a new desktop

[bassNspear]

i am just getting into the process of looking for a desktop. I have had 5 lap tops, so this is a bit new to me.

I have been looking at Dell and HP!

Wondering what information you can help me out with to determine the best one! We will be putting alot of music on it with the ipods and things like that. Normal house uses basiclly!

Thanks

[upnorth]

Just about any PC with dual core processor(Intel or AMD) and 3 + Gig of RAM would do well for what you say you want to do. If you plan on a lot of audio an pictures be sure you get an adequate hard drive. But most drives now are in the 250 gig range and that is a pretty fair amount of data. Typical MP3 is 5 MB and average picture is about 2 MB. May not be a bad idea to add an external USB drive to back up your data.

Both HP and Dell have proven to be pretty good PC vendor and both put together decent machines. They also do pretty good job of supporting they products.

[CJH]

I agree with UpNorth's statements. We've had both Dell and HP and they have held up well. As mentioned those specs should be fine for what you are doing and should be pretty reasonable.

If you are going to be doing any type of video/gaming get a decent video card and adequate RAM.

I picked up a 1.5 Terrabyte Western Digital external Hard Drive about a month ago for $150. I have moved all of the music to it and the pictures will be moved shortly. Crazy how inexpensive memory is getting!!!

[Chef]

If you care about post sale support, go HP. Dell told us we'd have US based tech support and we got Abdar in New Delhi, but his name was Benjamin Franklin!

[jigeye]

I would have someone build a system for you. I have had two built and for the same price you can upgrade all the components plus you won't have all that junky software lugging down the system. I would not buy another one from a retailer. Do some research on HSO-Classifieds and you will find some guys that will build your system taylored to your needs. Make sure they warranty the components and ask for references. You will have an awesome trouble free system.

[bassNspear]

interesting jig

thanks for all your help upnorth

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Might want to check out the Power Spec brand sold by Micro Center. Decent stuff and without all the bloatware.

[Central Bassman]

BUY A MAC!!!!!

[bassNspear]

BUY A MAC!!!!!

ya right

still hung up on dell or hp!

[BobT]

Just about any PC with dual core processor(Intel or AMD) and 3 + Gig of RAM would do well for what you say you want to do. If you plan on a lot of audio an pictures be sure you get an adequate hard drive. But most drives now are in the 250 gig range and that is a pretty fair amount of data. Typical MP3 is 5 MB and average picture is about 2 MB. May not be a bad idea to add an external USB drive to back up your data.

Both HP and Dell have proven to be pretty good PC vendor and both put together decent machines. They also do pretty good job of supporting they products.

First PC was an HP. My second was a Dell. From my experience I was more pleased with the Dell. Both performed well. I used the HP for nearly 10 years and I've had the Dell for about 2 now. Neither were a problem so far.

My only comment would be that I found the Dell came with a little less "extra" software and trial versions than the HP and so I had less to uninstall once I decided what to keep or not.

[spearchucker]

If you don't want to build your own, my vote would be HP.

[bassNspear]

imnot about building one, just want to go and buy it, hook it up and use it!

[Skeeter21i]

BUY A MAC!!!!!

Fully agree, Mac only way to go.

[bassNspear]

just not my style! Everything is so much different!

[upnorth]

MAC is a decent machine, but definitely not the only choice.

[BobT]

If Macs are so good, why then do they only hold about 3% of the total market share and it's currently at its highest point since 1999. Funny thing too, Mac has a strong foothold in schools, which probably accounts for a majority of its market. The business world doesn't use them.

[upnorth]

I have worked in IT since 1997 and yes the MAC is a good machine. But years ago they focused on the school and graphic editing side of the market and they do well there. I am sure they figured if they got kids used to using them in the school environment they would continue to purchase/use them when they left school. But the Microsoft/Windows/DOS folks went after the business side of things. As it sits the fast majority of business apps, and no not just MS office etc, but specialized for certain types of business are solely supported by the Windows OS. The software vendors are not even writing the apps for MAC, so it is hard to purchase a PC of any kind where you can't use it for the main portion of your business.

Most people are used to using the PCs where they work and purchase the same thing for home and or working from home. Things backfired for MAC in the marketing path they took. Microsoft was much more successful.

Those that are avid MAC users should be glad they never took off like Windows did. If it would have they would be looking at the same security/Virus/spyware/malware issues as Windows. They hackers are not going to go after such a small market share and believe me that is the only reason they have not seen the problems Windows has had with security. I get Computer/Network security alerts and there we are seeing much more activity on the MAC platform. The OS itself is not really much if any more secure than Windows. And for Windows most of the time it is the apps that have the security holes not the OS itself anyway.

So in the MAC vs PC war....If you can do what you need to do on a MAC, you have deep pockets and can afford one, buy a MAC. If you want a very versatile device and on a more limited budget get a PC. And for the most part either will work well for a home user.

[BobT]

Good comments. Thanks.

[bassNspear]

thanks for the information upnorth. im gonna stick to a pc

[Iambjm]

I have just recently purchased a HP from BB and got 8gb Ram and 1T hard drive for $799, then I went to Dells HSOforum and got a 24" monitor for $189 with free shipping. The monitor is really awesome for everyday use. I also have an 8 year old Dell that I really liked but it has only 512 mb of memory and has gotten very slow. The only thing I have replaced on the Dell was the power switch. The HP is bare bones for software but it does have the wireless card in it, so I have it set up in a different room than my Dell. So far everything works great. The only downer is a lot of my software no longer works with Windows 7.

[Skeeter21i]

Valid question and upnorth has valid points. I got my first Mac in '93 for graphics and have been running them ever since. I'm willing to pay the bit extra due to my comfort level I have with them, easy to use and longevity. My first laptop that I bought six years ago still works just fine even though I upgraded to a MacBook Pro this summer. I have a nine year old iMac and a four year old iMac that have had zero problems. I use my Macs for work. I'm self-employed as an independent rep and our main office is 100% windows. I have zero compatibility issues. Microsoft Office for Mac has Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.. I can also run Bootcamp with will run windows OS. Like I said, Macs off the shelf may be a bit more but I'm willing to pay it for the value I get out of them. Business-wise, Apple is a very profitable company and they make great products. Tough to beat how easy iPods, iPhones and all related software integrates. To each their own and good to have a choice. Not trying to be Mac vs. PC. If it works for you and you are happy then you bough the right machine.

[Central Bassman]

Why most of you will be using Windows 12 in no time and still complaining about it... i'll be using my same old MAC with no problems. There isn't a HUGE difference if you know your way around a computer.

I do agree what the business world is all PC right now... but most people in the work force now grow up using PC in schools and know in day to day life. MAC are getting more and more popular in school and that will help them grow.

[Iambjm]

PC or Mac, Chevy or Ford.......We all use what we are most comfortable with.

[Central Bassman]

PC or Mac, Chevy or Ford.......We all use what we are most comfortable with.

Yes Sir

[bassNspear]

Originally Posted By: Iambjm

PC or Mac, Chevy or Ford.......We all use what we are most comfortable with.

Yes Sir

agree, and thats why i want to stick to a pc becuase of the comfortablity of myself and wife!