Two questions .. where? ....which?

I would like to ask you your opinions on where you think the best place is to purchase a computer ... if Internet what site ... if brick and mortar which one?

and, which brand of computer is the best. I think I read here that something like 90% of the computers are made in China, but are there differences.

Let's start by sharing what your needs are. I'm thrilled with my $200 emachine, but its not appropriate for video editing

Thanks. But not what we're looking for

Please tell us what programs (by name) you will be using - and their frequency.

For internet use and word processing, the machine you described is extreme overkill. A pentium III would be more than enough

Any $200 Compaq or emachine would do the job for those tasks. Just add a little memory to bring it up to 512MB ($50 or less) and add the flat panel of your choice

One other thing is that I do not have high speed access, just plain old dial up, I want a computer that will load pages off the net (forums such as this, general information, etc) as quickly as possible. Does the computer I buy influence the speed of loading pages, or are all computers the same if you are using dial up?

Guess I have gotten this up to three questions now.

Hummmmm

I have not been reading Fat Wallet very long, but long enough to know red is bad. May I ask what I did to offend someone? I would really like to know.

I knew it was going to be a mistake to post in this forum, I had a feeling I was going to get bashed. I read a long time before I got my courage up. I did read before posting and I answered all the questions you asked to the best of my ability. If I knew all that you all know I would not have to be asking any questions. If my simple questions frustrate you I am sorry, but I can't begin to tell you how frustrating this experience has been for me. I guess the person that gave me the red must be really frustrated ..... they couldn't even be bother to tell me how stupid I am.

Believe me I will never ask a question in this forum again, and I never would be so bold as to even try to make a response to someone else's post.

You really need to elaborate on what you mean by "some gaming". For some people that is an occasional game of solitaire. For other, that means several hours of 1st person shooter games a day, played over the internet, with several servers running simultaneously. People here are more than willing to help, but no one can give you a good answer without the correct information.

As ellory said, the system you describe is way overkill for using Office and surfing the web. The missing piece is what games you play, or may want to play in the future. please provide more details on that and we can give an informed oppinion. Othewise, we are shooting in the dark.

On a non-tech note, if you truely think you've been "bashed", maybe you should stay away from internet discussion boards. Most are MUCH more brutal than Fatwallet, and I don't think anyone has come remotely close to offending you here. One person gave a very informational and polite response to an incorrect statement that you made, and the other has tried serveral times to get the information needed to help you. If you worried that some anonymous person gave you a "red", then grow thicker skin. It's certainly not the end of the world, and everyone is entitled to an oppinion.

June12345 said: I knew it was going to be a mistake to post in this forum, I had a feeling I was going to get bashed. I read a long time before I got my courage up. I did read before posting and I answered all the questions you asked to the best of my ability. If I knew all that you all know I would not have to be asking any questions. If my simple questions frustrate you I am sorry, but I can't begin to tell you how frustrating this experience has been for me. I guess the person that gave me the red must be really frustrated ..... they couldn't even be bother to tell me how stupid I am.

Believe me I will never ask a question in this forum again, and I never would be so bold as to even try to make a response to someone else's post.



Dont pay any attention to it. Some people give red to any and all questions or comments in the deal groups. They just want certain type of deal info posted. It doesnt affect you in any way.

I think what people are saying is your needs are probably low enough that almost any modern computer can do what you want.
Besides any specialized areas such computer 3D graphics work where you have render tons of graphics or work with huge photoshop files for critical graphics work and things like compressing and uncompressing files all day ---- you really dont need a really high end PC.

The one exception is playing games. That probably puts one of the greatest demands on your PC so it depends on how deep you get into game playing. You also want the PC to be decent probably a year from now too. Thats important since things change so fast. If you get something marginal now but still OK it could be less than decent a year from now when newer games and Vista and other stuff comes out.

Almost ANY of the dual cores are decent since the lowest ones are very good such as the 3800 X2 for AMD. Intel just came out with the even lower level 805 less than 200 bucks , lower than their former budget dual core chip the 820.

The cheapest deals at FW often are random. They come randomly from Office Depot and CompUSA doing HP/Compaq deals usually though on some holiday or near one. CompUSA has their weekly sale and special midnight madness sales etc so you just have to sit and be ready. I think besides something coming out of the blue randomly --- Easter sales may be the best bet from OD, CompUSA, Circuit City or even BB.

The other source obviously is Dell. Signup for their emails cause they have special coupons etc all the time and check the HOT DEALS section.

If you have to get one now --- check the same sources Dell , CC, CompUSA, OD and even BB. The sunday papers are the best way and then check the Hotdeals section and the sites themselves. They all have their ads online. Check Salescircular.com just in case someone has missed something too.

Get anything decent ---- 3000 AMD 64 or above even a sempron 3100 is OK but it should cost less. An AMD x2 (dual core) would be great they start with their 3800 chip which I have. Intel has the 805 their new super budget dual core and then the 820 D. They are all fine. If you find a killer deal its around 100-200 for a prebuilt with barebone options.

