Posted on 09/22/2006 8:07:04 AM PDT by Sen Jack S. Fogbound
I am planning to purchase a computer for my cousin. He wants a "best" computer. Cost is not really a problem but doesn't want overkill.
He plans to write emails, send and receive pictures, watch TV, and movies.
He also wants to have a hang-on-a-wall LCD flat screen for monitor. I mentioned that wouldn't be too practical. Have both, one for TV, and one for computer display-- a 21" flat panel.
He also wants service availability at his home.
He wants a fax, copier, and printer. I suggested HP All-in-one printer.
I suggested a DELL for all that. Such as XPS410.
But I want to check with my friends on FR and see what they say.............
He is 87 years old and ready to enter the computer world and get on the Interent. He decided to stop resisting the changes! LOL He is mentally sharp.
Yeah, if he speaks fluent Hindi.
Dell's home tech support is all India, all the time.
My experience has been that Sony has really good reliability and support.
Dell is just the biggest, not the best.
Also, make sure you train him to not get suckered by email scams, teach him to not install crapware, and warn him against volunteering private information to every website that hits him up for personal info.
A secure computer is important, but teach him safe internet conduct as well.
I really like my two Dells; one for me and one for my wife. No problems to speak off. I use a Samsung 21" LCD monitor and love it. There are a ton of parts on ebay for the Dells and they can be bought dirt cheap there if you know what you are looking for.
The reason I bought the Dells was because the software came with them, installed and ready to run. Two days after I ordered them, UPS showed up and I unpacked the three or four boxes, plugged them in and went to work. It was cheaper than building my own and the software separately. And installing the software is a pain in the rear end.
I have, however replaced the keyboards (all of the keyboards today are junk) with the delicious IBM keyboard (clicky model) and one of the older Microsoft mouses with the big back and forth keys. Life is good. The keyboards are available cheap on ebay as are the mouses. I bought up four of those mouses; enough for a lifetime. The keyboards are still being manufactured by another company but are also available in their original form.
But getting back to the Dells, I recently upgraded both the hard drives. Did a mirror image and took the old drives out and put in my dresser drawer for that "rainey" day. Piece of cake. I hate reinstalling software. I can pop the drives out in two minutes or less.
I love the covers that come off the sides and give access to the motherboard and other components. My $0.02.
The best computer in the world is the cheapest one that will get the job done.
Since every computer is, by definition, a piece of equipment whose economic life is dependent on technological improvements and developments (usually about an 18 month period) and breakdowns (ususally no more that three years),it doesn't make sense to buy one that costs substantially more for the same whistles and bells because of a "brand" name.
My suggestion is to go to a discount store like Frye's when they have a special sale on.
I understand there's an issue with the mouse double-clicking whenever a button says "Post" on it though... ;)
Cray still makes a darned fine machine!
Mac, hand down! Easiest to use. Runs far more stabler than XP. Don't have to worry about viruses as you would in a XP platform!
Only weird thing is the all-in-one says F340 on the machine itself, but when I print it shows up as F300 series. Oh well, it works.
Also, I am partial to Dell's 30-inch monitor if he wants bigger badder, better. :)
The one reason I might actually recommend the Alien-ware even if he's not into gaming and stuff? Reliability because they take the time to purchase really quality parts and so forth. Or as someone suggested, do it local and have it custom-built. That way you get really good parts as well as good support.
On the printer, I recently got rid of everything except for two laser printers. I have the color laser and it is light years ahead of the clunky bubblejet printers that have the hideously expensive ink cartridges. I run one monochrome laser and one color laser printer through my home router. The monochrome monitor is a Samsung and it has been completely trouble free. I got a heck of a deal with the Oki color laser (closeout) and it works great; the quality is beautiful.
Never will use those bubblejets again. Unreliable, expensive and a royal pain in the rear end. I think they are all junk. Every one of them. I wouldn't take an HP if you gave me one.
Alien Ware....my son's dream gamming maching.
Try here: Falcon Northwest
They are primarily designed for gamers, but they are the fastest and best looking things going. Totally custom, and yes, onsite service is available. They do make some really nice media PC's too.
There are many other boutique manufacturers out there who make better quality equipment than Dell or HP and provide onsite service through a local technician.
I'd personally recommend staying away from Apple or Linux boxes. Although Linux has gotten easier, its not for the newbie. Apples, while simple, have very limited software availability.
His housemaid is computer literate and is willing to teach him and his wife how to use the computer so that part is no problem. I gather I will work with her thru emails.
I would love to build a system for him (I am a retired designer) but getting service would be a problem so a large company providing service. A local dealer makes sense. Such as Office Max. He lives near Kearney, NE
All those inputs are very helpful. Thanks, guys!
I take it he's not close by, or you'd be able to help him? I admire anyone over 65 who wants to try to explore this new frontier ... well, new to them. It can be very intimidating!
the other DELLs with the Intel PIV or D processors are a generation behind and need to be avoided like the plague - AMD64 are a much better choice but the Intel Duo Core is *MUCH* faster than either and dirt cheap for the price.
As someone else noted, their construction is cheap. I've seen alot of Dell's cast aside after a year or three, due to some flakiness.
I'd much sooner work with Monarch Computer. Give them a call, or browse their website. They will be much more knowledgeable and helpful during the selection process, you will get some quality hardware from them, and they have top rated support.
I can't say as I've been to fond of HP Printers either. At least the home printers I've had from them cost me an arm and a leg in printer cartridges, and tend to stop working with clogged heads after a while, or refuse to print because my print cartridge has too old a date. My Samsung laser printers have been bullet proof so far.
A Monarch value desktop would probably be good enough, though if I were having Monarch build me a system, I'd go for their custom workstation and pick the more costly alternatives for many of the pieces.
For watching movies and media, get a nice wide screen monitor - they're expensive, but a pleasure to view.
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