[RESOLVED] Help me buy a computer ! Help!

[Sal_gal]

See previous messages.
Going out today and tomorrow. I want to walk out the door with a computer. What processors should I look for?

Recommended Athlon II AMD Quad-Core....what other processors should I look for? I'm not buying another computer for 4-5 years. This is my last one!
P.S. Desktop only.
Are desktops obsolete????

This looks like an all-in one: http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0363454
How reliable are the all-in-ones?

How about these?
http://www.officemax.com/technology/...ps-_-save70dol

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0378175

[dneilson]

How do you need to use your computer----

High end games, Autocad, video editing or other demanding programs.

OR

Web surfacing, Office apps, simple games.

[Sal_gal]

How do you need to use your computer----

High end games, Autocad, video editing or other demanding programs.

OR

Web surfacing, Office apps, simple games.

No gaming! No gaming. I watch Hulu TV on it. I go to the internet and read the news. I do classwork (Office 2010). Everyday stuff. Photo storage. Nothing that needs a lot of power.
All I've had are HPs and AMDs.

[dneilson]

I think you'll be more than satisfied with any current new computer you get, whether it be AMD or Intel. Go with the best specs. you can get consistent with what you want to spend.

[liam858]

Do you have a budget in mind?

Do you need a monitor too?

[fink]

Major downside of all in ones is that you can't upgrade anything. They're basically laptops without the lap. The insides of them are almost completely laptop components and if some hardware fails you lose the whole shebang as opposed to testing out individual components to do a repair/replacement on your own.

[Sal_gal]

I think you'll be more than satisfied with any current new computer you get, whether it be AMD or Intel. Go with the best specs. you can get consistent with what you want to spend.

If I overthink something, I won't do it, so I just went down the street to Best Buy and bought:

HP/Intel G630 (Geek guy said it was a smidge slower than what I had, but I won't notice it)
Win7 Home
64 bit
4 Gig
1TB
4 USBs (not happy, I have 6)

So it came in under $500....I'm 95% happy.
Now I've got to dismantle the old, sell it, try to get some money from it; and transfer files

No more desktops being made? Seems there are more all-in ones and laptops....and the laptops are getting as big as the all-in-ones.

[SuperSparks]

The USB ports shouldn't be a problem, you can always use a hub if necessary. Or if there are internal headers on the motherboard, you can add USB backplanes with a couple of ports on. They cost peanuts - I bought some for my last build for £2 each from Amazon.

There are zillions of desktops being made. Despite the hype, I don't see the desktop ever dying out, there will always be things that only work on a powerful PC with a decent size monitor. I just don't see offices full of people tapping away on tablets somehow

[Sal_gal]

The USB ports shouldn't be a problem, you can always use a hub if necessary. Or if there are internal headers on the motherboard, you can add USB backplanes with a couple of ports on. They cost peanuts - I bought some for my last build for £2 each from Amazon.

There are zillions of desktops being made. Despite the hype, I don't see the desktop ever dying out, there will always be things that only work on a powerful PC with a decent size monitor. I just don't see offices full of people tapping away on tablets somehow

So do you think this computer is OK? I'm not 100% happy, and never had an Intel before so I don't know how reliable it is.

[SuperSparks]

As far as reliability is concerned, there is nothing to choose between Intel and AMD. In any case, it is exceedingly rare that a CPU fails, normally other parts die of old age long before the processor.

TBH, I think you could have done a lot better online for your $500, you always pay a premium in a bricks and mortar store. If you can get your money back, and be patient for a bit longer, I really think we could find something a lot better for the same price.

[liam858]

I think the all-in-one boom from every manufacturer (that isn't Apple) came around shortly before the same thing happened in the tablet market. Manufacturers seeing an increase in iMac sales and assuming people are purchasing because it is an all-in-one setup and trying to cater for others with a cheaper alternative.

As Fink mentioned though, they are more of a pain to upgrade, if at all, and as Nick mentioned, you are always better off buying online, there are plenty of online stores that cater to your needs, even if you do plan to keep the same setup for ±5 years, i would at least take comfort in the fact that systems bought from the likes of Newegg can be upgraded to a degree at some point down the line, whether it be with more RAM, more drives, extra USB ports as mentioned.

The big downfall with buying from a street retailer (after price) is proprietary parts, and limited upgradability, something we can all agree to loathe around here.

I know it means waiting a few days for delivery from an online retailer, but its worth the wait IMO...just my £0.02 anyway.

Liam

[dneilson]

As SuperSparks and liam858 mentioned you can get a better computer for that money. You said you hope to keep it for 4 or 5 years so you ought to get the best you can now. You should be able to return it.

Best Buy return policy----

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Help-Top...at204400050028

[ceh383]

If you are the adventurist type...
IMHO THIS would be better...

[SpywareDr]

http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...=251463&page=6

[cdroman]

If I overthink something, I won't do it, so I just went down the street to Best Buy and bought:

HP/Intel G630 (Geek guy said it was a smidge slower than what I had, but I won't notice it)
Win7 Home
64 bit
4 Gig
1TB
4 USBs (not happy, I have 6)

So it came in under $500....I'm 95% happy.
Now I've got to dismantle the old, sell it, try to get some money from it; and transfer files

No more desktops being made? Seems there are more all-in ones and laptops....and the laptops are getting as big as the all-in-ones.

As long as you are happy with your purchase at this point in time, that's really all that matters. I usually build computers for myself and family, but don't go over what anyone is willing to spend. Once done though, we never look at prices again as they always go down. We all have desktops and laptops, and use both at different times. Can't see desktops fading for a while. Good luck.