Computer ???

“Seeing the last PC I owned I was using DOS lanuage.
I could use a little advise on a PC.

I'm think of getting a Dell what should I make sure to get with it?

I unfortunatly can not get DSL or Roadrunner yet.
Too far out in the da Country I am...
So good ole dial up will be my highway to the world.

Thanks in advance :-)”

“Here is what I was thinking about.

Dell (black)
Pent 4 2.2 gig
ram 512
40 gig hard drive
17" flat screen
2 speakers
cd reader writer
3-1/2 floppy
key board / mouse
4 year warrantee
mackafee antivirus
windows Xp
Printer

$1000 smackers ??? Yes/No?”

“Smackers away!”

“Even if you are trying to keep it to a minimum I would add the DVD too.”

“Looks like a good setup to me.”

“Phaedy,
I take it that means it's a decent deal ???”

“With the dial-up,
Will it be slower then molassas up in hill in the winter time?”

“I think the more important question is actually what are you going to be using it for? pepsi's idea of getting a DVD drive is a very good one. As the size of software increases, esp. MickeySoft products, it becomes more difficult to fit on a CD. In a couple of years, the major software products will all be on DVD and a CD Drive won't be able to read a DVD.”

“Well, also, DVD-RW's will be a lot cheaper in a few years. I'd just make sure you have an empty external full-size bay, and not worry about DVD until you actually need it. If you think you might need it though, go ahead and get a DVD reader now though.”

“Boy I like the word though...”

“Internet access will be slow. Yes. Very.

The computer itself will be right fast.

But it sounds like you don't have an option at this time.”

“I added the DVD to the list. It's probably only a few bucks more.
I want to use it for eBAY. TTing, email. surfing, etc.....
I may do more with, later but who knows, I don't wanna be a night time / weekend computer junkie too.
What the heck would I do during work...lol”

“Well, for what you want it for, you don't need speed. Are you going to use any programs on it besides an e-mail reader or a browser? If not, I'd consider spending less cash and getting something slower. The slowest new computers you can buy these days are much faster than the fastest computers of just a couple of years ago.”

“I agree with skiracer that a DVD-ROM will be mandatory in the not-so-distant computing future.

I wouldn't worry too much about the speed of dial-up service. It's not that slow, especially if that's all that you can get. Of course there's the satellite DSL option with DishNetwork/Earthlink. Kinda expensive though, especially if e-mail is your main thing.”

“F-ing Time Warner won't run the f--ing cable down my road.
I have 10 neighbors who all want roadrunner.
The road perpendicular to me has it 3 doors away......phuck!

I will ask about the bay for the DVD RW first, the sales person will tell you need it asap.... maybe I will wait. I don't even know yet what it's for much alone, if I need it or not.”

“Beware Celerons. I got a 1.4GHz Celeron for my grandmother, and XP takes FOREVER to boot on that thing.”

“You would use a DVD-RW for stuff like huge backups and making your own DVD's...tranferring your old family videos to DVD, for instance, or making REALLY LONG PARTY CD's.

I can remember Micro$oft polling people about 5 years ago, seeing who was interested in receiving their MSDN subscriptions on DVD-ROM so they (they!) could save money on shipping.”

“Have you thought about buying from Dell's website. They are always offering free upgrades on software, memory, hard drives, CD's etc.”

“That I did know or heard before NO stinking celerons!

I will probably just go get the DVD-RW sounds cool.... could hook it up to my tv and watch a movie?
just curious.

I get free dial-up from my work so internet provider will at least be free :-)

Ski,
Hopefully the cable will be coming soon. I like believing I'm going faster then I really am...lol”

“Where did you get that price quote? It sounds kinda high to me. I was looking at getting a Dell that had double the RAM and Hard Space plus it came with video editing software for only $200 more. Check their website, I bet you can find one cheaper.

If you are going to buy a new computer, please DO NOT BUT IT FROM BEST BUY or any places like that. Go to the computers web site. You will get a much better deal.”

“Yep,
I checked it out, thanks.
I had the specials all written down and the phone dude gave me the same as the on-line order form...

Going home to order it tonight.... catch ya tomorrow.....

thanks a million bits”

“snafu- even if you were getting a cable modem, processor speed wouldn't be bringing up your web pages much faster...at least not noticeably. If you'll be running any processor intensive software on it w/in the next couple of years, get a fairly speedy one...not the fastest, but reasonably so.”

“Thanks WK :-)”

“Skiracer,
Gotcha!
Thanks bro :-)”

“Is that flat-screen monitor one of the really thin ones? That'll jack up the price of a computer really quick. Unless you've got a space issue, don't get a thin monitor, they're not worth the money.”

