OT: Technology and Geek Stuff Thread

[yooperman]

Where do you buy a new computer? Mine is so old and slow it doesn't even work right anymore. I checked around here, but they want to sell me everything. I already have a keyboard and screen, etc. I just need a better computer. I don't care if it's used, new, rebuilt, as long as it works. I'd look on Ebay, but I don't know what I'm looking for.

[Coop]

yoop - if you're going to buy a boxed brand I'd recommend Dell. How much do you want to spend and what do you do with your computer?

[Drew]

Tigerdirect.com has a deal of some kind every day. ($300 - $400) If you're getting a MS7 or Vista operations system as opposed to XP, you should get 3 or 4 GB (up to 8GB) of RAM

Get several hundred GB of hard drive space.

[Sweatpants Murphy]

custom firmware? I had SVEASOFT running on mine for quite awhile

yeah sort of...I was trying to turn it into a wifi adapter for my xbox

Tigerdirect.com has a deal of some kind every day. ($300 - $400) If you're getting a MS7 or Vista operations system as opposed to XP, you should get 3 or 4 GB (up to 8GB) of RAM

Get several hundred GB of hard drive space.

check slickdeals.net

that's going to have links to the best bargains...also check the forums for stuff that hasn't yet posted to the main page

[LightninBoy]

Tigerdirect.com has a deal of some kind every day. ($300 - $400) If you're getting a MS7 or Vista operations system as opposed to XP, you should get 3 or 4 GB (up to 8GB) of RAM

Get several hundred GB of hard drive space.

That's not really true. My family PC is a 2 year old $350 dollar Best Buy clearance machine and it ran Vista just fine and is running Win7 just fine on 2GB. Its basically a web browser, email, picture/video loading, occasionally video editing machine.

The other thing to consider is that you can't take full advantage of 4GB or more unless you opt for 64bit Windows.

I think 2GB is enough for most home PC work loads, regardless of OS.

[Drew]

That was a recommended jump to that much RAM. If all you're doing is browsing the web and looking at pictures, then 2GB would be fine. Also, I run 4GB on 32-bit. Anything over that, and you need the 64-bit operating system.

The good news is, the customer doesn't have to know all this when they buy the system. As long as they don't buy the barebones kits, all that is worked out for them when they buy it.

[Coop]

In the 32 bit world:

With XP / 7- 2GB for the average user is more than enough
With Vista - 2GB is the minimum needed because it's a resource HOG

I have also run 4 GB with any 32 bit OS but I do alot of multitasking and need the HP. I am now on 64 bit with 8 GB.

[yooperman]

yoop - if you're going to buy a boxed brand I'd recommend Dell. How much do you want to spend and what do you do with your computer?

I don't do much Coop. Just here, ebay and Ameritrade. I don't really care about the cost as I'm sure it varies all over the place. I think I'd have to buy everything if I order Dell, or would they just ship me a computer. My kids got me a new screen and a new printer. The printer won't even work on this computer. I don't know how to do anything fancy and I don't want to learn.

[-Deborah-]

You should be able to configure one without a monitor. Some pre-fabbed configurations might not allow a choice.

[Coop]

I would think a lower end Inspiron Desktop would suit you Yoop - look here:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops_great_deals/fs.aspx?refid=desktops_great_deals&s=dhs&cs=19&~ck =mn

[FVD]

Check around locally too, there might be someone in your community builds computers. Might be able to get you a good deal on a box that way.

[CGVT]

Password protected my router this morning...

[-Deborah-]

That just your router? Or your wireless network?

[CGVT]

Just my router. I don't have a wireless network.? Three computers, all independent.

[CGVT]

Am I missing something? Do I have a network and not know it?

I'm so lost when it comes to this stuff...