With all due respect, I disagree with the "build-it-yourself" approach. People who say things like "don't get a Dell", or "Gateways suck, everyone online says so", are basing their info on anecdotal evidence at best. A la carte shopping of computer components can be quite risky in and of itself. The large companies like Gateway and Dell do extensive compatibility testing of the components they use, something the DIY'er couldn't hope to even start, unless you're Warren Buffet or Bill Gates and don't mind throwing out every other computer you build. I just bought my 3rd Gateway this past weekend, the previous 2 gave me 5 years of service each, even with all my upgrade meddling (hard drives, memory, video cards, net cards, etc.). But, I don't mess with power supplies, cases, motherboards and processors.

Say you build your own motherboard/processor combo, and you drop the proc installing it. The mobo or the proc could be fried, and you have to eat it. Let the factory techs eat that. I know because I once dropped a component on a mobo while installing it, and because it was still under Gateway warranty, they sent me a new one. If you buy your own components, you don't get that luxury.

I've been very happy with my Gateways. The only one I have that is not, is a Toshiba laptop because I couldn't beat the price at the time. I also went from a 19" CRT to a 19" LCD monitor this weekend, and I like that size. I can make the text a little larger and still get lots of info on the screen. The larger sized text means less eye fatigue for me. I don't know that I would go for the widescreen, though--best leave that for movies.

Have fun compy shopping!

Jason

 

You didn't mention the other half of my suggestion.

or Have one built locally

I have had numerous friends aquaintences have to pack everything up and send the whole computer back to the manufacturer for warranty service or to have a look at.

You can also have the Company say: "sorry you did something to screw it up , No Warranty for you "

For me ...no thanks to that.

I would prefer to " Run it down" to the place a few blocks away that built it at a commaparble price to box store merchandise

 

Ryan, What factory rig would you run?

 

Gateway computer's work good I have one now.
Any of the computer's you have listed will work good for you.
Fair 96 you are new to gaming I will just warn you,If you find the right game you will get hooked !
#1 and # 2 you listed have the Video on the motherboard."no video card"
And might not have a upgrade slot.
Make sure the computer you buy has a PCI Express slot if you get into gaming you will want a graphics card the can keep up with todays demands.
Also look for a powersupply of 250 watts and up.
A good video card also helps with video playback and editing.
I think the new windows os will demand better video also.
I have to disagree with jroehl though.
Building a computer can be fun and It's not that hard to do.
Barebone kits are simple to build and when your finshed you know your computer inside and out.
The problem is building and buying are almost the same cost.
But if you build you would have a little better video and powersupply then if you buy.

 

Ryan is right. Back before I retired, I sold 100 PC's to a company as part of a deal I put togather. The only problem was I didn't have 100 PC's. I was surprised how easy it was to gather up the parts to have our techs build them. The units looked good, worked good and the customer was pleased .... and we made some money. My only mistake was using cheap keyboards which we had to replace.

 

If I had to buy a prebuilt, as I never will again, I'd buy an E-Machines or Gateway. Dell uses huge amounts of proprietary parts that aren't upgradable if you need it. Some of their motherboards use ram that runs at a completely different voltage than something you can buy at a store. All of them do not include AGP or PCI Express slots since ~ Pentium III era.

I've built dozens upon dozens of computers with no hitches at all. I disagree wholehartedly about other's theories about it being a risk. If you don't want to take any risks, PM me and I'll help set you up with something tried and true.

Remember, anyone can do it.

Ryan

 

I am not a fan of any store bought computer. Two hps I owned gave me problems all the time. Those Hps are responsible for pushing me to build my first computer. I have built too many to count since then mostly for other people. Of my four computers I built three of them. I will never buy a storebought computer again. If you must buy a store bought please stay away from the hp.

 

Personally, I've found the best way to burn VHS movies to DVD is to stay away from your computer all together...go to WalMart, Costco or Sams Club and buy a Lite-On or other brand stand-alone DVD burner/player and connect your VCR/video camera to one of the a/v inputs on the burner and let-er-rip! For me this has proven to be MUCH LESS HASSLE than doing it on the computer. I've done it both ways...

As for which computer to buy...I put my money on Dells...they've served me well and they're reasonably priced.


Scott

 

That is a good suggestion as a lot of people are not confortable figuring out how to do it with a computer (me too at certain times).

 

Out of those three definitely go with the Gateway. I have had a lot of experience with both Gateways and HP's. Gateways are solid and dependable. HP's are a nightmare. Stay away from them for sure. Personally I would go with a Dell. When I bought my last laptop the top 2 I was considering were Dell and Gateway. You won't go wrong with either of them. If you want a great gaming computer look at the Dell XPS, sweet.

 

Hello
I have not bought a computer yet but I am leaning toward the Dell you showed me. If you click on the link you gave me you will see that the computer is upgraded with a 19 in monitor for the same price. I am most likely gonna buy this this week. What do you think of it and I have a DSL line with ethernet will it work ok. I kinda wanted a dvd burner but can and twice the ram but for the money do you think I will be ok.. Again your opinion is appreciated and I am about done my search .. Thanks again
I am curious about the duel amd 64 4200 processor would it be alot faster for my future reference I am just curious.. Thanks.

 

Sounds very similar to the Dell I bought a few months ago...you CANNOT beat it for the price (IMHO) and YES....your DSL connection should work fine with this computer.

