[Help!] Buying a new Desktop

[John Crichton]

2 nights ago, my computer's main HD decided to stop working. I have tried many different methods of data recovery and my next step is to bring it to a pro. I've also been having other problems with the unit even after a few new installs of Windows (over the last year or so). I am terribly frustrated all around at this point.

I built the thing so I have no one to go to for really expert tech problems. That aside, it is time to start looking for a new desktop (this one is approaching 3 years of age and I didn't spend all that much on it). I have a new notebook that can serve as my desktop to get me through the next couple months so I'm not in a terrible rush.

I'm not building my own this time around. I want to get one where I can buy a 3-4 year service contract so when things go wrong, I just make a call or 2 and have them fix it. That said, I need some help with the new tech that's out there.

I know that Intel just released some new processors and I'd like to stick with them over AMD. Also, I've been reading the Microsoft will be releasing a new OS this year that is 64-bit based. I'd need to have the system be able to run that.

I'm not big into PC gaming but I do play some. I'm not into shooters or the Doom/Half-Life games so I probably don't need a huge videocard (although I would like to have one that I won't need to upgrade for 2-3 years). I use it mostly for photoshop, database work, finances and some gaming.

I've heard good things about Alienware and have purchased from Gateway & Dell in the past. Any suggestions, things I should look for or be aware of? New tech? Any deals out there? Any websites that have deals updated so I don't have to scour the net? I used www.notebookreview.com daily when I was looking for a new laptop. Are there any sites like that for desktops?

 

[reveal]

The last desktop I bought, I put together myself so I can't give you any advice on that. But my last computer purchase experience with Gateway was horrible.

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=109295

 

[IronWolf]

I will bow out of any "new tech" discussions I am not up on the latest and greatest by any means. I have reached the point where hardware wise I can do what i need to do on relatively low powered machines.

First have you given any thought to an Apple? Mac OSX is great and there is a lot of very useful software that comes with their computers.

If you have no desire to go that route and want to stick with the Wintel stuff, I would buy a Dell if I was not building one myself. (unless you play more games than you have led us to believe in which case an Alienware would be cool!). I would avoid Gateway, I've just never been impressed by their stuff.

 

[Aeolius]

How about a new iMac running Mac OS X , now including the iLife '05 Suite ?

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[dvvega]

If you want service contracts, names like Dell and Gateway come to mind.

But I'm going to add a third vote for Mac.

I'm assuming you have a monitor, keyboard, mouse etc already, so why not check out the Mac mini. It's a powerful little piece of hardware, and you are only investing in the machine for now until you realise just how much you need a widescreen monitor

D

 

[John Crichton]

First have you given any thought to an Apple? Mac OSX is great and there is a lot of very useful software that comes with their computers.

Yes, I certainly have. I have an old PowerBook G3 for Mac apps. I am not looking to buy a Mac desktop at the moment because most of the games I do play are Windows only. I play a text-based Baseball sim and some other non-graphics intensive games that simply wouldn't work on a Mac. If I had the money for a PowerMac G5 & a WinBox I would buy both. But I need Windows for the programs I typically run.

Additionally, I wasn't planning on having to get a new desktop for at least another year. The early failure of this machine is going to hit me pretty hard in the wallet (hence my desire to find a good price).

Side note: I do get a nice little discount on Apple products through work so one of these days I'm going to get a new Mac desktop or notebook.

 

[John Crichton]

If you want service contracts, names like Dell and Gateway come to mind.

But I'm going to add a third vote for Mac.

I'm assuming you have a monitor, keyboard, mouse etc already, so why not check out the Mac mini. It's a powerful little piece of hardware, and you are only investing in the machine for now until you realise just how much you need a widescreen monitor

Yeah, the Macs are nice, but I'm not in the market for one right now.

The monitor is next on my list. My notebook is a Dell with a widescreen LCD and it is sa-weet. But for the moment I'll worry about simply getting a desktop up and running.

 

[Agamon]

Voodoo makes incredible PCs. I bought one 3 years ago and it's never crashed once or given me any other problems whatsoever. I've only made a couple minor upgrades, and I'm still playing hardware intensive games with no problems at all, and it wasn't even top of the line back then (1.4 AMD overclocked to 1.7). I know for certain that when I get a new PC, probably next year, it will without a doubt be a Voodoo. They do service contracts. I think 1 year comes with all their PCs and you can upgrade to 2 or 3 years. The price might not be what your looking for (if price is the main thing, I'd go Dell), but for PCs with nothing but top-end components, their entry level PCs aren't too bad of a price.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

I'm another of those "built it at home" computer users. This route is good if you're planning on upgrading some of your comp. Probably best if all you need is a hard drive (which may be your problem-faulty hard drive going bad).

 

[reveal]

Voodoo makes incredible PCs. I bought one 3 years ago and it's never crashed once or given me any other problems whatsoever. I've only made a couple minor upgrades, and I'm still playing hardware intensive games with no problems at all, and it wasn't even top of the line back then (1.4 AMD overclocked to 1.7). I know for certain that when I get a new PC, probably next year, it will without a doubt be a Voodoo. They do service contracts. I think 1 year comes with all their PCs and you can upgrade to 2 or 3 years. The price might not be what your looking for (if price is the main thing, I'd go Dell), but for PCs with nothing but top-end components, their entry level PCs aren't too bad of a price.

I think you meant to use the link http://www.voodoopc.com.