Upgrade versus buy new computer?

kjh · 11-21-2007, 07:25 PM

First off, I am not very computer savvy. I know nothing about operating systems and what the difference is between RAM, megahertz and/or Gigabytes. All of that is a foreign language to me.

We are still using our first computer, purchased in 1999 from Gateway. Yes I know it's old and outdated, we just never felt the need to have the "latest and greatest" and since "It's not broke, so don't fix it". It has Windows98 SE. The keyboard, monitor and printer have all been replaced but the tower is original. We did add something (more memory maybe) back in 2005 and it has no capabilities to add more of anything as far as I know. It has a CD drive and a floppy drive (which is now useless).

Now my four girls are teenagers and wanted MP3 players last year but since none of them were compatible with our old system, they did not get them. They want them again this year and the oldest wants her own digital camera (again none are compatible). School work is a mess as their computers no longer take floppys so I purchased a jump drive to take care of that problem.

We are expected a large bonus in January (profit sharing) and would like to put it towards a newer comptuer. I am lost as to spending money to upgrade the old system to XP or Vista or just pitching it and buying a whole new tower with newer operating system. I also do not know how to get info (pictures and financial files mostly) from current system onto the new one.

I realize everyone has their own opinion on what is "best" so please don't start a war here. I just need to know what to buy and what I can expect to pay for it.

Appreciate any and all reponses.

kjh

imsati · 11-21-2007, 09:23 PM

Well, I'd recommend Windows XP (Home or Pro, either or) over Vista. If you plan on buying, I know Dell still offers XP as an option. You can get a basic (but by no means obsolete) system for $500-$700 through the major manufacturers. Newer basic models will far outperform your system as it is now as far as MP3 capabilities, expansions, and the like.

If you want to try your hand at building your own (which is actually quite easy), expect to pay around $400-$600 for a basic system (again, far from obsolete). Feel free to PM me for advice for either way (pre-built or self-built) if you have any questions.

--Jay

diroga · 11-21-2007, 09:36 PM

i would say go with vista because it is the new technology and schools and government agencies, are progressing to it. I dont see vista, as of now, as a failure like ME.

amosf · 11-22-2007, 12:41 AM

Go with vista and a new machine. Vista will just chew resources best used for something else. You don't need the latest and greatest, so probably under the $1000 mark easy for a very good machine.

Of course all the kids here use a linux OS (free) with their cameras and mp3s and players, but then that's a whole other story...

Manauffeuer · 11-23-2007, 03:45 AM

i personally don't like vista it can make a up to date system run slow because of all it's not need features such as an analog clock on the desktop even though there is one in the tray anyway enough of that i would say u should learn to build a computer it's fairly simple and cheeper just go to your nearest computer hardware store I.E. frys electronics and check price parts and research up on the internet on how to build a computer before buying ne thing and if you have ne questions fell free to post them here

kjh · 11-23-2007, 06:28 AM

Thanks for the advice. I don't see us trying to build our own (unless the four teen daughters could do it....they probably can....lol) so most likely we'll buy pre-made.

How do I know how much memory is good vs not worth the price when you can get another "X" amount for an extra "whatever amount?" We'll be doing more digital photos and music downloads so I am guessing I need quite a bit but then again, I plan to put the keeper photos on CD and if the music is downloaded to the computer and then put on MP3 player, couldn't I just delete the songs when that is done? Or do you download right to the MP3 player and not put them in the computer memory?

kjh

Blackcobra · 11-23-2007, 06:26 PM

there are plenty of prebuilt computers from bestbuy or circuit city that are cheap and basic. u can buy a $500 eMachine or something like it with vista home basic with 1-2gigs or RAM, 80-160gig hard drive, and 128mb video card. it doesnt seem like you are going to be using it for any gaming, so this should suit your family just fine. if you hurry today you might catch the end of a black friday deal.

kjh · 11-24-2007, 03:04 AM

A Black Friday deal would have been great but alas, no cash on hand right at the moment. Hubby's bonus comes in January so I am thinking maybe I'll get a good "after Christmas" deal. Buying on credit is not an option (even 6 mos same as cash or similiar deals) as we desire to be debt-free in the next 12 months and have a strict plan (that doesn't include bonus money as we never know the amount to be received). We have agreed to get the best bang for our buck when we do purchase at that time.

Plain and simple with no bells or whistles to master is really all we need other than what the kids' toys will require and I appreciate your advice.

kjh

2048Megabytes · 11-25-2007, 05:09 AM

I would purchase a computer with a dual core processor with at least 1 gigabyte of RAM (2 gigabytes of RAM will be better).

A Dell Inspiron 531 without the monitor and an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000+ with 1 gigabyte of RAM is around $450. Go to www.Dell.com and take a look.

shadowbt · 11-25-2007, 05:59 PM

In your case you should obviously go for buying instead of updating, needing new ram, graphic card, to run xp, maybe more space, and xp or vista itself, it,ll cost too much updating.

