My laptop is pretty much dead. I think it's time I get a new computer. But fuck a laptop, I never take it anywhere, it just sits in my room hooked up to a speaker system, full size keyboard and mouse. So I think I'll go for a desktop this time.

I mention Lucas in particular cuz I know that Dell LA ships to Antigua. I can also have a Dell USA system shipped to a colleague in the US who will then ship it to me (Dell USA doesn't ship to 3rd world countries) if I can get a better deal that way.

My needs are pretty simple:

-I want a fast system with plenty of memory. I understand very little about RAM and processors and the like, but I sure as shit can tell the difference between a system that takes forever to load anything, bogs down under heavy use (and/or crashes, like the laptop I'm replacing), and a system that works properly. I wanna click IE and not have to wait 20-30 seconds for it to even pull up Google, despite being on a fairly decent 'net connection.

-I don't mind paying some extra to not have to worry about memory and upgrades and shit for a good while. I don't need the very top of the line, but I want to have a comp that doesn't need much done to it anytime soon to make it work well.

-I don't play computer games, but I wouldn't mind being able to watch movies on it. So I don't think I need a super-duper graphics card (is that even right?). At least I don't need to spend a bunch extra on one.

-I want a really good CD burner, and I wanna be able to burn DVDs.

And that's about it. I don't wanna spend much over about US$900 or so.

Advice?

You got a huge choice at that price range.

The onboard chipset is really he best for watching movies...but its not THAT bad. Id go with something with a card in it if your going to be using Vista.

Why are you using IE ? ok, nm.

Do you want a proper numerical keypad ?

You need how many usb ports ?

What size screen is the smallest you would accepct for watching movies ?

You need a large batttery ? ( how long are you going to be away from an outlet )

Do you rip movies from dvd's ?

Why are you using IE ? ok, nm.

Force of habit, and cuz it's what we use at work, where I do most of my browsing.

Do you want a proper numerical keypad ?
...
You need a large batttery ? ( how long are you going to be away from an outlet )

Yes to keypad, but battery? For a desktop? I'll be running it off a UPS since power here is unreliable.

You need how many usb ports ?

No idea. Plenty, I guess.

What size screen is the smallest you would accepct for watching movies ?

No idea, really.

Do you rip movies from dvd's ?

Never have done, dunno if I ever would... how difficult is it?

Sorry missed the 'fuck a laptop' bit. I went from My laptop is dead to the list of what you wanted.

I was asking questions so Lucus didnt have to.

You still have ALOT of choices.

You want a blueray player in it ?

Would you take a inch or two of the screen size to have something like a blueray player in it ?

What OS are you using/want ?

You want an OS pre installed/on a disk/not included at all ?

You want things like the media card reader on the front of the box ? (reads all the sd type cards...usually includes xtra usb ports aswell)

You want a fast Harddrive ? (good for movie watching from hardrive and letting it run while you access other files and other such multi-tasking things)

How many things do you do at once ? music + forum + loading a streaming cliip + IM thingys is normal ?

Ripping movies is a few clicks ... but hits the cpu hard. so does encoding.  but my low spec dual core (1.6 x 2 ) takes it time to do stuff like that but all comps do. the more cpu power you have the more it will try to use...more cpu power just means it would do it faster.

for 900 you will get a sys that will do it. no matter what answers you give to the ?'s.

You want a blueray player in it ?

Would you take a inch or two of the screen size to have something like a blueray player in it ?

I have a PS3 and a good TV so having a Blu-ray player in my comp seems a little unnecessary. I only have a two room apartment, with the TV in the living room and the computer in the bedroom, so I don't really mind being locked into watching Blu-ray movies on the TV/PS3.

What OS are you using/want ?

You want an OS pre installed/on a disk/not included at all ?

I want Windows of some sort. I'm not into learning a Mac and not tech-savvy enough to run Linux or whatever.

You want things like the media card reader on the front of the box ? (reads all the sd type cards...usually includes xtra usb ports aswell)

That would be pretty handy. I'd love for it to be easier to upload pics and shit.

You want a fast Harddrive ? (good for movie watching from hardrive and letting it run while you access other files and other such multi-tasking things)

How many things do you do at once ? music + forum + loading a streaming cliip + IM thingys is normal ?

Yep. I want to be able to multi-task like a mofo.

for 900 you will get a sys that will do it. no matter what answers you give to the ?'s.

