Need to pick your brains about a new computer

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dustman

New Member
Hello,

I have 2 identical Dell Dimension 3000 P4 Hyper-threading computers, with Intel processors and 160GB hard drives, which are small potatoes these days, but overkill for me. They are going on 5 years old I need to be looking for replacements.

I had narrowed it down to the Dell XPS 420 and the Dell Vostro 420, but after seeing some of the comments I am not so sure of my choices. I want reliable workhorse computers that will last a long time. with room to grow, and even though fast is probably wasted on me, I want to know there is something under the hood if I ever need it. I don't want a little zippy that is running at max capacity with what little I do with it, and burning out in record time.

I don't game, but I do a lot of ebay, burning dvds, cds, web surfing and emails, and I do a lot of work with photos. I want to add a 24-26" monitor. The input I have been receiving is that you need a special video card (nobody ever says which one) so the photos won't be distorted (stretched to fit the screen), you need special photo software (none of my stuff, Photofiltre, Photoshop, etc. will work), and again they don't have any recommendations.

I have heard "get a DellWFP 24" flat panel" , "no, get an Acer", "no, get LG", "no no no, get Samsung", and "no no no no, BenQ is coming out with one that will blow them all away for less $$$! So just wait!"

As to the computers, I can't find much info on the differences between the Dell Vostros 420 vs the Dell XPS 420. And if I don't go with one of those, what would be a better choice? I don't care for Acer or EMachines, which I now understand are in bed with Gateway, HP now has Compaq, and while I like HP, my past experience with Compaq was not so great. IBM is not making PCs anymore, and that pretty much leaves me with Dell. What else is there?

And while I have basic knowlege about installing programs and changing out DVDs, CDs. floppies and hard drives in computers, dinking with the motherboard is pretty much out of my depth.

I have about $2500 worth of Sony floppy-disk digital cameras, so I have to have a floppy drive. I know the newer computers don't come with them, but I assume I could just pick up a USB external floppy drive and solve the problem that way. Either that or I have to go out and drop a bundle for newer digital cameras that probably won't work half as well for me.

Other than that, my head is spinning. Any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dustman
 
I think dell sucks but it's not up to me as usual and I have an 22" Acer monitor and it Pwns! lol I'm going to get a 2nd one soon for dual view www.newegg.com has 22" Acer monitors for like $160
 
I am not going to get into the Dell sucks, HP sucks, Gateway sucks argument. You asked for an opinion about a certain computer, and here it is.

Between the 2 you listed, I would get the Xps 420. It has more ram (3 gigs for the xps 420 vs 1 gig for the vostro) But that's guessing that you are looking at the bottom priced versions of both, you did not specify. When doing intensive photoshop work, the more ram you have available the better, so If it where me, I would upgrade the 3 gigs to 4 or more gigs. If you want more ram make sure you get the 64bit version of vista. The 32 bit version will not see more than 3 gigs or so. I would get the xps 420 that is running for $899 and not the cheaper version.

The xps also has a better video card than the vostro. The radeon 3650 should do you well for what you said you need it for. But if you can afford it, upgrade the video card. The top card they offer is the radeon 4850, which would be a great choice over the 3650.

As for a "special" video card for photos? No such thing. Any video card will show photos well, it's video that can be the problem. Using your programs should work well, as long as they are newer versions and they are compatabile with Windows vista.

I have Samsung monitors, and I love them. But there are many made by other companys that are just as good or even better.

As for using your floppies, I would suggest the following one from sony.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16821103510
 
Thanks for the terrific info!

Thanks so much, Gooberman and Paratwa for the great responses! I am definately going to go with the XPS 420, and upgrade the video card. I will also likely upgrade to 4+ gig on the ram. (It's funny I got a Dell flier in the mail today that had the XPS 420 in it to drool over!) I wasn't particularly looking for the cheapest version, I just want a nicely equiped one, even if it is more computer than I really need. LOL I was also impressed with the Samsung warranties, so sounds like that might be the best way to go there too. I really appreciate all of your input!

Have a great new year!

