Re: Computer
Just buyer beware. Know what you want out of your computer and buy accordingly. Don't expect much out of a cheap computer. It may be good for email and web surfing. I have seen many a low end computer. We even stopped supporting the low end ones from the big three manufacturers because of the low quality of the machine was not in line with the expectations of the end users. In a way they are like Force engines. sometimes people have them and they work fine especially if you know how to take care of them. Sometimes, you have just wasted your money.<br /><br />Me, I build my own computers because I need them to be bullet proof. I need to have the latest drivers, I need maximum up time with little down time. I built 2 computers for $2k. Each has dual CDs (Mine has a top of the line DVD and CD-R), mid range video card, 10/100 network card, sound card (Ok, I got a better one that the kid), Top of the line quiet power supply, Extra cooling fans that are extra quiet, lots of memory, a descent size hard drive with huge on board cache, top quality motherboard, excellent case that is easy to get into and service with plenty of bays, Windows XP Professional. I never want to have a problem. I work with computers all day and need mine at home to work all the time. My wife and I need it to work from home to meet our work deadlines.<br /><br />Could I have gotten away a lot cheaper? Yes, but I would have more chances to have more problems, less stability, and less compatibility. I hand picked each component to provide the best service and life expectancy.<br /><br />I replaced a P133 and a 486/100 each of which I also built. I had to replace the hard drive in one of them under warranty 6 years I had run them. That is it. <br /><br />My advice is to dot he following when buying a computer.<br /><br />1. Analyze what you are going to use it for. Email, web surfing, ripping MP3s, listening to music, watching TV, recording TV, as a music recording studio, word processing, spreadsheets, home finance, video disk creation, photo processing image manipulation, and game playing.<br /><br />2. Be realistic on how often and how long you can be without it if it needs to be fixed. Remember it will go out when you are in the middle of something.<br /><br />3. If you are just using, email, surfing the web writing letters, and doing your home finances, then you don't need a powerful expensive computer<br /><br />4. If you want to do MP3 ripping, a good processing speed, memory and a fast CD drive would be good. If you want make your own CDs, then a CD-R would be good. Don't forget a large hard drive. Although MP3 pro files are smaller, they take longer to rip so a good faster processor, memory and CD drive are goos things to have.<br /><br />5. Photo, manipulation, game playing, video making etc. Get a good computer. Spend the money and save the time.<br /><br />6. Can get by without computer for weeks. Cheap is fine, just get the extended warranty.<br /><br />7. Can't do without it. Get a better computer and the in home service or buy from a local company that has good service even if its drop off. Our clients wait usually get their computers in 2 days. Bring in one day, fixed the end of the next day or by noon the following day depending on parts.<br /><br />8. Backup. If you have any data you don't want to lose. By a backup device. Tape player, CD-rewriter etc. Test by doing a restore of random files to make sure your back is working well. do this regularly.<br /><br />9. Virus protection. I have removed virus' from people Doctoral dissertation diskettes. (by the way, never store anything long term on diskettes.<br /><br />10. Old computers. Look at the above and figure out the cost to repair your system vs what your needs are. If you just do email and web surf, then $$200 for the repair of a P450 may be ok if you are not likely to need other repairs. It is a tough decision. If you have a good repair tech, they will tell you if they think it is worth it, but you have to remember that really good repair techs can be few and far between. When you find one, stick with them.
