DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Buying a new computer. Don't wanna pay for what I don't need. Help me out p

I know google is my friend here but I just basically surf the net and nothing more. I would like to watch youtube clips but my old computer would take probably an hour to do so.

All this language out there 350g hard drive, 650g hard drive. Memory this and that. I need a computer that will give me nice graphics and sound and just basically surf the web. Is a smaller gig hard drive fine for this, What about memory? I don't save alot of things. I see price ranges from around 400 to 1200 dollars. I'm sure as heck not paying 1200 but am spooked to spend 400. I don't want the lowest end one I can buy. But don't want the best.

Any recommendations out there? I don't know what this much hard drive compared to that much of hard drive would do for me if anything. Same as memory. Dual core processor? What is that compared to a single core? What would it do for me?

Help this dial-up running Windows Millenium guy out.

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I need a computer that will give me nice graphics

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Macintosh!

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I'm sure as heck not paying 1200 but am spooked to spend 400.

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Nevermind...

If you are going for just internet browsing and such, you won't need a huge hard drive. 350 GB hard drive is actually fairly big, but 650 GB is huge. I would go with the dual core processor as long as it doesn't add a huge amount to you total. I'm not really that familiar with graphics so hopefully someone else will come along and be able to help you, but I know you won't need some high end graphics card if you don't plan on gaming or something of that nature.

Also, I would advise not getting a Dell. Every one that I have had has been junk and most people I know that have them have had bad experiences with them.

I have learned! ( I think)
Processor = Brain of the computer, bigger brain means better running computer.

Hard Drive = Storage on your computer. This doesn't mean much to me. If I watch a video, I watch it, I don't store it.

Ram = This one still messes me up a bit. I read that if you play games on your computer you want alot of RAM. I don't play games much. If I do it's on a console. So this doesn't mean much to me neither, right?

So the Processor is my biggest thing I should look for?

Now monitors. I do know I want a nice shiny one. Not one of the more flat ashy colored ones. They just seem to show colors better and look nicer.

You should download more RAM.

You might as well have typed that in Chinese because I don't know how or where to find more RAM on the internet. Or what it will do for me since I don't play computer games or work on any kind of graphics on my computer.
This stuff messes my head up. I need to educate myself before I spend my money.

Great explanation.
That was what I was looking for as far as RAM was concerned.
Thank you!

In your situation it sounds like extra RAM would be more beneficial to you than extra hard drive space.

Your YouTube videos are loading slow becasue you are on dial up, not because of your computer.

You definitely need to upgrade your computer if you are running Windows ME (perhaps the worst operating system ever), but if you want to surf the net quicker, get cable or DSL instead of dial up.

I realize dial up is making things load slower.
But the smileys or whatever they are called don't move. Like BallPeens gator in his sig. It just keeps it's mouth shut. ( Maybe that's a good thing)!

My computer is just old and I need a new one.
Thanks everybody for the advice.

Ok, the bit rate of the internet you are using is another factor. You can have all the processing power and RAM in the work and it will not do you any good if your on a slow connection.

You can have the fastest internet service and it will do you no good if you dont have the processing power and RAM to handle it.


On the hard drive, having a full or almost full hard drive can slow your system down because the processor has to spend a lot of time moving things around to get the data onto the disk. Also look at the RPM's on the drive, the higher the better.


KING

My advice: if you're just surfing the internet or and such, watching videos, playing music (no gaming)....get a bottom of the line $450 type thing from a reputable company (Dell, HP, toshiba all have models in this price range)....

only trick is to get at least 2GB of RAM (i think hp currently has a free upgrade to 3GB so that would be great).... the microsoft vista operating system just hogs waayy too much memory for me to be comfortable with the 1GB that most companies give you. Especially because non-experienced users tend to let a lot of programs build up that suck away memory resources.

Otherwise, you will never get close to maxing out the processor speed, hard drive space, or graphics capabliities that modern computers offer.

Could also get a laptop, they have good versions for around $450 with similar specs

~Lyuokdea

So I should look at a dual core processor with 2G RAM and a high speed connection and I should be good?
What speed should I get?

Sorry, I'm a frickin' moron with this stuff.

It's confusing for those of us that don't really understand computer stuff, I know. Hang in there...maybe someone will suggest a model around $400 bucks.

My old computer crashed out this past weekend, went to best buy spent $499 on a new gateway computer. Here is what I got:

Processor: AMD Phenom X4 9100e, quad core processor, 1.8 ghz, 4x 512 kb cache, 3200 mhz fsb

Memory: 4 gb ddr2

Video: ATI Radeon HD 3200 integrated graphics

Hard Drive: 640 GB

And at walmart a 19" HP flat screen monitor for $170.00.

Here I'll take all the confusion out of it...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4171772&CatId=6

I just bought one as an upgrade over my old system. COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!!! Tiger Direct stands behind their products as does HP. The computer I posted a link to comes with XP. Don't mess with Vista. Dual core processor. More memory than you think you might need but not so much as that you're over paying. I can run Photoshop and Illistrator while listening to streaming music... no issues. Online gaming... no issues. COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.

