What desktop should I buy?

H

hospitaldoctor1

New Member
I need a new desktop and I am having trouble deciding which one to buy.
What brand/model do you recommend please?
I won't be doing anything intense with the computer... mostly internet, email, storing/watching pictures, music, videos, documents, etc... no gaming or anything
Thoughts?
I was considering this from Dell:

Studio Mini-Tower Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor Q8200 (4MB L2, 2.33GHz, 1333FSB) RMQ82H [224-2761]
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit VHP61E [330-1631][420-6436][420-7938][420-8873][420-8874][420-9105][420-9288][420-9691][421-0323][421-0427][421-0530][463-2282]
Memory 6GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4DIMMs 6GB864 [311-9442]
Keyboard Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard and Laser Mouse 6BTNMMK [330-0915][330-1158]
Monitors 20.0" Dell ST2010 HD Widescreen Monitor ST2010F [320-8043]
Video Cards ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB AT4350 [320-8145]
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ 500S [341-7641]
Floppy Drive and Media Reader Integrated 16-in-1 Media Card Reader INTMCR [311-9655]
Mouse Mouse included with Keyboard purchase NONE [310-5678]
Network Card Integrated 10/1000 Ethernet IE [430-3322]
Modem No Modem Option N [313-7115]
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0 Multi-Language AAREAD [410-1867]
Optical Drive 16X DVD+/-RW Drive 16DVDRW [313-6915][420-8152][421-0997]
Sound Card Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio IS [313-7114]
Speakers No Speaker Option N [313-2198]
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Microsoft® Works 9 WK9MHSE [421-0306][421-0462]
Security Software McAfee Security Center with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days MC1030D [410-2138]
Hardware Support Services 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis S111OS [960-3249][983-3680][987-6238][990-8029][991-1340][992-2577]
Datasafe Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year DOB2GB [420-9518][988-0099][988-7707]
Entertainment and Editing Software WildTangent Games WLDTNGT [420-9352]
Labels Windows Vista™ Premium VPD [310-8626]
Dell Remote Access Dell Remote Access, free basic service

All of this is about $800 with tax
thoughts? Good value/deal?
Something else? All advice is greatly appreciated
Thank you
 
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Tbh, this pc has much better specs than that dell there:
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/AMD_Phenom_II_Configurator/detail

Just configure some of the following options:
case- Whatever you like
Psu- 650W Corsair Power supply (This is the cheapest decent psu)

cpu- AMD Phenom™II X3 710 Triple-Core CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology

Heatsink- XtremeGear Ultra Twin Heatpipes Cool Copper Heatsink CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent at 20dBA & Overclock Proof) appears to be decent while cheap upgrade

Motherboard- Asus M3A78-EM AMD 780G Chipset DDR2/800 SATA PCI-Express MBoard w/GbLAN,USB2.0,&7.1Audio

Memory- 4GB (2GBx2) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory

Video card- ATI Radeon HD 4650 512MB DDR2 PCI-Express DVI-I & TVO
And get a monitor like this:

Then on page 3, for operating system: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium w/ Service Pack 1

With these options and the default case its ~$778.00

Then get a monitor like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236056

Overall its around $900, but a much better overall product than you get with dell.
 
Sounds like a good PC

Don't sound to bad would be great for what you are using it for although if you have computer experience then It would be better for you to build your own computer. A good rule of thumb when it comes to computers get the best you can afford because it will save you money in the long run.
 
seems like a good deal for ur money...especially if ur jus using the computer for lower purposes...i wud highly reccommend buying ur own parts and buildin ur own computer...ull save a lot of money...you can prob build a pc wit the same specs for $500-$600 tops
 
I was thinking I should wait until July 4th...
Will there be better deals on Dell Desktops for July 4th weekend?
What have past years been like during July 4th for computer deals?
Should i get this deal or wait until July 4th?
Thanks
 
Yea I'm sure there will be some good deals this coming July 4th and it might be a good idea for you to wait till then to see what they are offering did you look around at other places that sell dell computers like best buy they offer there own sales and you might find something cheaper that you like also look at HP computer they are also very good.
 
hospitaldoctor1 said:
I was thinking I should wait until July 4th...
Will there be better deals on Dell Desktops for July 4th weekend?
What have past years been like during July 4th for computer deals?
Should i get this deal or wait until July 4th?
Thanks
Click to expand...
I would wait, that computer there is pretty overpriced for the specs it has, worth at most $500 or so..
 
Bomberboysk is right that PC is way over priced all your really paying for it is the name try looking at some other brands.
 
Some good brands would be
Dell
HP
ASUS
Sony
Acer(most of the time)
Hitachi
IBM
LG
Toshiba
for a whole list look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_computer_system_manufacturers

There is two ways to go when buying a computer Intel and AMD. Intel is going to offer you more power. You will get a better price with AMD. I'm not saying AMD does not have good CPUs they are wonderful and have never let me down but there are a little behind Intel when it comes to power but you shouldn't worry about that for what you need it for.


Here is what I would call a good computer
Dual Core CPU or better at 2.0GHz or better
Motherboard with a PCIe x16 2.0 slot 2 would be great should be able support 8GB of RAM or better and should have on board video but that's just me.
250GB hard drive or better
CD/DVD drive
good heatsink and fan
and a Graphics card for that get the best one you can possibly afford
looks are somewhat important to me

My advice to you is keep looking until you find that perfect computer for you.
 
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For starters, dont buy the display from wherever your buying a pc, get a display off newegg. Cyberpower and ibuypower are both decent as long as you customize with a corsair or ocz power supply.
 
How is this deal? Better or worse than my original?
Thoughts?