Sweet!

The OS is something you shouldnt have to pay for.....not for somebody who post here anyways. if you know what i mean.

All you need to do is pick a screen size (head to a comp store and check em out) and I think Lucus can handle the rest.

o wait.... You think you could put it together yourself ?? You'll get way more comp for your money that way....and really is not that hard.

and

How much storage do you need ? ( Do you need to keep everything on the HD cuase your to lazy to copy things to dvd. ) or what do you have now.

o wait.... You think you could put it together yourself ?? You'll get way more comp for your money that way....and really is not that hard.

There's no way I could, but I do have a tech guy available to me who could put one together easily (I also have him checking out options for me, as it happens). But I'm pretty sure that if I brought a computer in in bits I'd have to pay duty on each part, as opposed to getting the duty free concession for an assembled comp that Customs here is offering.

How much storage do you need ? ( Do you need to keep everything on the HD cuase your to lazy to copy things to dvd. ) or what do you have now.

I'm definitely too lazy to back a bunch of stuff up, as stupid as that may be. So yeah, I want lots of storage space. Dunno what I have now, but I want more.

but...with the shipping costs. It may end up being cheaper to source the parts from local supilers and diy.

and you COULD diy, seriously. id always use a tech friend though because im lazy.

nm, just googled your local stores. HAHAHA.

Haha whoa... they have websites?

Two do.

One dates back to '02

The other talks about sales....but doesnt provied a link to anything.

Two do.

Yeah, that'd be all both of 'em.

Just get a pre-assembled machine mate, you don't want the hassle of shipping a bunch of parts in and any amount you'd save would be offset by buying your tech guy a bunch of beer after putting it together.

For the specs, Lucas used to work for Dell so he should know a good setup. He really helped out when I got my wife a new work machine recently.

I would recommend you wait for the new Windows OS to come out. By all reports they've copied most of the Apple OS it's better than the last one.

Couldn't be worse than the last one, hence I am still running XP.

And I would suggest you pay for the OS with the machine. That guarantees all the OS patches will work on your PC. It'll be what, $100 more? Worth it.

I wonder if Dave sells OME OSes.

Sorry I skipped the thread until now.  I don't usually read most of them, anymore.  

First off, make sure to order from Dell LA.  If they ship to Antigua, they will provide SUPPORT to Antigua as well.  The last thing you want is for your computer to bust, and not to be able to get service on it.  And I DO recommend getting a service contract on it.  Service can suck sometimes based on what parts are available on the island, but it's better than nothing.

Next, you have an option of WHICH DIVISION of Dell LA to purchase from.  In the US, you can order a computer as a "Small Business" - if you do so, and you purchase ProSupport, you're guaranteed to talk to someone in the US if you have to call in for support (Nashville, Austin, and Twin Falls as of 2 years ago).  I don't know if the setup is the same in Dell LA, though - I mean, maybe the ProSupport people in LA are just people who have actually gotten training.

So, with that in mind, you might save some bucks going with a Home system, but I'd probably recommend a Small Business system, to get the ProSupport & 5 year warranty.  The contracts in LA countries are RIDICULOUSLY cheap compared to the hardware, so bulking up on warranty doesn't hurt very much.

If you go with Home, take a look at the Studio Hybrid (under Studio Desktops).  It's a slick system; tiny, cute, and with some good oompf.  Not bad as a portable system, either, if you need to move between TVs (it has HDMI) at different locations, for example.  Right now, if you go to the site, there's an option for $649 with a 22" monitor that's decent.  I'd bump up the warranty on that to 3 years with complete care (accidental damage - ie, beer spills - covered) and you'd still be well under $1K.  You can fiddle with the hardware if you want (any changes will increase cost & performance), but I think it'll be sufficient for your needs in the base configuration.  Note:  The Hybrid uses mostly notebook parts in a custom arrangement.  That means that getting Joe the Computer Guy to service your computer will be difficult, after the service contract is over.  Not impossible, but he'll probably not be used to that kind of computer.


If you go with Small Business, take a look at the Optiplex 360 Upgraded Desktop (under Desktops - Optiplex).  It has everything perfectly pre-configured for your needs.  It comes default with a 19" monitor, and I would again recommend bumping the service contract to 5 years of ProSupport and (titular) Next Business Day service.  That'll keep you just under $1K, as well.  5 years of Complete Care pushes you just over $1K, FYI, but might be useful if you're prone to beer spills.  If you decide to save money on the service contract, though, the Optiplex will be much more serviceable by random tech jocks.


