Computer advice

[mjb]

i'm looking at getting a new computer, any body have any suggestions?

i don't do gameing. i basically need to be able to transfer video, pics and music, burn cds and dvds. what i'm basically asking: are there certain companys to stay away from? for example, it seems alot of people don't like gateway for some reason.

i'm looking to spend 500 bucks or so. i just need computer, no moniter,keypad, mouse etc...

i have a dell now.


thanks in advance.

[Lisa]

I personally love dells....

If you have more to spend and you are looking at creating dvd and working with graphics, sounds, etc....macs rock. I don't like to use macs for my every day stuff but I do like it for those special artistic things.

I like Dell because they are easy to build on and changing hardware. Plus they have an awesome warranty program.

Gateway use to be hard to expand memory and stuff. Hard to upgrade with what you have.

If you have a dell, and its less than 5 years old, you may want to look at just upgrading parts.

[mjb]

I personally love dells....

If you have more to spend and you are looking at creating dvd and working with graphics, sounds, etc....macs rock. I don't like to use macs for my every day stuff but I do like it for those special artistic things.

I like Dell because they are easy to build on and changing hardware. Plus they have an awesome warranty program.

Gateway use to be hard to expand memory and stuff. Hard to upgrade with what you have.

If you have a dell, and its less than 5 years old, you may want to look at just upgrading parts.

thanks lisa, if i knew how to upgrade computers i wouldn't wouldn't be washing tractor trailers for a living.

i'm going to just buy a new and use this one for my daughter to mess with

i like the dell i have, maybe i'll just go with them.

[lonewolf]

For video rendering, you would want these minimums:

Run away from words like "CELERON" and "SEMPRON" and "LE"

Dual core processor running at at least 2GHZ (higher is better)
2-3GB RAM (with 32 bit operating system)
4GB RAM & up (with 64 bit operating system)

You will need FIREWIRE (aka IEEE 1394) for digital video capture. You can either get that built in the PC or with video rendering software like Pinnacle Systems Studio. With the latter, you will have to install hardware.

You can get away with a built-in, embedded graphics controller that uses system memory, but I would recommend a PCI express video adapter with at least 256MB video RAM.

I have purchased hundreds of computers over the years from Gateway, Dell, Compaq and others and Dell has been the most consistent in quality and upgradeablility. Compaq makes quality stuff, but you should get everything you want up front, because they are difficult and/or expensive to upgrade.

This is a great deal if you upgrade it with a dual-core Athlon X2 5400+ processor (Newegg.com with fan for $77):

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=9919553

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103289

They probably stock this at the local WalMart. If you like this, I will do the upgrade for you, for the old processor and fan.

[mjb]

thanks jeff, i just pulled the trigger on a dell insperion 518. seemed to have all the minimums you talked about.

we're not hardcore computer types but it seems to have everything i needed. go to dell and check it out and let me know what you think.
www.dell.com is there something you think i should get that it doesn't have? i can change my order if need be.

why have you bought hundreds of computers?

[lonewolf]

thanks jeff, i just pulled the trigger on a dell insperion 518. seemed to have all the minimums you talked about.

we're not hardcore computer types but it seems to have everything i needed. go to dell and check it out and let me know what you think.
www.dell.com is there something you think i should get that it doesn't have? i can change my order if need be.

why have you bought hundreds of computers?

I was a network administrator for the PSU College of Engineering for 7 years and for a local manufacturer for 10 years. I had to keep several student labs, faculty, staff and a 500 employee company stocked with new computers and servers.

I had computer boxes stacked up 20 feet every August.

[mjb]

oh!

[lonewolf]

That will work if you upgraded the RAM to 2 or 3 GB.

I would recommend the $30 upgrade to Vista Home Premium

I didn't see FIREWIRE listed. Most digital camcorders have a Firewire interface to capture video. You will want to check your camcorder or the one you will work with. If it has USB 2.0 for video, you won't need firewire.

Very important...most digital camcorders have a USB port, but many are USB version 1 and are only to transfer still photos and other information from the memory stick. If your camcorder has a USB port, you need to verify if USB 2 is used to capture video. If so, you will not need firewire.

[mjb]

That will work if you upgraded the RAM to 2 or 3 GB.

I would recommend the $30 upgrade to Vista Home Premium

I didn't see FIREWIRE listed. Most digital camcorders have a Firewire interface to capture video. You will want to check your camcorder or the one you will work with. If it has USB 2.0 for video, you won't need firewire.

Very important...most digital camcorders have a USB port, but many are USB version 1 and are only to transfer still photos and other information from the memory stick. If your camcorder has a USB port, you need to verify if USB 2 is used to capture video. If so, you will not need firewire.

i did upgrade ram to 2 gb. not sure on the camcorder? its a jvc everio "hybrid", hdd, 30gb hard disk camcorder about a year old.

thanks for the help jeff.

[lonewolf]

i did upgrade ram to 2 gb. not sure on the camcorder? its a jvc everio "hybrid", hdd, 30gb hard disk camcorder about a year old.

thanks for the help jeff.

It looks like JVC uses USB 2.0 exclusively on those models, so you should be OK without firewire.