Need your help! [Archive] - The Mess Hall - The Home of Mindless Banter

amysthebest99

Mar 5th, 2009, 04:36 AM

So, I am in the market for a new desktop, but I really don't know that much about them, so can anyone point me in the right direction as to what is considered a good desktop, and what I should stay away from? thanks! ;)

Parakommando

Mar 5th, 2009, 05:23 AM

I'll spout off a few random thoughts and let others refine the process.

Firstly, there is no reason why computers should be a mess of components and cables. Apple has the right idea. If you want cheap+powerful, look at HP. They have great support.

Me, I'm pro-Apple for most things. If you're a serious, hardcore, fanatical gamer, don't waste my time and I won't waste yours as you're going to have to build your system from parts. It's not hard but most people don't have those needs.

If you want to choose your own display size and type, get a Mac mini. They have just been updated this week so they're fresh out of the oven. Same goes for the iMac, actually, though you're stuck with the built-in display whether you like it or not.

Minis are power-efficient. Apple claims the most efficient on the market. The hard drive is the same kind used in laptops (2.5"). So it will be a bit slower than a desktop grade hard drive (3.5").

But the mini has CD/DVD burner built-in and possibly wireless, too. It has a surprisingly useful number of ports for such a small system.

Check them out and see what you think:

http://store.apple.com/us

Captain John Miller

Mar 5th, 2009, 05:46 AM

HP imho is top notch, anyone of the new ones are fine for everything tbh.

Imho tho building one if you can is not only cheaper but you get quality parts period b/c you pick them.

Faceman

Mar 5th, 2009, 05:48 AM

What are you looking to do with the PC? That can narrow things down. Also a price range will help.

MeleeMe?

Mar 5th, 2009, 06:48 AM

What are you looking to do with the PC? That can narrow things down. Also a price range will help.

Indeed.

If you are not interested in building a pc then your best bet is probably finding a good deal on a comp with a decent processor and upgrading the easy parts.

Dont get fooled on a pc with a bunch of ram and some magic video card that will play the newest games. Thats just shifty advertising that take advantage of people who don't know better. Dont pay an extra $400 for a graphics card (most likely a pile of shit that is made to sound like an awesome feature) and an extra gig or 2 of memory.

Both are relatively cheap and super easy to install.

Face

Mar 5th, 2009, 03:18 PM

You can't go wrong with Dell or HP.

Apple/Mac is fun if you enjoy finding out how many programs aren't compatible with your system.

amysthebest99

Mar 5th, 2009, 04:26 PM

Thanks for your help so far guys! I really appreciate it. I won't be using the comp for gaming or anything like that, but I do want a good reliable comp. I am willing to spend a decent amount, i would say $4,000 max.

Maxey

Mar 5th, 2009, 04:36 PM

With $4.000 you could buy a little gaming god.

amysthebest99

Mar 5th, 2009, 04:50 PM

haha gaming to to confusing for me ;)

Maxey

Mar 5th, 2009, 04:58 PM

Games confuse you? ok...

amysthebest99

Mar 5th, 2009, 05:03 PM

well i guess they don't really confuse me...they are just hard haha

Face

Mar 5th, 2009, 05:12 PM

If you don't plan on gaming, you can get away with only spending half of that, and not having to upgrade again for 3-4 years.

Faceman

Mar 5th, 2009, 08:20 PM

If you're not into gaming or graphics, you can spend roughly 700 which will include a nice monitor. I'll have to dig up some links when I get back home.

EuroBoss

Mar 5th, 2009, 08:41 PM

well i guess they don't really confuse me...they are just hard haha

My advice is get Lieb too build it for you he should know how?

Maxey

Mar 5th, 2009, 10:09 PM

My advice is get Lieb too build it for you he should know how?
LMAO

amysthebest99

Mar 5th, 2009, 10:52 PM

My advice is get Lieb too build it for you he should know how?

haha i'm mad at Lieb at the moment, plus i could probably build a better comp than he could! ;)

JoJo

Mar 5th, 2009, 10:54 PM

haha i'm mad at Lieb at the moment, plus i could probably build a better comp than he could! ;)An epileptic panda could build a better computer than Lieb.

amysthebest99

Mar 5th, 2009, 10:58 PM

haha He is skilled in other areas though! *wink wink*

amysthebest99

Mar 5th, 2009, 11:02 PM

If you're not into gaming or graphics, you can spend roughly 700 which will include a nice monitor. I'll have to dig up some links when I get back home.

thank you! I would appreciate it!

