Posted: 2/21/2009 7:34:34 AM EDT
|
Well my old eMachine died!
So instead of spending hundreds to fix it, I'm looking for a new one. Here's what I need in a computer: Word Processor for writing my stories and for my college courses. Having a few files on survivalsist stuff and covert files to PDF's The only types of games I like to play are those like Age of Empires. I would like to still use my old Samsung monitor and Canon copy machine. That's it. No internet connections, no music or movie files, nothing complex, just a simple computer. Please give me your thoughts on this, I need to find something soon. I'm having to do all my essay and research papers at the library and they're only open for a couple hours a week! THANKS! |
|
I will paraphrase what I just read, using cars as an analogy:
"My car died. I need to haul 1 bag of groceries, and commute 5 miles / day to work.. I don't need to impress the ladies, or win a stereo contest." "Buy a Ferarri!!! They are overpriced, built with parts almost as good as an american car. You can't use any american car parts to fix it, cant change the oil on your own, most everything on the car is DESIGNED to impress the ladies. However, it does exactly the same thingas an American car, but has really pretty wheels, tires, leather interior!!!".... Dude, if that is all you do on a computer, just go buy another beige box from Best Buy. Buy a compatible graphics card for under $90, and rock and roll with your type of games. I hate Vista as must as I dislike George Soros, but we don't need to make this complicated. For your list of requirements, a new Gateway/emachine/dell/compaq/etc from a regular retailer will do you fine. You might want to check Circuit City. Last weekend, they had a few base model computers, still in the box, for 30% off in the Orlando area. I roll my own PCs, run Ubuntu Linux 8.10 64 bit, with a dual boot option to run windows XP, and a Windows XP VMWare virtual machine that I can run on my desktop while I am in Linux. The NEXT TO THE LAST thing I am going to suggest to you is to go buy a bunch of parts, build a PC, download Linux, and start learning. Yes, Linux can do everything you want, BUT IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOUR SITUATION. (Yes folks, and the LAST thing I would suggest to anyone is to buy a Mac.) |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
MacBook Pro.....Rock solid, no glitches, no viruses.....what else do you want? Lotta Mac hate on Arfcom, but I gotta say that I love my Macbook and no desktop compares to my 24" Imac. The screen on my Imac alone is worth the $$. I don't hate Macs. They have a time and place. This guys time and place is 180 degrees in the opposite direction. NOW, if ClanDireWolf was a 19 year old Obama voter that smelled like clove cigarettes, and needed a place to charge his iphone, listen to the latest Huffington Post podcast, wanted to have a cool laptop, have pretty windows that pop out at you, wanted a hobby of telling ppl that "His OS 'Just works, most of the time', and also needed a laptop lid to affix his OBAMA 2012 sticker, the macbook would be right for him. Oh yeah, he would have to have 2 rich parents to throw $1200 at him, when he could just get a comparable PC for half that. Limited market, I am afraid. Yes, I am in the minority also. Linux is not for everyone. I keep my windows partition to play L4D and Team Fortress. If someone comes along and has the interest in trying Linux, I point them in the right direction. |
|
Quoted:
I will paraphrase what I just read, using cars as an analogy: "My car died. I need to haul 1 bag of groceries, and commute 5 miles / day to work.. I don't need to impress the ladies, or win a stereo contest." "Buy a Ferarri!!! They are overpriced, built with parts almost as good as an american car. You can't use any american car parts to fix it, cant change the oil on your own, most everything on the car is DESIGNED to impress the ladies. However, it does exactly the same thingas an American car, but has really pretty wheels, tires, leather interior!!!".... Dude, if that is all you do on a computer, just go buy another beige box from Best Buy. Buy a compatible graphics card for under $90, and rock and roll with your type of games. I hate Vista as must as I dislike George Soros, but we don't need to make this complicated. For your list of requirements, a new Gateway/emachine/dell/compaq/etc from a regular retailer will do you fine. You might want to check Circuit City. Last weekend, they had a few base model computers, still in the box, for 30% off in the Orlando area. I roll my own PCs, run Ubuntu Linux 8.10 64 bit, with a dual boot option to run windows XP, and a Windows XP VMWare virtual machine that I can run on my desktop while I am in Linux. The NEXT TO THE LAST thing I am going to suggest to you is to go buy a bunch of parts, build a PC, download Linux, and start learning. Yes, Linux can do everything you want, BUT IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOUR SITUATION. (Yes folks, and the LAST thing I would suggest to anyone is to buy a Mac.) That is the WORST analougy that I have ever heard for Mac vs PC A modern Mac costs no more than a mid-level PC did three years ago. They are affordable to just about anyone. Certainly not exotic by any means. |
|
Quoted:
