Upgrade versus buy new computer?

K

kjh

New Member
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 Yes I know it's old and outdated, we just never felt the need to have the "latest and greatest" and since "It's not broke, so don't fix it".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
 
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
 
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.
 
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...
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
Back again, ready to purchase by end of the month. Got a Dell catalog this past week with some pretty good deals (?).

Since we only need a basic system, here's what I found: Inspiron 531s system for $399 that included the monitor which we don't need but it would be nice to have wider but smaller flat screen.

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic - English
1GB1 Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
250GB2 Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
16x DVD+/-RW Drive
1Yr In-Home Service,3 Parts + Labor,4 24x7 Phone Support
17 inch SE178WFP Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor

I figure we won't get anything any cheaper than $399 and I'll have some leftover cash to purchase software that isn't included with the purchase. We could go "bigger and better" but "basic" suits us for surfing, music and photos.
Sound good?

kjh
 
The Dell Inspiron 531 with an AMD Athlon Dual-Core 4000+ processor for $400 is not a bad deal. Does that include the shipping costs as well?
 
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Yes, shipping and handling are included (3-5 days) but taxes/fees are not. Not sure what "fees" there might be but it still seems like a good price.

Thanks for the reply.

kjh
 
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