“snafie - I bought the exact smae 'puter as you listed, except I didn't get the printer. Very happy with it. Now, if you are going to game with it, the high end game will look like crap and you'll not be able to upgrade it to the super batman graphics card, as this motherboard intergrated and has no AGP slots, only PCI (the only mistake I made with my purchase). I have yet to put it to the test, but it's only a matter of time...”

“Anytime. Also, this may sound stupid, but I have it from computer geeks to keep your computer as close to a phone jack as you can. The longer the phone cord, the slower the speed. Nothing too serious but I guess you will notice it if you go from a log way away to a shorter distance.”

“Sounds like a decent price and system, but you could always get a laptop. I like them better, takes up alot less space and they are pretty cheap these days.”

“I just got home and happened to glance over at an advertisment for almost the same 'puter, for 599.00 thru Dell. FYI - it's the demension 2400 Desktop.”

“I've had a number of Dells but the last desk-top I've had to replace the hard-drive twice since the orginal. Still trying to get the box up to speed.

Ask about the manufacturer of the hard-drive--standard Maxtor drive has pooped on me twice!

Portable is okay, but not terribly fast.”

“Doesn't sound too bad. Do you know any more of the specs tho? Like which motherboard it has? What type of ram it takes? Any built in controllers (SCSII, RAID, SATA, USB)? What kind and how many slots(PCI and AGP)? I just built a new comp for about that much that is a wee bit more powerfull, I also already had all the software I need to.

As for internet, look into satellite internet. You can get close to DSL performance without the need for a hardline connection.”

“I'm going to go to Dell.com
and see what I find out...So many choices it's almost like buying gear. I ended up taking back most of the gear originally bought. I don't think Dell will let me do the same..lol

Dare,
how have you been :-)
I remember you from the Pionchot trail hike :-)

Do you guys think a lap top would be better. I do like the advantage of being able to hook it up anywhere and I will have a 800 dial up number that I could use anywhere tool free.

Lap Top vs. Desktop ?”

“I would go with a desktop. Thet're cheaper and easier to upgrade in the future.”

“Or you could do what I did, and buy both. ;)

BTW the laptop has been collecting dust for about a year now.”

“It depends...do you travel a lot where you need the computer? If not, I would definitely stick with the desktop. Desktops are easier and cheaper to upgrade. With laptops, you get into proprietery hardware which a company could stop making available in a few years.

That being said, I love being able to use my laptop anywhere in the house. I've set up wireless in the house. It was very easy and a heck of a lot less time consuming than the retrofit ethernet wiring job I did in my old house. I had set up 5 ethernet connection spots in the house. I also have a desktopat home and tend to use it much more frequently than the laptop.”

“Dimension 2400 Pentium
$1,122

4 year warrantee

Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.20GHz with 400MHz front side bus

Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition¹²

256MB Shared DDR SDRAM at 333MHz (Performs at 266MHz for 400FSB systems

40GB ATA/100 Value Hard Drive

3.5 in Floppy Drive

48x CD ROM Drive

2nd bay w/ 48x CD-RW/ DVD Combo Drive with Sonic RecordNow

Enhanced Software for CD or DVD Burner, RecordNow Dlx: Burn/Copy CD Music/Data,Backup,Labeling (CD-RW/DVD+RW only)

Dell™ Quietkey® Keyboard

Dell® 2-Button Scroll Mouse

Productivity Pack including Quicken New User Edition

Dell Security Center by McAfee with VirusScan Online, Firewall and Privacy

17 in E171FP Flat Panel Display

Integrated Intel® 3D Extreme Graphics

Dell Media Experience™

(2) Altec Lansing® ADA215 Speakers


RealOne™ Player, with 14 day SuperPass trial

Dell Jukebox powered by MUSICMATCH

Dell Picture Studio, Image Expert Standard

56K PCI Data Fax Modem

Integrated 10/100 Ethernet

6 Months of America Online Membership Included

Whatcha think ?”

“Sounds SCHWEEET!
Dewd that has to be the ultimate with the ability to go anywhere in the house and type away on TT!
Cooool!”

“Let me reiterate: That sexy flat-panel screen isn't worth the money, unless you're in a tight-space situation. For the same money, you can probably get at least a 19" flatscreen tube monitor, maybe a 21". Believe me, you'll appreciate a bigger monitor more than a flat panel.

But if you have space or weight issues, flat panel is the way to go. It's just an expensive way.”

“OKAY BP,
You caught me...lol
I just wanted it cause looks cool!!!
I got carried away!

That takes $300 off just for that!

So is the other crap good then?”

“Check out techbargin.com. This is what they had listed for Dell systems:

Ending Dell Biz Deals, Oct 22
Last day. They added save up to $150 off LCDs with desktop purchase. (Thanks Dan)
Dell Small Business has free shipping on select systems. Up to $300 off systems. Free CD-RW with select desktops. Free upgraded hard drive with select Notebooks.

