Retail Desktop brands that user can upgrade hardware?

[KatMac]

Hey guys,
Just wanted to come back & reply so you wouldn't think I was blowing you off. Had to go out of town late Sept, my mom was hospitalized so had to return. Arranged home care, got her sprung and settled at her house. Stepped off her front porch to go home, landed with an embarrassing splat on the driveway & broke my foot. (I'm a klutz )

Anyway, it's so good to see even more familiar faces! Greetings jerry, Bistro and Doc! This place was 'home' for so long, didn't realize how much I miss it! (And Bistro, I wanted you to know I was feeling a bit burned out awhile back, needed a good laugh, searched high and low for your "travels" online but couldn't find them. I used to read that saga and belly laugh my way through it. Are they still kicking around somewhere? )

Thanks for the info on Dell & Macs, Doc. I've been a Windows user from day one, but do enjoy tooling around with the Macs on display at Best Buy, so I'll not rule them out altogether.

And after some of the latter comments, now I'm very intrigued by Micro Center. See there's one about 40 minutes from me. Off to check their web site. Sheesh, I'm so behind with technology I don't even know what I need at this point.

P.S. I wanna see Bistro tanked up on Jolt. If he trashes your cardboard abode in the process jerry, I have a nice appliance box with some decent square footage I'd be willing to donate as a replacement.

[SuperSparks]

P.S. I wanna see Bistro tanked up on Jolt

This is him sleeping it off after last time

[KatMac]

OMG, Nick, that's a classic!

[bugspop1]

Option #1: If you're still wanting a new computer I think I'd still find the time to build it myself. If you set aside half an hour a day, you could have one built in less than a week! Putting the motherboard in the case, IMO is the hardest part of building a computer. Here is a link to an earlier post where SuperSparks posted some nice Step by Step Photos that could help if you decide to build your own again: http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...d.php?t=241532

Installing the software is usually what takes the longest (Windows, Service Packs & Updates, MS Office, Service Packs & Updates, then all other software & their updates).
Always take your time whether installing a computer component or installing your computers software.

Option #2: Buy from a Reputable Mom & Pop computer shop. In the city I live in we have 2 where I would do business if I didn't build my own. Like anywhere else, tell them what you need the computer for (word processing, games, spreadsheets, internet, e-mail, etc...) and then give them your budget. Get a written estimate and then post it here for others to critique. The people here can tell you which parts (sound card, video card, etc...) are junk or why to avoid this part. Just to let you know, the computer shop will try to keep to your budget. If you're wanting a top of the line Video Card for Gaming don't go into the shop with a budget of $400-$500 for the whole build as a decent Video card will cost at least $250-$500. Remember NEVER skimp on the Power Supply, buy a good brand name (Antec, Enermax, PC Power & Cooling, Zalman, OCZ, Cosair, Thermaltake, etc...). Decent PSU's could cost $100-$250. Remember, in a computer shop if the part costs $150 you can most likely buy the part a Newegg for a $100 or less. All computer shops have to mark up the prices to make a profit!

[jerryctx]

There used to be half a dozen mom and pop stores nearby. None are still in business. I wouldn't buy anything that might need warranty support from such an operation.

[jstanek7]

There are 2 Microcenters that I go to used to be 3 but they closed the little one. At times i think I kept the little one open. One time I went in there looking for something and walked out with 5 clearance computers.

[bugspop1]

Well, the Mom & Pop stores I'm talking about need to have been in busienss for 10+ years. The One shop around here has been here for about 20 years and the other has been here since the mid 1970's. The other shops around here have only been in business 1-2 years. I might buy parts there but I wouldn't have purchased a complete system from the 1-2 year store because of the warranty (will they still be open tomorrow).

[bugspop1]

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