Get at least 512 megs but I recommend 1 gig. Check the price though cause sometimes added options are cheap and other times they are a ripoff. You can get 512 megs for $25 bucks AR manytimes. The big problem is sometimes they arent compatible --- add on sticks with the system or the other stick already installed.

DVD writer ---- $38 bucks at NEwegg.

Get at least 120 gigs or more. HDs are super cheap though the big discount $29 weekly HD sale AR seems to be scarcer now after Maxtor was taken over by Seagate though that may not be the reason why its scarcer. Maybe a coincidence since Maxtor hasnt been aggressively rebated for a while now but it does eliminate some competition in the HD sector.

This week isnt the greatest week for PC sales. A little while ago there were intermittent killer CompUSA deals every month or two.

With Dell it varies all the time with coupons and sales. You really have to check weekly and signup for the emails.

This week maybe the Office Depot deal is the best. And this may vary cause I get OD deals a week late so it might not be happening this week where you are.

emachines
$399
AMD 3500 AMD 64
17" CRT
DVD burner
canon 1600 printer
160 gig HD
512 megs memory
Cheapo speakers included from the pic

300 bucks of rebates to get to 399
$110 to upgrade to 15 lcd. I dont think its worth it.
Id look for a sale on a 17-19 for 150-200.

Add a 6600 GT AGP card for great game playing
look in hot deals for a deal or go to Newegg.com
and look for a close to $100 AR 6600GT
The only reservation I have is the power supply
built into the emachines and the fact DOOM3 goes from
unplayable to playable on my 2nd system which consists of
a 3200 AMD 64 and 9600XT from 512 megs of memory to 1 gig.

--------------------------------------------


$499 after 300 bucks in rebates
They also have a HP Pent 4 517
80 gig HD
512 memory
17 LCD with speakers which will probably sound really tinny and thin
no printer from what I see

------------------------------------------------
Actually BB , CC and CompUSA all have similar close deals on the emachines or Acer or other budget systems
all the time. Once in a while youll get a KILLEr deals down to 100-200 for a barebones system. Depends on how
long you want to wait. Right now the benchmark seems to be around 399 or so depending on options.

Look though hot deals to see if theres anything lower with coupons or something or if Dell can beat it.

This has really gotten ridiculous. I can't believe all the long answers you all are giving me that have nothing to do with my questions. My questions required no more information that I gave. The questions were:

1. Where do you purchase your computers, brick and mortar or over the Internet

2. What make of computers do you prefer (Dell, emachine etc.)

I did not ask you to tell me how to build a computer, find me the best price possible on a computer, I did not post in hot deals forum, or ask you to tell me your deepest darkest secrets.

I NEVER, NEVER said I had been BASHED (bashed Informal. To criticize (another) harshly, accusatorially, and threateningly:" from dictionary.com) I simple asked why someone elected to give me a red flag (anonymously, no backbone) for asking two simple questions. This bashed business has taken on a life of its own. One person said bashed and no one took the time to read what I had actually wrote. I only wanted to know what was wrong with my post so I would not make the same error again. Sheeeeezzz

KrazyKeyur, I am very curious how you knew it was RightHere that raised the flag, the name was not in the thread? Would you mind telling me? I did read that only certain people have been elevated to the status of flag raiser, so RightHere must be a valuable member that I have offended. He/She did not take the time to tell me what I had done to offend him/her in the forum, but did take the time to send me a PM telling me that my title "sucked" so I found out who it was, and what my offense was. I have also been informed by him/her that I should not be doing a back and forth in the form.

Actually, I think I have done a service for some. I think a couple of you were having a boring Sunday and were just looking for someone to shoot down (no, I don't mean RightHere's red flag) I just mean that no one yet has addressed my question but everyone has had a grand time telling me to get over myself. Got all of your fighting juices flowing. Some people are not happy unless there is a brouhaha going on. So glad I could make it a good day for some of you

June12345 said: This has really gotten ridiculous. I can't believe all the long answers you all are giving me that have nothing to do with my questions. My questions required no more information that I gave. The questions were:
1. Where do you purchase your computers, brick and mortar or over the Internet
2. What make of computers do you prefer (Dell, emachine etc.)
Depends on what type of computer you want. If you want one for someone who isnt going to do any games what so ever, get an emachines. If you want to do a mix of games and movies and internet, get a Dell. If you want windows and play games all day long, get an Alien. If you to do high level graphics and video editing, get a Mac.
I did not ask you to tell me how to build a computer, find me the best price possible on a computer, I did not post in hot deals forum, or ask you to tell me your deepest darkest secrets.

