Computer Experts - HELP!!!!

[trish251]

Hi Erin

I'm no expert but I do have a few views on buying PCs - and I tend to use them for much the same as you - I'm not into games, music or downloading videos etc

The technology is always on the go - both hardware & software - will be obsolete in 4 years +/- a couple. I got rid of my old pc and replaced with a lap top about 3 years ago because - it didn't have a CD or DVD read or write - it didn't have USB ports - everything uses them now. It used windows 98 - great and stable but sadly no longer supported.

If you wait for the next level of hardware/software you will never buy - there is always something new. For software I prefer to use slightly out of date OS - usually more reliable (only my opinion - my nephew who works for microsoft disagrees ABSOLUTELY with my views).

I don't understand the CPU speeds given - I think I have a celeron - it was quoted as 1.7 whatevers and is more than fast enough for me. Most machines come with 256 basic memory - buy 512 - much better for speed and for being able to have multiple windows open without hassles. 

Assume that you will buy again in about 4 years, so look at what you want to spend for that time frame. I bought a Dell Laptop - 3 years ago cost me $AU2000, the same today is $AU1000. I find the lap easy to use, compact, takes up less room on my desk and I can take it away when going ancestor searching. Mine has 30gig disk (quite small by current standards) but I have used only about half. I do have an external 40gig disk (USB attached) that I use for backup. Backup to CDs is tedious.

If you don't like the lap top keyboard/screen you can attach larger ones - I see no need for this but it's a personal choice. I do use a separate USB mouse.

About the only other thing I would add- get at least 4 USB ports - I only have 2 and am eternally swapping things. One gets used for the mouse, so I only have 1 left for all other options - scanner, printer, camera, back up disk.

(1 pound is approx $AU2.5)

Trish

[hiraeth]

Hi Trish

Regarding USB ports for laptop.  Try buying a USB hub - they are about the size of a hockey puck, a bit like a cable splitter and quite inexpensive.  Mine has four USB ports and it plugs into one USB on the laptop.  I think you can also get ones that will take more but maybe need a power outlet?  Because mine doesn't have separate power ,the HP printer needs its own USB port on the laptop,  but I still have one left over.   

Heather

[RJ_Paton]

It cost me £208 for repair.

Not as bad as I thought as Windows XP would have accounted for half of that .....

As has been said its possible that your current machine may suit your needs for a while yet and just needs a good "spring clean" .... although the freezing and hanging reports do give some cause for concern. If there is little installed memory this could account foir some of the sluggishness and a memory upgrade could cure those problems easily (and relatively cheaply)
Unfortunately there comes a time when you have to decide whether to invest further time and money upgrading the older machine or investing in a newer model

The "Vista specifications" are

    * 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
    * 1 GB of system memory.
    * A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero2.
    * 128 MB of graphics memory.
    * 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
    * DVD-ROM Drive3.
    * Audio output capability.
    * Internet access capability.

although these are for the premium version they are still relatively modest BUT past experience with MS Operating Systems shows that to get any real use out of them you would need to up those specs by quite a bit.
Although purchasing a "Vista Ready" PC now would provide some level of futureproofing you would still be required to purchase a copy of Vista when it came out (if that was the road you wanted to go). Personally I would wait until machines started shipping with Vista installed.

[trish251]

Hi Trish

Regarding USB ports for laptop.  Try buying a USB hub - they are about the size of a hockey puck, a bit like a cable splitter and quite inexpensive.  Mine has four USB ports and it plugs into one USB on the laptop.  I think you can also get ones that will take more but maybe need a power outlet?  Because mine doesn't have separate power ,the HP printer needs its own USB port on the laptop,  but I still have one left over.   

Heather

Thanks Heather - I think my man has told me about this - I am, as mentioned, technically inept, but I will mention it to him again   

Looking at what Falkyrn says about the new operating system (memory 1gb especially) I would buy an XP now - every new operating system increases the memory and disk space needed and if you don't use all the bells and whistles - what a waste. XP seems to be relatively stable - so of course it is time for a new, bug ridden option.

