what's the best computer to buy?

Ross suggested these to me, but I need to buy a new computer. All advice/help appreciated! -B


Ross


Any of these cheaper computers would be
good. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010%2050011210%204022&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20
Any of these cheaper computers would be
good. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010%2050011210%204022&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

Personally, I'd go with something that may be a bit more expensive, but has a really good support plan.

I bought my last three new computers through Dell.

I had also, but I'm at a point where I can pretty much do things on my own. If not you can always return things.

Regardless of computer, if your planning on playing Battlefield Bad Company 2 avoid the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 video card. It's really buggy playing that game, to the point where it causes blue screen crashes.

Ross wrote:I had also, but I'm at a point where I can pretty much do things on my own...

Hey! I am nowhere near that point! To say the least... I'm looking for the budget screaming machine for dummies.

If you get one of the iBuyPower computers from NewEgg you get the iBuyPower support. I've never used them before though. Chris might have.

Comparing the Dells with the equivalent powered computer at NewEgg I was able to save about a few $100 on my new computer.

How much are you looking to spend?
How about some like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229157

That's a nice one. Maybe the three of you (Stu, Mick and Brad) can do an order for 3 computers and get a good discount.
By the way, Me, David (Pitman), Chris and Daman and Scott are having a blast on Battlefield Bad Company 2. You guys are really missing out.

No, I'm looking at laptops.
Something along the line of these specs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152192

That looks good Mick.

Mick wrote:No, I'm looking at laptops.
Something along the line of these specs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152192

I like laptops more, but I'm open to looking at desktops too, depending on how discounted the expense is. Is the difference $800 v $1400? If that's the picture, I'm looking at desktops.

What are the min/dream specs I should be looking for?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115732
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229157
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16834220732
At around the same price the desk top PC is alway going to be a step faster.
All of these should be able to current games like BF2 BC.

Really the major difference is that you can't upgrade much with a laptop. Chris and I buy Desktops because we want to add more low cost memory in a couple of years and get better video cards (You can even put multiple video cards in desktops now). For the most part what you get with a laptop is what you get. I'm not sure that would necessarily be a concern for most of you though.
It makes a difference for me because I do a lot of video editing, streaming, web building as well as playing the newest high end games. Plus I don't want to buy a new computer for at least 7 or 8 years.

You might also want to try Fry's. They are local so you don't have to pay shipping.

If you do want a Dell another option is to check out their Outlet store: http://www.dell.com/outlet
Here is a 15% off code for them (the Dell Outlet). Not sure if it works for multiple people or not so it's up for grabs for whoever uses it first: JSQ3T2JZBJDXSN

Here is a list of other Dell discounts: http://www.techbargains.com/dellcoupons.cfm

Also, keep in mind the prices all listed here is without a monitor Brad, so you'll have to spring for that also if you get a desktop.

Enjoy.

I've alway bought desktops. Ross is correct, they much easier to upgrade. I've on average have gotten a new system every 5 years.
Brad if you're on a low budget, a desktop will give you a long life span.
I've never owned a laptop and would like the mobility. That's why I would be buying high end one for a longer life span. upgrading is limited except for adding mem.

That's why I have both a Laptop and a Desktop. I like the portability, but I don't need it to be a powerhouse. I would have bought a high end Laptop, but I have this fear that I would lose it or drop it and lose everything. Thus, cheap laptop for things like D&D, and Laptop for Major evening gaming. Of course now I have 4 computers in my house, but that works out because Jason and Jonathan are starting to use them.

Ross wrote:It makes a difference for me because I do a lot of video editing, streaming, web building as well as playing the newest high end games.

I don't want anything to do with web building, and I'm not even completely sure what streaming is, but I do want to play the newest high end games and I am interested in learning video editing. Once I get the computer, you'll have to let me know what the best program for that is too. Is it pretty easy?

For me it's pretty easy, just time consuming. We'll talk about it at lunch today.

You might watch http://slickdeals.net/ I try to check it daily. I have taken advantage of several of the deals advertised. A wide group of vendors are represented - Amazon, Newegg.

Mick wrote:No, I'm looking at laptops.
Something along the line of these specs...

