Tippmann Paintball Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > News And Views > Thoughts and Opinions
  New Posts New Posts
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Another Computer Question
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 4>
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Peter Parker View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 02 March 2003
Location: New York
Status: Offline
Points: 996 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peter Parker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Another Computer Question
    Posted: 31 May 2009 at 10:56pm
So I am officially fed up with my Dell.  I am pretty sure that the power supply is fried, and either the video card or the motherboard as well, or both.  Not to mention the neverending and resource-hogging OEM bloatware that I can't turn off.
 
So I need a new box.  Something with Vista, Office (or Office lite) and very little else.  Most importantly, no Norton, no custom branded "help" centers, etc.
 
Are there actual brands that sell such things?  With warranties worth having?  Or am I better off buying something from the computer store and going with the component warranties?
 
Spec suggestions also appreciated.  I am NOT - NOT - looking for an uber-gaming machine.  This machine will do occasional video editing, but not a lot and nothing fancy.  Most it is for general family use.  Some gaming, but nothing too intensive.  Email, internet, word processing, Skype, etc.  I don't want this machine to be obsolete in a year, though, so it can't be too far behind.
 
So - please help.  Where to get a bloatware-free box?
 
No, I will not buy a Mac.  No, I will not use Linux.
 
Thanks.
 
 

"E Pluribus Unum" does not mean "Every man for himself".

Pop Quiz: What do all the Framers of the Constitution have in common?
Back to Top
Shub View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar
I don’t have one either. Is that good???

Joined: 11 June 2002
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 6501 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shub Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2009 at 11:00pm
I ordered a few machines in the last six months from Dell, specifically with no crap trialware, and no antivirus package.

EDIT: I didn't see that you were looking for stats. Of course, all of this depends on how much you want to spend. If you will do a lot of video work, you may want the extra speed of the best processors. The Intel i7 chips are the newest and best. Although, you will be able to run plenty of high end video software with more pedestrian 2 or 4 core processors.

RAM is cheap, so get a lot. Although, if you have 4GB or more, you will need Vista 64 to see all that RAM, so FYI.

Edited by Shub - 31 May 2009 at 11:38pm
Back to Top
WGP guy2 View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
I play the Bag Pipes

Joined: 23 September 2005
Location: 17h 45m 40.04s
Status: Offline
Points: 2585 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WGP guy2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2009 at 11:34pm
Build one.

I'm sure many people on here would be willing to help you chose components.


Edited by WGP guy2 - 31 May 2009 at 11:35pm
Back to Top
Darur View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
Stare directly into my avatar...

Joined: 03 May 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9178 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Darur Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2009 at 11:49pm
Originally posted by Peter Parker Peter Parker wrote:

Are there actual brands that sell such things?  With warranties worth having?  Or am I better off buying something from the computer store and going with the component warranties?


The later, by far.

Honestly, as counterproductive as it may seem, building your own is by far the cheapest and the easiest and the least hassle.  Nowadays, virtually all parts in a computer will have warranties greater then 5 years without you paying extra and their returns departments are way easier to work with then any help center.  I've busted more parts then I can count, many due to tinkering on my part, and haven't had a problem yet RMAing anything.

As mentioned above, with a given budget, many on this forum could help you pick out the parts.
Real Men play Tuba

[IMG]http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1859/newsmall6xz.jpg">

PH33R TEH 1337 Dwarf!

DONT CLICK ME!!1
Back to Top
Linus View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
Strike 1 - language 6.29.10

Joined: 10 November 2002
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 7908 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Linus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2009 at 11:57pm
Building your own > buying online > buying in a store.


What's the amount you're looking to spend?




EDIT: Oops

Edited by Linus - 01 June 2009 at 12:02am

Back to Top
ammolord View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar
Started from the botttom, not there yet

Joined: 06 July 2007
Location: Minot, ND
Status: Offline
Points: 1850 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ammolord Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2009 at 11:59pm
Originally posted by Linus Linus wrote:

Building your own > buying online > buying in a store.
 
fixed.
PSN Tag: AmmoLord
XBL: xXAmmoLordXx


~Minister of Tinkering With Things That Go "BOOM!"(AKA Minister of Munitions)~
Back to Top
Linus View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
Strike 1 - language 6.29.10

Joined: 10 November 2002
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 7908 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Linus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 12:02am
Good catch.

Back to Top
Darur View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
Stare directly into my avatar...

Joined: 03 May 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9178 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Darur Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 12:04am
It should be noted that Newegg right now is having a lot of really good sales.  Just browsing around I was able to pick out a very nice computer for just under $900.
Real Men play Tuba

[IMG]http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1859/newsmall6xz.jpg">

PH33R TEH 1337 Dwarf!

DONT CLICK ME!!1
Back to Top
ammolord View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar
Started from the botttom, not there yet

Joined: 06 July 2007
Location: Minot, ND
Status: Offline
Points: 1850 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ammolord Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 12:04am
thanks. i was like wth? the last two were the same.
PSN Tag: AmmoLord
XBL: xXAmmoLordXx


~Minister of Tinkering With Things That Go "BOOM!"(AKA Minister of Munitions)~
Back to Top
Peter Parker View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 02 March 2003
Location: New York
Status: Offline
Points: 996 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peter Parker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 12:06am
As much fun as it would be to build my own, I don't have the time to do so.  There are some local shops that will assemble a custom machine for a fee, however, and that is my preferred route.  My real problem with this approach is that I will be paying full price for the OS and Office.  That quickly eats up all the savings.
 
 

"E Pluribus Unum" does not mean "Every man for himself".

