Computer shopping

[badseed1980]

OK, so my mom gave me money for a new computer for Christmas.

edit: I'll get a Dell desktop. What the hell.

Comments

[sororbabylon.livejournal.com]

For a total of $747.00 (including shipping), my brother-in-law put together a wonderful Dell laptop for me and threw in some upgrades. It's configured for wireless internet, CD burning, internet play, and photoshopping.

Dell has always come through for me, way more than HP. I also have the nerd bro-in-law factor, so I pretty much trust him.

If you like I can give you his e-mail if you are more curious.

[mkblack.livejournal.com]

Refurbs can be a good deal. I would stay away any Compaq machine though. Too many proprietary pieces and drivers... more $$ to fix if anything goes wrong. I'm partial to Dell, but I know a lot of people hate Dell... I have no idea why. I have 3 Dell laptops (Latitude series) and they all run like champs... and I'm hard on my machines. I also like their online support too. Dell also has a division dedicated to refurbs.(http://www.dfsdirectsales.com) After that I would go IBM then Sony in that order.

But that's just me... Good luck! :-)

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

I can get a decent Dell for a bit cheaper, but I can't get as much battery power in it: the model I want can have either a 4-cell or a 6-cell lithium ion battery. The HP starts with an 8-cell.

[frodo-jim.livejournal.com]

I recommend Dells.

[brontosproximo.livejournal.com]

You lose a lot of bang by going with a laptop. You'll get a much better desktop for the money. Yeah, I know portability and stuff, but, yeah.

[brontosproximo.livejournal.com]

Oh, and stay away from compaq/hp. Refurb IBM machines are good for non-gamers.

[j4yx0r.livejournal.com]

Of course it's your money and decision... but I've had some pretty crappy experiences with Dell desktops. Also, usually for the same money, you can get a bare bones or custom built system that does a lot more for a lot less. Lots of times, with big companies like Dell, you're paying for warranty, support and software all of which you'll probably never use.

I recommend Ebay, but if Ebay scares you, try NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com). We buy stuff from them all the time and never have any problems.

~j

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Well, for the software, I'm not getting stuff like Office or antivirus software or anything. My boy can give me that for nothing. And I like the idea of a warranty and support, given the way my luck can run. I AM getting the minimal one, though. I also really don't want to have to do a lot of shopping around for each individual component, mostly because of the time involved.

[j4yx0r.livejournal.com]

That's understandable. Just as an example, though... Newegg has a pretty much top-o-the-line (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16883102654)model that's $400 dollars off for a total price of $599 and you can add an optional two or three year warranty for under $100 bucks. I know you don't need to go with the tops, but it's a pretty good basis for comparison. Whatever you decide, good luck! =)

~j

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Ah, I'm looking at one that would give me a 2.66GHz processor, 160GB hard drive, 1GB RAM, 17" flat panel monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and free shipping, for a total of $703. And that's from Dell!

[ciarin.livejournal.com]

Me no likey dell, it was a bitch to upgrade.