Help: Affordable Computers

Subject: RE: Help: Affordable Computers
From: sharyn
Date: 07 Nov 02 - 02:07 PM

Does anyone have a good source of advice on upgrading Macs -- or finding cheap ones? I don't want to switch to a PC. (And I can't say much about what I have 'cause I can't get to that info while I'm here: it's a Power Mac 6100/66 -- it has a habit of running out of memory, crashing when opening attachments and -- lately -- being unable to shutdown properly. I don't think it has a sound card).

Thanks. By the way I know next to nothing about computers, so if you have advice, you have to talk babytalk and walk me through things.

Subject: RE: Help: Affordable Computers
From: Mark Clark
Date: 07 Nov 02 - 12:00 PM

Yes, good advice but now more than three years old. Anyone looking for the best prices on computing hardware and software would do well to check PriceWatch.com before making any purchase decision. Computers in general and especially desktop models are even more of a commodity than they had become three years ago.

It still makes very little sense to upgrade your old unit. To upgrade you'll typically need a ROM BIOS upgrade, more hard disk space, more memory, a better video card, perhaps a new sound card and probably a new OS version. All that and you get no warranty and your processor still runs way slower than a new unit. And if your computer is more than just a hobby or a convenience, you'll want a suitable service agreement that provides same day or next day on site service.

Add to Max's advice the fact the whole market has collapsed since he wrote it and you'll find that even the top brands (i.e., Dell, HP) are competing on price with the rest of the market.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Help: Affordable Computers
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 07 Nov 02 - 11:37 AM

Max,
Excellent advice.

Subject: RE: Help: Affordable Computers
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 02 - 10:18 AM

Subject: RE: Help: Affordable Computers
From: Llanfair
Date: 12 Oct 99 - 05:31 PM

A lot depends on having someone around that can do all the upgrading. I aquired a carload of superannuated computers from head office, and Jim has cobbled 3 or 4 wokable systems together with minimum outlay, they are all 486's. He has also assimilated various bits and pieces into his synthesizer/recording system. The Borg with the KORG!!!! (I just thought of that!) The machine I'm using now is ancient, but perfectly adequate. Hwyl, Bron.

Subject: RE: Help: Affordable Computers
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 Oct 99 - 03:35 PM

What are e-machines?

I found the specs offered for the price quite interesting. I haven't looked at UK prices for a while but I doubt that we would get the same deals over here. I believe that with a lot of goods, particularly electornics, that we can simply change the dollar sign on the asking price to the pound sign for starters (and then probably add a bit more).

As regards the specs that some people I know have bought, I really don't understand why they have aimed so high and expensive. I have put an 8.4 gigabyte hard drive and a 56k modem in my P133 but other than that, I have had no reason to want to upgrade. For some people, considering what they are using them for, a 486 would be a perfectly useful computer.

I suppose that my computer will eventually need upgrading and I agree with Max when he said that it is often more practical to buy a new machine but I am not sure which route I would take if and when I have to do this. I might consider a new motherboard but I'd probably opt for a basic (no monitor, hard drive, sound card..) computer and install the useful bits from my current machine).

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Affordable Computers
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 12 Oct 99 - 02:02 PM

....I recently purchased an e-machine myself; it seems to be okay...but it's awfully noisy until the CPU gets good and warm.

Lonesome EJ posted (or started a thread) some months back offering a deal through his fav-o-rite electronic hobby shop: We Be Radios, regarding (hmmmm..memory dims here) IBM's or Compaq's. I just did a perfunctory forum search for his post and couldn't locate it precisely. I hesitate to elaborate on the details of the deal for fear that my failing memory would fabricate something to which he had not actually committed. A message to him could shed some light on the subject.

Regards, Neil

Subject: Affordable Computers
From: Max
Date: 12 Oct 99 - 01:09 PM

I always here mudcatters contemplating upgrades and complaining about their old computers. So I thought I'd put in my 2 cents.

First, now-a-days it is often more practical to just buy a new computer than try to upgrade the old. Computer junkyard keepers such as Duane D. may disagree, but I have given up on that. Anyhow, I was just browsing today and found a listing of sub $500 computers and thought I would share it with you.

Hardware prices are way down. As for quality, I have bought 5 e-machines this year and every one was good. In fact, the Mudcat has been running on an e-machine for months now.

Check it out.