Trish

[Gadget]

Erin -

I'm not a great expert on the inside of 'the box', although I do go in there occasionally to add the odd card  and, like you, I don't do games or music downloads, etc. I do do a lot of image manipulation though so I need a good graphics card. So for me it's processor, memory and graphics and a VERY good monitor.

Despite adverse comments recently, I would still go for Dell - they usually have some pretty good offers. Before Dell, I had 3 Gateway machines. They were also good but they moved from Ireland, so I moved to Dell. I've had no problems with either. One of the Gateway machines is 5 years old now and is still more than adequate (well for Mr Gadget and as a reserve). I bought as much memory as I could fit in though - 512 then.

Gadget

[RJ_Paton]

Dell build good reliable machines .... and a lot of them. Unfortunately you rarely hear from the satisfied customers its the minority who have been unfortunate enough to have something go wrong who generally make the most noise. Sometimes without any real foundation.

The real criteria is to go with what you would be happy with. By all means take advice but don't let yourself be dictated to by anyone. (including me  )

Take stock of what you have ..... and if you are still happy with some aspects keep those .
If you are going to keep the older machine running you would need a monitor,keyboard and mouse when you get a new machine. If not it helps to cut the cost of a new unit
You recently had XP installed if its a full version and you have the installation disc you could use this to reduce the cost if you intend to dispose of the older machine (on one site doing without XP saves £70)

[Arquebus]

Not only do you have to consider the question of Vista and 64bit PCs (as opposed to 32bit PCs), there is also the industry gradual switch from DDR Memory and Socket 939 Motherboards to DDR2 Memory and Socket AM2 Motherboards.

The memory is not interchangeable due to the number of pins on the motherboard, so most DDR systems may well get left behind.

Falkyrn and Downside can probably give you better details than I can about all this.

At present there are many retailers out there who are desperately trying to get rid of the 32bit systems and the Socket 939 systems. There are thousands of laptops out there that are 32bit only which cannot be upgraded (or not cost effective) to 64bit.
Most desktops can be upgraded, but weigh up the cost first.

Fortunately, if you are going to go to Dell, you will find that they have already started selling systems with DDR2 memory (but you may have to look for them on their site).

Because changes are happening so quickly, all I suggest is that if you are going to buy a new PC, get the most up-to-date spec system that you can afford....It will be out of date withn weeks anyway.

Al.

[erin21]

Thank you for the info. I do not need any games play.  I usually just browse the web, e mail, word process etc.

a decent basic unit would suit your needs

I dont think my computer could stand another memory upgrade.

what are the specs of your current machine ?

Its old by computer standards and has already had a new hard drive windows xp etc which all cost me the price of a new unit!!

I hope the "etc" was a lot, because the rest shouldn't have come to that much although XP is probably the costliest piece of equipment there.

The information I got fromt he System area was as follows

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 service Pack 2   

Astock K7541GX Micro ATX

AMD Duron 1100MHz

AMD Duron (tm)

1.10 GHz  192MB of RAM

I asked the guy to upgrade the computer for me when he had to put in the new hard drive but I dont think he did a lot!!

Erin

[erin21]

Not only do you have to consider the question of Vista and 64bit PCs (as opposed to 32bit PCs), there is also the industry gradual switch from DDR Memory and Socket 939 Motherboards to DDR2 Memory and Socket AM2 Motherboards.

The memory is not interchangeable due to the number of pins on the motherboard, so most DDR systems may well get left behind.

Falkyrn and Downside can probably give you better details than I can about all this.

At present there are many retailers out there who are desperately trying to get rid of the 32bit systems and the Socket 939 systems. There are thousands of laptops out there that are 32bit only which cannot be upgraded (or not cost effective) to 64bit.
Most desktops can be upgraded, but weigh up the cost first.

Fortunately, if you are going to go to Dell, you will find that they have already started selling systems with DDR2 memory (but you may have to look for them on their site).

Because changes are happening so quickly, all I suggest is that if you are going to buy a new PC, get the most up-to-date spec system that you can afford....It will be out of date withn weeks anyway.

Al.

Thanks Al

So what would you suggest I go for. I am confused. What Ram What Hard Drive What Processor would be best   Pleeese help some more !!!

Erin