new computer shopping help needed

Dijos

Dijos

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
2,600
I got an ipod this week, and I need to buy a new computer; my Imac (the old one)'s ethernet died about 2 years ago, and my old laptop is OOOlllddd; it's running 98 se. soo, it's time to buy a new computer. Here's my dillema:
I hate windows. It breaks too much. My girlfriend is windows deficient. I'll have to keep too much software around, and buy a crapload more. However, they are waay cost efficient.
So, I'm also looking at a mac mini. around 500 bucks, I love the OS, my GF will be able to use it, But, 500 bucks for just a unit that's not upgradeable? The next level up is 2x the price, and not 2x the performance.
I'm also thinking about building one, but it seems that it'll cost just as much in the long run.

soo, should I buy the mac mini, or some dell, new or used. Any reviews? any input or advice?
Thanks
 
If you already like using a Mac then don't even think of buying a PC. Plus you hate windows. However, a mac mini is just too limiting. If you're just gonna surf and do a bit of word processing and cataloguing your music then it should suffice for a couple of years and you can always buy extra external hard drives for more space.

If it were me i'd just buy something from Dell. A lot of people complain about their service but i have always found them to be quite good. My dad just burned a motherboard and they came and fixed it onsite quite quickly. No problems.

Plus they always have good deals. Sometimes i just don't think it's worth it to build myself. Although it would be more satisfying. But just too much work for me.
 
You mentioned Windows 98. Do you have experience with Windows XP? If you can keep it free of the usual security hazards like spyware then it works pretty well. 98 is old tech, not really a true 32 bit modern operating system at all.

I think building one is usually a better value, that way you can ditch the stuff you don't need and get the stuff you do. To find out whether you really want to buy vs build, decide on exactly what you're going to use it for and add up the cost of the necessary components. Then compare and take the subtle differences like memory speed into account.

There's also Linux if you're willing to learn it. On x86 hardware it will be the best value of all because there is no Windows license to pay and tons of free software available.
 
XP Pro isn’t anywhere near as ugly to live with as earlier versions of windows, and it runs well on a huge variety of hardware. Buy and maintain a decent internet security package and you should be fine.

I always prefer to build than buy a PC, but getting a Dell would be a fast solution.

Linux is entertaining, but the world of free software is odd and inconsistent.
 
I have to say I am fairly impressed with XP, having run it for about a year now. My previous favorite as far as stability and usability was Windows 2000; and prior to that Windows 98.

One nice feature is that XP now incorporates a System Restore feature. Screw something up? Boot into safe mode and run it...goodbye problem! :thumbup:

I have to also say OS X is very nice as well. I think XP has finally closed the gap though between the 2 as far as stability.

I work at a support desk for an ISP (supervisor) so I can tell you from experience that both OSs (Mac OS X and XP) are years better than previous OSs; and that ultimately no OS is immune to system/software issues. Mac only has a slight lead as far as being just a smidge more stable IMO (but when there is a problem on a Mac...it can be a task to fix too!)

If I had the cash to do it, I'd easily own both an OS X machine (preferably an iBook) along with my XP desktop. Too many knife purchases! :cool: The clincher for me personally is that most desktop software still is designed for Windows-based systems.
 
I have a Mini and I like it fine. However, if I was buying today I'd be grabbing a new iMac. They are sweet!
 
I think it's pretty safe to say building a PC (at least a nicer one) will cost as much as a nicer Mac and leave you with Windows, which you ideally want to avoid, so I wouldn't bother with that. I don't really have a problem with Windows breaking at all, but I really want to try out a Mac since I keep hearing how good they are.
 
Have you considered having a local computer shop build you one? They generally have the best service and the most knowledgable technichians you can find. You might pay a little more, but you'll get better components inside your PC and probably the best tech support around. None of this level 1, 2, 3, etc. crap. Although, if you have a problem you can't expect them to make housecalls.
 
There are a number of sites that give good information on how to remove/disable most of the annoying features of XP. I've been running it on my present rig for about four years, and it seems stable and reliable.

I use the auto updates to keep everything current, and Zone Alarm and AVG virus protection.
If you're a gamer, then Windows is for all purposes the only way to go.
 
