[Dog Gone]

I recently bought the Dell 8100 kickbutt model. It rocks.

[spycatcher]

Make sure you get a minimum of 256 MB of RAM with Windows XP.

You can often find freebies and discounts on a Dell. Don't buy it without those, especially with Christmas shopping beginning next week.

[Dog Gone]

You definitely want the read/write CD capability. It makes Zip drives obsolete, and is ideal for permanently storing the photos you were talking about.

[SamKeck]

The one "must" I personally will want factory/delaer installed when I buy my next box after the first of the year will be a CD-RW drive. Right now they're an option on most machines, but the CD-RW disks hold as much data as up to 500 floppy disks, so they're invaluble for backing systems and data -- and I speak as someone who has suffered through two serial and unrecoverable (due to a chip error) hard drive failures on the same machine on the same day. Arrrrrrrrrgh.

[quimby]

I don't know much about dells, but anyone buying a new 'puter soon should consider the new dvd-cdrw combo drives. Almost all the major companies are now offerring them. Its a combo DVD reader and cdrw writer in one drive.

[MississippiMan]

Is there a particular reason you're committed to Dell? Their machines are fine -- no better than any other machine with the same components -- but their service has gone to pure crap in my experience and I promise you that viewpoint is held by many in the computing world.

I'd strongly recommend going with a PIII vs a P4. MUCH cheaper and little if ANY dropoff in performance in real-world use. This is from firsthand experience. Get WinXP with at least 512 MB RAM.

FreepMail me if you have specific questions. I do consulting in this stuff and am quite on top of the game.

MM

[tacticalogic]

Dell has a website where the auction off their used equipment. It's mostly current or recently discontinued models - demos and stuff from their lease programs. It comes from Dell with the same warranty as the new stuff.

www.dellauction.com

[Trust but Verify]

Go with a Dell. If you can afford the 8100 model, get that one. And wait for free ground shipping. They rotate that offer every third or fourth week. It will save you $95.

[humblegunner]

I bought my latest machine from Dell,
they built it to spec and had it to me
within a week & a half..
The support is good, as well..
Note: Windows ME does not include excel
or powerpoint unless you ask for them.

[Delmont]

If I was you, I would donate that old 233 to charity. I know of a excellent group that helps unwed minority mothers to be. If you like, I could drop by in my '79 Pink Drop Top El Dorado(Lucille) and even pick it up. Iffen I was you I would also listen to someone who bought from Del in the past, they know what they talkin bout, that Del is a good computer company, even if they did steal the first part of my name, hmmmm I wonder if I could collect royalty on the use of my name like that.

[Uncle Fud]

I would -never- buy a Dell, or an IBM, or a Gateway, or an HP, or a Compaq.

They all use "not-quite-standard" chips and boards which can't be swapped out with off the shelf components in the event you want to upgrade something or have a post-warranty failure.

Freepmail me if you want some pointers on how to find a better made machine (I won't be trying to sell you anything, neither I nor my friends or family are in the PC business)

[surfer]

I would agree with your selection and the recommendation of 256m and XP. XP is a nice upgrade...finally!

[Bobalu]

I was at Sams club today and saw a nice Emachine for 599.00
1ghz Celeron
16x10x40 CDrw drive
256mb Ram
17 inch true flat screen CRT
30gb HD
modem
cheapy speakers...:-(
mouse kbrd..etc
Win XP home edition

stuff is sure getting affordable...
there were 15" lcd monitors for 254.00 WoW

[xm177e2]

which would be used for heavy Freeping, lots of internet surfing (some, as in Rush, which are heavy on sound and graphics), letter writing, making greeting cards and some photo work

Do you really need to upgrade from your 233? If you want faster internet, with sound and video, etc., you should upgrade your connection, not your computer.

Do you use a dial-up modem, a cable modem, or DSL? How do you connect to the internet?

[Rogmonster]

I have never had a problem on my DELL 7750 that wasn't solved over the phone within 5 minutes. That was only two times over 2 years. Both times it was my fault, not DELL.

Best machine made in the world. My advice would be to get as much RAM as you can afford and the CD-RW.

[July 4th]

XP Bad!

[birbear]

The sweet thing with Dell is the cool Asset tag # that they put on your box...
This way if you ever have anything go wrong, you can just go to the Dell site, punch in your tag # and you can get advice, drivers, etc..etc..

also it makes figuring out what kind of RAM to buy a snap...

[be-baw]

MM is right about Dell's drop off in service. Still, they make a nice machine and it's hard to beat their prices for the quality they provide. DO NOT get a Gateway, whatever you do. I bought a Gateway laptop recently and, although their technical support is very good, it took me two months and a half dozen returns to get what I ordered.

One good thing about Dell is their documentation for upgrading is pretty good. At least it was for the machine I bought (and am using now) in '97.

Do not go to your bargain discount appliance store and get an HP either. I've tried that twice--both machines had serious glitches and I had to fight like hell to return them without having to pay a restocking charge.

Consider a mom-and-pop shop that's been around for a while. Typically, they'll build your system to order, and will support it with minimal hassles. Get a list of "satisfied" customers from them before you do, though.

[July 4th]

That said, broadband access is the ultimate add on. I would take a slower computer with high speed access over a top of the line machine with just a modem. Free Republic threads load in the blink of an eye.

[JonH]

I am on my 5th Dell and love the machine (8100) and service.

Suggest that instead of placing the order on-line, call their 800 number. Their sales technicians can help you by asking the right questions about your use.

It is a good time to buy. Lots of good deals available.