IRC: I need your tech advice!

bully

bully

Cucumber
#1
#1
Tech-savvy IRC-ers!

I need to get a new computer, and because I'm ridiculously ignorant about gigawhats and flux capacitators, I could use your help. Here's what you need to know:

-I'm a writer, and the 'puter would be used (primarily) for writing-related activities.
-I'd love to be able to burn CDs from it, and it should be able to deal with a Palm Pilot, a printer, and whatever additional goo-gaws are necessary for computer use.
-I'd like it to have an ethernet port for the cable internet hook-up Roadrunner overcharges me for. (My current computer only has USB ports.)
-I'd love it to have the "right" amount of memory (a problem I'm currenly running into with my workhorse of a 2000 VAIO laptop).
-I'm considering making the switch to desktop. Convince me.
-For the right price/amenities, I could be swayed away from PC to Mac. Convince me.
-I'd like to spend a reasonable amount of cash for what I'm getting, and maybe pick up a printer in the process.
-Also: purchasing online or braving the brick-and-mortar retailers?
-I'd like to shell out my cash before the end of the year.

Thank you many, MANY times over in advance for your thoughtful advice. And seriously? It's safe to assume that I really know nothing about this stuff. So, if you feel like you're overexplaining, don't worry. I will thank you again.

Pentium,

Rachel
 
Holmes

Holmes

of the Rare Bird Show
#2
#2
I don't really know anything about computers, but I can tell you that, because everyone wants a laptop now, desktop computers are CHEAP! Even just for that consideration, you could afford a lot more burners and ports and memory chips and whatever with the money you save switching to a non-portable.
 
VarietyUndrgrnd

VarietyUndrgrnd

@the Parkside Lounge
#3
#3
The specifics of price and what you get for what you pay vary daily, Rachey-pants.

But one thing will always be true: desktops are cheap. Unless you need a laptop, get a desktop.

Since you already have a laptop, determining whether you need one should be easy. Do you spend a lot of time trundling the laptop around and writing on the go?

And as far as PC and Mac... if you already have a PC and you're comfortable with it, there's probably not much reason to switch now. (Although Apple has been pricing things pretty damn competitively lately.)

Oh, and you should probably not get an Epson printer. Go HP. (This is purely based on bad experience with Epson's old Stylus inkjets, which were horrible a few years ago. I don't know if they've changed their ways since then. I suspect they have, or they'd be out of business.)
 
Mr. Kwako

Mr. Kwako

Kerfuffling!
#4
#4
Rach,

No brick and mortars. Shop online but buy on the phone. Make several calls where you say, "This computer company will sell me this package for this amount. Can you do better?"

I think most everything you would buy now is going to have the capability to add stuff later as far as ports go. That said, my opinion is to get stuff you think you will use (don't just get a CD burner, get a DVD/CD burner). Others will say don't pay for stuff you aren't absolutely certain you will use, but I find adding hardware later a) a hassle and b) more expensive than buying it within a package.

My best advice, however, is just to wait until Ute Giddeon posts and then do whatever Ute Giddeon says. (I write the name out twice instead of using a pronoun because I don't know if Ute is a boy's name or a girl's name.)
 
VarietyUndrgrnd

VarietyUndrgrnd

@the Parkside Lounge
#5
#5
Mr. Kwako said:
I think most everything you would buy now is going to have the capability to add stuff later as far as ports go.
Click to expand...
(It's generally impossible to upgrade laptops. Another strike against.)

(And there are like 5 standards of DVD burners or something. Make sure you know what you're getting.)
 
meaculpa

meaculpa

dreamy
#6
#6
I would like to begin by saying I am not comfortable with the nickname 'Rachey-pants,' but that is for another thread.

Rachel, if you are only using this computer for writing, any computer manufactured in the last two years will be more than sufficient.

If you would like to get a good deal, check out gotapex.com

They always have great listings of super discounted Dell computers.
 
M

Moges

strictly platonic
#10
#10
Rachel,
Last year I went through the exact same thing you're going through now -- My laptop died, I wanted to purchase something before the new year (this is for write-off reasons, I'm assuming), I was gonna use it for writing too, and I wanted to burn shit.

