need new computer-opinions

[ny300exrider]

ok so im in need of a new computer pretty badly and im not sure what package to look at. i never keep up on whats good or bad in the computer world because i never look into new parts/mods/etc. im looking for something that can use windows xp, have decent speed and memory, and not break the budget of like $500-$600. i had my dell desktop for around 4-5 years and it was great until just recently when the disk drive went out. lucky me, i downloaded a program that was infected with hundreds of spyware programs(and no, it wasnt porn). my spysweeper cant even keep up with it all, and instead of getting the new disk drive, installing it, then reconfiguring the whole computer, im just going to treat myself to a nice fresh start. it seems like desktops are on their way out, so if anyone has a good laptop they can recomend that isnt a wallet killer, i would love the opinions. i havnt ruled a desktop package out either, so if there are good ones out there for my price range, its definitly a possibility.

thanks alot

[JForestZ34]

Look at Dell or Gateway. They have some good laptops for a good price. It depends on what you want. To tell you the truth the basic laptop at dell goes for $499. This is the one I'm talking about.


http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/basnb_b130?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19



I don't know what you could really do with it. If you get a cheap one you are limited with what you could do with it. I would look at one like this if you have the money. That way you can have for alittle while longer before that one is out dated.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/entnb_e1405?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19


James

[quad2xtreme]

My advice is to go as low end as meet your needs then plan on replacing it even in 2 years. The reason is if you spend say $500 this year and then $500 in two years...I can guarantee you that the computer you buy in 2 years will be faster than the one you would get today spending the whole $1,000. Same money spent but you end up with more performance in the long run.

Hope this makes sense. Now if you are going to tell me you are a gaming addict or into video editing and all, I will definitely change my advice.

Plus, a high computer today is not going to run software from Microsoft in a few more years.

My favorite Microsoft command is "TakeAllAvailableResources? :rolleyes:

[ELewandowski]

Computer Games Magazine just gave this computer there Editors pick.

eMachines T6532 Price Is $529
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ CPU
1GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Video
200GB Hard Drive
16x DVD-RW
9-in-1 Media Reader
AC '97 Sound
Ethernet
Windows XP Media Center Edition
5 USB 2.0 Ports
1 IEEE 1394 Port

[Floorit]

If I had that trouble I'd reformat the hard drive and reinstall everything= cheapest/smartest way to go.

Considering I build my own computers, If I were you I'd spend the $60 as a last resort for a new hard drive and reinstall everything= also cheap

I use a program called Norton Ghost. It has the ability to make an EXACT image of the harddrive that can be burned to disk in situations like this. With this program you can have your PC back up and running like new in about 15 minutes.

I do a full format of the hard drive whenever needed and have mine up and running like a new PC in no time ;)

[Phills450r]

go to a local computer store and have them build you one or find a friend that can put them together and buy everything from www.newegg.com i built mine from there and it cost 800$$ and if i would have had dell or gayway make it.. it would have been around 1200-1500 and this was 2 years ago