Looking for a new computer... any suggestions? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Warm & Fuzzy · 01-20-2003, 10:17 PM

Wep, My parents have finally gave in to purchase a new computer.

Unfortunately, it's not for me, it's for my brother.

But anyways, we need something with tons of memory (sure he'll be needing it), FAST, sturdy, nice [but not too kinky] looking, non-spacious (flat screen), and CHEAP. Any suggestions for a brand... any specific models? Thanks.

TJL · 01-20-2003, 10:39 PM

Check out Gateway. I'm very happy with the one I bought last Spring.
Plus, they give you many options for choosing hard drives, memory, monitors, etc.

JoPol_wannabe · 01-20-2003, 11:16 PM

Gateway or Dell
My Uncle and Aunt have a Gateway and they really like it. But my brother has a Dell and he really likes that. Well both my Uncles and bother's computers work great, they have alot of memory and fast speed.

dawsongirl · 01-21-2003, 12:04 AM

Just avoid notebooks. They're too moody.

TV Favorites · 01-21-2003, 12:36 AM

If you don't need portability, don't go for a laptop. You can get much more in a desktop for a cheaper price, not to mention that it is much easier to replace parts or upgrade desktops than it is to do a laptop.

I have a VPR Matrix which is a pretty nice computer. I've heard many great things about them, but I have also heard some not so good things about them. They are great because they come with loads of memory and hard drive space and a great processor (mine is a 2.26 GHz Pentium 4 and they consider this a past model), but I have heard that they have been known to overheat (problem can probably be solved by adding extra fans). Also, the computer hardware from what I have heard is not specific to one company, meaning that if you want to replace the processor or upgrade something, you can buy pretty much any brand and have it work.

One downside to the Matrixes is that they come with little software (Windows XP, basic Windows components and programs and Microsoft Works are about the only programs loaded), but if you already have your own software, you may not see this as a problem.

VPR Matrixes are exclusive to Best Buy. Websites listed below:

http://www.vprmatrix.com
http://www.bestbuy.com

If you would like to know more about what's inside my VPR Matrix, I have a spec sheet located below:

http://www.mwwnetwork.com/computers.html

Good luck!

EDIT: About the monitors...be sure you know the difference between flat screen and flat panel. The flat panel monitors are the skinny, small type. The flat screens are exactly like a regular monitor except the glass is flat. I know a few people who ordered flat screens thinking they would be getting a compact monitor and were surprised by what they got.

Max Whittaker · 01-21-2003, 12:52 AM

A year ago I would have said a Dell.

Now I fear those crazy interns are getting in the way of production... messing with the product.

Steve knew what he was doing!

Seriously though, either a Gateway or a Dell should serve your needs well.

fr00ti · 01-21-2003, 12:54 AM

Dell Dimension!

MandieR1980 · 01-21-2003, 01:29 AM

Martina Gurl you got great taste in music and PCs I also have a Dell Dimension and will never buy another brand again.

Barnabas1 · 01-21-2003, 08:35 AM

Well Pretty-as-a-Penny-Jenny, you need a compaq or a gateway. Don't get a Dell, we got one and it is A PAIN in the you know what to turn on, IMHO.

MandieR1980 · 01-21-2003, 11:20 AM

No way should anyone buy a Compaq I know first hand that they are crap. I have no problem turning this Dell on it must be yours. A Gateway is good too but pleeeeeeeeeeeease don't buy a Compaq!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MagicDust1488 · 01-21-2003, 12:05 PM

DO NOT GET A MAC! Our school has them and they suck! Get a Gateway, Helwitt Packard, Compaq, or a Dell!

DetectiveGriffin · 01-21-2003, 12:14 PM

Call around to some little tech shops in town and see about having one custom built. Will cost a few hundred dollars more, but you wont have the hard drive partitioned into a million pieces, making reinstallation of the os a big pain in the hiney. You can go out and choose your own operatiing system, your own cd burner (not those prepackaged cheapos that make coasters and that you cant find drivers for when you need them)

After the aggrevation ive been through with dell and systemax, a custom built pc was Heaven. I can do whatever i want, change the os as many times as i like, and i dont have to search the universe for drivers - hitting message boards and begging for tech support - because when you buy your part seperate, you get the disk or drivers for all current os's with it.

if thats too much, if you go through qvc.com and get a dell, you get the good dell prices BUT you also get PRIORITY tech support over other dell customers.

Penny Lane · 01-21-2003, 01:14 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Max Whittaker
[B]A year ago I would have said a Dell.

Now I fear those crazy interns are getting in the way of production... messing with the product.

Steve knew what he was doing!

Will he ever be back! If he doesn't come back, no Dell computer for me! I protest!

Barnabas1 · 01-21-2003, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MandieR1980
No way should anyone buy a Compaq I know first hand that they are crap. I have no problem turning this Dell on it must be yours. A Gateway is good too but pleeeeeeeeeeeease don't buy a Compaq!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nope, it was how they assembled it. The button isn't put on right.

Barnabas1 · 01-21-2003, 01:27 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Penny Lane
[B]

Quote:

Originally posted by Max Whittaker
A year ago I would have said a Dell.

Now I fear those crazy interns are getting in the way of production... messing with the product.

Steve knew what he was doing!

Will he ever be back! If he doesn't come back, no Dell computer for me! I protest!

