Computer help - New Machine

[Relaxo]

So let's say my PC is dying and I need to replace it TODAY. I can't wait for the Christmas sales like I was hoping to... looking for a basic box, don't need any peripherals, (monitor, keyboard, printer/scanner all good), I have all my files on carbonite backup.

Just need a basic box for internet and MS Office. Hoping to avoid Windows 8, but not going Linux or Mac, looking to spend $400 to $500 (600 tops only if absolutely necessary).

What do I buy?


P.S. I have a deal through work to get MS office for only $10, so that's not a problem, and I'll tranfer my Norton 360 subscription to the new machine, so the only software I really need is the OS. (right?)


THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!

[Arduin]

What do I buy?


P.S. I have a deal through work to get MS office for only $10, so that's not a problem, and I'll tranfer my Norton 360 subscription to the new machine, so the only software I really need is the OS. (right?)


THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!

http://www.avadirect.com/Socket-1155-Co ... -Barebones

[AGNKim]

What do I buy?


P.S. I have a deal through work to get MS office for only $10, so that's not a problem, and I'll tranfer my Norton 360 subscription to the new machine, so the only software I really need is the OS. (right?)


THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!

http://www.avadirect.com/Socket-1155-Co ... -Barebones

Looks like those barebones don't come with processors, video cards, memory, et al. Just be aware when you start adding that in, you are upwards of $500 quick.

Buying a new system and not going Mac or Linux, good luck not getting Windows 8 because you're getting Windows 8. I use Linux because I'm pretty cool, but to each his own.

I'd just cruise over to Dell and find something. http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-660s/ ... piron-660s is $400. It ain't fancy, but it'll do the job.

[Relaxo]

Thanks guys!

Turns out we had a case of wife panic, not total system failure, so we can wait for the holiday sales... so that's good.

Still, thanks!

[Arduin]

Looks like those barebones don't come with processors, video cards, memory, et al. Just be aware when you start adding that in, you are upwards of $500 quick.

Not if you pick the right components.

[Relaxo]

How do you like this one? This is what I"m leaning towards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883220374

[Dracyian]

When you start looking, I would check http://www.tigerdirect.com and http://www.newegg.com they are basically computer wholesalers and keep a wide variety for all level of software/hardware levels of expertise. They sell barebones, desktops with a variety of OS. A quick check showed that they are selling fair compuiters with windows seven for between 200 and 300 that will do precisely what you need.
If you have windows XP, Vista or 7 I would boot up the system and see if it is a 32 or 64 bit system before buying your newer model. To do this simply click on the start menu, using the mouse right-click on the "My Computer" or in some cases it is simply "Computer" icon or folder and select Properties. Under the system infor area it will tell you if it is a 32 bit or 64. The older the computer the higher the chances it is 32 bit especially if you have never had to buy special software. The only reason I suggest this is incase you plan on buying a new computer and transferring over any of your old software. There are ways to run 32 bit software on a 64 bit computer but it can be time consuming and detailed process to get the planets and the stars to line up right.

I think you can buy just the tower on those websites and they ship ridiculously fast. I have always seen my purchase ship to me in under 3 business days. Hell normally I order something, they ship that day if it is before Noon or the next day and I see it one day after it has been shipped and I live in a different state than the warehouses.

Best of luck to your purchasing quest in the forth coming months

[Dracyian]

Looks like you beat me to the punch lol. Just be wary that is a 64 bit system you are looking at and chances are you have a 32 bit system, so it may be pain to transfer old software over, the data will transfer just fine there is no doubt about that in my mind, like I said it can be difficult to run old software on new systems *insert caution sign here*

[Relaxo]

Yeah, I'm 99.9% sure the old one is 32 bit. but my software is all Norton 360, which if it doesn't work is due to resubscribe anyway and I always update it anyway, and I have a deal to get MS Office 2010 for only $10 thru work, so I'm sure that will run in 64 bit.
I figure for 'staying power' or 'forward compatability' I should switch to 64 bit... yes? No?
my other software is all freeware I can just get again, or its like, printshop pro thats on day 16,000 of the 30 day trial but still works for some reason but that I really should stop using because its so out of date anyway...

[Dracyian]

As for forward progession everything is evolving to support 64 bit from this point forward, so if you don't have really any old software that you would die without I would definitely get the 64 bit os. It has several advantages over the 32 bit and the biggest one is the ram and processing power going up. Just about all software is either being written for 64 bit systems or at the very least 64 bit compatable. I would also imagine that Norton has a free download of their software from their website as long as you have an up to date subscription.

[kreider204]

I just got a new Dell Inspiron. Pretty good deals on the basic model:

http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-660s/ ... piron-660s

Also, I dumped Norton and I'm just sticking with MS Security Essentials (downloadable to Win 7 machines free from MS), and I'm quite happy with it.

[Relaxo]

good to konw, kreider. I'm a cheap bastard and norton aint free.

My thinking exactly, Dracyian, forward thinking demands 64 bit. THe only software I'll miss is Bridge Commander, which I never get to play anyway (I mean, how old is that game?). so whatever.

[Relaxo]

Ordered teh new machine last night, so should get it next week. can't wait!
Went with the free 4-7 day shipping since if it arrives Monday I won't have a chance to deal with it anyway.

I'm toying with the idea of formatting the old box once we're done with it and messing around with linix just to be a geek. is that as fun I as think it will be?

[Dracyian]

Ordered teh new machine last night, so should get it next week. can't wait!
Went with the free 4-7 day shipping since if it arrives Monday I won't have a chance to deal with it anyway.

I'm toying with the idea of formatting the old box once we're done with it and messing around with linix just to be a geek. is that as fun I as think it will be?

I myself haven't played with Linux, but it is a haven for a lot of computer nerds, its all free open source, and in case (I'm just assuming that someone reading this is completely computer illiterate, nothing personal to anyone here at all) you don't know what open source means that the code for it is published for anyone to look at and when you download it the code isn't made hidden or unaccesible so you can tinker, AT YOUR OWN RISK, with the code itself.

The nice part about linux is that they have no care for the coporate party games of Bill Gates and the Late Steve Jobs they are one of those few copmanies that are in it for the growth of the computer world, knowledge and geekdom first and a buck in the pocket second, with that mind they still need to eat too .

As for free antivirus software, there is always Avast and AVG and don't forget about the thread BreakDaddy threw out there that is full of goodies.

[NJPDX]

As an on-again-off-again Linux user I can vouch for the performance and ease of use of Manjaro Linux (a rolling release model based on Arch Linux) and Elementary OS looks very slick and polished. I'm really excited to see what Valve comes up with for SteamOS in the next 6 months or so.

[Arduin]

I'm toying with the idea of formatting the old box once we're done with it and messing around with linix just to be a geek. is that as fun I as think it will be?

Depends if you like hacking a bit. If so, it will be fun. I haven't messed with any Linux stuff since building some servers ~6 years ago. There are undoubtedly people here that will know a good distro to use.

[Relaxo]

Hye, PCI expansion card slots are the same in new motherboards as they were about 7 years ago, right? so I can pull my firewire card from teh old dell and pop it into the new Asus? totally forgot about that....

[Dracyian]

Hye, PCI expansion card slots are the same in new motherboards as they were about 7 years ago, right? so I can pull my firewire card from teh old dell and pop it into the new Asus? totally forgot about that....

The newest motherboard I have is like five years old. With that being said, I think so, but not sure