20 replies to this topic

[steveo]

I think my computer is getting close to dying. I have had an HP 750n for a number of years so I'm wondering about some other options:

1. buy another new hp (cost unknown at this time)?

2.buy one of the reconditioned HP computers (cost unknown at this time)?
what problems could I get with this route?

3.what other computers have a good reputation at this time?

suggestions?

thanks

steveo

[dobhar]

Hi steveo...

Man, you have so many options at this time...buy a "name brand" PC, buy a PC from a local Computer store, or build your own.

1) In my case it was a new Dell...I bought a new Dell XPS Laptop with Vista Ultimate. I am a very, very happy camper.

2) Again, in my case it was Dell...I've bought a few Dell "off-lease" units...all have come with WinXP and at least 6 months waranty. My last "off-lease" purchase was a Dell Latitude D620 and I still have manufacturer warranty until 2010. The only downside is you don't know what the actual condition is until it arrives at yor home but again if you don't like it you go back to the "off-lease" site and complain. A few yrs ago I bought a Dell 21" CRT Monitor from the Dell "off-lease" site and went it arrived it had a crack in the front bezel. I sent an e-mail to them informing them of the issue and they gave me a discount which they credited back to my credit card. The monitor itself worked great and I used it for quite a while.

3) I'm a Dell fan (bet ya didn't know that...LOLOL http://www.smartestc...tyle_emoticons/default/tongue.gif ) so I will mention their name. I've also been reading in the mags about Acer having a good rep and good quality hardware. Toshiba has very decent Laptops.

My suggestion is create a wish list of what hardware (video card, CPU, RAM, etc) you want then go price it out...like go to Dell.com and make a PC. It's like going to buy a car...get the best bang for your buck...look for sales...look for free shipping...etc.

HTH

[Broni]

Prices are cheap Steve.
I'm HP person.
I'd stay away from Toshiba. Their computers may be perfect, but their support, troubleshooting, finding drivers, etc. are horrible.

[steveo]

I guess the question I also need to ask are:

1.Windows Vista? I have heard some bad things but whether they are actually true or not is another question?

2.Windows Xp? how much longer is it going to be supported if it isn't already history?

3.Windows 7?

4. laptop or tower? it use to be that the tower had more of everything but what about now?

steveo

[Broni]

Go for Vista. You're gonna have a perfect feel of coming Win 7.
If you don't need your computer to be portable, I'd go for the tower. Mostly because any maintenance, upgrades are easier.

[digger]

Another HP man here. I bought a Plll 600meg in 1999 just replaced it with an HP AMD triple core 2.3 gig, 4 gigs of ram and 640 gig HDD (2 x 320) media PC, 64 bit running Vista. I have had no problem using all my old software on it. It might not auto install but I have always been able to load it with a little work. I wasn't able to get drivers for old visioneer scanner and as of now still have not got it installed but i have read some work arounds that I got to try yet. There is a lot of BS out there about 64 bit running 32 bit programs. I also have an HP laptop 2gig with 2 gig ram 32 bit Vista also. My personnal feeling is 64 bit vista is terrific on an HP, if I need headaches I can always use my wife's Dell 8300 running XP SP3.

[steveo]

I was looking at the HP website to get an idea of a new computer and one of the things I noticed is that there are more choices for the main processor. my computer now has an Intel pentium processor and even though it appears the Intel costs more should I stay with Intel or go with one of the cheaper ones? I don't do a lot of heavy duty stuff so maybe a cheaper processor will work but what about reliability of the others?

[jephree]

As far as brands you have either Intel or AMD.

I am an Intel guy myself. As to Intel you probably have the choice of Core Duo (dual core) or Core Duo Extreme (quad core) and perhaps even newer series. Can you list the options they give you?

Also within the Core Duo series you have the choice of different speeds. I'd recommend a Core Duo (dual core) for a basic system. Again you then can choose different speeds.

Also just to point out an OS option: although not official it has been noted that Windows 7 will ship as an free upgrade option on computers running Vista after July 1.

MS did this prior to the Vista release as well as they offered the free upgrade to Vista on XP computers shipped 6 months prior to Vistas actual release.

Don't know if you can wait till July but I would.

Just to clarify you will get Vista with a free upgrade to Windows 7 upon final release.

[Broni]

With Vista, definitely go with dual core, as jephree said, and make sure, you have at least 2GB of RAM (pretty much standard with what they ship now).
Dedicated video card with 512MB of RAM would be nice too.

[steveo]

so far my computer is working fairly good but has it moments once in a while. so far I can wait to July. I'm still in a looking mode. is buying direct from HP website the best way to go or is there another place I should be looking also?