Marlene, did you see his hair was orange at the end of the latest commercial? I thought that was STRANGE!

01-20-2003, 10:17 PM	#1
Warm & Fuzzy Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 02, 2001 Posts: 10,254	Looking for a new computer... any suggestions? Wep, My parents have finally gave in to purchase a new computer. Unfortunately, it's not for me, it's for my brother. But anyways, we need something with tons of memory (sure he'll be needing it), FAST, sturdy, nice [but not too kinky] looking, non-spacious (flat screen), and CHEAP. Any suggestions for a brand... any specific models? Thanks.
	__________________ "To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world." ~Unknown

01-20-2003, 10:39 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Check out Gateway. I'm very happy with the one I bought last Spring. Plus, they give you many options for choosing hard drives, memory, monitors, etc.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

01-21-2003, 12:36 AM	#5
TV Favorites Star of Family Feud Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 19, 2001 Location: United States of America Posts: 3,153	If you don't need portability, don't go for a laptop. You can get much more in a desktop for a cheaper price, not to mention that it is much easier to replace parts or upgrade desktops than it is to do a laptop. I have a VPR Matrix which is a pretty nice computer. I've heard many great things about them, but I have also heard some not so good things about them. They are great because they come with loads of memory and hard drive space and a great processor (mine is a 2.26 GHz Pentium 4 and they consider this a past model), but I have heard that they have been known to overheat (problem can probably be solved by adding extra fans). Also, the computer hardware from what I have heard is not specific to one company, meaning that if you want to replace the processor or upgrade something, you can buy pretty much any brand and have it work. One downside to the Matrixes is that they come with little software (Windows XP, basic Windows components and programs and Microsoft Works are about the only programs loaded), but if you already have your own software, you may not see this as a problem. VPR Matrixes are exclusive to Best Buy. Websites listed below: http://www.vprmatrix.com http://www.bestbuy.com If you would like to know more about what's inside my VPR Matrix, I have a spec sheet located below: http://www.mwwnetwork.com/computers.html Good luck! EDIT: About the monitors...be sure you know the difference between flat screen and flat panel. The flat panel monitors are the skinny, small type. The flat screens are exactly like a regular monitor except the glass is flat. I know a few people who ordered flat screens thinking they would be getting a compact monitor and were surprised by what they got.
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01-21-2003, 12:52 AM	#6
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	A year ago I would have said a Dell. Now I fear those crazy interns are getting in the way of production... messing with the product. Steve knew what he was doing! Seriously though, either a Gateway or a Dell should serve your needs well.
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

01-21-2003, 12:54 AM	#7
fr00ti Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 16, 2002 Posts: 12,846	Dell Dimension!
	__________________ ...

01-20-2003, 11:16 PM	#3
JoPol_wannabe Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 11, 2001 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,036	Gateway or Dell My Uncle and Aunt have a Gateway and they really like it. But my brother has a Dell and he really likes that. Well both my Uncles and bother's computers work great, they have alot of memory and fast speed.

01-21-2003, 12:04 AM	#4
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Just avoid notebooks. They're too moody.

01-21-2003, 01:29 AM	#8
MandieR1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2001 Location: East Taunton, Massachusetts Posts: 2,635	YES Martina Gurl you got great taste in music and PCs I also have a Dell Dimension and will never buy another brand again.
	__________________ Mandie myspace.com/mlr930

01-21-2003, 08:35 AM	#9
Barnabas1 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 4,598	Well Pretty-as-a-Penny-Jenny, you need a compaq or a gateway. Don't get a Dell, we got one and it is A PAIN in the you know what to turn on, IMHO.
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01-21-2003, 11:20 AM	#10
MandieR1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2001 Location: East Taunton, Massachusetts Posts: 2,635	No way No way should anyone buy a Compaq I know first hand that they are crap. I have no problem turning this Dell on it must be yours. A Gateway is good too but pleeeeeeeeeeeease don't buy a Compaq!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

01-21-2003, 12:05 PM	#11
MagicDust1488 David Boreanaz-Angel Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 234	DO NOT GET A MAC! Our school has them and they suck! Get a Gateway, Helwitt Packard, Compaq, or a Dell!

01-21-2003, 12:14 PM	#12
DetectiveGriffin Sankontessou! Senior Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2001 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 1,288	Call around to some little tech shops in town and see about having one custom built. Will cost a few hundred dollars more, but you wont have the hard drive partitioned into a million pieces, making reinstallation of the os a big pain in the hiney. You can go out and choose your own operatiing system, your own cd burner (not those prepackaged cheapos that make coasters and that you cant find drivers for when you need them) After the aggrevation ive been through with dell and systemax, a custom built pc was Heaven. I can do whatever i want, change the os as many times as i like, and i dont have to search the universe for drivers - hitting message boards and begging for tech support - because when you buy your part seperate, you get the disk or drivers for all current os's with it. if thats too much, if you go through qvc.com and get a dell, you get the good dell prices BUT you also get PRIORITY tech support over other dell customers.

01-21-2003, 01:14 PM	#13
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,261	[QUOTE]Originally posted by Max Whittaker [B]A year ago I would have said a Dell. Now I fear those crazy interns are getting in the way of production... messing with the product. Steve knew what he was doing! Will he ever be back! If he doesn't come back, no Dell computer for me! I protest! Attached Images
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