Desktops forum: Poll: When it comes to purchasing a new desktop computer:

Why? Mostly because my son, Matt "Computers are my Business", threatened to move back in with me if I didn't. Now if he could get all those nice little components in their nice little box, so I could return my daughter's spare laptop, life would be good. What's a mother to do?

I feel that I have enough experience to specify the components that I need. Some of the Giants, while they let you specify components from a list (of their own choosing), cannot or will not be totally flexible in what can be chosen.

I found this out the hard way in 1996 when at the time I wanted to build a custom Pentium Pro machine and install a #9 imagine 128 video card (4mb VRAM). This was a $600 card and it took awhile before I found someone that would build me a computer around this card.

I also have had computers from the giants which were "semi"custom machines. (manufacturer "deleted") sold me a really sorry machine which I had problems with and took an independent software tech team to identify and fix the problem (I was not even charged).

If you are willing to fully research your wishes you can come up with a decent machine at a reasonable price - unless you are getting a "Rolls Royce" computer and then you have money to burn anyway.

I have a "semi" custom Vista machine with a separately purchased 24" monitor I use for my graphics work and is a stand alone machine - meaning it will never see the internet. It is wonderful to have a 24" monitor because my senior citizen eyes are more comfortable viewing those nice large images. I was once a professional photographer till I had a stroke.

To sum it up - try a full custom machine. It is fun selecting and learning about the interactions each part will play in your configuration. Best of luck and happy computing !!!

I like to have something that will fit my needs, especially something I am going to stick with for a while. If I get it customized with everything that I need than I dnt need to do any xtra work. I mean I love computers and electronics. I could take a server apart and put it back into the correct order, and set it up to work perfectly, probably better than before but I just like to have everything there. If i were to install all the programs I purchased than it would slow down my computer a little. But when the maufacture does it. They always seem to make it seem part of the whole package...

I bought a HP Pavilion 522n in 2003. I have been fighting with it ever since.

This time I am very seriously considering buying a computer in a store (not Comp-USA) and then as I know how it works have the sound board and video board I want installed. I want to make sure I do not violate a waranty for the computer. I want to make sure the computer works properly before I get into installing any advanced hardware.

Since previously I bought a lower price LCD monitor, I am tempted to buy a monitor by a company that use to make good stereos or/and televisions. I hope microsoft doesn't stop supporting the drivers too soon.

I don't know if I will actually buy a computer that is the same type as the monitor. I don't know if I will buy a higher priced computer with tv-tuner or a basic computer that I can update as I want it to be more advanced. I am tempted to say I will buy a computer that I can update, or have my tech support update for me.

First I have to make sure my cable hookup will work with this type of computer and it will still be good when digital television comes in.

I also want to make sure it can handle working several graphic heavy programs at once.

I did not like the results of buying the computer off the shelf and not getting it to work the way I wanted it.

Personally, I would only buy one of two computers: A Mac, which runs a superior OS to Windows by default, or I would buy the parts to build myself a Linux box.

Why?

1. Linux and Mac are both better at using resources, therefore, they have more available for audio and video work.

2. It's more expensive to build my own pride and joy, but it's well worth the extra cost because I have direct control as to what gets put on the computer.

3. I know that if I need to add more memory, disk space, etc... I can do so at will with a custom-built machine and not void the warranty in the process

4. It's my own customization- and often when my friends would come over, I'd rather show them either a mac or a small linux box than to show them a stock "tower" PC from one of the popular vendors

5. It's far easier for me to troubleshoot a power supply issue on a custom case that gives me ample room to work than it is to troubleshoot in a cramped, stock case.

6. I also like the design of a custom-built computer's case, as it's an extension of the owner's personality. This could either be a mean personality or an elegant personality, depending on the user. Most computers you get off the shelf have a "one-size-fits-all" or "plain jane" look- something I have never seen on a custom-built machine or a newer-model Mac (which I seriously think looks elegant).

7. I almost never get phone calls from people with custom-built computers. But I frequently get phone calls from those who buy Windows machines off the shelf at their favorite retailers, because they don't get shown how to set up their machine or properly reinstall the OS. They take what they get off the shelf, despite several better options out there.


Therefore, unless it's a Mac, I won't buy it off the shelf. I would build it instead.

Ever since windows adopted Vista,
I have been unable to decide what to buy to buy 'next'.
I have had XP since 2002.It still boots.
I am happy.

Hi!
I have been looking for an animated graphic software, I just ready response to the forum. What is the best software as a beginner.
Also, what can be a hardware requirement for animed graphics.
Thanks.

Got it from the maker with student discount. Had to pay sales tax as they have
office/stores in state.

It is a Mac as all 7 computers in our house. Oldest one is from mid 90's and still works. And
it is laptop 3400 with working battery.

I still have an original Mac that is no longer in use, but would work if I plugged it in.

I built my own from a HOWTO online; it wasn't too difficult, just time-consuming as it was my first time.

My first non-Apple was a Compaq; it was going for $560 at Dick Smith's which was a REALLY good bargain. I immediately installed Ubuntu on it, and it worked perfectly. I still have it.

At the beginning of this year when I wanted a new computer, I wanted to learn how to build computers, and I wanted to be sure that the new one would be fully Linux-compatible from the get-go. Also, a minor thing, but I wanted a 2nd DVD burner so I can burn two discs at a time. I researched parts for compatibility and found the best prices, then took a day to put it together. It works beautifully; even the onboard wireless networking goes out-of-the-box.

If you want to use Linux, then you could buy an off-the-shelf computer or get a specialist store to build it; but then you're playing Russian Roulette with compatibility, and you don't know what sort of quality or performance the parts are. Linux shines on compatible hardware.

(Actually, as it is right now, even other Linux distros don't work very well on my cutting-edge hardware, but Ubuntu goes beautifully).

Depend on your need, it's better to build up your own PC. This can be done online or on a scratch paper by yourself. Please make sure that you have enough knoweldge for that or have some to back you up.

I have a little experience for myself. Also you can find some good advise online too.

A better PC will be the one you define all component and understand their value, before you pay for it.

Thanks.

I shop for a good deal that is close to what I need, because the manufacturers get a better price on components than I can, and the fierce competition among them keeps prices at a minimum. The savings more than pay for any necessary upgrades to suit my needs.

I don't need a PC now but will some time and have been pondering this question very seriously. I have it narrowed down to two answers.

Buy it off line and have it customized or build it myself.

If I buy it off line I'll get an OS installed with it and get support.

If I build it myself I might save some money and get just what I want and can afford but will have to spend a lot of extra time making sure everything is compatible and putting it together.

I don't believe I'll buy off-the-shelf again because of the poor mother boards they sell with off-the-shelf PCs.

My thinking is beginning to change and I believe I need the capability to be continually upgrading. In fact I'm nearly convinced that I need to do this on an annual basis to keep up. About $200.00 worth of upgrades per year is about the right budget amount. This awareness will certainly weigh heavily next time I purchase a PC.

by Poor customer service and tech support from a now defunct company here.