So I'm buying a new computer

[Non-human Resources]

Thanks for the responses guys!

For those who asked - The reason I don't like XP is that it makes a lot of decisions for me that I don't like. For example, when you have a folder it defaults to a 'tile' mode. I prefer lists or icons so I have to change each folder every time I make up a new one. Also I find that the computers at work (a community college) don't seem to handle XP as well. They take longer to boot up in the morning, longer to shut down, and sometimes they don't load internet pages. I have to hit the refresh button to get what I want. Overall I find myself dealing with issues, that while small, didn't seem to be problem before everything got switched to XP.

Keep posting the advice. I'm taking it all to heart.

 

[drothgery]

For example, I self-assembled my computer, with parts costing about $1000 all together. Were I to spend that much at Dell, I would get a computer with about a third of the power.

That's just not the case, unless you make hideously sub-optimal choices when putting together your Dell. The price premium of going Dell over build-your-own (assuming at least medium-quality parts from a reputable vendor) is only a couple hundred dollars on an upper-midrange box (even figuring on a roughly equivalent A64 setup instead of a Pentium 4 setup), and that's assuming you're scavanging software and some minor hardware from your old box.

 

[drothgery]

Thanks for the responses guys!

For those who asked - The reason I don't like XP is that it makes a lot of decisions for me that I don't like. For example, when you have a folder it defaults to a 'tile' mode. I prefer lists or icons so I have to change each folder every time I make up a new one.

Err... you change things once; just open a folder, go to Tools->Folder Options->View, make the changes you want, and click on "Apply to All Folders".

Also I find that the computers at work (a community college) don't seem to handle XP as well. They take longer to boot up in the morning, longer to shut down, and sometimes they don't load internet pages.

In my experience, XP is always faster to start up and shut down than Win2K on the same hardware. And since I won't touch Win9x-based operating systems (there are a great many fundamental reasons why they suck, mostly because of the hacks that let Win95 run on a 486 with 8 MB of RAM), Win2K is the only other option besides XP.

 

[Kesh]

Probably out of the question, but have you considered Macs?

For a portable, you can get a nice iBook for $1099.

In desktops, you have eMacs from $799 up, or the new iMac for just a little over budget ($1299).

 

[der_kluge]

I normally wouldn't plug online sites, but the computer I have now, I got online from Cyber Power Inc. The prices are amazing.

For $909 you can get an absolutely insane computer. I mean, we're talking about a windowed, neon-lighted case; the works.

I would definitely stay away from the big names - Dell, Gateway, etc. They use proprietary parts, and can be a pain to upgrade, etc.

 

[mythusmage]

A "Hmm" Moment

IBM makes processors for Macs, but doesn't make processors for IBMs.

 

[Mucknuggle]

What I do with the thing: I surf the internet, check email, download stuff (including video), write papers and play solitare. Dial up internet access. The occasional chatroom.

Budget: maybe a thousand dollars. Actually, it's going on my credit card so up to $20,000. But I'd prefer to keep it in the thousand dollar range.

I would go with a Mac. The iMAC is very nice...More stable OS compared to Windows as well.

 

[tarchon]

Commodore 64, or maybe a 128 if you need more horsepower.

 

[drothgery]

IBM makes processors for Macs, but doesn't make processors for IBMs.

Err... they make their own CPUs for workstations, Unix servers, and mainframes. Nothing anyone will ever buy for their home machine, but they do use their own CPUs.

 

[dreaded_beast]

I normally wouldn't plug online sites, but the computer I have now, I got online from Cyber Power Inc. The prices are amazing.

Geez. I wish I read this yesterday.

I shelled out $330 for an Athlon XP 2600, MSI Motherboard, and 512 MB DDR RAM. I think I fried my old processory. Anyways.

Then I go to that website and see they have a barebones system for a little over $400 that comes with a lot more stuff: case, CD burner, power supply, etc.

Great site die_kluge. While I may not be buying or upgrading my computer anytime soon, I will go back there often just to see what deals they have.