Switch to mac. I did, it's great. Though they come out with a newer, awesomer version of each gadget every five seconds, their stuff is durable, comes with reasonably-priced warranties, and is so intuitive to use that the adjustment from PC wasn't difficult at all.

I bought a 12" powerbook laptop, and my only complaint is that I wish I'd splurged on the 15" because although my book is really light, its screen could be a bit bigger. I got mine with a super-drive, which is a DVD/CD burner. I have yet to use the DVD burner, but I use the CD burner a lot and it's great.

I got a wireless internet card installed (Airport) and it's the best thing ever. I get free internet in my apartment now, 'cause I'm in a hotspot, and I can tote my computer to other hotspots in the city and surf really quickly (and did I mention freely?). You might not be in a hotspot where you live, but it's just nice to have the ability to go to other hotspots...

I bought my computer off of Macmall or Mac Warehouse or some sort of site/magazine like that. They generally have the best prices, and they threw in a shitty Epson printer for me, and free shipping. Actually, I don't know how shitty my Epson printer is...I've never used it because they didn't include the printer cable. I have to buy that seperately.

So I spent about 2 grand on a computer that I really love. It can do way more than I actually do (it would be a truly awesome thing if I had a digital camera and/or a DV cam, 'cause I could make movies and burn them and hand them out on the street), but if I ever want to do those things, I can, 'cause it's all here.

Hope this helps!
 
bully

bully

Cucumber
#13
#13
Thank you a thousand times over for your advice, everybody.

And Megan: it's as though you stepped into my brain and saw EXACTLY what I was looking for. Truly awesome, and many, many thanks.

Let the calls to Mac retailers begin!

Also, Kristy...I know we haven't talked about this much yet, but I'm just bursting to tell...

Although it's only been a short time, the beauteous Kristy Kershaw and I would like to celebrate our love with all of you.

That's right: we're engaged! Adorably engaged.

-R
 
P

Petra B

New Member
#18
#18
I bought an HP printer at Best Buy that can also scan and make copies for just over $100--all in b/w and color. I've found myself using it more than I thought I would, so for the money, it has been a worthwhile purchase. I'm like you as far as setting up a computer (ask Tony or Sean) so if I could get it going, you surely could too. Good Luck!
 
D

d_chadwick

Damian
#19
#19
One thing to consider: nearly no viruses or spyware will infect your Mac. I've used Macs for about 10 years and I have never had a virus problem. The last few years, since the lastest operating system, I also haven't been using anti-virus software either. Now, if Macs were to gain market share they could definitely attract more virus attacks, but from what I've read, the UNIX underpinnings of the operating system would make that a lot harder to do than attacking Windows machines.
 
A

axle

New Member
#20
#20
I won't get into to the pc vs mac argument. I recently bought a refurbished mac and in the first week I had to take it into the store for a repair. Their customer service can be sort of annoying but you are dealing with someone face to face so that is a plus. They were however an hour late from the appointment time.

If you want to do any DV editing it might be worthwhile to go with a mac. If you are purchasing this for word use and are a technophobe I would stick with what you know and go with a PC. Dell has some outstanding deals right now and after owning a dell laptop for nearly three years I have been completely satifsfied. Their current specials can be found at www.dell.com/wsoffer or another good site to find discounts is http://www.techbargains.com/dellcoupons.cfm. What you need is really not much for things like word. I would suggest a 1Ghz processor and 512 mb of ram. Truthfully you only need 256mb of ram but 512 will be nice. You can get an Inspiron 600m for under a grand with wirless cards etc or a Dimension 3000 desktop with 17 inch flat panel for 500 bucks ( http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/outrageous_desktops?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd) or so.

Going through small business is often cheaper. PM if you need some help ordering. I used to do IT ordering for a now defunct internet company. I would add an extended warranty on the laptop and purchase with an American express or a platinum card to add warranty to your purchase for free.


http://www1.us.dell.com/content/pro...n&s=bsd&DGSite=qIrKQb9FJ4jWAkYwlkep0038154390
 
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