Need Recos for computer

[Sal_gal]

My computer is over 3 years old, I need a newer one, and decided I can't go from store to store looking & poking...so I'm going online to get one.
$ limited to $500 for a desktop. I have the monitor, keyboard. Getting a scanner, etc.
Looking at the Acer brand and Compaq brand.
Intel Celeron vs. AMD Sempro.
80-100g HD, ATA hard drive, DVDRW
Notice that HP owns Compaq, but HP name brand is higher priced than Compaq.
Is Compaq a good brand?
Looking at various stores online.
Thanks all.

[SpywareDr]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...829955&CatId=0

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sku=G153-838GM

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Sku=E400-T6524

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sp?CatId=1873&

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=10&Nav=|c:1875|&Sort=0

http://www.tigerdirect.com/

[Sal_gal]

Well, I've settled on a HP pavillion, but want to know the diff between a DVD dual layer and single layer. Went to wikipedia but still don't understand it. DVD + R/W dual layer, what's that?

[Steve R Jones]

DVD dual layer -> can burn 8gigs...more data/more expensive.

[judge john]

also DVD's come in 2 different burning forms. DVD-RW and DVD+RW, or just R if they can only be written once. neither is really better or anything but a DVD+R/W player will only burn + DVD's.

[Sal_gal]

also DVD's come in 2 different burning forms. DVD-RW and DVD+RW, or just R if they can only be written once. neither is really better or anything but a DVD+R/W player will only burn + DVD's.

here are the selections from the list at HP:
1) 48x max. CD-writer drive (48x32x48x) (I already have a CD Writer)

2) Double Layer 16X max. DVD +/-R/RW drive ==Burns DVD videos and CDs faster than with a single-layer drive
+$40.00



3) LightScribe Double Layer 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW drive == Burns custom labels on CDs and DVDs (LightScribe demo)
+$50.00


the only reason i want the DVD r/w is because I'm going to scan & burn family documents onto a DVD (and a CD). These docs go back to the turn of the century. I want to distribute them to the family to watch like history on a movie.
Could I just as well do it with a CD burner?

Steve, when you say it's more expensive, you mean buying the media? right? That doesn't concern me. What concerns me is saving stuff for posterity and I thought a DVD would be better quality, more information loaded on it, and able to turn into movies.

Now if I can burn these documents onto a CD and get the same effects, then I don't need the DVD? Comment?

[ProfessorU]

For $50, buy the dual layer. You will be able to read from and write to almost every 12cm disc including CDs. No headaches about compatibility. And if you want to make/copy movies in the future your options are open.

[Sal_gal]

Thanks again for helping make up my mind. As for my friend (see prev messages), she called last night, she's going to buy a new computer. If she can't then I'm reco'ing that she just get an external drive and move all her files over. She only has 800MB left on the HD, so it's time to do something drastic.

[SuperSparks]

Definitely get a DVD burner, not only does a single-layer blank DVD disc cost about the same as a blank CDR, but it will be compatible in set-top DVD players, whereas CDs will only work in some models.

You had better buy both -R and +R blank discs though, and find out what the folks you distribute the DVDs to can use, not all set-top players can handle both formats.

[Sal_gal]

Okay, I have two models: 1200e and 1300e. I don't see the difference between the two but the 1200e is cheaper by about $100 from the 1300e. I'm wondering, what's the difference? Here are the specs: Besides the processor, there's no difference? Why do companies do this?

1) HP Pavilion a1330e customizable Desktop PC
EK460AV#ABA
– Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
– AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3400+ (2.2GHz / 512KB L2 cache)
– FREE UPGRADE from 256 to 512 MB 400MHz (2x256)
– FREE UPGRADE from 40GB to 80GB SATA Hard Drive
– Double Layer 16X max. DVD +/-R/RW drive
– 2 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire IEEE 1394 ports
– No TV Tuner w/remote control
– Integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200
– Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/ front audio ports
– HP Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse
– Microsoft(R) Works 8.0/Money 2006/MSN Encarta Plus
– HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
N/A $489.99 $489.99

2) HP Pavilion a1200e customizable Desktop PC
EK458AV#ABA
– Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
– AMD Sempron(TM) 3400+ (2.0GHz / 128KB L2 cache)
– 512MB DDR-400MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x256)
– FREE UPGRADE from 40GB to 80GB SATA Hard Drive
– Double Layer 16X max. DVD +/-R/RW drive
– 2 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire IEEE 1394 ports
– Integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200
– Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/ front audio ports
– HP Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse
– Microsoft(R) Works 8.0/Money 2006/MSN Encarta Plus
– HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope [/SIZE]

[Train]

If you were to do the research, you would find there is more than $100 difference between those 2 cpus.


AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3400+ (2.2GHz / 512KB L2 cache is my choice.

[Sal_gal]

DONE!!! Never ordered computer online before....always called on the phone...or went to the store and picked it up...sweating bullets that it's what it looks like on screen.

[lgbpop]

The Athlon's 512MB L2 cache makes it quite a bit faster than the Sempron, you'll like it. That's a pretty nice package for the price, if you have to go OEM. I've owned HPs before, they're pretty reliable.

[liam858]

A 512mb cache would be nice, but it has a 512k.


Liam

[lgbpop]

A 512mb cache would be nice, but it has a 512k.


Liam

Picky, picky....