Alright. After looking around a bit, I want a good, high end laptop too. How soon were you planning? Do you think we can get a better deal if we buy together?

Get Stu into the action as well. I'm sure he's dying to play BFBC2.

My rig can play BF2 BC if I upgrade the video card (dang it, have a GeForce 7650 and I need a 7800!). If I start playing this, I'd need to upgrade the other rig too. That rig would need a new mother board/ chip set (on a fast P4 right now) and yet another new video card. Hmmm....

Stu, what CPU do you have? The minimum is Core 2 Duo @ 2.0GHz and 7800 video card is the bare minimum.
If you're going to avoid lag issues you would need to upgrade above the minimum spec.

Alright, this might be my last night using this computer... I now have a screaming new machine that I'm taking out of the box as we speak!

Sweet. Where did you get it?

Want me to try rebuilding your old one?

Fryes. I got the same one Mick got. ...and sure, I'd be happy to see what you can do with my old one to make it work better!

Wow, the picture is better than my tv...

So Mick and Brad, Did you get in on the Discount Deal on the Battlefield Bad Company 2? If so, when are you going to get on and play? or did I miss ya'll last night?

I ordered my laptop on Friday. It should be here this coming Friday.

So what did you end up getting? i7 or i5 or AMD quad core? What size screen?

If Brad picked up the same laptop I ordered, the spec should be:

General
Operating System	Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type	Intel Core i7 720QM(1.6GHz)
Screen	17.3"
Memory Size	8GB DDR3
Hard Disk	1TB
Optical Drive	BD Combo
Graphics Card	ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870
Video Memory	1GB GDDR5
Communication	Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Dimensions	16.60" x 12.80" x 0.80" - 2.30"
Weight	8.00 lbs.
Other Features	30days Zero Bright Dot LCD Backpack & Mouse
CPU
CPU Type	Intel Core i7
CPU Speed	720QM(1.60GHz)
Chipset
Chipset	Intel HM55
Display
Screen Size	17.3"
Wide Screen Support	Yes
Resolution	1920 x 1080
LCD Features	LED backlight
Operating Systems
Operating System	Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Graphics
GPU/VPU	ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870
Video Memory	1GB GDDR5
Graphic Type	Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD	1TB
HDD RPM	7200rpm
HDD Spec	2 x 500GB
Memory
Memory	8GB
Memory Type	204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type	BD Combo
Optical Drive Interface	Integrated
Communications
LAN	10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN	802.11 b/g/n Wireless LAN
Bluetooth	Yes
Ports
USB	4
Video Port	1 x VGA
HDMI	1
Audio Ports	Yes
Audio
Audio	Integrated Sound card
Speaker	Internal Speakers
Input Device
Touchpad	Yes
Keyboard	Standard
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader	8-in-1
Webcam	2.0MP
Power
Battery	8-cell lithium ion
Physical spec
Dimensions	16.60" x 12.80" x 0.80" - 2.30"
Weight	8.00 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty
Accidental Damage Warranty	1 year ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty - Drops, Fire, Spill, Surge
Parts	2 years limited
Labor	2 years limited

That's a lot more detail on the specs than I know, but it looks the same. It's the ASUS something or other A-1. Pretty cool machine, but I don't like the touchpad mouse. I think I need to change the sensitivity on it or something... I LOVE the screen though! Hopefully, with a terrabite of memory I won't get that "out of disk space" freezing up that my old one kept giving me.

Bring your old computer to lunch tomorrow, as well as the old install operating system disks.

I don't like the touchpad mouse.

I think that the biggest complaint I've hear. It's said to have a stiff uni-pad button.
Did your laptop come with a free bag and gaming mouse?
Is lunch Tuesday or Wednesday?

Yes on all counts, and I think Ross accidentally said 'tomorrow' when he meant Wed.

Not only is it stiff, but it occasionally changes the font sizes of the windows I'm in, which is annoying. I haven't used the gaming mouse yet, since I'm used to using the touchpad.

If the touch pad becomes to irritating you can turn it off when you have a mouse attached.

And yes, I did mean Wednesday.