Faceman

Mar 6th, 2009, 12:58 AM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9999107100050000&type=product&id=pcmprd107000050000

Features

* Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core processor E5200, 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, DVD±RW/CD-RW drive, 500GB hard drive, Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 and Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1
* 19" widescreen flat-panel LCD monitor with ultrafast 5 ms response time and 1000:1 contrast ratio; HD-ready via DVI-D input with HDCP; built-in power and cable management; easy stand detachment for wall-mount option (mounting kit not included)
* Canon PIXMA all-in-one photo printer, copier and scanner with built-in card slots and PictBridge support for PC-free printing; support for 3 frame-ready print sizes; ChromaLife100 system for long-lasting photos
* Special package savings of $150 (discounted from individual-item total: reg. price $749.97 - $150.00 instant savings = $599.97 final price)
* This package price will no longer be valid if you return one of the items. See the details.

Reg. Price:
$749.97
You Save:
$150.00
Our Price:
$599.97

Parakommando

Mar 6th, 2009, 02:36 AM

Hm, I don't think you need to spend $4,000 either. If you want simple, tasteful, elegant and easy to set up, maybe the iMac might do. This is what you get for US$1,500:

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB418LL/A?mco=NDE4Mzg4NA

If there's an Apple store near you go check it thoroughly before you buy it.

Faceman

Mar 6th, 2009, 08:18 AM

Parakommando

Mar 6th, 2009, 08:58 AM

Speaking of software: if you value good software, the Mac is the way to go. Some of the best software is OS X only, such as Final Cut etc. Some of it is from Apple, some from other developers.

However, gamers won't need that and so build their own systems for that purpose. For them, Windows is merely the thing that allows the game to play.

And thanks to Intel processors on modern Macs you can run Windows if you need it.

MeleeMe?

Mar 6th, 2009, 09:06 AM

You can build a system to run OSx for under $1000. Show me a system that Apple is selling for under a grand that is worth a shit?

The only thing that pisses me off about mac users is their desire to completely ignore the fact that they are getting ripped off for what they are paying for. Ugh...

DO NOT BUY A MAC!

You can have someone build you one for WAY cheaper.

Latzen

Mar 6th, 2009, 03:51 PM

Face

Mar 6th, 2009, 04:07 PM

DO NOT BUY A MAC!
QFT

Maxey

Mar 6th, 2009, 04:08 PM

I like this thread.

Guy Montag

Mar 6th, 2009, 04:41 PM

Not only is Mac more expensive, when something goes wrong with it you will spend way more money fixing it. Your average user is also more likely to find software that won't work on OS-X than Windows, and wouldn't even know what 'dual boot' means.

Faceman

Mar 6th, 2009, 05:36 PM

Speaking of software: if you value good software, the Mac is the way to go. Some of the best software is OS X only, such as Final Cut etc. Some of it is from Apple, some from other developers.

Adobe Premiere Pro. It's the same thing.

Name one piece of software that is good, only a Mac and does not have a PC equivalent.

amysthebest99

Mar 6th, 2009, 07:00 PM

Say hello to a MASSIVE THREAD DERAIL!!!

So, wait, Amy, you live in Lancaster (hello from Santa Clarita, BTW), and you work for Northrup Grumann...Liebs works for LOCKHEED MARTIN! and is in Monument, CO (nice town).

Two things:
ARE YOU SWAPPING INDUSTRY SECRETS?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!

How the hell can you know how good he is at *wink wink* if you're located 1000 miles apart (a gentleman's *wink wink* skills can rapidly deteriorate if not tended).

BACK ON TRACK

Listen to Faceman.

HAHA No I do not swap industry secrets... and at one point in time Lieb and I were not 1000 apart, so that is how I know how good he is at *wink wink* lol As for his skills deteriorating I have no idea if they have...its been a while! But am always available if he needs practice! haha( big MUAH to Lieb!)

Also, I think i will be taking faceman's advice! Thanks guys!

Latzen

Mar 6th, 2009, 10:01 PM

Wow, you actually answered that ridiculous set of questions.

Way to tolerate my idiocy.

:thumbsup:

amysthebest99

Mar 6th, 2009, 10:47 PM

Wow, you actually answered that ridiculous set of questions.

Way to tolerate my idiocy.

:thumbsup:

Just shows how bored I am!

Loco

Mar 7th, 2009, 12:00 AM

Buy a "Generation behind"!!!!.

I'm running an E6300 @3.2Ghz on air no problem at all.

Hooked up to 4Gb of Geil ULL DDR RAM sat on an Asus P5K mobo with an Nvidia 9800GTX+ 512Mb graphics card.

So far it has run anything I have thrown at it at the highest settings without breaking sweat.

Those who buy the "latest and greatest" PC kit as soon as it is announced and available are the silly fuckers here.

Complete waste of money trying to "keep up with the Jones's". :rawk:

JoJo

Mar 7th, 2009, 11:52 AM

I'm running an E6300 @3.2Ghz on air no problem at all.Your PC can fly?!?!?!

FUCK ME.