Dustman
 
I just pulled the trigger on the higher Dell XPS 420

Hello, again,

Well, I went ahead and bought the Dell XPS 420 in today's flier. I don't think I could get a better deal on one:

Dell XPS 420
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Processor
Vista Home Premium SPI 64 bit
6000 DDR2 SDRAM @ 800MHz
640GB hard drive
ATI Radeon HD 3450 (256MB0 Graphics card

AND

They threw in:

a 20" Widescreen Flat Panel monitor with integrated Webcam and microphone
free shipping
a 2 yr warranty
and 12 mos same as cash financing

With tax: $961.63

I can't complain, their refurbished 420's ran higher with no monitor and half of the hard drive, and a third of the ram. I even looked on ebay, and they were much higher, no monitor, and they won't even throw in the recovery discs or COAs! And the specs are bare-bones too, not to mention as much as $100 shipping! I hope I wasn't missing something! LOL I will probably sell the monitor and put what I get for it on a 24" Samsung flat panel with the 3 year warranty.

Now if I can just wait the 27 days they say its going to take to get here! Man!

Thanks again,

Dustman
 
Dell does take forever to ship, that I know from experience. Why did you not upgrade the video card?

But for the uses you described you need this system for, it should do you well. You can always upgrade the video card later if you need to.
 
I was going to upgrade the video card but they were really jacking up the prices on add-ons, so I just figured I would get an after-market card. I almost upgraded the monitor too, from a 20" to the 24, and they not only wanted to keep the 20" monitor, but add $420 to the bill to upgrade to the 24! And I'm not sure it was the better one of their 24's either. The guy was a real fast talker, and kind of glossed over my questions.I asked about a floppy, and they wanted $36 for it. As you pointed out, I could have added on an external Sony floppy for $24. I went on Ebay and found the same USB external floppy, brand new, with a years warranty, through a seller with great feedback and a computer store, for $14. I snagged that too. I'm on cable modem, and when I went back through the specs I saw there is no modem, and according to the reviews, there is only one bay for adding anything. That worries me a bit. I planned on adding my BenQ dvd burner, and possibly later an internal floppy. Guess I would have to choose. : ( Anyway, that's the scoop. I can't understand why they don't have any extra drive bays. It looked like there were in the pics, but the write-ups say no. I'm also a bit worried that there is no wireless card, unless I am thinking about something else. I assume I will be able to get on the internet with a cable modem on this hummer!

Thanks again,

Dustman
 
Hmm... Looked over the specs of that XPS and your right, it does not list a network card. But most motherboards have them on board now, so I am sure you will be able to connect your modem to the system with no problem.


I just can not imagine a system coming with out a network connection.


Not having extra drive bays is common for all of the big company's. They usually have their cases made for them.
 
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Hi, me again.

I am still chewing over the 24" monitor. Is the Dell 2408WFP Ultrasharp really the best one out there? Not for gaming, but lots of photowork in my case. I could still add it to my XPS build, but they want $420 more and I lose the 20" which I originally intended to sell to defray some of the cost of the order. Or I can get refurbished from Dell for $499, or new for $517 without losing the 20". I keep seeing stuff all over the net though saying that is NOT the best monitor, display, warranty, or price-wise. they also say Dell doesn't shine when it comes to dead pixels, allowing themselves so many before they have to replace the monitor. I had a laptop with a dead pixel a while back, right in my line of view, and it drove me nuts. I don't want to have to put up with that again. Any thoughts there? I don't want to repent at leisure on this component.

Thanks again,

Dustman
 
you can buy two 22 inch monitors for the price of one 24 inch monitor, just go with 1 22 inch monitor or 2 22 inch monitors no reason wasteing that much money for 2 inches right?
 
