI - probably just me but I much prefer the MIDI that old board produces to the news SB Live (which doesnt have the old connections to mount it).

Jon

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 10:47 PM

Generally I have no luck with computers Jon. If it's not one thing it's something else. *G*

But truly, the board I had was defective, as were the replacements, and the store confirmed the returns of the same board by a lot of other people. Could have just been a bad batch. (When it was functioning properly it worked great.)

New motherboards have about a 10-15% failure rate apparently. If anything is going to go wrong with them, it will generally happen within the time you get it to the first 5 or 6 weeks. I just got really fed up with the whole process, having been reformatting hardrives, reinstalling the whole kit 'n caboodle, tweaking, etc.etc..1 or 2 times a week! -for the past several weeks.

Believe me when I tell you having to repeat a process like this (which you might normally do once a year as part of computer "housekeeping"/maintenance) 1 or 2 times a week (and there goes an entire day and part of a night each time) for the past few weeks, was enough for me to primaly scream "ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!" **G**. Last Thursday, I reached my breaking point and just said f--k it, I'm going back to Intel. So far so good.

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: M.Ted
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 03:24 PM

To add to Amoses MAC praise--the music industry pretty much has been standardized on MAC stuff for years, most of the professional software was designed to be used on MAC, so you can do what you want, recording wise, in a very stable environment--

One thing to look out for, and that is that some of the recording hardware and software may not be compatible with the newest operating systems--most solve this by either partitioning(having both older and newer operating systems installed) or simply sticking with the older operating system--

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Devilmaster
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 04:03 PM

Well, time to add my quarter staff worth. (actually, its a buck and a quarter quarter staff, but i'm not telling him that.)

Reggie, your have and are going to hear alot of stuff about what is out there.

It depends on where you live, how much your willing to pay, what you use your computer for primarily, and if you are somewhat knowledgeable about the inner workings of computers. Answer those questions, and you'll have an idea of what you want and/or need in a system. I'll show ya.

1. Where you live - this is important to find out the local system dealers. States, you have stuff like Gateway, Dell, Compusa, etc.etc. Canada - Future Shop, Leon's etc. Britian - Packard Bell. Where you live figures out who are the big players.

2. What do you use your computer for primarily - Is it a business system? More Internet? Heavy Gaming? DVD and music? A little of everything? This is something that will tell you what kind of system you need. If its mostly business and internet, you don't need a 400 dollar 64 meg 3d video gaming card. Stuff like that.

3. Are you knowledgeable about the inner workings of computers - do you know what a 40pin IDE cable is? The difference between a motherboard and a controller card is? AT or ATX? If this is greek to you, you would probably be more interested in a system made by a brand name(dell, packard bell, gateway, etc). If you know how to change systems, add components (like another hard drive) and know your way around the inside, then perhaps look around at a local private computer store. They can put together a good no-name system with parts made by ASUS, Intel, Creative Labs, Western Digital, Micron, Viewsonic, etc. You can talk to the owner and hash out, geek to geek, what you need in a system, and probably get you a cheaper system than what you get from a major label.

4. How much? - This is the last question you ask. Find your supplier, a system to fit your needs, and then a system that fits your pocketbook. If you need financing, some private stores can get a financing deal for you. But that's on a store by store thing.

Like some others who have written before, I bought a complete first system when I was young, tinkered around with it, and nowadays, I buy all my own parts and do my own thing. I put systems together for friends, and have a closetfull of old parts. Sometimes I root to find an old sound cable to run from a friend's computer. If you smile and nod to that, you should probably look into doing it yourself. But if you don't feel comfortable with that, go for a namebrand system, that has 24 hour customer service, and a good warranty.

And since others are bragging: :)
P3-500 with 256 Meg Sdram
Asus mboard at 100 Mhz, Atx Full tower
Ati All-In-Wonder 128 16 meg
40 Gig WDC, 10 Gig WDC
8x DVDrom
8x4x32 Panasonic CDRW
SB Live 5.1
19" NEC monitor
HP Officejet 725
Logitech webcam
NEC sound amp slotted in a 5.25" bay which i've connected, 6 speakers and a Sub-woofer. Two speakers have that 3d surround button, which are on, and the other four, through the sound card, act as the front and rear speakers of a home theatre system. The two 3d surrond speakers act like a centre channel, and so I run a cheap 5.1 surround system.
To this system, I've connected: Local cable, DTV satellite, my camcorder, a DSL connection which connects through a Linksys 4 port DSL router, (i also own a laptop) and I think that's about it.

Upgrading is a continual process. I'm never finished. Next will be probably a new motherboard and a P4 processor.

Anyways, hope that helps.
Steve

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: Devilmaster
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 04:16 PM

Oh yeah, Windows XP Pro, and one hell of a monthly electrical bill. That's about it.
steve

Subject: RE: Computers, what do you use?
From: pattyClink
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 10:07 AM

Wishing you well, it's a landmine out there. Here's what I know:

AMD 'main chip's are better and cheaper than intel so don't let anyone bs you that you need an intel,you're paying a premium for nothing.

Tiger and Computer Discount Warehouses are dependable mail order outfits which sometimes run great closeout deals (may not be the hottest and latest, but that may be fine if you can get something functional for $300). If they have nothing you like, you can turn to Dell. Gateway's another way to go but they've hacked off a lot of folks lately.

Office Depots/Comp USAs etc sometimes have "refurbs", new units which were returned within 30 days. Often the main problem was user error or buyers regret, but they're not "new" anymore. Ask the salespeople if they've got any, sometimes there's one in the back being checked out, can be a nice current machine with hundreds of bucks knocked off the price. If you know of a local small computer shop, they may also have gently used units for a good price, it can't hurt to ask.

What do we use? At work, a "Howard", a nice heavy duty clone proudly made in Mississippi. At home, a screamer home-built by the resident guru. Home-built is definitely more expensive. But it's an addiction, so sometimes these guys have a nice machine they've abandoned for something faster, pays to ask your geek neighbor if he knows of one like this he could sell, hell sometimes if they're flush they'll pass them on freebie to get them out of the house before they're obsoleted in another year or two.