Need Advice On Buying New Computer (vanity)

[Tancred]

Hi, everybody. After five and a half years with my fairly-faithful IBM Thinkpad, it's time for an upgrade. I don't want a notebook computer, but I don't want some honking big tower either. I've looked at the Gateway Profile 4 and like that design--something compact, yet with enough computing power to last for years. The only drawback is that the Gateway model seems kind of pricey. Any suggestions on similar compact desktop computers, or on dealing with Gateway in general? Basically, I want a Pentium 4 machine with a DVD writer and a 60-80 GB hard-drive. I also want the software to come with the computer so I can re-boot the machine myself without a lot of hassle.

I also want to use Windows 2000 and don't mind paying extra for that (that is how much I hate Windows XP). My budget is about $1500 for a computer and monitor. Thank you.

[yonif]

I would buy a dell, you can customize your computer, and its at a very good price.

[Krafty123]

You are aware that that XP can run with Win98's interface? I would advise waiting a month, and then buying something based on an Athlon64 (@2ghz will be faster than anything has to offer, and 64bit compatible).

[gcruse]

I thought Gateway was going under. If so, I wouldn't be buying a computer there.

[185JHP]

I suggest you take a look at a Sony Vaio.

[Tancred]

Thanks for all your help. I didn't know that about XP (I just can't stand XP's aesthetics compared to previous versions).

[BushCountry]

Buy the parts and build it yourself, it will be fun, educational and a much better machine. };O)

[ThePythonicCow]

My favorite way to buy a computer is to go to resellerratings.com, and pick from amongst the resellers with ratings between 9 and 10, and at least say a 100 reviews.

Been doing this for years, and got excellent results every time. Sometimes I did it when I wanted to pick the parts and let them build, sometimes I wanted to buy the parts and put it together myself, sometimes I needed a particular item, like disk or memory, sometimes I wanted a preselected, ready to plugin and use system.

Over the years, which companies are at the top of this list changes slowly, but the list has remained solid. If it's a top rated company on that list, you will get good service, good systems, and good prices. The companies that I dealt with 4 or 5 years ago off this list are still around, just perhaps have lost their edge compared to the best.

Spend a little while going through some of the top rated companies on their list, until you find one that is selling what you want. It will be time well spent.

[ThePythonicCow]

For example, off the resellerratings.com site, I see Monarch Computer Systems, with a choice of barebones, custom built to your specs, or pre-built. Check out some of their pre-builts, such as at Home, Office & Education Pre-Built Systems. Some good looking, well equipped stuff, for prices starting around $400 to $500.

[ThePythonicCow]

check out dell on resellerratings.com ... oops

[yonif]

Buy the parts and build it yourself, it will be fun, educational and a much better machine. };O)

I think I am going to start doing that one of these days. I already know an excellent site: www.pricewatch.com

[yonif]

Check out www.pricewatch.com

[ThePythonicCow]

I see prices on pricewatch, but I don't see ratings of the sellers. Am I missing something?

If you know you want a particular item, this can be helpful. But when buying a system, especially if I'm not super expert in what I'm buying, it is important to deal with someone you can trust.

In the Wonderful Wild Web, it's not always obvious who's good.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Dell is advertising a new computer for $499. Can't beat the price.

[boris]

"I would buy a dell, you can customize your computer, and its at a very good price."

Dell lost me as a customer when they discriminated against a gun-store owner. I've heard all the rationalizations. I'll never buy from Dell again.

Personally I think you would do better with a well-established "second tier" builder.

Speed aplenty: Alienware or Falcon Northwest.

My current system is an ABS P IV, 3GHz, 1 Gig memory and lots of disk.

Check out Computer Shopper before you buy a Dell or Gateway.

--Boris

[yonif]

I wasn't aware of this. Regarding Alienware, I will say that it is very expensive.

I am actually thinking for my next computer to build it myself. It is real cheap, and I intend on buying stuff through pricewatch.com . It will also be fun building it as well.