11-21-2007, 07:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
kjh New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8	Upgrade versus buy new computer? First off, I am not very computer savvy. I know nothing about operating systems and what the difference is between RAM, megahertz and/or Gigabytes. All of that is a foreign language to me. We are still using our first computer, purchased in 1999 from Gateway. Yes I know it's old and outdated, we just never felt the need to have the "latest and greatest" and since "It's not broke, so don't fix it". It has Windows98 SE. The keyboard, monitor and printer have all been replaced but the tower is original. We did add something (more memory maybe) back in 2005 and it has no capabilities to add more of anything as far as I know. It has a CD drive and a floppy drive (which is now useless). Now my four girls are teenagers and wanted MP3 players last year but since none of them were compatible with our old system, they did not get them. They want them again this year and the oldest wants her own digital camera (again none are compatible). School work is a mess as their computers no longer take floppys so I purchased a jump drive to take care of that problem. We are expected a large bonus in January (profit sharing) and would like to put it towards a newer comptuer. I am lost as to spending money to upgrade the old system to XP or Vista or just pitching it and buying a whole new tower with newer operating system. I also do not know how to get info (pictures and financial files mostly) from current system onto the new one. I realize everyone has their own opinion on what is "best" so please don't start a war here. I just need to know what to buy and what I can expect to pay for it. Appreciate any and all reponses. kjh

11-21-2007, 09:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
imsati Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: EHT, NJ Posts: 2,474	Well, I'd recommend Windows XP (Home or Pro, either or) over Vista. If you plan on buying, I know Dell still offers XP as an option. You can get a basic (but by no means obsolete) system for $500-$700 through the major manufacturers. Newer basic models will far outperform your system as it is now as far as MP3 capabilities, expansions, and the like. If you want to try your hand at building your own (which is actually quite easy), expect to pay around $400-$600 for a basic system (again, far from obsolete). Feel free to PM me for advice for either way (pre-built or self-built) if you have any questions. --Jay __________________ --Jay Gigabyte EP31-DS3L \| E4500 \| Masscool HSF paired with AS-5 80 GB SATA2 x 2 \| e-GeForce 7100 GS \| CM Elite 330 (gorgeous!) Triple Boot: Ubuntu 7.10/XP Home/Kubuntu 7.10 Also, I can kill you with my brain. The Great Forum Challenge http://www.computerforum.com/114761-...tml#post922619 (And you follow his advice why, exactly...?) (Funny Thread though!)

11-21-2007, 09:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
diroga Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WA,USA Posts: 845	i would say go with vista because it is the new technology and schools and government agencies, are progressing to it. I dont see vista, as of now, as a failure like ME. __________________ All removed by apj101 as related to hacking which is against forum rules apj101 didn't read them ...

11-25-2007, 05:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
2048Megabytes Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mainland United States Posts: 805	I would purchase a computer with a dual core processor with at least 1 gigabyte of RAM (2 gigabytes of RAM will be better). A Dell Inspiron 531 without the monitor and an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000+ with 1 gigabyte of RAM is around $450. Go to www.Dell.com and take a look. __________________ "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." -- George Washington Operating Systems: 32-bit Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Processor: AMD Athlon 4600+ Dual-Core (2.4 gigahertz) Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-M78SM-S2H Memory: 2 gigabytes of Super Talent PC2-6400 Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Power Supply: OKIA-450ATX, 450 Watt

11-25-2007, 05:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
shadowbt Silver Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 130	In your case you should obviously go for buying instead of updating, needing new ram, graphic card, to run xp, maybe more space, and xp or vista itself, it,ll cost too much updating. __________________ Future Build: Case : NZXT Apollo ATX Tower Case - Burnt Orange CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 RAM : OCZ Platinum XTC 2GB DDR2-800 Hard Drive : Seagate Barracuda 320GB (7200RPM) DVD Drive : SAMSUNG 20X DVD Burner Graphic Card : NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT 512 MB Motherboard : Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L PS : StealthXStream 600W Power Supply - OCZ600SXS

11-22-2007, 12:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
amosf Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 70	Go with vista and a new machine. Vista will just chew resources best used for something else. You don't need the latest and greatest, so probably under the $1000 mark easy for a very good machine. Of course all the kids here use a linux OS (free) with their cameras and mp3s and players, but then that's a whole other story...

11-23-2007, 03:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
Manauffeuer Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 36	i personally don't like vista it can make a up to date system run slow because of all it's not need features such as an analog clock on the desktop even though there is one in the tray anyway enough of that i would say u should learn to build a computer it's fairly simple and cheeper just go to your nearest computer hardware store I.E. frys electronics and check price parts and research up on the internet on how to build a computer before buying ne thing and if you have ne questions fell free to post them here

11-23-2007, 06:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
kjh New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8	Thanks for the advice. I don't see us trying to build our own (unless the four teen daughters could do it....they probably can....lol) so most likely we'll buy pre-made. How do I know how much memory is good vs not worth the price when you can get another "X" amount for an extra "whatever amount?" We'll be doing more digital photos and music downloads so I am guessing I need quite a bit but then again, I plan to put the keeper photos on CD and if the music is downloaded to the computer and then put on MP3 player, couldn't I just delete the songs when that is done? Or do you download right to the MP3 player and not put them in the computer memory? kjh

11-23-2007, 06:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
Blackcobra Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 25	there are plenty of prebuilt computers from bestbuy or circuit city that are cheap and basic. u can buy a $500 eMachine or something like it with vista home basic with 1-2gigs or RAM, 80-160gig hard drive, and 128mb video card. it doesnt seem like you are going to be using it for any gaming, so this should suit your family just fine. if you hurry today you might catch the end of a black friday deal.

11-24-2007, 03:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
kjh New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8	A Black Friday deal would have been great but alas, no cash on hand right at the moment. Hubby's bonus comes in January so I am thinking maybe I'll get a good "after Christmas" deal. Buying on credit is not an option (even 6 mos same as cash or similiar deals) as we desire to be debt-free in the next 12 months and have a strict plan (that doesn't include bonus money as we never know the amount to be received). We have agreed to get the best bang for our buck when we do purchase at that time. Plain and simple with no bells or whistles to master is really all we need other than what the kids' toys will require and I appreciate your advice. kjh

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