Have you tried getting your "old" iMac's ethernet repaired? If everything else about your "old" iMac is still working fine, replacing/repairing it's ethernet might be the most cost-effective thing to do. Then, when your "old" iMac is back up and running again, its ethernet repaired/replaced, you can start putting aside money for its eventual replacement. However, I have no idea of the difficulty or costs of repairing/replacing the ethernet capability in an "old" iMac...but it's probably less costly than a new computer that you aren't even sure that you want to buy.

One thing to remember about Dell is that they custom build their computers, so you'll have about a week to ten days to wait, after you order it, for it to arrive...and that may be longer that it'd take to repair/replace your ethernet function on your "old" iMac.

GeoThorn

P.S. Does your "old" iMac have the ability to accept an ethernet card or plug-in? That may allow you to dodge repairing/replacing the "old" iMac's built-in ethernet!
 
Geothorn-the ethernet card is permanently attached (integrated) onto the motherboard. A new one is 350-the imac is a slot load from 98/99. It's been great, but I don't have the capacity to write to disc, it's dvd-read only drive.
 
can you buy the Mac equivelent to a PCI slot ethernet card as they only run about 20 dollars US and if you have the slot in you mother board is the cheapest fastest fix for your buck. or if you like playing video games build your system to suit you, and if all you do is surf the web and do E-mail and word processing/spreadsheets then buy a dell but when you buy the dell get the biggest baddest graphic card you can and max out the system memory (memory cards not hard drive capacity) as far as hard drives get what you think will suit you best.
 
I'm on a Dell that I bought online a little over three years ago. It has been a great computer.
I also have 2 PC's that a local shop built for me to my specs. One is two years old, and the other is not quite a year old. Both run AMD Athlon processors, and have been great machines. When I need another PC, I'll have the local guy build me another. He was actually cheaper in the long run than me ordering all of the components, and building one myself!

As for iMac's, and related, I'll never own one. My experience with one is the one my parents bought, and the countless hours I spent on the phone with them trying to help them get it to work properly. (They live in another state) They now own a Dell that I ordered for them. Tech support from me actually now makes sense to them, and the Dell works the way they want.

XP is much better than aniy of the older versions; never had any major problems. (Knock on wood). I've used sys restore twice due to software load problems. I was able to resolve those issues and load the software after restoring.

Good luck with whatever route you go, but my recommendation is a PC.
 
Apple Certified Refurbished is the way to go:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...8saF448/0.SLID?nclm=SpecialDeals&mco=E60A57E5

If that URL doesn't work try this:
http://tinyurl.com/bqktd

They guarantee and offer an additional warranty you can buy. My girlfriend did it and got a nice laptop for a steal. You can't tell it's not brand new.

In my apartment are 3 Macs: My G.F. and I each have iBooks, we have an old Strawberry iMac desktop and we have an Airport wireless network so we can each be online anywhere: balcony, bed, bathroom, or the sofa in front of the TV like I'm doing now...

I wouldn't buy anything but a laptop now-a-days unless I was doing professional graphics/video work. No reason to own a desktop now for home use with how good laptops are now.

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fulloflead said:
I wouldn't buy anything but a laptop now-a-days unless I was doing professional graphics/video work. No reason to own a desktop now for home use with how good laptops are now.

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Click to expand...

I still prefer a full sized keyboard. Plus there's the printer, scanner, digicam, etc. and sometimes laptops just don't have enough ports. Plus i like to have 2 hard drives all the time with the PC.

Ideal solution in the home is a nice powerful desktop and a reasonable laptop to bring around the house.

Anyway, using XP i can't even remember the last time i used system restore. It's actually quite reliable. Load it up with free software like AVG, Zonealarm, Adaware and spybot and you're good to go.

I'm so tempted to buy a Mac but that will mean learning to use a different system. Windows just makes more sense to me than Mac OS. I like menus and stuff instead of graphics and all that.
 
Point44 said:
Windows just makes more sense to me than Mac OS. I like menus and stuff instead of graphics and all that.
Click to expand...

I'm still a mac person, but I liked Mac better before the revamp with all the graphics. It used to be ALL folders and files, menus, windows, drag/drop - it was all very intuitive - even moreso than windows, but now using a mac is more like one of those cash registers they have in McDonalds for the teenagers to use with the little pictures.

The new OS does have it's advantages though. I can use PC & mac fonts. I'm using Tiger at work and I can see every printer/device in the building which is more than the PCs can do. They can only see PC stuff. I can see everything.

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