Monitor surprise at the stores

Hi, again,

I posted a quick reply, but I guess it didn't take, cause it's not on here, so I'll try again. (If it shows up later it will just say the same thing, so just disregard.) I went to the stores today (Best Buys, Office Depot, Frys) to check out the 24" monitors side by side so to speak. I saw a lot of brands, Acer, Viewsonic, Samsung, LG, Gateway, HP and Dell, to mention a few. (Not the high-end Dell's of course, as they don't sell them in the stores). In every store, one brand stood out like a sore thumb, the HP w2408h with BrightView. It made all the others (Dell too) look washed out, grainy, and just sick. The HP was bright, sharp, crisp, and was like watching a high-end plasma TV (they were actually channeling TV through it at Best Buys). It had a slick design too, and a glass front that the salesguy said would be harder to scatch or damage than other monitors. Built-in speakers, too. And cheaper than the Dell high-end 2408WPF. At Frys, the guy went all through the monitors with me, and finally said I was dumb to be considering $500-1,000 for a computer monitor, when for $499 I could get their 32" Samsung Flat Panel TV. It had the exact same resolution as the best monitor, if I wasn't gaming, there wouldn't be any issues at all, and if I was, they would only be slight. Something about recovery, although when we looked at the TVs the recovery shown on the cards was about the same. I would have a MUCH bigger screen, built in speakers, a better warranty, and the unit could be serviced in store, instead of having to box up a monitor and ship it at my expense to Texas or wherever and wait forever. All I would need was a VGA cable, and a portable "player to stereo" cord, and I would be all set. Built-in speakers, great color, better adjustments, better sound, and I could also use it as a TV if I wanted, unlike the one-trick pony monitors. It gave me a lot to think about. I keep thinking it is too good to be true. I went back and talked to the computer guys, and they said he was right. I went to the TV guys. They agreed too. What do you think? I'm not gaming, just working with photos and text, not watching movies on it. Am I missing something important? And again, I appreciate any ideas you might come up with. I have been getting better answers and information from you guys than I ever got at Dell or online!

Thanks again,

Dustman
 
I have a samsung 46 lcd as my tv, and I love it. I have heard of people using them as computer monitors, but I have never tried it. My tv even has dvi connections for a computer, so it would probably work.
 
my friend used his big screen for his commputer it looks clean but for computer games you would need to sit back far or you neck would get sore:D also samsung has nice monitors. i have an acer 22inch and i like it alot
 
there are 3 dell computers in my house and they all work fine best part is they are somewhat cheap and you can upgrade them yourself for very little. The brand name isn't exactly what you need to look at but rather what are you going to do with the computers and then look for one with the internal hardware that fits the best
 
Type in this promotion code. ** 6F969-DXCCZN1 ** You get more computer and a 23" monitor for almost the same price as you paid. And it does come with an Ethernet card.

This is the system I just bought with a few upgrades. Then I called and had them remove the monitor for a $250.00 credit because I already have one. I don't know if the guy on the phone was just making me feel good or not, but he said he had never seen a system like that for the price.

I love Dell even though a lot of people rag on them. But I'm not a computer enthusiast either. I've had my current Dell for 8 years and haven't had one problem with it. I also agree about the HP monitor. Much better picture than everything I have looked at for a good price.
 
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Also, if your still looking into 24" monitors check out the TS-24W8. It's a "debranded" HP for about $100.00 - $150.00 cheaper. My uncle just bought one for X-Mas and the picture is outstanding.
 
Thanks again for the input

Hi, guys,

I have had a lot of computers over the years, but the most reliable has always been Dell. I have had an IBM, an HP Pavillion, a generic CompUSA, an Asus, a Compaq Presario, a couple of Gateways, 2 Dell laptops,and an HP laptop, not to mention my two currently owned Dell Dimension 3000 P4s that are getting old. I bought them both refurbished from Dell Outlet, and they had been the best computers I have ever owned. They were the hottest thing going when they first came out, and the companies that originally ordered them bought all the bells and whistles available at the time, including top of the line DVD burners, which I have used the heck out of. Dell is all they have at my job now too because they have the least amount of trouble with them. I really am leaning towards an HP monitor though. I am more impressed every time I see one. I have seen that thing about the rebadging, what brand are they really? Are they HP or what? I have been all over the net trying to find out, but no other brand is mentioned. I found a few places online that HAD the rebadged ones, but they don't any more. I saw one or two on ebay, but again, they didn't say the actual brand, just that the HP had been removed, and I'm not ready to pay the same price for an unknown brand as the HP runs in the stores. At least at the store they'd be under warranty. Any ideas?

Dustman
 
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