What brand of computer would you recommend?

[Onyx]

As we have a nice collection of uber-geeky experts here I would like some opinions on brand names. I'd like both some low-budget and maybe a few more pricey recommendations for someone who doesn't want to build their own, just wants to buy a system off the shelf.

- what brand would you recommend for a basic computer with a few extras (cdburner and dvd player included)

- what brand would you recommend for a higher budget, for someone wanting to play online games, do home video editing and photo printing/editing.

[phee]

Mac.... n'uff said.

[Daevion]

Try to avoid buying a propiertary machine(I.E. dell) if you can help it(unless its a notebook), it can be tough especially since they usually offer the dreaded tech support to make it easy.

I would try using http://www.pricewatch.com/

You can find many good deals on completed systems , not to mention you can compare prices.

[Onyx]

Try to avoid buying a propiertary machine(I.E. dell) if you can help it(unless its a notebook), it can be tough especially since they usually offer the dreaded tech support to make it easy.

I would try using http://www.pricewatch.com/

You can find many good deals on completed systems , not to mention you can compare prices.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks. I don't really care about the tech support. What I want is reliability and something not too expensive.

I did consider a Mac but I don't feel like getting to know a whole new system either, though maybe it would be worth it eventually.

[pixiefae]

In my experience, most of the pre-built computers do not have graphics cards that are good. I'd recommend upgrading the graphics to at least an nVidia GeForce FX5500 256MB.

[Jarodaka]

- what brand would you recommend for a basic computer with a few extras (cdburner and dvd player included)

Mac Mini. Be sure to get it with at least 512 MB of RAM, though.

E-machines. These come with integrated grahpics. You'll want to make sure you can upgrade the video card before getting one, especially if you'll be playing games.

- what brand would you recommend for a higher budget, for someone wanting to play online games, do home video editing and photo printing/editing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Power Mac.

Alienware.

[Vater Araignee]

$199.98 it took me longer to destabilize one than a $1000.00 Dell

[dragoth]

As a certified 5 year pc 'mechanic', I can tell you that most pre-built computers are crap and are RIGGED to die on users after a few years. Custom-built is the BEST and cheapest way to go. As an example, you can build a $850pc that will run circles around $2000 pre-built pcs and $4000 macs.

P.S. Macs are not good in general* (PCs are allways cheaper, faster, and more stable if built right)

P.S.2 Alienware is oky but their tech support allmost doesnt exist.

*unless your a user that cant understand things like more than one mouse button.

[Jarodaka]

*unless your a complete novice user that cant understand things like more than one mouse button.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you plug-in a multiple button mouse into a Mac, you can use the extra buttons. Yes, there is built-in functionality in the OS for multiply buttoned mice.

...but let's please not turn this into a 'Mac vs. PC' or 'pre-built vs. home-built' debate. Onyx would like to know about pre-built computers. Not everyone has the time or inclination to build their own PC.

[Vater Araignee]

Steve Jobs ordered a prototype of a two button mouse, but never authorized its sale because one button is more than enough.

ADD

Just like the iPod shuffel, the iKeyboard helps you "enjoy uncertainty" by randomly reconfiguring the layout of the keys with each reboot

[pomba gira]

$199.98 it took me longer to destabilize one than a $1000.00 Dell

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting... Linux-based operating system... I'm pretty much planning to go Linux w/my next 'puter. Where can you get em besides WalMart?

[Troy Spiral (13)]

There is an ENDLESS list of PC vs MAC commentary all over the place,far more than we could ever cover here.

I was a Mac user for many years in ages past, originally due to the fact that the better graphics software packages (and updated versions) were only available for macs (something that has long since not been a problem) But, I like to have my options as wide open as possible. Currently you still are cutting your software and hardware choices down to a very small subset of what is available for PCs by going with a Mac. Also even with apples recent (still very small but growing) resurgence, its presnsence in the workplace is still quite small overall. I'd rather have more experince with the types of machines im most likely to see in the office.