[rokytnji]

If you have a Walmart close by steveo, you can check out the Hewlett Packards they have there . I saw one complete with LCD Moniter and everything http://www.walmart.com/browse/Computers/De...0500.4294295773

[digger]

Most of the HP computers sold in discount stores are made especially for that store and are not available anywhere else under the same model#. That is why HP has so many model numbers, so many are made for the big box stores to their specs so they can have a lower selling price. If I was interested in a HP I would go right to their site and order to the specs I want not some stores specs. When I got mine they had a $400.00 coupon plus free shipping for any $999.00 machine. They have this about twice a year. There are web sites that list the best deals of the day, they are worth having in your favorite sites.

[OhDear]

Wait for Windows 7. It'll be here in a few month. Very few. The Beta is out and is running almost perfectly. Microsoft might surprise us all and release a RC1 in a matter of weeks. To skip RC intirely and move directly to a final version would be bold. But it's actually not impossible...

[OhDear]

Meanwhile you could trim your old PC. These links are good:

http://secunia.com/v...nning/personal/

Secunia PSI is a program that checks all your 3. party programs and tells you what to update. The next link is the same but as an online scanner:

http://secunia.com/v...canning/online/

The next from F-Secure is also an online scanner that checks your PC for old third party software. Run that also. It's not the same, they find. All these will also tell you about previous programs that did not uninstall properly. They will alert you about unwanted remains.

http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/onlin...ices/fshc.shtml

What really will add speed is to install all the .net Framework programs. It's important that you choose the right language before download. And that you install all the service (and language) packs. It is equally important to do that i the right order. 1.1 and ALL packs. Then 2.0 AND all packs. Then 3.0 AND all packs. Then 3.5 and all packs. It's best done by installing the basic .net Framework program and then let Microsoft Update do the rest. You may have to use the Custom button in order to get the service (and language) packs. Not the Express button on Microsoft Update's site.

This is done one at the time. Install the .net Framework x.x then check Microsoft Update. Then install the next .net Framework and check Microsoft Update. And the next and etc.

This is .net Framework's site:

http://msdn.microsof...rk/default.aspx

You'll also need Windows Installer CleanUp Utility because .net Framework is clogging the installer all the time.

Link: http://support.micro...kb/290301/en-us

It's a bit of a struggle to get them all installed.

[OhDear]

Secunia PSI just won a big prise. Was it C-Net that gave it "the-best-program-in-2008-price" or something like that?

Anyway I love it. It's my favorite program. Keeps me updated on everything.

[dobhar]

OhDear said:

Wait for Windows 7. It'll be here in a few month.

I wish http://www.smartestc...tyle_emoticons/default/sad.gif ...unfortunately I think this statement is incorrect. From the mouth of MS...Windows 7 will not be released in 2009. Back in January 2008 they stated that it will take at least 3 years...
http://www.winvistaclub.com/i7.html

BUT...there have been articles that Windows 7 may be released in time for the XMAS rush...
http://news.cnet.com...0162609-56.html
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2008...ou-wish-for.ars

[OhDear]

Well, Christmas rush. Is that October nowadays? I guess it is. That's just a bit more than 7 months from now.

No, frankly: I think it will be even sooner. Windows 7 is 99,8 percent finished. Those articles have chosen careful guesses.

The thing is that the Beta out now is almost without bugs. The few bugs found so far was dealt with in an update just a few days ago. It is a very finished product by now. It's as good as ready for a final release.

[jephree]

As I mentioned above it has been widely reported that computers sold after July 1 with Vista will receive a free upgrade to 7 when it becomes available.

This practice, although not MS official, was also done 6 months prior to Vistas release where XP buyers were offered the upgrade at that time.

This perhaps suggests a strong feeling that 7 will release if not by the end of the year then early in 2010.

Here is an excerpt from an interesting article:

Quote

Assuming that Windows 7 will not end up an Ultimate Extra for Vista, the only way to get Windows 7 for free will be to buy a Vista computer after July 1. In other words, if you purchase a computer with Vista preloaded on it, from July 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010 (OEMs can choose to have an even shorter time frame within the one Microsoft gives), you will have the option to upgrade to Windows 7 for free when it becomes available.

Upgrading to Windows 7: what XP and Vista users need to know - Ars Technica

[OhDear]

I don't see why Microsoft should wait. The marked is suffering from a bad reputation over Vista and XP's exit. Businesses/companies have even begun to buy Mac. They need to get Windows 7 out as soon as possible. I still think the release is coming very soon.

The offer to upgrade old OS's does not have to be announced in advance. It can be done simultaneously.

[steveo]

dumb question : computers still come with a dial up modem don't they? I may be the last person on earth to use dial

steveo