Here's all you need for $399...

Dell Vostro 220


There's a huge ($270) discount on it right now. The deal expires March 4th.

This is a Dell Vostro. It's a business computer. That doesn't mean it's more complicated. What it does mean is that it is not pre-loaded with a bunch of junk software or trial software that you don't need and will be loaded on most home computers. That crap disrupts and causes more headaches than anyone wants. Other than that they are the same as a typical home computer.

You'll love it!


3GB RAM
250GB Hard Drive (way more than you need)
19" Flat Screen Monitor included (you'll think you died and went to heaven)

It's loaded with Windows Vista. (Windows XP is better in my opinion but will cost you more)

It also comes with a 1 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 1 Year Next Business Day On-Site service.


I have a Dell at home right now. It's 8 years old. The hard drive was a 30GB. It went bad about 6 months ago. That's been the only problem I've had. I've upgraded to an 80GB.

Within the past year I've purchased 5 Dells at work. Two of them are Vostro 200's, (the previous version of this one I'm recomending). One is a Vostro 400, (beefed up a bit more). Two of them are T3400 Workstations, (power user stuff), which are put through the ringer daily chomping on huge Photoshop files for large format digital printing. They have all, so far, been trouble free as well. No problems.

I have three friends with Dell home computers. Other than screwing them up themselves from time to time they have had no issues that you could blame on the computers. Other friends with HP's and Compaq's have issues frequently. Maybe they're the exception to the rule. I don't know.

What you need to do is be sure you have Anti-Virus software (you can get it free) and Anti-Spyware software (it's free too) and a good Fire Wall software (that's free as well), then you need to keep them updated and in working order. If you do that you won't have issues. Most problems are caused by spyware and adware cluttering up your system. Keep that out and/or cleaned up frequently and your in good shape.

As others have said, you also need to upgrade your internet connection from dial-up to a broadband connection. It will greatly enhance your experience surfing the web, (you'll know you died and went to heaven). Without it your new computer won't make much of a difference. If RoadRunner is available in your area they have a very inexpensive package if you don't require high speed downloading of large large files and you don't. Check it out. Your phone company likely offers a DSL connection much the same.

If all you do is surf the web, watch videos, listen to music and play online games this $399 computer, with a new monitor included, is plenty of machine for you.



That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Nice deal ddubia especially considering the included monitor. If jc only surfs the web, that might be it.

just slap ubuntu or kubuntu linux on it and you're all set

From what you're saying,maybe you don't need a new computer.
To watch videos,hell to do just about anything,you will need a hi-speed connection.You can got that from your phone company,DSL,your cable company,a satelite provider,or even a wi-fi connection.
All have advantages and disadvantages.Find out which are available to you and at what cost.
That should be you're first step,then you can determine if that old piece of crap really needs replacing.

Scoot over to the nearest Circuit City.. with them going out of business, some of thier computers are 1/2 off.

So whatever you decide to buy, at least you can maybe get more of your buck.

j/c

I would think twice about buying a Dell. I had a dell for years, worked fine and no problems. So upgraded last fall to an XPS system. I have gone thru 2 hard drives. It really sucks to lose everything--- twice. Dell was good about sending out the replacements.... but an extended warranty is something that i will have to add before the year is expired.

j/c

I figured this could go here. I need a laptop. I need a cheap laptop. Any suggestions?

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I just basically surf the net and nothing more. I would like to watch youtube clips

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With the above as the buying guideline, I would simply buy the most inexpensive thing you can find.... yes, the $400 one.

For what you will be doing, even the cheapest thing you can buy will still be overkill for your needs.

If you want to spend extra, put it into a newer, larger monitor... not into the computer.




If you want to keep an eye toward a little future proofing in the event that your needs change to something a little more demanding, then make sure you get at least a dual core machine and at least 2GB of ram.... the rest will take care of itself if you meet those two specs.

I was about to say, Mac is the way to go.

Speaking of buying Macs, I see that my new 17" Macbook Pro shipped this morning! A few days early So far it shows a Friday delivery...my original shipment date

I'd do exactly what Purp said. Make sure you get 2GB of RAM, and you should be more than fine. We went to Fry's electronics a few months ago, and got a system for around $300 that had 3GB of RAM (no monitor). Costco also has decent deals that include nice flat panel monitors. Pretty much anything you buy these days is going to be overkill for websurfing and the like. When you start getting into gaming is when you need to get something better.

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Newegg also does not charge sales tax.

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This is going to take some getting used to when I move from Montana after next summer. I can just drive up to Best Buy and not pay sales tax right now Newegg is a great site though, when I built my desktop a couple of years ago, I got everything from them. I was going to go that route again this year until my Powerbook started slowing down after 5 1/2 years. So I bought a new laptop instead

While we're at it, could someone go over the internet security software we should all be using?

Yes, buy a Mac.....problem solved

Come on, you knew someone was going to say it, lol.