Shopping Help
Jun. 4th, 2010 12:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
etherialThoughts on buying a new computer. What I need:
I've only bought one computer before. That was easy: Go to apple.com, fill out the information for the educator's discount, buy a top-of-the-line model with all the upgrades. Unfortunately, I have not the budget for a top-of-the-line anything. So, any suggestions on sellers, manufacturers, and models?
Edit: I really do mean non-Vista. XP is a version of Windows I'd be willing to use. 7 seems to have all the usability of XP with all the pretty of Vista, but that's just my first impression. *nix is fine, and the one click is just a metaphor, but I remember the days when it took months to *nix working properly on a PC, and I want a guarantee that it'll be fully functional in half an hour.
- a laptop model
- a full adult-sized keyboard
- a non-Vista operating system requiring one click or less to install
- the ability to run multiple web browsers at once (as well as a game or two)
- cheap (free) anti-virus protection
- DVD drive
I've only bought one computer before. That was easy: Go to apple.com, fill out the information for the educator's discount, buy a top-of-the-line model with all the upgrades. Unfortunately, I have not the budget for a top-of-the-line anything. So, any suggestions on sellers, manufacturers, and models?
Edit: I really do mean non-Vista. XP is a version of Windows I'd be willing to use. 7 seems to have all the usability of XP with all the pretty of Vista, but that's just my first impression. *nix is fine, and the one click is just a metaphor, but I remember the days when it took months to *nix working properly on a PC, and I want a guarantee that it'll be fully functional in half an hour.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2010-06-05 02:39 am (UTC)Gotta be one of the larger HP Pavilion or Dell XPS/Studio models. The big-screen Lenovos are also nice (arguably better built), but I don't think you'll get as good a deal there. 2 GB memory and 100-to-160 GB disk should be enough; 3 GB memory will ensure you can play most games. I think you want something with at least a 15" screen, ideally 17" for biggest keyboard.
You really don't have to buy newest or fastest anymore; previous-generation stuff will be sufficient for your needs. Dell refurbished (www.dell.com/outlet) is good. I think most of their stuff comes with Windows 7 now. Alternately, fall back to www.accurateit.com, www.gearxs.com or www.kaileypc.com for the REALLY cheap (pre-owned) stuff, like I do, but be prepared to accept greatly reduced lifespan/reliability.
-- Sven