Pop Quiz: What do all the Framers of the Constitution have in common?
Back to Top
Linus View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
Strike 1 - language 6.29.10

Joined: 10 November 2002
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 7908 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Linus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 12:11am
You can always get an OEM OS, which for Vista is 99$. Or you can go XP and get Windows 7 RC.


I'm sure you could find a friend (or forumer) who can build a PC for you w/o extra cost.




WHat size case do you have? Do you want single/dual/tri/ or quad core processor? How much ram?

Edited by Linus - 01 June 2009 at 12:14am

Back to Top
Glassjaw View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
Took down Mike Tyson

Joined: 13 July 2004
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 6454 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Glassjaw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 12:12am
It takes no more than a few hours, at most, to build a computer.  As far as the OS goes, I'd suggest torrenting the preferred operating system, which can be done very easily.

If you are interested, you could also install the Windows 7 RC.  It includes a key that is valid for 1 year, and is getting good reviews.
The desire for polyester is just to powerful.
Back to Top
Darur View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
Stare directly into my avatar...

Joined: 03 May 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9178 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Darur Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 12:14am
Originally posted by Peter Parker Peter Parker wrote:

As much fun as it would be to build my own, I don't have the time to do so.  There are some local shops that will assemble a custom machine for a fee, however, and that is my preferred route.  My real problem with this approach is that I will be paying full price for the OS and Office.  That quickly eats up all the savings.
 


Good point

I'm betting you've heard enough about Open Office, and you probably don't already have a copy of Vista on your current PC.  Buying OEM vista is fairly cheap, but if you need to reformat you might be in trouble.

I don't suppose you can scrounge copies from the IT guys at your office?  Most large institutions have site licenses Wink
Real Men play Tuba

[IMG]http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1859/newsmall6xz.jpg">

PH33R TEH 1337 Dwarf!

DONT CLICK ME!!1
Back to Top
WGP guy2 View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
I play the Bag Pipes

Joined: 23 September 2005
Location: 17h 45m 40.04s
Status: Offline
Points: 2585 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WGP guy2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 12:36am
Don't have the time?  My first build took my about 6 hours from UPS man giving me boxes to being on the desktop.  Now it would probably take even less.

I'm building a computer for my brother.  My desktop is an excellent gaming rig, I've yet to find anything that it couldn't handle well.  The computer I'm building for my brother has the same specs as mine, with a little less powerful GPU, and is about $600 including Vista.
Back to Top
ammolord View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar
Started from the botttom, not there yet

Joined: 06 July 2007
Location: Minot, ND
Status: Offline
Points: 1850 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ammolord Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 12:46am
......and now i feel dumb for getting my laptop.
PSN Tag: AmmoLord
XBL: xXAmmoLordXx


~Minister of Tinkering With Things That Go "BOOM!"(AKA Minister of Munitions)~
Back to Top
mod98commando View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar

Joined: 10 June 2002
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4432 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mod98commando Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 1:32am
What's your budget? If you you want to order the parts and have some guy at a local store assemble it for you then tell me how much you want to spend on parts and I'll see what I can find for you. 
oreomann33: Everybody invades Poland

Rofl_Mao: And everyone eats turkey

Me: But only if they're hungary

Mack: Yeah but hungary people go russian through their food and end up with greece on everyth
Back to Top
Hysteria View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
Strike 2 - Language, 9/25

Joined: 02 February 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4364 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hysteria Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 7:08am
Originally posted by Peter Parker Peter Parker wrote:

No, I will not buy a Mac.  No, I will not use Linux.

Why?  Quite frankly, both are better options.
Back to Top
Linus View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar
Strike 1 - language 6.29.10

Joined: 10 November 2002
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 7908 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Linus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 2:51pm
Originally posted by Hysteria Hysteria wrote:


Originally posted by Peter Parker Peter Parker wrote:


No, I will not buy a Mac.  No, I will not use Linux.

Why?  Quite frankly, both are better options.



Unless the majority of the applications you use are on Windows only... which is the case for a lot of people.

Back to Top
chun12 View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 08 November 2008
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 54 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chun12 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 3:08pm
But why do you use windows? I used to use a pc/windows all the time, and the only reason I used it is for word. But mac is so much better...and most programs have mac varients...some even require way less steps or setup procedures for mac. Mac just works with most things. Now if you like word processing...mac has their own varient called pages...and it is amazing (minus the crappy spell check) but it will let you write anything without those annoying sqiggly lines appearing under ppls names. And if that doesnt float your boat...you can put either a) windows on a mac either as duel boot or as main OS or b) put office on the mac. Its that simple. I love mac...it just does what i tell it to do...and is great for pictures and graphic oreinted materials such as pwr pnt or other items (great for college presentations). But if I had to go with a windows oreinted machine...HP, IBM are my choice...I refuese to buy dell or gateway unless they are the high end gaming comp. they are better (and dont have to be used for gaming specfically) or alien ware. Just my two cents.
Back to Top
Benjichang View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar
I pwned Leroy Jenkins!

Joined: 03 January 2004
Location: Ohiya
Status: Offline
Points: 12618 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Benjichang Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 June 2009 at 3:11pm
This is kind of an aside, since it seems you want a better machine regardless, but:
If you wanted to get rid of OEM bloatware, Norton, etc, why not just reformat and install a fresh copy of Windows? That way, you control what is installed on your PC rather than a vendor. Just make sure you have the necessary drivers on a USB drive or CD before you reformat. 

Like I said, it seems you want to upgrade regardless of being able to fix your current machine, but if you're faced with a similar problem in the future, this is what I would do.

irc.esper.net
#paintball
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 4>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.04
Copyright ©2001-2021 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.563 seconds.