Up to $500 off Servers. 400SC starts at $349.

Dell Small Biz S&P has up to 20% off Dell LCDs. Free shipping $50+.

Dell UltraSharp 1800FP 18-inch Flat Panel LCD Monitor $439.20 shipped free.
Dell UltraSharp 1901FP 19-inch Flat Panel Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand $519.20 shipped free.


Power Desktop

Dimesion 4600 desktop P4-2.4Ghz, 256MB Dual Channel DDR333/40GB HD, Free 48x CDRW, 6 months ISP, XP Home $499 shipped free, no rebates. Final $100 discount shows up in cart. Dell e171FP 17" LCD only +$200, save $200.

Select Free 48x CDRW

Budget Notebook

Inspiron 1100 Notebook Celeron 2Ghz 128MB/Free 30GB HD, CD, 14.1" Screen, XP Home $699 shipped free. Select 24x CD

3Ghz Notebook $1249

Dell Small Biz has their Inspiron 5150 Notebook P4-3.06Ghz-M 256MB/Free 40GB HD, DVD, 15" SXGA+ Screen (1400x1050), GeforceFX5200 Video card, XP Home $1249 free shipping. Select Free upgrade 40GB / Select ISP”

“I've got a 17" flat panel monitor and it is comparable to a 19" flat screen monitor. It's still a more expensive option than a 19" flat screen monitor. It weighs much less than a flat panel monitor. You can mount it on the wall, if you wanted.”

“I'd upgrade from the integrated video card to something better. Same with the sound card, and speakers. Now that you're not wasting spending money on that flat-panel monitor, you can spend some of it on stuff that counts. I'd add a subwoofer if you plan on watching movies using your DVD drive.

Gamers, can you suggest a good video and audio card for him?”

“BP
I have Sony Home Surround Sound, Couldn't I run computeer and the DVD thru that for sound as far as movies?”

“If you are going to upgrade from integrated graphics, I would also bump the memory to at least 512MB. The actual DVD drive on the system you list isn't +RW, is it? If I were buying a new desktop, I would go with the LCD. The 17" one is only $200, that's a nominal savings over a 19" CRT.”

“snafu, sure, if you've got a long enough cable, and the proper adapters. You'd probably need one to convert from mini-stereo plug to L/R RCA phono jacks.”

“If you upgrade the sound card to something like Soundblaster Audigy Platinum it should have the proper jacks to run directly to your Sony. Keeping the number of adapters down will help the sound quality. Plus, the processor on the Audigy will be way, way better than what comes stock on the Dell.

If you want to use the DVD drive for video on your television, you will probably be looking for a video card with a TV-out feature.”

“Dimension 2400 Pentium
Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.20GHz with 400MHz front side bus
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition¹²
512MB Shared DDR SDRAM at 333MHz
40GB ATA/100 Value Hard Drive
3.5 in Floppy Drive
48x CD ROM Drive
2nd bay w/
48x CD-RW/DVD/RW Combo Drive with Sonic RecordNow
Enhanced Software for CD or DVD Burner, RecordNow Dlx: Burn/Copy CD Music/Data,Backup,Labeling (CD-RW/DVD+RW only)
Dell™ Quietkey® Keyboard
Dell® 2-Button Scroll Mouse
Productivity Pack including Quicken New User Edition
Dell Security Center by McAfee with VirusScan Online, Firewall and Privacy
19" Flat Screen tubed CRT
Integrated Intel® 3D Extreme Graphics
Dell Media Experience™
(2) Altec Lansing® ADA215 Speakers
RealOne™ Player, with 14 day SuperPass trial
Dell Jukebox powered by MUSICMATCH
Dell Picture Studio, Image Expert Standard
56K PCI Data Fax Modem
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
4 years warrantee free...
shipping free....
I think if I order soon I get a free color printer too.

The money save, I can buy other stuff down the road, when I know what the hell I doing...lol
This is almost as hard as learning hiking gear.....If there is a definate DON'T GET or SHOULD GET let me know I tried to decipher what I could from your helpful hints... ;-)”

“It's not bad. If you don't plan on doing anything graphic-intensive. It shouldn't be a problem to upgrade later as long as you have an AGP slot on the board. I'd also check to see if they give you an option for SATA hard drives. ATA 100 is going to become a thing of the past in the near future. SATA (serial ATA) drive are currently only about 10 or $20 higher then normal ATA drives. The big differences is they have higher transfer rates and don't use that friggin huge ribbon cable. If your board will support it, go for it.

For $800 that's not too bad. Athlon's are better tho :0p”