The "price war" thing is not nearly as cut and dry as it would seem. You can find article after article all over the place on both sides of the discussion and there are a billion ways to quantify what is "better". Macs and PCs do not always have an apples to apples way to compare their features, becasue they do not exist in the same "features universe". You cannot get, at all, many many many things for MAC that you can get for PC. This colors any attempt to do a "feature comparison" between a mac and a pc.

If it ever comes down to a "hardware only" discussion, both PCs and Macs lose to several other architectures, so never let a pure hardware discussion sway your thinking. It needs to be taken in context of the reality of the software / hardware options. Betamax was better than VHS, but that didn't matter. Its not clear by any means that Apples hardware is "better" than IBM based PCs, again its not an apples to apples comparison in many cases, tons if dissent about this subject all over the place.

Mac users tend to be far more outspoken than your average PC user (and have been since the very early years) Its part of Mac culture for many its almost a way of life question rather than just a "computer as a tool" question.

Also being a pretty big computer-gamer, it would be an exersize in frustration to buy a mac. The "big name" games often have both mac and PC versions but many of the mid-range games have no mac option at all. Even software houses that do offer both, many times the mac version lags behind the PC version, doesnt get bug fixes as fast as it should (if ever) etc...

I don't think PCs are better than Macs. I just feel they offer far more options , and its a tool that will be with you for a long time, i'd rather have as many options as possible.

Maybe one day standardized "Bit Radiation" as expoused by various authors will be a reality and hardware platform wont be so much of a concern, but as it stands , in terms of the "computer geek who wants the most possiblities" its hard to go with mac.

I have nothing against macs, just the realities that im aware of, lead me away from macs.

Assuming a an IBM-PC based system:

Its hard to just throw a blanket "buy this system" at you without knowing what you specifically want it for. What types of things does it need to do on a daily basis? How much do you have to spend? Do you not care about service because you figure you (or someone in your household) can fix it themselves?

I've spent a lot of my free time over the years helping people buy computers and until you get a handle on what level of computer user(s) will be using the system and what its going to specifically be used for its about impossible to make an informed suggestion.

"Pre Built" and "Custom" is a bit of a grey area these days, as most of the "pre built" computers can be customized right down to the motherboard and nearly every single component in many cases, right off the companies website.

Contrary to popular belief , the better ones last a long time, often far longer than any small-shop custom system that does not have the resources to test the components and how they all work together , consistently over a long period of time.

There is a long standing "fuck the man" mentality that leads people to form opinions not based on researched articles or studies , but anecdotal "well I've been into computers since i was a pup and i know people that have had bad experiences with XYZ... so XYZs systems are crap! They all suck! Buy from joe-blow not from DA MAN!" Even among computer professionals this opinion is rampant. There have been articles in the various trade rags about this phenomenon since time immemorial. (and I've been arguing this point with fellow computer professionals since probably circa 1995, and with fellow computer geeks even before that)

"The man" (aka pre-built PC companies) do make good systems. Not all of them, but many of them offer very good products and service, quite often far better than AL and Billy Bobs Local PC shop could even come close to.

You >should

I'd suggest poking around the various PC review websites for awhile, they all make very clear, strong arguments for various computer systems and detail out usually point by point the why's and wherefores of their decisions and recommendations.

[pomba gira]

  Also even with apples recent (still very small but growing) resurgence,  its presnsence in the workplace is still quite small overall.  I'd rather have more experince with the types of machines im most likely to see in the office.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The exception is in the educational milieu... a lot of schools have mac tech labs and classroom systems, especially in charter/PSA & private schools. One reason is there's several foundations that will donate or offer grants for Macs... I think Apple may actually have an educational foundation of their own.

"Al & Billy Bob's Local PC shop"... LOL! sounds like an SNL sketch

[Vater Araignee]

Interesting... Linux-based operating system... I'm pretty much planning to go Linux w/my next 'puter. Where can you get em besides WalMart?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't know where else to get it.

side note: When I did my mucking around with one it was with windows xp not linux so it was a same os thing that led me to except the dell as having the inferior hardware.

[Soulrev]

Custom PCs by Brian "Fucking" Warner.. Good brand, I hear the guy is cool and knows what he's doin'..

Can save you money and be built right

[Daevion]

I'm agreeing with many of the posters above, customs the way to go. You can get a good solid machine that won't crap out on you.