Regards,
Scott

 

Thats what I got. XPS 600

3.2GHz dual core
2GB ram
250GB HD
Dual DVD-RW drives
512MB video card
5.1 surround sound card

I just bought my first game for it (since Win95!!) not too long ago. Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter. I couldnt believe the quality of the graphics. Just like being there (especially with the 19" LCD flatscreen)


Some people dont have the time, skill, or knowledge to piece a computer together.

 

I have a lot of respect for people that build things themselves. I have built a computer or two in my day but probably never will again. I feel that for the average consumer, and it sounds like fair 96 is an average consumer, a "built" system will be just fine. If you have specific needs for a computer, which I did at the time, then by all means build it yourself.

I equate building a computer to doing an oil change. I have been told how to do it, I have been told how easy it is, I have even done a few (2) in my life. I just don't feel I have the skills to do it cost and time effeciently. The same holds true for building a computer.

Fair 96 my suggestiuon to you is to find a computer friend locally, take him/her to see the setups in question (or show them on the internet if it is an internet purchase). Explain what you want to do with it and then take their advice. If I had to choose one of your options I like #2. Before you spend extra money on a wide screen go to a store and look at them side by side. I thought the 19 was too big and am very satisfied with the 17 inch monitor. I have an HP now, have had a Dell in the past and found both to suit my needs at the time.

Good luck

 

I did it .. I called Dell wanting to buy the computer above and they told me I had to have a buisness to be able to purchase that computer. I said ok goodbye and then he said that he can offer me an unadvertized special but it is only good for this evening that was at around 4:00 and a one time offer. Well I heard this pitch before I been around car salesmen. To make a long story short he gave me a quote and I got disconnected and was happy because the computer came in at 823.00 more than the other one at 699.00. Anyway I got to looking at the Dell site and seen that the base price for the XPS 400 is 890.00 without all the extra warrenties he threw in like the 2 year in home fix and 36 month virus fix.. Anyway I called back and got a different lady but still had the quote. I wanted to upgrade the DVD burner that was listed for 40.00 more. Well she come back with a price of 1177.00. I told her it should be 863.00 . She looked up my quote from the other guy and said that is not correct we cant do that. To make a long story short they would not give me the better burner due to the supposedly low price the first guy gave me.. After a call to the supervisor she said I either take the original or get the 40.00 burner for the much higher1177.00.. Maybe I was a sucker but I bought it without the other burner and this is what is coming in the mail.. For 823.00 and free shipping.
Please keep in mind I have bought it already and do not be too rough on me but if I got ripped tell me nicely..LOL... I believe I can cancell the order within 24 hours but there may be a 15% fee if they started building it.


Base Unit:
Dimension XPS 400, Intel Pentium D Processor 820 (2.8GHz) w/ Dual Core Technology (222-1486)

Memory:
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (311-5361)

Keyboard:
Dell USB Keyboard (310-8025)

Monitor:
19 in (19 in viewable) E196FP Flat Panel Display (320-4749)

Video Card:
128MB ATI Hyper Memory PCI-Express X16 (DVI/VGA/TV Out) Radeon X300 SE (320-4308)

Hard Drive:
250GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM) (341-3257)

Floppy Disk Drive:
No Floppy Drive Requested (341-2457)

Operating System:
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, English without Media, for Dimension (420-5585)

Operating System:
Image Restore (412-0688)

Operating System:
Dimension Dell Support (412-0721)

Operating System:
Windows Media Player 10 (420-4927)

Operating System:
Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access (463-2282)

Operating System:
Complimentary courses: Look for EU icon (420-5460)

Operating System:
Dell Direct Download (420-5476)

Operating System:
Viiv Technology (464-8764)

Operating System:
Icon Consolidation Application (420-5924)

Operating System:
Internet Search and Portal (420-5769)

Mouse:
Dell 2-Button USB Optical Mouse (310-8030)

NIC:
Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet (430-1455)

Modem:
56K PCI Data Fax Modem (313-3840)

TBU:
Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 (412-0705)

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive:
16X DVD+/-RW Drive (313-4137)

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive:
Sonic Cineplayer (420-5781)

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive:
Roxio Creator Basic/MyDVD Basic (420-5790)

Sound Card:
Integrated Audio (313-2758)

Speakers:
Dell AS501PA Sound Bar with power adapter for all Enrty Flat Panel Displays (313-4345)

Bundled Software:
Corel WordPerfect 12 plus Trial of Quartro Pro and Presentations (412-0803)

Factory Installed Software:
Network Associates McAfee 7.0 English, 3 Year Subscription (412-0853)

Service:
Type 3- Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, 1 Year Extended (950-1261)

Service:
2 Year Limited Warranty (950-3338)

Service:
Soft Contracts - Banctec (412-0360)

Service:
Type 3- Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year (960-6200)

Service:
Warranty Support,Initial Year (960-8680)

Service:
Warranty Support,1 Year Extended (902-0931)

Service:
Thank You for buying Dell (983-2207)

Service:
Please visit WWW.Dell.COM (983-2217)

Misc:
NETZERO ISP (412-0687)

Misc:
Broadband Icon for Inspiron (420-3224)

Misc:
AOL for Broadband (412-0787)


Thank you for choosing Dell (463-5441)


Windows Vista Capable (465-4663)


Basic digital Music,Photo and Game experience (412-0865)