Hello,
Well, I'm a first time poster but I've been scanning this forum for at least 20 hours over the past couple of days. Sure is good reading!! I've also read a ton of magazines regarding computers. The more I see the more I become confused regarding choosing a computer. Here's a little background regarding my situation.
I'm 37 and just left a great job in the newspaper industry as an Account Manager. The job came with a Compaq Evo lap top computer. It was ok for what I needed it for. I believe it was an Evo 610. It was 3 years old. I used it for e-mails and web surfing along with using powerpoint for presentations.
Considering I do not have that computer any more, I'm in the market for a replacement. Desktop or Laptop?
I'm currently using an e- machines desk top that's about 8 years old! It does the basic and that's about it. Really not worth upgrading. I also really want to future proof the computer as much as possible with out being stupid about it.
I do not have a budget, but I don't want to chase technology either based on what I've learned here. I do not need the latest or greatest! An example of this would be the FX 60 chip set! If a AMD 3200 does what I need than I'll be thrilled to save the extra grand. The same goes for the hard drive and such. I really care about image quality!!!
Not having a limited budget kind of makes things harder. As you guys/gals know, one can ring up a $6,000 tap very easily on any of these custom computer sites.
I've been on all of them: Velosity Micro, ABS, Alienware,Tiger Direct,Dell, HP,Monarch, E-Machines,Ibuypower you get the point. I've also gone to the main retailers like best buy and Comp USA.
One thing for sure is I do not want to put this together myself. I'll pay the extra money to have a well tested and proven product. That's why I am leading toward Monarch but their site is so confusing!! Micro Velosity also has some great products or so I think?
The main purpose of this computer will be searching the internet for job openings, updating my resume using word perfect and going to my Fidelity account to hopefully make some money trading stocks while I'm not working. I also love to go on forums like these to learn what to do and what to steer clear of.
I'm a car buff so I go to these type of forums all the time. I can give you all the info you need about buying a car but this computer thing is driving me nuts. It's also driving my gal nuts!!
What's more challenging is the fact that not all computer parts are the same!! Example: Good mother board vs junk. I had no idea!
Based on what I just presented it seems that any basic e-machine, dell would fit the bill. Or would it?
The problem is that I know once I get into the computer home, I'm going to want to do a **** Of A Lot More.
I just recently went to a Best Buy and Comp USA. I was amazed over all the programs available now a days. I really had no clue. I read the boxes for the computer requirments and it seems that any basic computer will work. Of course they listed the minium requirments.
One thing I know I want is a Large Screen. I'm in love with that dell 24 incher. My theory is if I'm getting a desk top it might as well have a large screen or I may as well get a 17 inch lap top. Does a lap top like the top of the line Seagar make more sense?
From what I can figure, the 24 inch screen really needs to be supported by a top tier system. I also know that I want to use the DVI connection. Than I find out that not all programs can support a 24 inch screen or SLI for that matter.
Some people say go duel core some say it's not needed. Some say Sli and some say not needed. I believe I would only put one card in the SLI board if I did go that route.
I think I'm going to go the AMD route based on all I've read but they don't support ddr2 at this time? Then I read a new 7900 graphics card is coming out and I should wait but I really need this computer in the next couple of weeks. Then there is the water cooled type of system along with over clocking which I would have no idea how to do.
You get my point. I also see that Velosity Micro doesn't charge tax to NJ residents. That's a plus!
I really need your help! I don't want to make a $$$$ mistake. For example I've read that Ibuypwer might have good prices but the're cheap for a reason! I also read that I should get XP pro and not the home edition because it's more stable?
Here's what I need.
A good computer, big screen monitor that supports DVI, a color printer, and good speakers. I really appriecate good sound quality but is a sound card really needed. Here I go again
Thank you so very much for reading this long but important post.
Well, I'm a first time poster but I've been scanning this forum for at least 20 hours over the past couple of days. Sure is good reading!! I've also read a ton of magazines regarding computers. The more I see the more I become confused regarding choosing a computer. Here's a little background regarding my situation.
I'm 37 and just left a great job in the newspaper industry as an Account Manager. The job came with a Compaq Evo lap top computer. It was ok for what I needed it for. I believe it was an Evo 610. It was 3 years old. I used it for e-mails and web surfing along with using powerpoint for presentations.
Considering I do not have that computer any more, I'm in the market for a replacement. Desktop or Laptop?
I'm currently using an e- machines desk top that's about 8 years old! It does the basic and that's about it. Really not worth upgrading. I also really want to future proof the computer as much as possible with out being stupid about it.
I do not have a budget, but I don't want to chase technology either based on what I've learned here. I do not need the latest or greatest! An example of this would be the FX 60 chip set! If a AMD 3200 does what I need than I'll be thrilled to save the extra grand. The same goes for the hard drive and such. I really care about image quality!!!
Not having a limited budget kind of makes things harder. As you guys/gals know, one can ring up a $6,000 tap very easily on any of these custom computer sites.
I've been on all of them: Velosity Micro, ABS, Alienware,Tiger Direct,Dell, HP,Monarch, E-Machines,Ibuypower you get the point. I've also gone to the main retailers like best buy and Comp USA.
One thing for sure is I do not want to put this together myself. I'll pay the extra money to have a well tested and proven product. That's why I am leading toward Monarch but their site is so confusing!! Micro Velosity also has some great products or so I think?
The main purpose of this computer will be searching the internet for job openings, updating my resume using word perfect and going to my Fidelity account to hopefully make some money trading stocks while I'm not working. I also love to go on forums like these to learn what to do and what to steer clear of.
I'm a car buff so I go to these type of forums all the time. I can give you all the info you need about buying a car but this computer thing is driving me nuts. It's also driving my gal nuts!!
What's more challenging is the fact that not all computer parts are the same!! Example: Good mother board vs junk. I had no idea!
Based on what I just presented it seems that any basic e-machine, dell would fit the bill. Or would it?
The problem is that I know once I get into the computer home, I'm going to want to do a **** Of A Lot More.
I just recently went to a Best Buy and Comp USA. I was amazed over all the programs available now a days. I really had no clue. I read the boxes for the computer requirments and it seems that any basic computer will work. Of course they listed the minium requirments.
One thing I know I want is a Large Screen. I'm in love with that dell 24 incher. My theory is if I'm getting a desk top it might as well have a large screen or I may as well get a 17 inch lap top. Does a lap top like the top of the line Seagar make more sense?
From what I can figure, the 24 inch screen really needs to be supported by a top tier system. I also know that I want to use the DVI connection. Than I find out that not all programs can support a 24 inch screen or SLI for that matter.
Some people say go duel core some say it's not needed. Some say Sli and some say not needed. I believe I would only put one card in the SLI board if I did go that route.
I think I'm going to go the AMD route based on all I've read but they don't support ddr2 at this time? Then I read a new 7900 graphics card is coming out and I should wait but I really need this computer in the next couple of weeks. Then there is the water cooled type of system along with over clocking which I would have no idea how to do.
You get my point. I also see that Velosity Micro doesn't charge tax to NJ residents. That's a plus!
I really need your help! I don't want to make a $$$$ mistake. For example I've read that Ibuypwer might have good prices but the're cheap for a reason! I also read that I should get XP pro and not the home edition because it's more stable?
Here's what I need.
A good computer, big screen monitor that supports DVI, a color printer, and good speakers. I really appriecate good sound quality but is a sound card really needed. Here I go again
Thank you so very much for reading this long but important post.