Looking for a new desktop computer...

[MicktheGreat 1]

So...I'm getting ready to go to grad school and I'm looking for a new computer.

 

Right now, I've got a cheap little Acer netbook, which is fine for internet browsing and transportation purposes, but that's about it. I'm looking for a reasonably priced, reliable desktop -- something basic that I can write papers on and stuff. I used to have a macbook (which I liked OK) but I definitely can't afford another one of those right now; so I'm going the PC route this time for the desktop. So far, I've been looking at Dell and HP.

 

Anybody have any suggestions for other good companies I should look at???

Or better yet...anybody have any specific computer models I should consider?

Any third-party sites that provide good, detailed reviews?

 

:cheers:

[GettnHuge 1]

out of your 2,617 posts, this is certainly the best

[MicktheGreat 1]

out of your 2,617 posts, this is certainly the best

I do what I can.

 

[GettnHuge 1]

get an Eniac

[MicktheGreat 1]

get an Eniac

 

[kilroy69 1,026]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/eMachines+EL1850-01e+Desktop+%26+18.5%22+LCD+Monitor+Package/9999133600050005.p?id=pcmprd133600050005&skuId=9999133600050005&st=eMachines&lp=1&cp=1

 

this is what I use. Under 400 for everything. However if you dont need something new you can spend 100 bucks on craigslist for something comparable.

[pingpong 0]

When I was looking last year, the HP was by far the best option for saving money and getting features.

[KSB2424 3,087]

I'm not in IT, nor am I a computer nerd. I know little about this stuff. However I have an old ass desktop at home and it sucks; I got it like 9 years ago. Everybody I ask tells me to don't even worry with another desktop. They all tell me to get a laptop. Today's laptops are almost as good (memory, speed, ect.) and you of course have the mobility capability. you can set it up just like a desktop if you want. Printer, mouse, yada yada.

 

So my answer is to buy a nice laptop instead.

[edjr 5,721]

Get a job as a maid in a really fancy hotel, always plenty of laptops laying around the rooms to borrow.

[Dragan187 7]

Toshiba laptops are the bomb.

 

I nixed the idea for a desktop (already have a router) when I was in search for an upgrade and went for a laptop. BIG 17 inch screened focker that I scored off of ebay a year ago. If you don't feel safe getting electronics from ebay, try geeks.com. They got a lot of great deals there.

[IGotWorms 3,430]

They still make desktops?

[edjr 5,721]

They still make desktops?

 

Do you have any idea how much more difficult it is to work on a laptop as opposed to a desktop?

 

Companies will never go 100% laptops, so desktops will always be in play

[Recliner Pilot 61]

Went and picked up an all-in-one desktop two weeks ago. Mainly because of space, and I don't like wires all over the place. Basically a 23" flat screen, wireless mouse, and wireless keyboard. Has a touch screen feature like the iphone, but I don't really use it, and it wasn't a factor in the purchase.

 

Coulda got a better deal, but it was one of those wake up on Saturday morning and say, "We need a fukking computer". A trip to Best Buy and Sam's was the only research done. Had it up and running withing two hours of deciding to go look. I don't need to waste a whole Sat to save $50 or get the most computing stuff on something mainly used for the innerwebs, word processing, and storing pics.

[IGotWorms 3,430]

Do you have any idea how much more difficult it is to work on a laptop as opposed to a desktop?

 

Companies will never go 100% laptops, so desktops will always be in play

 

That's a good point edjr, but this guy is a grad student. If anybody out there needs a laptop over a desktop, it's a grad student. To the OP: find a reasonably priced laptop with a good keyboard and you will be golden.

[SUXBNME 1,359]

get an Eniac

Good call...Shouldn't take up too much room.

[edjr 5,721]

That's a good point edjr, but this guy is a grad student. If anybody out there needs a laptop over a desktop, it's a grad student. To the OP: find a reasonably priced laptop with a good keyboard and you will be golden.

 

I was just defending desktops because he laughed as if they were obsolete.

 

Laptop is the way to go if you travel obviously, but a cheap net book can usually get the job done

[MicktheGreat 1]

That's a good point edjr, but this guy is a grad student. If anybody out there needs a laptop over a desktop, it's a grad student. To the OP: find a reasonably priced laptop with a good keyboard and you will be golden.

Like I said in the original post, I've got a cheap Acer netbook right now, which provides me with some mobility, internet browsing, basic programs, etc. I've had laptops in the past (Dell & Mac) with mixed results, and I'm not really interested in getting another one right now.

 

I'd like to get a desktop that I can keep at home to work on papers, lesson plans, etc. while I continue to use the netbook for travel options.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

Here is what I picked up a few weeks ago.

 

http://www.gateway.com/programs/zxseries/index.php?cmpid=topnav_computers

[MicktheGreat 1]

Went and picked up an all-in-one desktop two weeks ago. Mainly because of space, and I don't like wires all over the place. Basically a 23" flat screen, wireless mouse, and wireless keyboard. Has a touch screen feature like the iphone, but I don't really use it, and it wasn't a factor in the purchase.

 

Coulda got a better deal, but it was one of those wake up on Saturday morning and say, "We need a fukking computer". A trip to Best Buy and Sam's was the only research done. Had it up and running withing two hours of deciding to go look. I don't need to waste a whole Sat to save $50 or get the most computing stuff on something mainly used for the innerwebs, word processing, and storing pics.

I looked at some all-in-one desktops. They're pretty cool-looking and save a bunch of space (obviously). But, given my financial situation, I can't really justify the price difference between the all-in-ones and the regular desktops -- especially because I just need something basic.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

I looked at some all-in-one desktops. They're pretty cool-looking and save a bunch of space (obviously). But, given my financial situation, I can't really justify the price difference between the all-in-ones and the regular desktops -- especially because I just need something basic.

 

 

We needed to upgrade the monitor as well, so the price was a wash. Like I said, we didn't do any research to try to save a few bucks, but once you got the tower and a monitor we were gonna spend more than what we did on this one.