Alienware is very nice, if you have a wad of cash you don't mind blowing. As for tech support...who cares about it anyway...most pc problems can be solved by doing your own tech support. ( dgn has good tech support )

@troy Dells a paperwieght!!! damn the man, damn the man!!! :laughing

[Onyx]

Yes! DGN has great tech support, hehe! Actually I've had very very bad experiences calling tech support in the past and that prompted me to learn more about my computer. I've been able to fix quite a bit of things just by RTFM and asking questions.

I appreciate all these answers! Just what I was looking for and lots of different suggestions and opinions to consider. (feel free to add more, anyone)

[Onyx]

I wouldn't know where else to get it.

side note: When I did my mucking around with one it was with windows xp not linux so it was a same os thing that led me to except the dell as having the inferior hardware.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That model is so cheap it's really tempting!

So I could just pick up one of these and install XP on it? neato. (Don't yell at me people for wanting to put XP on it - there's some things I do for my medical editing for hospital reports that will require XP).

I'm wanting to pick up a spare to leave at my fella's house so I can load my work things on it and not be stuck here or have to tote my work computer to his place if I want to spend a few days there.

Later I want to buy a nicer system to replace the one I have here and give this puter to my kid. Thanks again for all the info everyone

[Fierce Critter]

All I can offer is my experience.

I have a 5-year old HP Paviliion sitting on my desk that gave us 5 years of HEAVY service (on and running for an average of 16 hours a day+) and never needed ANY service. The only thing that went kaput on it was the modem - which was MY fault 'cause I left it on during a an electrical storm and a bolt of lightning surged it and fried it. Replacing it took all of 10 minutes.

We were going to replace it with another HP, but they were priced out of our range when we decided to finally upgrade this year.

We decided to switch to a custom-built model from TigerDirect (they have a store right here in Raleigh, but are on the web at tigerdirect.com). We walked into the store, ready to purchase a particular model, when we saw these reconditioned e-machines sitting on the shelf.

We now have a reconditioned e-machines model T2858. It came with a 2800+ AMD Athlon processor, 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB ram, 8-in-1 media reader, 56K modem, 5 USB ports, NVidia Gforce 4 graphics card, ethernet ability, 48x CD-RW/16x DVD combo drive, Windows XP Home. All for $409.00.

We couldn't pass up the amount of computer we got for that price. I HIGHLY recommend checking out tigerdirect.com before buying anyplace else. You can get twice the computer for half the money - even in their custom-built jobs.

[Neptunebaby]

Mac.... n'uff said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

EXACTLY! Nothing beats a Mac. And if anyone ever touched either of mine I would beat them. :blink

PC's suck - and not in a good way. You must, must, must buy a Mac.

If you are going to buy a PC, do NOT buy a Dell. They are the absolute worst. :woot:

[Neptunebaby]

Mac users tend to be far more outspoken than your average PC user (and have been since the very early years)  Its part of Mac culture for many its almost a way of life question rather than just a "computer as a tool" question.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hahaha...

You think?

[Soulrev]

My computer slaps Macs around and calls 'em it's bitch.

[Soulrev]

And Dell's PC's are shit but their LCD monitors are just as good as Apple's. I have two 2005FPW 20.1" UltraSharp Widescreen LCD monitors from Dell.. Very happy with them.

[Head Wreck]

Dr Strangelove (http://www.drstrangelove.co.uk) has a PC setup that is possibly the fastest i have seen (faster than most macs i've come across, even in my employers graphic design department).

but at the moment i am seriously considering a mac.

i seem to be spending mopre and more time doing photoshop, dreamweaver, and recently cubase and other audio progs than i am playing games or doing stuff that Numptie PC users (AKA employers) could access.

may build myself one last big assed PC and save for a MAC

at the mo these are my wants though

an old 486 DOS system for general game playing (quarantine doesnt like modern speed computers)

old win 95 based laptop (programming radio comms kit onsite that i dont mind finding a hole through the screen if it accidently gets ND'ed)

[gothicmom]

we've had a Dell for 2 years and NEVER had a problem with it.

We did puirchase a custom built and it shit out quickly.

Thats my experience.