tech question

[felix_femme]

hey all

any suggestions for a good computer desktop package to purchase before I go back to the Dell online option?
My PC is slowing more and more so I think it may be time to sort that out soon ...

EDIT: Def Brand name product with warrenty. I am a heavy Office user, net, some graphic, no gaming.

thanks

Comments

[cubboy.livejournal.com]

I don't envy your decision. There is so many things to consider. My gut tells me, based on what I know about you and your needs is find a few computer shops on or near your daily commute. Go and speak to them and buy from the people you like the most. Because of your work requirements and possible future study, ask for components they know to be reliable, preferably brand names with warranty's - you don't want an unexpected crash mid assignment. The main problems I have had with computers I have purchased over the years have been with cheap no name power supplies. Ask for a beefy reliable power supply.

Dell has its advantages. For cheap keyboards that come with them, they have a nice feel, well at least the ones at work do. You get the software bundled at a better price and then there's the whole customer support thing. I had a quick look at the dell offers and If I don't build my next desktop, I would buy the Dell Studio Slim Desktop (S210507AU)

http://www1.ap.dell.com/au/en/home/desktop_special_deals/fs.aspx?refid=desktop_special_deals&s=dhs&cs=audhs1&~ck=mn

(its the one on the right)

[thorfinn]

If you're definitely stuck with Windows platform, Dell or Toshiba is your friend. Both have good on site warranty support.

You can and should consider a Mac though. MS Office is available for that platform, and you get a whole bunch of very very good stuff bundled with your mac for personal use.

The current white Macbook will be *vastly* more power than you need for personal use. About $1700 (you'll need the video dongle), and you'll be able to plug in any screen/keyboard you want, and be able to run around with it if you want, and have a much much better user experience. Talk to an Apple Store or big apple reseller - most of them you can go in and try before you buy.

http://morganjaffit.livejournal.com/34058.html
http://thorfinn.livejournal.com/44762.html

[thorfinn]

Oh, and depending on whether you specifically need MS Office or whether you just need a good office suite, Apple's iWork is $99 for one license. That's a metric boatload cheaper than MS Office (which runs at around $500-$1000 per license), and you get a very fully featured office suite.

[felix-femme.livejournal.com]

and the main stuff we use at work is Office based so I am generally happy working without doing the save/ convert thingy all the time.
However new PC means Vista so will have to do that anyways.
Edu fitouts are very low-tech in general.

[felix-femme.livejournal.com]

: )
I have a white Mac lappy for work and hate it.
Okay I don't hate it but much prefer using a desktop in the style I am used to so use it as little as possible.
I may end up having to use it more if this dies before my tax chq comes in so I could improve my opinion but yanno ...

[cubboy.livejournal.com]

Maybe a laptop with a docking station? I use my my laptop at home like a desktop by plugging in a monitor keyboard and mouse but a docking station would make that fiddle free and give you the best of both worlds. You are not a gamer so you dont need an expensive laptop and lots of windows based lap tops in the 1000-1500 price range would probably suit.

[felix-femme.livejournal.com]

I don't want a laptop but the stability of a desktop :)

[trixtah.livejournal.com]

If you can hold off for a couple of months, Windows 7 will be out, which means it'll be better than Fista.

For a desktop machine, I'd recommend HP over Dell, although their prices might be a touch more exxy. Of course, their online shopping site is complete shit, so I wouldn't blame you if you went with Dell.

[felix-femme.livejournal.com]

better than Vista?!? please how many months?
any suggestions for retailers for HP?

[trixtah.livejournal.com]

Re Windows 7, they are apparently going to let manufacturers start installing it on new machines from the end of this month, and it's going to be available to buy off the shelf in October. So unless you get promised an upgrade for free or, say, $50, I think it's a bad time to get a Vista machine.

As for HP retailers, Dick Smith, Harvey Norman's, DJs and so on have them. If you get an HP, I'd go a Pavilion, not a Presario. Dick Smith have a nice deal here: http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/en/product/XC5908-20S, but I'd recommend getting a system with 4GB of RAM, at least (or you could buy extra RAM for a hundred or so bucks). Also, if any of those manufacturers (including Dell) offer you bloody Nortons as part of the software package, get it off asap, and get a free virus scanner like Avast! instead.

Also, ASUS machines are excellent value for money, but I think their support here in Australia is crap (I'd get one myself, because I can fix it if there are problems, but it'd be a pain if you got a crap one and needed it fixed).

[missdissent.livejournal.com]

Go to Local Geek in Clovelly. They will price packages for you, get it, and load it with software as a bonus. They are lovely people. Mention me and Hellfire if you do go. I got my Toshiba lap top for an excellent price and now have better version of all my er... software.

[cubboy.livejournal.com]

I agree if your not going dell, go to somebody whom is trusted.