A modern Mac costs no more than a mid-level PC did three years ago. They are affordable to just about anyone. Certainly not exotic by any means. The analogy was directed towards the OP's needs vs the suggestion of the 1st responder. I nailed it on the head. Then again, now that I reread my post, I think I nailed Macs vs PCs on the head! Built with Intel chips, locked down so you can't install MS Windows on them without dual boot. Oh yeah, you have to use Apple's proprietary BOOTCAMP software, instead of just partitioning the HD, setting up a boot sector with a GRUB (So you can pick which OS to run after the bios does its thing). Kind of Ferrari-ish, IMHO. (Can't buy Ferarri part in town, cant have a regular mechanic or auto shop work on them...) Why can't I install windows natively on a Mac? It is regular PC hardware. Why cant I run GRUB and dual boot? The mac OS is just a Unix derivative. Why do I need to go to the Ferarri dealershi,.. oops, I mean MAC store to get service, repair parts, warranty service, etc? Yes, you can pay whatever you want for a PC. Yes, macs are well engineered pieces of equipment. They are nice for home/student use. They make you feel how I feel for tossing Micro$oft to the curb. But they are still the Ferarris in a world where everyone else is driving Corvette C-6s, Shelby Cobras, and Mustang GTs (Mustang is my Beige box computer analogy)... |
|
Quoted:
A modern Mac costs no more than a mid-level PC did three years ago. They are affordable to just about anyone. Certainly not exotic by any means. Mac's totally cost more than a comparable PC or laptop. Has been like this for awhile and will continue to be the case. -d |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I will paraphrase what I just read, using cars as an analogy: "My car died. I need to haul 1 bag of groceries, and commute 5 miles / day to work.. I don't need to impress the ladies, or win a stereo contest." "Buy a Ferarri!!! They are overpriced, built with parts almost as good as an american car. You can't use any american car parts to fix it, cant change the oil on your own, most everything on the car is DESIGNED to impress the ladies. However, it does exactly the same thingas an American car, but has really pretty wheels, tires, leather interior!!!".... Dude, if that is all you do on a computer, just go buy another beige box from Best Buy. Buy a compatible graphics card for under $90, and rock and roll with your type of games. I hate Vista as must as I dislike George Soros, but we don't need to make this complicated. For your list of requirements, a new Gateway/emachine/dell/compaq/etc from a regular retailer will do you fine. You might want to check Circuit City. Last weekend, they had a few base model computers, still in the box, for 30% off in the Orlando area. I roll my own PCs, run Ubuntu Linux 8.10 64 bit, with a dual boot option to run windows XP, and a Windows XP VMWare virtual machine that I can run on my desktop while I am in Linux. The NEXT TO THE LAST thing I am going to suggest to you is to go buy a bunch of parts, build a PC, download Linux, and start learning. Yes, Linux can do everything you want, BUT IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOUR SITUATION. (Yes folks, and the LAST thing I would suggest to anyone is to buy a Mac.) That is the WORST analougy that I have ever heard for Mac vs PC A modern Mac costs no more than a mid-level PC did three years ago. They are affordable to just about anyone. Certainly not exotic by any means. Have you compared prices recently? The last time I checked, the Mac was bout 70% to 100% more expensive than the equivalent hardware from Dell. For the price of a Mac Book Pro ( 15" screen with 2.4 GHz CPU), I could get an equivalent Dell, AND Mac Mini AND have enough money to fund a couple of range trips worth of ammo. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I will paraphrase what I just read, using cars as an analogy: "My car died. I need to haul 1 bag of groceries, and commute 5 miles / day to work.. I don't need to impress the ladies, or win a stereo contest." "Buy a Ferarri!!! They are overpriced, built with parts almost as good as an american car. You can't use any american car parts to fix it, cant change the oil on your own, most everything on the car is DESIGNED to impress the ladies. However, it does exactly the same thingas an American car, but has really pretty wheels, tires, leather interior!!!".... Dude, if that is all you do on a computer, just go buy another beige box from Best Buy. Buy a compatible graphics card for under $90, and rock and roll with your type of games. I hate Vista as must as I dislike George Soros, but we don't need to make this complicated. For your list of requirements, a new Gateway/emachine/dell/compaq/etc from a regular retailer will do you fine. You might want to check Circuit City. Last weekend, they had a few base model computers, still in the box, for 30% off in the Orlando area. I roll my own PCs, run Ubuntu Linux 8.10 64 bit, with a dual boot option to run windows XP, and a Windows XP VMWare virtual machine that I can run on my desktop while I am in Linux. The NEXT TO THE LAST thing I am going to suggest to you is to go buy a bunch of parts, build a PC, download Linux, and start learning. Yes, Linux can do everything you want, BUT IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOUR SITUATION. (Yes folks, and the LAST thing I would suggest to anyone is to buy a Mac.) That is the WORST analougy that I have ever heard for Mac vs PC A modern Mac costs no more than a mid-level PC did three years ago. They are affordable to just about anyone. Certainly not exotic by any means. Macs are decent machines, but overpriced. |
|
You're looking for a new desktop box? How about a refurb Mac Mini from Apple? That's what I have and I'm very pleased with it.
Sun Microsystems now offers Open Office for Mac so you 've got an office suite for free. As for the games, I dunno if the mac's video card is suitable for that. Probably not. |