I'm ready to upgrade to a new computer. I only use my computer for web surfing, downloading and watching pornography, downloading and listening to music, and storing photos, ripping/burning DVDs, etc.... no need for gaming, etc....

I don't really need a gaming PC and I don't need a ton of storage (I have a couple external HDs).... I just want to be able to do the stuff I mentioned above but have a nice fast system.

I want a desktop (no need for a laptop) and I'm happy with my monitor (it's a 19 inch or something... not a widescreen or anything, but it serves my purposes)...

So, what should I do?

Dell?
Costo.com?
Gateway?
A site to build my own?

Do I need 3 GB of RAM?


I would also love a PC without a significant amount of preloaded software. I just want a really good/fast computer, but I don't need a top of the line....

I find Dell to be quite good. And if you don't need it to be top of the line and all the other crap that really isn't needed then they have some very nice and cheap models. I'm sure you could get them cheaper too as you have no need for a monitor (which are generally a couple of hundred) But you may need to call them up and specify that as there isn't an option just from looking at the website to not get a monitor.

about a month ago, I got the HP Pavillion dv9823cl Notebook PC from Costco. 17" monitor and 250 GB of hard drive, 3GB AMD processor

i fucking love it.

plus, i don't hate Vista the way i thought i would.

Sounds to me like you'd be happy with pretty much any computer you'd get nowadays, as long as you don't build one yourself because then you don't get all the crappy pre-installed (trial) software you actually seem to like.
[Edited 6/5/08 20:29pm]

You want SATA 3.0. 7200rpm is starting to become the norm, but some makers are starting to push 10000+

Processor speed is important, but Front Side Bus speed is more important in Intel Chips. Also, get as much cache as possible. at least 2mb, go higher for better performance.

Certain apps run faster under Intel Chips. Personally, I don't see a difference between the higher end AMD chips and the Intel Core 2 Duo. There is a difference between them and the Core 2 Quad/Extreme, but money starts becoming a factor. AMD is offering a Pheonom to compete with them. Probably with a faster version later in the year.

The more memory you have, the quicker your machine will respond while within an application. Get the fastest memory you can get with your motherboard/CPU combination.

Any external devices will want to be run through Firewire or USB2.0.

Take a load off your CPU by getting a Video Card with a nice chip of it's own. You can even get some that have built in codecs instead of relying on Windows to do it for you.

If you get a Flat Panel monitor, make use of it's ability to push DVI instead of analog signal. Getting a Flat Panel and using the analog connection is like buying a thoroughbred and making a sumo wrestler ride it.

Other then that...it's a matter of only installing applications that you really want/need, playing safe on the internet, etc. I don't recommend it to everybody, but my home pc has NO anti-virus protection running in the background. I keep all my sensitive data on external drives, I use Firefox and Ad Block Plus/Easylist, and I run a manual anti-virus/spyware scan about once a month or so. I have a ghost backup about once a year in case I have a problem and need to roll back. I use jkdefrag, and crapcleaner to get it all running without too much baggage.

Untimately, it all depends on how much you're willing to spend. $500 might not get you the best pc, but a $2000 budget really opens some possibilities.

I'm in the process of pricing out a build for my photoshop PC. It is expensive, but not nearly as expensive as one I would have to purchase pre-built with the needs I have.

Build your own, come up with a price, and I'm sure you can get a great PC. If you're not handy, there is ALWAYS someone that can put it together for you. Check the PC repair shops in your area, or craigslist.

Imago said:

these guys have great prices


www.mwave.com

Right now, I have an HP Pavillion 6648 laptop and I adore it. It took me a while to get used to Vista but it's okay now.

My previous desktop computer someone built for me. It wasn't all fancy schmancy looking like other desktops but it kicked all those others asses and costed about half of what I paid for my previous desktop.

JerseyKRS said:

These guys don't but their computers look so sexy when you're sitting in a StarBucks http://www.apple.com

The obvious answer is: BUY A MAC

Imago said:

do you know anyone that can set up six HDD's into three seperate RAID0 configs??

yikes, the wife is NOT going to like the price of this photoshop PC....

Call Dell, tell them exactly what you want they will build you a new one and send it within a week, that's how i got this one and I love it!

Buy yourself a mac.....and just plug it up.

You mac lovers are worse than JWs.

eikonoklastes said:

build it yourself

My friend built my current computer (probably 4 years ago) and it's worked out pretty well... I just don't know what I should do now...

I recommend going Mac, but they are more expensive. The Mac Mini may be upgraded on Monday so may be worth holding out for that.

Otherwise, if you're sticking with Windows - Go DELL. They are certainly the best option; I've been with HP, Dell, Compaq (before they were bought by HP) and I self-build. Dell are the most reliable, and the cheapest in terms of Price:Power. Buy one of their XPS lower-end models; it's the best value. You want at least a dual-core intel processor and 3-4GB of RAM to ensure Vista runs nicely. Dell will give you a nice one-year warranty, and you *could* extend it to 3 years for not too much more, but really when your warranty runs out you should be looking to buy a new PC (at the rate tech moves these days).



Dell can even come round and set it all up for you. Go dell!

(I don't work for Dell, I just really do think they're the best).

horatio said:

And make friends with an Apple employee. Apple is very good about allowing their employees to buy computers for friends and family at employee prices -- in fact, they encourage it. I was able to get my 12" PowerBook G4 for less than $1,500 (I think), and I bought an iBook G4 for my Mom at $600 (!).

matt said:

i saw a guy at the mac store in st louis who was pretty hot, i think he was the manager


[Edited 6/10/08 19:08pm]

horatio said:

My favorite softwares are for PCs only.

TonyVanDam said:

macs run windows apps and games because it also has PC capabilities




mac has all the answers
[Edited 6/10/08 19:43pm]

horatio said:

opportunity!!!!!

the guy I met at JB Hifi who was selling macs had no clue he was cute, but told me I could not use a non-mac external drive with TimeMachine

ZombieKitten said:

thats extra hot when they have no clue they are hot, oh you ment no clue about macs
[Edited 6/10/08 20:16pm]

horatio said:

that's NOT hot

horatio said:

But I have XP SP1 & SP2 separately. The current Macs will only upload a copy of XP with both SPs already included on 1 disk.

I might have to be a proud owner of a Mac AND a PC.

Get both.....u can't lose.