Buying A NEw COmputer

[dymmot]

Hi Guys,

Wondering if you could help me with a new computer set up I want to buy. I was thinking something along the lines of thopse 6 cotre AMD processors and I don't want it to break the budget. I use it mainyl for internet, music and work and play the occasional game. I want something with 4GB DDR3 Ram and a SATA2 HDD where possible.

I have had the current system for four years which is an intel core 2 duo 3.2GiG processor with three gig of ram and an 80gig HDD. I am hoping this will ber a reasonable upgrade without blowing the budget.

Cheers,

Dymmot.

 

[alfy!]

I got a similar set up for around $1000 about 6 months ago. Very impressive computer.

Go look on Whirlpool forums for discussions and pointers.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

I built a computer about 12 months ago with a quad core CPU, 8GB of RAM, 1GB Video Card, 2 x 1TB HDDs and a sweet case.

I got most of the parts from MSY, who have some pretty solid deals on pre-fab PCs:

http://www.msy.com.au

 

[Biggy_Boy]

You're not going to really need a 6 core processor.

Whirlpool have some recommendations, which they update fairly regularly.
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs

 

[Ron The Bear]

Decide on a spending limit first.

Make a list of components and cross off any you don't want/need: case, power supply, motherboard, processor, memory, graphics card, sound card, DVD/blu-ray burner, monitor, keyboard, mouse, software.

Your choice of motherboard largely dictates your choice of processor and memory, and scope for future upgrades. Get some advice from somebody you can trust, who will listen to exactly what you want and ask the right questions. The terminology and range of products has become terribly confusing for someone dipping their toe in the water...sometimes I think it is calculated to keep PC salespeople in business!

Since your computing needs are fairly modest, my advice is not to overspend on a top-end CPU; investing the savings in e.g. in a better video card & monitor will give you a better computing experience NOW while leaving scope to conduct an effective and cost-efficient upgrade when the better CPU's become more affordable down the track.

 

[Prem87]

Thoughts on the Mini Mac? Are they worth the price?

 

[alfy!]

Thoughts on the Mini Mac? Are they worth the price?

You could build a 6-core computer for that price.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Thoughts on the Mini Mac? Are they worth the price?

No Apple computers are worth the price.

For $999 you can buy an Intel Core i5 Windows 7 Laptop with a HD display, 4GB RAM, 1GB video card, 500GB Hard Drive and full wireless capabilities.

For the same price, you can build a desktop with specs better than the ones I listed above: quad core CPU, 8GB of RAM, 1GB Video Card, 2 x 1TB HDDs and a sweet case.

 

[FIGJAM]

No Apple computers are worth the price.

Avoiding having to watch Windows rot is worth a premium to some.

 

[Prem87]

Avoiding having to watch Windows rot is worth a premium to some.

Yep, I'm over the amount of times I have had to reinstall Windows on my PC due to various viruses etc.

 

[YOTC]

Yep, I'm over the amount of times I have had to reinstall Windows on my PC due to various viruses etc.

Lrn 2 internet.

 

[FIGJAM]

Viruses aren't the issue. The OS just rots like a bitch.

 

[Equus]

The Green Guide had a feature on computer systems last week.

 

[woopedazz]

Viruses aren't the issue. The OS just rots like a bitch.

notsureifserious.jpg

 

[FIGJAM]

googlewindowsrot.jpg

 

[woopedazz]

You actually believe it rots then? It's mainly the registry not being maintained by lazy users that has been given the term "rot" as a colloquialism by people who don't know how to computer. Basically they don't understand it's completely their fault and try to blame the OS instead.

It would take a solid year of downloading random crap you don't need, never uninstalling it properly, visiting wares sites/free pr0n sites, never defragmenting your computer, installing antivirus software on top of each other, using trial software, not updating drivers or updating them on top of one another, getting the computer infected with viruses, etc, etc to experience "windows rot." Plus I bet they are running Norton Antivirus.

"Windows rot" is a term made up by people who don't maintain their computer. "Car rot" is a term that should be made up by people who don't get their car serviced. It's hardly a reason not to buy windows as it can pretty much be avoided by even the most computer illiterate by downlaoding Spyboy: Search and Destroy (free), AVG Free (free), Revo uninstaller (free) and setting your computer to defragment regularly and not downloading random .exe's or visiting wares sites.

 

[FIGJAM]

I use a HP laptop for work and use it at work, and thus the IT guys won't allow it to have torrent programs and the like, and Norton isn't used. I don't have many applications.

In addition, the majority of my work is via a cloud style server, with the data, photos and file notes for properties saved on a server in Sydney. I barely save anything to my computer other than photos to upload.

I have done defrags and various spyware / virus checks over time. However in the 3 years I've had the laptop, I've had to reinstall windows annually (both Vista and 7).

Maybe I'm just ****ing unlucky, but when my PowerBook and now MacBook Pro hasn't missed a beat over a decade, not once requiring reinstallation, nor required said "servicing", then forgive me if I have a slightly higher opinion of OSX over Windows.

 

[woopedazz]

That's just weird, sure it wasn't a corrupt HDD? I've had a few that led to similar results and upon re-installation everything appears fine for a short while.

 

[FIGJAM]

Possibly. Sounds like mine. Again, maybe I'm just unlucky.

Still love my Macs though, even if I am getting fleeced!

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Avoiding having to watch Windows rot is worth a premium to some.

I could afford to buy a brand new PC 2.5 times as often as I bought a Mac, eliminating the chances of anything "rotting", even if that was an unavoidable occurrence.

I'm using the same old Dell laptop that I've had for five years without ever needing to reformat or reinstall Windows, and I've built several desktops, none of which have ever needed it either.

Preventative measures exist, most of which were outlined by whoopedazz.