Those are my suggestions for your needs as well as your situation.

I would recommend you wait for the new Windows OS to come out. By all reports they've copied most of the Apple OS it's better than the last one.

Almost all computers bought in the US right now will ship with Vista, but will also get a voucher to upgrade to Windows 7 later on.  I don't know if that's true for LA, however.

Also, note that user interface elements that OSX, Linux, & Windows are using can be traced back through decades of technological inbreeding.  It's a fruitless conversation to say that either system is copying from the other, since each is copying from something before it.

large fonts turn me on like CRAZY

si, stop ignoring this thread!

I recommend that you go to Wal-Mart and get an E-Machine.

No, seriously.  I mean it.



Rilly.


Edit:  While you're on a roll, Eitje, Have you ever installed a new display in a laptop?   Is it possible/difficult?  I accidentally tripped over the power cord to this Compaq V2000 and knocked it off the table, and now I have a spiderweb crack in the LCD screen that's slowly developing more and more dead pixels.  The keyboard got fucked up too but I've ordered a replacement and should be able to handle that.

si, stop ignoring this thread!

Sorry, kind sir!

I checked out both sytems you recommended, and they both look like they'd do the trick. The only trouble I have is with the hybrid one and it not being able to be easily tinkered with here, cuz shipping anything into or out of Antigua is a real bitch, full warranty or not. I'm also not sure what I need as far as anti-virus and software etc, cuz I may be able to get a lot of that stuff for free from work. I forwarded your post to my tech guy, who's gonna check it out when he gets the chance. Cheers!

What FontBoy said ...

I recommend that you go to Wal-Mart and get an E-Machine.

...in Antigua.

Edit:  While you're on a roll, Eitje, Have you ever installed a new display in a laptop?   Is it possible/difficult?

Yes I have, and it's generally not too bad (speaking for Dells & HPs).  You'll want to look for the service manual for the computer on Compaq's suppot site.  IF they don't have it, take it to someone but don't let them charge you a lot for the work.

Panels themselves can usually be found on ebay; once you've pulled the old one out, it'll have a model number on it that's easy-peasy to look up.

I checked out both sytems you recommended, and they both look like they'd do the trick. The only trouble I have is with the hybrid one and it not being able to be easily tinkered with here, cuz shipping anything into or out of Antigua is a real bitch, full warranty or not. I'm also not sure what I need as far as anti-virus and software etc, cuz I may be able to get a lot of that stuff for free from work. I forwarded your post to my tech guy, who's gonna check it out when he gets the chance. Cheers!

Yeah, then I'd go with the upgraded Opti.  You'll love it.

I recommend that you go to Wal-Mart and get an E-Machine.

...in Antigua.

Edit:  While you're on a roll, Eitje, Have you ever installed a new display in a laptop?   Is it possible/difficult?

Yes I have, and it's generally not too bad (speaking for Dells & HPs).  You'll want to look for the service manual for the computer on Compaq's suppot site.  IF they don't have it, take it to someone but don't let them charge you a lot for the work.

Panels themselves can usually be found on ebay; once you've pulled the old one out, it'll have a model number on it that's easy-peasy to look up.

Thanks.  I've never really worked on laptops much.

Well after pricing a new display at around 150-200 bucks, I decided screw it and bought This bad boy on Newegg.com.  A little better than its Dell price counterpart I was looking at, and I'm actually getting used to Vista easier than I thought I would.

Well after pricing a new display at around 150-200 bucks, I decided screw it and bought This bad boy on Newegg.com.  A little better than its Dell price counterpart I was looking at, and I'm actually getting used to Vista easier than I thought I would.

You must have bought the last one, because it's no longer available.

Well after pricing a new display at around 150-200 bucks, I decided screw it and bought This bad boy on Newegg.com.  A little better than its Dell price counterpart I was looking at, and I'm actually getting used to Vista easier than I thought I would.

You must have bought the last one, because it's no longer available.

Yeah, I think I did.  I noticed it changed to "Sold Out!" right after I finished my order.

So is now the time to order the comp? Or should I wait a week or two?