new computer or upgrade?
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More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 513
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From: Alberta
new computer or upgrade?
So I did some scanning over the weekend and now my computer is starting to act up on me (won't let me see my favorite website-FTE!!) so I figure it is time to do something about it. It's an HP Pentium II 266 I believe and I'm wondering if I should buy a new one altogether or if I can upgrade this one. All I use it for is office work, scanning pics, and internet, no movies or anything too fancy. I'm just wondering what the cheapest way to get some more speed and better reliability is...
Thanks
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 0
From: Canada
new computer or upgrade?
HP brand...any brand computers are crap because you cant upgrade them. I'd get a custom built one (not expensive like you might think) keep your old printer/monitor etc; if they are all good (if not monitors are very cheap these days, you can get a 19" for a few hundred bucks even) and get yourself up to date. Don't buy the latest and greatest.
Something like a 1.7GHZ celeron would be faster then you can imagine and would work wonders for what you want.
If you were around here I'd set you up with something cheap (I run a mobile computer business helps with paying for truck + school) but if your in the US there are lots of options avail. just dont get taken for a ride (run it by us before you buy)
Chado
Something like a 1.7GHZ celeron would be faster then you can imagine and would work wonders for what you want.
If you were around here I'd set you up with something cheap (I run a mobile computer business helps with paying for truck + school) but if your in the US there are lots of options avail. just dont get taken for a ride (run it by us before you buy)
Chado
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More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 513
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From: Alberta
new computer or upgrade?
I agree totally, all the ads I see around here have a monitor, printer, blah blah blah included. I don't need all that. All I need is a better tower. My monitor, keyboard, mouse is fine and I have 2 printers rigged up that work good. How much do you think I should spend?
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
new computer or upgrade?
Go down to your local computer repair shop and have them build you a generic "white box" PC that can be repaired and upgraded. They will probably have "system" prices listed. Talk to them and get a box only that can be expanded some in case your needs change.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,388
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From: Live Oak, FL
new computer or upgrade?
I agree with chado. My neighbor has an HP and he called me over when it quit working. I tracked it down to the power supply, about $40.00 or less normally. I told him the HP's and other brand names (Radio Shack used to be one of the worst) had a bad habit of building the box so that you couldn't put off the shelf parts in them and therefore you had to go to the MFG for parts at about twice what an on off the shelf part would cost.
I took it out for him and he went to a local store to get a new one, sure enough he came back saying the guy didn't have a power supply that would fit and he would have to special order it.
I took it out for him and he went to a local store to get a new one, sure enough he came back saying the guy didn't have a power supply that would fit and he would have to special order it.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
new computer or upgrade?
I concur with having one built.
I can only add one thing.
Make sure it is built by someone who is successful as opposed to a fly by night place.
The service side of this is so important.
I Don't buy anything from a big box store
I can only add one thing.
Make sure it is built by someone who is successful as opposed to a fly by night place.
The service side of this is so important.
I Don't buy anything from a big box store
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
new computer or upgrade?
Check Comp USA.
Specifically - Their custom builds.
NEW software bundle (OP system and all)
A tower you can have confidence in, because they can't sell maintenance heavy pieces of junk - it would break them!
And a warrantee.
Less the auxiliaries, it would be a small price compared to standing one up at your own risk - and it is sure to blow a 266 completely away.
Specifically - Their custom builds.
NEW software bundle (OP system and all)
A tower you can have confidence in, because they can't sell maintenance heavy pieces of junk - it would break them!
And a warrantee.
Less the auxiliaries, it would be a small price compared to standing one up at your own risk - and it is sure to blow a 266 completely away.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: WA
new computer or upgrade?
i'd save a couple bucks and just build my own.. you could use some of the parts from your old one. just stay away from big brands like compaq or hp..
if your computer is acting up it's probably a good idea to back up your files and format, or get rid of
windows
if your computer is acting up it's probably a good idea to back up your files and format, or get rid of
windows
Last edited by acerockola77; Jul 22, 2003 at 01:21 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 1
From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
new computer or upgrade?
I've been in the computer biz (MIS & Telecom Manager) and have learned that the generic white box PC is not necessarily the best bargain after all. I run, for the most part, Dell computers. Great warantee, great phone service, and after a few hundred of them passing through my hands, I can't think of anything negative to say about them. Check out http://www.dell.com when you have a chance.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
new computer or upgrade?