Inspiron 537 MT Inspiron 537 Minitower w/ Black Bezel 37MBBH [224-5644]
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit VHP61E [310-8626][330-3625][420-6436][420-8873][420-9105][420-9130][421-0323]
Processors Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E7400 (3MB L2, 2.8GHz, 1066FSB) 537ME74 [317-1144]
Memory 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2 DIMMs 4GB82 [317-1110]
Keyboard Dell Consumer Entry USB Keyboard and Mouse EKLOM [330-0916][330-3620]
Monitors 20" Dell S2009W HD Widescreen Monitor S2009W [320-7918]
Video Cards Integrated Intel® GMA x4500 Graphics IV [320-7924]
Hard Drives 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ 500S [341-8881]
Color Bezels Piano Black BLACK [313-7609]
Media Card Reader Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader 19MCRU [341-9401]
Mouse Mouse included with Keyboard purchase NONE [310-5678]
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet IN [430-0412]
Modem No Modem Option N [313-3137]
Adobe Software Adobe® Reader 9.0 AAREAD [410-1867]
Optical Drives 16X DVD+/-RW Drive 16DVDRW [313-7593][420-8152][421-0997]
Sound Card Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio IS [313-7598]
Speakers No Speaker Option N [313-2198]
Microsoft Works and Office Microsoft® Works 9 (Does not include Microsoft Word) DWRK9 [420-8085]
Security Software McAfee SecurityCenter 9 with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30 Day MC930D [410-1160]
Service 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis S111OS [960-3249][983-3680][988-7347][990-8029][994-0350][994-4177]
Service 1 Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year DOB2GB [420-9518][988-0099][988-7707]
DataSafe (Services Owned) Dell Remote Access, free basic service

-About $590 with tax

Should I go for the Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q8200 (4MB L2, 2.33GHz, 1333FSB) for $60 more??
Keep in mind, I am not an expert computer user... no gaming or anything... just basic stuff... email, internet, pics, vids, docs, etc
Thanks
 
hospitaldoctor1 said:
How is this deal? Better or worse than my original?
Thoughts?

Inspiron 537 MT Inspiron 537 Minitower w/ Black Bezel 37MBBH [224-5644]
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit VHP61E [310-8626][330-3625][420-6436][420-8873][420-9105][420-9130][421-0323]
Processors Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E7400 (3MB L2, 2.8GHz, 1066FSB) 537ME74 [317-1144]
Memory 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2 DIMMs 4GB82 [317-1110]
Keyboard Dell Consumer Entry USB Keyboard and Mouse EKLOM [330-0916][330-3620]
Monitors 20" Dell S2009W HD Widescreen Monitor S2009W [320-7918]
Video Cards Integrated Intel® GMA x4500 Graphics IV [320-7924]
Hard Drives 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ 500S [341-8881]
Color Bezels Piano Black BLACK [313-7609]
Media Card Reader Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader 19MCRU [341-9401]
Mouse Mouse included with Keyboard purchase NONE [310-5678]
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet IN [430-0412]
Modem No Modem Option N [313-3137]
Adobe Software Adobe® Reader 9.0 AAREAD [410-1867]
Optical Drives 16X DVD+/-RW Drive 16DVDRW [313-7593][420-8152][421-0997]
Sound Card Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio IS [313-7598]
Speakers No Speaker Option N [313-2198]
Microsoft Works and Office Microsoft® Works 9 (Does not include Microsoft Word) DWRK9 [420-8085]
Security Software McAfee SecurityCenter 9 with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30 Day MC930D [410-1160]
Service 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis S111OS [960-3249][983-3680][988-7347][990-8029][994-0350][994-4177]
Service 1 Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year DOB2GB [420-9518][988-0099][988-7707]
DataSafe (Services Owned) Dell Remote Access, free basic service

-About $590 with tax

Should I go for the Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q8200 (4MB L2, 2.33GHz, 1333FSB) for $60 more??
Keep in mind, I am not an expert computer user... no gaming or anything... just basic stuff... email, internet, pics, vids, docs, etc
Thanks
Click to expand...
Mini towers are almost impossible to upgrade. I personally would not go for a dell desktop, look into the other ones posted before such as cyberpower/ibuypower, with them you can configure high quality parts.
 
Bomber is right if your ever planning on upgrading then forget dell. If I was you then I would also go with cyberpower/ibuypower that way you get exactly what you wont and you will get more out of your money that way plus you will know that everything is compatible with each other and know that in the future you will have room for upgrade.
 
It's called the minitower, but it is regular sized
I think the minitower you may be referring to is the Slim tower... those are smaller and thinner than regular towers
 
hospitaldoctor1 said:
It's called the minitower, but it is regular sized
I think the minitower you may be referring to is the Slim tower... those are smaller and thinner than regular towers
Click to expand...
Slim cases are horrible, dont even use full atx size power supplies. I would recommend though, if you cant build it yourself check cyberpower out, just make sure to get something like a corsair 650W power supply. That power supply will last you pretty much forever.
 
The 537 has been phased out... it's done... they are not selling it anymore... however I can still get this deal that I posted with the 537...
The 537 has been replaced with the 546... and it uses AMD
Should I still get this deal?
Thoughts?
 
hospitaldoctor1 said:
The 537 has been phased out... it's done... they are not selling it anymore... however I can still get this deal that I posted with the 537...
The 537 has been replaced with the 546... and it uses AMD
Should I still get this deal?
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I would go with the AMD CPU if possible you will get more for you money.
 
AMD because it is cheaper so you would most-likely get a better one for your money but always compare the two. Get a AMD Phenom if you can a Phenom II I have a Phenom X3 8650 and I love it. AMD has just as good if not better CPU's then Intel until you get into the i7 series. Also the AMD Athlon is a very good CPU if you wont a dual core.
 
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