Hello
I am buying a new home computer. I got it narrowed down to 3 computers. Can you guys tell me what the best one would be to buy....

1) Gateway
-64x2 duel core 4200+
-17 in flat panel can upgrade to a 19 in widescreen.(I do kinda want a 19 in monitor is widescreen ok or is 19 standard better)
-2048 DDR memory
- 320 G hard drive
- Double layer multi format DVDRW drive
- nVidia 6100 graphics(i am unfamiliar with this but would like a good one is this one good)
- 9 in 1 media reader. Whatever that means
- Has a remote control too not sure why lol
Price is 969.98 and 50 dollars more to upgrade to 19 widescreen

2) HP
Featuring pavilion media center AMD live.. smarter digital entertainment with AMD64 X2 duel core proc. 4200+
-15 in flat panel but can upgrade to 17 in for 50.
-2 G memory
- 250 hard drive
DVD+RW lightscribe tech.
nvidia GEForce 6150 Graphics
Hp total care 24 hour help line.
Price 799.98 and 50,00 more for a 17 in flat panel.
This one is a nice price and that I like but kinda want a 19 in monitor

3) HP
Pavillion media centre feturing intel Viiv technology Pentium D Processor 930
- 2 G Memory
- 300 GB
- DVD RW Lightscribe super multi drive and DVD-Rom Drives
- TV TunerPersonal video recorderand media centre remote (is this a good option to have?)
- HP total care help line 24 hours a day
Price is 1229.97 can upgrade to a 19in monitor for 60.

Of these three what is the best deal. I guess the big diff is the processor. What one is better or are they both about the same...
All advice appreciated.
I mainly use the computer for internet, buying car parts and we do pictures alot . We are on it every day and use it alot... I do like the price of number 2 but would buy one of the others if it is worth the extra money..

 

Out of those choices I would go with the Gateway. HP's are OK, but they always seem to run slower than other brands.

The 9 in 1 reader is a reader for all types of flash memory chips. You put your camera memory card in there and it will read it without having to connect the camera or external reader. Good to have in this day and age.

 

Dell, Dell, Dell

 

The AMD 4200 X2 is the faster processor. I would get the 19" LCD monitor for sure.

What do you use the computer for? If you are not using it for games then almost any computer will surf the internet, email, & ebay for you. You do want a good monitor. I think it is ok to give you some discount links for Dell if you want them. While I build my own computer, Dell has done a good job several times for my neighbors who want it delivered & ready to go.

 

I concur. The card readers are really nice to have.

Also, that remote that they include is because the system has Windows XP Media Center Edition. You can use the computer just like a DVD player if hooked up to the tv. You should able to record TV onto your hard drive, IIRC. I haven't used Media Center much. The remote functions just like a TV remote except it's for the media portions of your PC.

I'd say either of these PC's would suit your needs just fine. I'd go with the bigger monitor if you can afford it. The graphics cards are ok but it doesn't sound like you're a hardcore gamer. In that case, the graphics cards will work fine and dandy.

Also, as someone else mentioned Dell, have you looked into them at all?

 

I am not a hardcore gamer thats for sure. But I would like a descent card and hope that the one listed is ok. I do play games some and plan on doing it more.
As for Dell I hear alot about them but they seem to be very expensive. If you get one with all the options of the Gateway listed it will cost alot more than the Gateway. I would be interested in looking at a discount Dell site though.
We use the computer for pictures also and alot of surfing. I have all my car stuff on it and keep track off my car restorations on it. I buy and sell car parts sometimes and Email my friends that are in USA and other countries. We do use it alot for many different things.
I am curious about the 19 inch widescreen monitor. Will my normal yahoo pages look funny due to a widescreen monitor. I have not seen one yet so am curious. a widescreen would be nice watching movies on though. Would I be better off to get a plain 19 in monitor or is the widescreen worth getting... I appreciate all the input.. Thanks

 

The wide screen will look distorted for normal viewing and also movies. So I would go with a normal 19". How often would you use it for movies anyway?

 

Not often...

 

I'd go Gateway as I've had less than desireable results with Every HP I've owned

 

A Dell at $689 for your consideration;
Dell SB Dimension Dual Core 9150 w/ 17-Inch Ultrasharp Flat Panel

Specs:
# Pentium® D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB)
# 17 inch Ultrasharp 1707FP Digital Flat Panel
# 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz - 2DIMMs
# 160GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ 8MB cache
# Single Drive: 16x DVD+/-RW with double layer write capability
# 128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory

You can change to a 19" Ultrasharp LCD for $80.

Look for it at this link, http://www.stealdeals.net/

While this Intel CPU is the bottom of the Intel dual core CPUs, it is a very good one & it runs cooler than their more expensive ones.

A fax/modem is not included but can be for $20.

How do you connect to the internet?
What games do you play?

This system does not include a super video card but it will run most games. You can spend $500-$600 on a video card & even put 2 of them in for hard core gamers. I would not spend much on a video card today as a new video card standard will be out soon.

Hope this helps you a bit.

 

I have a DSL line and am new to games..

 

I would build it myself or have one built locally.

I don't think much of Box store or Corporate Company computers.
Warranty on one is a real hassle after a cetain time frame.

 

That is a nice set up you showed me thanks I am thinking hard now..
I was also wondering if I got the DVD burner with the TV tuner is it possible for me to burn my VCR home movies to a DVD with the computer. If not what would I need to be able to do this or is it worth the hassle..
Again thanks alot.

 

[QUOTE=Fair 96] is it possible for me to burn my VCR home movies to a DVD with the computer. If not what would I need to be able to do this or is it worth the hassle..[/QUOT

Yes this is possible & you should be considering this as VHS tape players are on the way out. I bought one 2 years ago & Best Buy only had 2. Here is an article to read, Good-bye, VHS; Hello, DVD To convert from VHS (analog) to CD/DVD or just your computer's hard drive (digital) you need a diffrent video card like ATI's All-In-Wonder or there are USB devices that will do the same. I bought an ADS DVD Express & it plugs into a USB port & you plug the VHS player into it via 3 RCA plugs (sound left & right, & video). It cost me about $50 for it. It is a good guality picture on your TV but will not make it a better, it is not HDTV or DVD quality. It looks just like the VHS tape to me. The conversion takes about 2 times the length of the tape before you can watch on your computer.

The TV tuner will let you watch & record TV on you computer. My wife is surfing & watching TV on the desktop right now (we have 2 monitors connected to it - 19" & 17").

Oh yes, don't worry if this deal with Dell expires as others will follow. This is the hot season for computers as parents are buying for almost every freshman going to college.

Good shopping.

 

BAH! We're not buying a prebuilt are we? I haven't read the thread because I'm scared of the outcome. Can I help you build it, step by step, if you need it? An hour or two of your time is all I need, and you can get a GREAT bang/buck.

Please, for the Love of the Lord himself, do NOT buy a Dell.

Ryan