I've had good luck with custom builds, Gateway, and Dell. Almost all of the Compaq's I've encountered were buggy machines. HP's "value" machines wind up with funky configurations like 64MB of ram with 4-8MB "shared" for video. With prices so low, it wouldn't make any sense for you to upgrade. If you're going with XP get at least 256MB ram. Some of the lower end machines are trying to get by with 128. Don't fall for it, you won't be happy. If you're going to network then step up to XP Pro. It is more flexible for networking than XP Home. I've got a Dell and it is a good machine. However, from what I understand, Dell has outsourced most if not all of their technical support to foreign countries. There have been many "lively" discussion threads on Dell's technical service at PC Magazine . Do some research and consider your options. In the end, you'll end up with a great machine that suits your needs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
new computer or upgrade?
30 years ago, even the smallest towns had two or three TV repairmen. Today the computer has gone the same way, if it's worn out, toss it on the junk pile and get another one when you go to Wallyworld.
Even brewing your own or having one built presents the same problems.
ALL COMPUTERS can be upgraded, by replacing the entire motherboard. (I know about proprietary systems) the problem comes in when everything is built into the board. You need a faster processor, the modem and video card is also on the motherboard, as is the IDE controller and tons of other stuff. You will end up buying a new system that costs more and still has old stuff in it.
My advice for computers and TV's is the same, toss it (or give it to someone and take it off your taxes) and get what you want. If you think the local brewer is going to build you a computer that is upgradable forever for less than $500.00 (Wallyworld price for a new one) with the monitor and a new printer and cable, you are joking. I used to get $80. per hour setting up networks on W3.11
and DOS.
It's like restoring a very old truck to showroom condition (not drivable condition) you know it's going to cost $20-50 grand more than the trucks worth, you do it for other reasons.
Even brewing your own or having one built presents the same problems.
ALL COMPUTERS can be upgraded, by replacing the entire motherboard. (I know about proprietary systems) the problem comes in when everything is built into the board. You need a faster processor, the modem and video card is also on the motherboard, as is the IDE controller and tons of other stuff. You will end up buying a new system that costs more and still has old stuff in it.
My advice for computers and TV's is the same, toss it (or give it to someone and take it off your taxes) and get what you want. If you think the local brewer is going to build you a computer that is upgradable forever for less than $500.00 (Wallyworld price for a new one) with the monitor and a new printer and cable, you are joking. I used to get $80. per hour setting up networks on W3.11
and DOS.
It's like restoring a very old truck to showroom condition (not drivable condition) you know it's going to cost $20-50 grand more than the trucks worth, you do it for other reasons.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
From: Live Oak, FL
new computer or upgrade?
A customer of mine bought 3 Dells to use as workstations in a remote office. In less than 6 months two of them had to have new hard drives put in.
I wouldn't use anything from the 7 year old HP. It would be like buying a 2003 Ford with nothing under the hood and pulling the motor, tranny, etc. off a your old 1980 and put in there. Only exception would be the monitor if yours is in good shape.
droptop is dead on with getting 256mb of memory. Better yet, put 512mb in. It's not that much more.
I wouldn't use anything from the 7 year old HP. It would be like buying a 2003 Ford with nothing under the hood and pulling the motor, tranny, etc. off a your old 1980 and put in there. Only exception would be the monitor if yours is in good shape.
droptop is dead on with getting 256mb of memory. Better yet, put 512mb in. It's not that much more.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
new computer or upgrade?
Go ahead and have a computer custom built for you. You could even build it yourself if you have the knowledge. I build computers as a hobby, and I've found that I can get the best machine suited for my needs buy custom building it. If you do decide to get one custon built, get it with an AthlonXP chip. You can get a chip that runs comparable to a P4 2ghz for 65 dollars. (AthlonXP 2000) I have found that the sweet spot for buying a cpu, motherboard, and hard drives is 100 dollars. Anything that I have bought for that price has lasted me, and will do all that I need such as music, movies, games, etc.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
new computer or upgrade?
$100. a piece? That's $300. already and no case, no power supply, no modem, no ethernet card, no cabling, no monitor, no software, no operating system, no printer, no warranty, no memory, no video card, no speakers, no sound board, no mouse, no keyboard, no floppy disk/s, no CD-Rom, no DVD, no support,...
I'll stick with my suggestion of stopping at Wallyworld and picking up a complete package for less than $500.
If he knew how to do it, he wouldn't have asked for our advice IMHO.
I'll stick with my suggestion of stopping at Wallyworld and picking up a complete package for less than $500.
If he knew how to do it, he wouldn't have asked for our advice IMHO.