OK I need to buy a new desktop. Recommendations?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

The Dell Dimension is completely dead in the water. Toast.

This wasn't planned for and I'm not thrilled about it at all.

DS loves to play world of warcraft and other on-line games, has to have AIM to be in contact with friends <let me tell you how NOT thrilled I am with that>. I have one last copy of MS Student to throw on for homework and my meager needs when I actually get to use this thing. I would really like to stick with Windows XP if possible.

For the most part this will be a gaming computer. These games wolf down memory like no ones business, but I am assuming the external hard drive will make the transition.

I like Dell products/service but should I consider others?

I'd really like to keep the price tag in the $1k range if possible. When I was playing on the Dell website things kept coming up around $1.5k. I'd like this one to see him thru highschool so want about 4 years of life out of whatever I buy.

Any recommendations for this? Cost factors? Holiday special pricing?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Look at eDealinfo: Hot Deals - Coupon Codes Rebates Black Friday Cyber Monday Thanksgiving Christmas Gift Sale for the latest coupons on Dell and HP,

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Vision Computers

Vision Computers are recommended by Neal Bortz, might check them out.



Vision Computers, Inc. - Discount Computer Parts and Components, Laptop Computers, and Electronics

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I am an Apple fan, the new iMacs are fabulous, you could probably even pick up an older model on ebay. No crashing, easy to use.... $1199 gets you a 20" flatscreen...

The Apple Store (U.S.) - iMac

[somerville Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close somerville]

$1,500 is on the high end of a desktop computer these days. What were you pricing? Some games are graphics intensive. I don't know what the specs are on your current computer, but any low end computer probably has more computing power than your old one. I bought small HP desktop without a monitor a few months ago for under $300 after rebate. It has an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of memory, a DVD burner, a 160GB hard drive, and Windows Vista Home Premium.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I am an Apple fan, the new iMacs are fabulous, you could probably even pick up an older model on ebay. No crashing, easy to use.... $1199 gets you a 20" flatscreen...

The Apple Store (U.S.) - iMac

I think after several years of PC use I'm coming around to this opinion as well. I'm getting tired of Microsoft's issues every time there's an upgrade and all there little issues. Not to mention that most (if not all) viruses and trojan horses are written for Microsoft software. After Microsofts ME and Vista editions I think I'll be giving MAC a try with our next "upgrade."

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I think after several years of PC use I'm coming around to this opinion as well. I'm getting tired of Microsoft's issues every time there's an upgrade and all there little issues. Not to mention that most (if not all) viruses and trojan horses are written for Microsoft software. After Microsofts ME and Vista editions I think I'll be giving MAC a try with our next "upgrade."

Once you go Mac, you'll never go back

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

$1,500 is on the high end of a desktop computer these days. What were you pricing? Some games are graphics intensive. I don't know what the specs are on your current computer, but any low end computer probably has more computing power than your old one. I bought small HP desktop without a monitor a few months ago for under $300 after rebate. It has an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of memory, a DVD burner, a 160GB hard drive, and Windows Vista Home Premium.

Now THAT sounds like a very good deal. I would be very interested in a link to that system. The graphics I need is a $240 additional charge which keeps pushing me over the $1200 range and I'm not going all out on speakers as aftermarket is better anyway.

Can you get that product with XP instead of Vista? Or no platform at all as I have the XP Pro 2 software here?

I think after several years of PC use I'm coming around to this opinion as well. I'm getting tired of Microsoft's issues every time there's an upgrade and all there little issues. Not to mention that most (if not all) viruses and trojan horses are written for Microsoft software. After Microsofts ME and Vista editions I think I'll be giving MAC a try with our next "upgrade."

Once you go Mac, you'll never go back

I am tempted but it is really in my best interest to stick with PC and Windows. I find it to be a very stable platform to work with and it is easier to maintain the same OS on everything. Plus I can get myself out of most jams with that software.

The only reason I'm even buying a new one is the damage to current is going to cost quite a lot in time, parts and effort to replace the motherboard etc. It just isn't worth it.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Yes, you can still buy Windows XP on the after market. The OEM edition is cheaper yet. Check this web site here. They have several to choose from like Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Media Center.

I am looking for myself since Peter's desktop computer crashed just before going on vacation to Maui and I don't want to buy Windows Vista yet.

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

I have both Mac and Windows computers. Mac is best for not crashing but the down side is the lack of software. A game requires ram and processor to run. The more of both is preferred. Windows Vista requires at least 1gb ram and 15gb of hard disc space to run so if you use Vista you will need around 2gb ram and a huge hard drive. Windows XP requires less ram and hard drive space. I would stick with a Pentium 4 processor for gaming not a Celeron or Duron. the best place to look for a great gaming computer is your local PC shop and have it built. Where I live you buy the parts and they put it together for free. You already have the operating system and you save more on the system to build it better. Get a 256mb video card for the graphics.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

There are always deals on Dell and others on DealCatcher: Free Online Coupons Dell, Amazon, Best Buy, Overstock
I know nothing about gaming, but I'm sold on dual core processors.

[jgirvine Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jgirvine]

HP Business Outlet

My last 2 computer purchases have been from the HP Business outlet. Good good deals, I could get XP which was important to me. I did not need a monitor. You can not order online. You have to call to see if what you are interested is in stock. But, when you do, tell them what you want and what you want to pay and have them check to see if they have something that is not listed. Comes with full warranty.

HP Small & Medium Business Store - Refurbished business products

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Hello from the new Dell Inspirion!

So far so good. Priced out at $1190 on Dell.com. Picked up at Staples for $750.

Turning it over to DS now. Will play with this in the morning.

and yeah I had to go with Vista. We shall see how this goes.