 

[spitlizard]

Possibly. Sounds like mine. Again, maybe I'm just unlucky.

Still love my Macs though, even if I am getting fleeced!

And brainwashed too..

I support both systems at home and have to deal with both in the field for work.

I'm still struggling to understand why any one would pay so much more for a system no better or worse than the other ones.

If you want a robust secure system, you download Ubuntu for free and experience worry free computing 24/7.....If you want a happy compromise, you get Windows 7......

If you want to win friends and influence people you buy anything Apple and then proceed to tell the world what a fantastic person you are, show them your Imac, Ibook, Ipod, Ibar, Ipool, I3storeyhouse, Ibmw, Imgreat and lets not forget Imafrigginlegend then bask in your own pompous glory!!!

I think you get the message

 

[FIGJAM]

And brainwashed too..

I support both systems at home and have to deal with both in the field for work.

I'm still struggling to understand why any one would pay so much more for a system no better or worse than the other ones.

If you want a robust secure system, you download Ubuntu for free and experience worry free computing 24/7.....If you want a happy compromise, you get Windows 7......

If you want to win friends and influence people you buy anything Apple and then proceed to tell the world what a fantastic person you are, show them your Imac, Ibook, Ipod, Ibar, Ipool, I3storeyhouse, Ibmw, Imgreat and lets not forget Imafrigginlegend then bask in your own pompous glory!!!

I think you get the message

Linux would be a very viable option if it could run IE (maybe it can nowadays, but it's been a while since I've lookedc into it). The aussie based database requires it, and I didn't have me MacBook at the time, so the alternative was shithouse. The only reason I own a PC, is because of this.

I don't buy into the Apple hate. My MBP and iPhone 4 are the only two iDevices I own, and they are both ****ing awesome. And work pays for one of them and I had it before the Desire HD came out, so I'm in front, and I still fail to see how anyone can reasonably disrespect a MBP for anything other than price (or gaming, but I can use my mates PS3/Wii for that).

I do make good money though, but "brainwashed" is disrespectful. If you deal with OSX lots, then you know it is fairly ****en good! Why do you even need to think about defrag and the lot??? I don't get that!

I'd never put a line through Apple products until I've weighed up the alternatives. To do so would be genuinely brainwashed!

 

[spitlizard]

Yes, I also do "GOOD MONEY" as you so eloquently put it..and I do it in an environment that is saturated with industry knowledge... that is the printing industry (Ricoh, Xerox, Canon, Konica Monolta print management, document management etc, ect)

I am still yet to see the cost per benefits for OS X apart from brainwashing crap....!!

From where I stand, it's still a gimmick for the easily influencenced!!
Stupidity at it's best but hey...I guess you like it that way......

 

[FIGJAM]

I am still yet to see the cost per benefits for OS X apart from brainwashing crap....!!

I've been through my direct experience with PC products, which includes the laptop I'm currently writing on, the PCs I've used at work, and my parent's PCs, and they've given me nothing but grief over the journey. Rarely hardware related issues. Always software choking issues.

Conversely, since I've had my PowerBook and MBP, I haven't had to worry about it not doing what I tell it to do whenever I tell it to do something (within reason....the spinning wheel of death does eventuate for everyone, but force quit actually ****ing works!). The PowerBook literally physically disintegrated through intensive thrashing before the software ****ed up.

Not sure how you factor in a "cost to benefit" analysis of enjoying a computer that gives you less shit, but to some of us it's worth the premium. And said 'premium' isn't actually all that much different to similar pre-packaged units (not everyone in the world wants to build their own super computer).

Eitherway, your emotive language suggests you have little room for reason, or maybe at 1am you've had a few too many eggnogs!

 

[spitlizard]

I've been through my direct experience with PC products, which includes the laptop I'm currently writing on, the PCs I've used at work, and my parent's PCs, and they've given me nothing but grief over the journey. Rarely hardware related issues. Always software choking issues.

Conversely, since I've had my PowerBook and MBP, I haven't had to worry about it not doing what I tell it to do whenever I tell it to do something (within reason....the spinning wheel of death does eventuate for everyone, but force quit actually ****ing works!). The PowerBook literally physically disintegrated through intensive thrashing before the software ****ed up.

Not sure how you factor in a "cost to benefit" analysis of enjoying a computer that gives you less shit, but to some of us it's worth the premium. And said 'premium' isn't actually all that much different to similar pre-packaged units (not everyone in the world wants to build their own super computer).

Eitherway, your emotive language suggests you have little room for reason, or maybe at 1am you've had a few too many eggnogs!

1am on your side of the country perhaps but not over here!!....and NO, I had work the next day so no eggnog, I just like to be expressive, it's in my nature...

I have been using Win 7 since the beta and I have only had one incident ( my own fault may I add ) where I needed to re-install. I have also run an OS X mac also without any issue in that time.

I will be the first to agree that Vista was a monumental ****up and XP is looking very agricultural so lets discount them.

My point is, with 7's release and the cheap price of PC equipment, there is a glaring difference between the two in price for equivalent specced machines Apple being at least 800 to 1000 more expensive for the same thing.

I am in the printing industry so I get to see both (90% Windows vs 10% OS x) and I have to say for an OS that prides itself on graphic brilliance it has an appalling way of handling printing jobs. It hasn't the same ability as Windows for default settings nor does it cascade it's setting from server to client well at all; actually not at all...(CUPS is ****ed)!!!

To me from what I have experienced so far it's a very bubbly OS but I still believe Apple are pushing the hype, not the benefits and the masses are lapping it up!!....

As a final note I will say that in all the sites I have installed in which have been considerable, I haven't seen a windows based environment that required some support from OS X....OS X can't say the same...Mmmmm