I NEVER, NEVER said I had been BASHED (bashed Informal. To criticize (another) harshly, accusatorially, and threateningly:" from dictionary.com) I simple asked why someone elected to give me a red flag (anonymously, no backbone) for asking two simple questions. This bashed business has taken on a life of its own. One person said bashed and no one took the time to read what I had actually wrote. I only wanted to know what was wrong with my post so I would not make the same error again. Sheeeeezzz
I read everything wou wrote and you didnt answer the questions that were given to you precisely. Nor did you did the research if someone has posted a similar question before.
KrazyKeyur, I am very curious how you knew it was RightHere that raised the flag, the name was not in the thread? Would you mind telling me? I did read that only certain people have been elevated to the status of flag raiser, so RightHere must be a valuable member that I have offended. He/She did not take the time to tell me what I had done to offend him/her in the forum, but did take the time to send me a PM telling me that my title "sucked" so I found out who it was, and what my offense was. I have also been informed by him/her that I should not be doing a back and forth in the form. Click on the red/green. It tell's you who voted what. He was exactly right when he said that your title sucked and that you were wasting time going back and forth.
Actually, I think I have done a service for some. I think a couple of you were having a boring Sunday and were just looking for someone to shoot down (no, I don't mean RightHere's red flag) I just mean that no one yet has addressed my question but everyone has had a grand time telling me to get over myself. Got all of your fighting juices flowing. Some people are not happy unless there is a brouhaha going on. So glad I could make it a good day for some of you
No one is having a boring Sunday. No one is always looking for some entertainment or some newbie to get their hands on. You for one have lost your temper and are not realizing what other's are trying to tell you.

Thank you to those of you that gave me you opinion and some good very answers.

My son has been telling me what he thinks I need. With my son (he is well past voting age) if I ask him how to get across the bridge, he tells me how to build one. I suspected that he was over selling me, he always wants the biggest the best and the meanest (at least that is what he wants when it is not his money involved) I know nothing about computers, I barely know how to turn one on. My eyes glaze over whenever he starts telling me the "giggs and hertzes" of a computer. I feel sure what you have told me is fact and that he is advising me to buy is way more than I need. He lives with me and he is the one that told me what to post that I wanted. I also had to laugh about the "some gaming" remark he told me to post. My gaming is playing solitaire while I wait for a page on the cooking forum to load LOL.

I started out wanting to pay about $500. for a new computer and monitor and he kept telling me that I needed this or that and because of "this and that" the price is now pushing $1,200. I am now quite sure I can get what I need for much less.

He did say that a duel something or other was very important for the speed of loading pages, do you agree that a duel ______ is a good thing to have? If I go completely against his recommendations he will not help me if anything goes wrong and I need his help if something does not work. I am not able to get out and take courses on computers so I have to rely on what knowledge I am able to absorb form the internet and I am afraid that technical stuff is not my strong suite, but I can make a great dinner, and desert....from scratch

I also want a flat monitor 17 or 19 inches. I spend a lot of time on the computer and I want a monitor that has a clear image.

I do appreciate your help. I am going to print out some of this thread so I can read more carefully the opinions expressed. Then I am going to quit because my red marks are piling up. I feel like I am back in school getting graded by my kindergarten teacher.

June12345 said: My son has been telling me what he thinks I need. With my son (he is well past voting age) if I ask him how to get across the bridge, he tells me how to build one. I suspected that he was over selling me, he always wants the biggest the best and the meanest (at least that is what he wants when it is not his money involved) I know nothing about computers, I barely know how to turn one on.Which is why we asked you what you wanted to do with the computer. Instead, you told us the hardware you wanted, and then threw a tantrum

I must apologize, I hang my head in shame, I did say bashed, sorry, I did not mean to say that. I only wanted to know what I had done wrong. I just read that I did say bashed when I went in to delete my messages. I am truly sorry I ever started this thread. It certainly did not go the way I thought it would. I needed help and I thought this was the right place for me to ask.

I still think many of you are very hard on new posters. To criticize someone because you don't like the way they label their post is really being just plain mean in my opinion. If this is having a thin skin, then yes, I have one.

I once again I thank those that took the time to give me some very good advise.

June12345 said: To criticize someone because you don't like the way they label their post is really being just plain mean in my opinion. One, and only one person, did this. And, per your own posting, only you saw it, because they told you in a PM I still think many of you are very hard on new posters.Except for that single poster, no one was hard on you ... until you publicly started asking what the problem was and why you were being mistreated. That's when the whole thread "went south." And, as far as being hard on new posters, read the last 2+ year of new threads. To my knowledge, this is the only one that went this wayI needed help and I thought this was the right place for me to ask.It certainly is. But you have to help us. As we can't see what you do. Its not until we got into over a dozen posts that we finally got to user needs. Which is soliataire. And the internet. On dial-up. Which is fine.

So, to actually get to your needs, then you don't need a new computer at all. As Win98 plays solitatie just fine. And a 19" flat panel monitor is overkill. Go for a 15" flat panel. Or 17" if you really want for under $150 on sale. If you really want a new computer, its not necessary, but any $200 or less PC on sale will do the job. No need to add memory, as 256MB is more than enough

Or, buy a used computer from someone from less.

And, this is why, when someone, especially a new user, posts a question, we politely probe (and it was polite) for user needs, because answering the specific questions you asked (waht brand should you buy and from where), was not ever going to get to the best answer that suits your needs. As a specific example, when you said I also had to laugh about the "some gaming" remark he told me to post. My gaming is playing solitaire To some people light gaming, means they occassionaly play a game - and its the latest multimedia interactive video intensive game. To others it means solitaire. Nothing wrong with that. But the right answer is dramatically different. And how are we to know if we don't ask? And you don't answer?