computer brand advice

[Kevin Rau]

Computer

I've got a VPR Matrix - 2.53 GHz, 2 hard drives in a raid config, 512 mb ram, came with a Geforce Ti 4200, which I replaced with a Geforce Ti 4400 I had.

Generally it's a decent machine. It's NOT a high performance machine though. The motherboard and ram are both low-mid end. Currently, I'm finding it has mild graphical glitches that I'm thinking are heat related, since they don't occur all the time, and normally not at all with normal windows apps.

My favorite machine, even though somewhat slower due to age (2 years old) is my Voodoo PC. 1.1 GHz, 4 hard drives (higher quality) in an IDE raid config, 256 mb ram (higher speed CL2). If you've got the money to spare, a medium-end Voodoo PC will wipe every PC Best Buy sells. A high-end Voodoo PC will smoke them badly. Unfortunately, the high-end components used drive the price up a lot more as well. Check it out at www.voodoopc.com.

Hope that helps.

 

[KenM]

Well best buy discontinued all models of the VPR matrix, so that one is out. But what I been reading about that HP I want, its a great deal for the money. Its the 734 model.

 

[Kevin Rau]

HP w/Best Buy

Ken - as info, I've had two HPs from Best Buy. My advice to you is to run away quickly. Don't buy one of them, unless speed and reliability aren't important to you.

That's from my personal experience owning two of them. I'll never buy another HP released through a retail chain again. Absolute lowest quality parts to save every penny they can. Ugh.

 

[KenM]

Well I did some checking on the net, ect. and people seem to like this model. I got the system i'm using now at best buy, no big problems.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Well best buy discontinued all models of the VPR matrix, so that one is out. But what I been reading about that HP I want, its a great deal for the money. Its the 734 model.

Weird, our local Best Buy - South Portland, Maine still has VPR Matrixes, and the clerk at least didn't know anything about it being discontinued. BestBuy.com stll lists them as well. Is it just the Mass. Best Buys dropping it, or just taking longer in some places than others?

The Auld Grump

 

[KenM]

The guy I talked to at my Best Buy said they discontinued all VPR models and are waiting for newer models to come in, and once an old model is gone, its gone.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Phew! I thought that you meant that the brand line was being discontinued... Not a good thing to see when tou own one. (I used to own an Amiga, trust me when I say owning an orphan is a bad thing...)

The Auld Grump

 

[KenM]

Just as an update, I picked up that HP today, it ROCKS.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Just got back home from Rhode Island day before yesterday. I went down to my local Best Buy today and Bam! empty shelves in the computer section, and a lot fewer people working in that section, bad sign that...

The Auld Grump

 

[KenM]

Best Buy seems to be scalling back alot of stuff, at my local best buy in Hyannis, the software section is pretty bare, and they said they are waiting for more computers, too. They said they have no control on what gets sent to them.