So many choices...which one?

[Guest]

Hello. I'm not sure if this is the place to ask, so if there's a better
forum/website to go to, please advise.

Where can I go to get unbiased recommendations on what computer manufacturer
rates the best and what I really need on a computer for my use?
I'm just your average computer user (with teenage children) looking to buy a
new desktop computer. We will use it for internet use, email, digital photos
(basic) and MS Office. No Games.

Thanks.

 

[R. McCarty]

Which ratings - Customer satisfaction, performance, support or cost, also
maybe life-cycle (3-4 years). It's more complicated than just comparing a
few criteria. My only suggestion is get a PC with ample memory 512-1.0
Gigabytes. Personally, I'd more inclined to go with Dell as opposed to the
other major players such as HP, Gateway & Lenovo. The web has lots
of PC reviews. Also once you settle on vendor/model, visit the vendor's
forums and check for issues with that particular PC. As far as technology
goes there is a transition now to dual-core CPUs and PCI Express for a
Video card. But if your use doesn't include gaming then those features are
not as important. If you have teenage children, it might be best to buy two
separate less expensive PCs - one for you and the other for them.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello. I'm not sure if this is the place to ask, so if there's a
better forum/website to go to, please advise.

This isn't really a Windows XP question, but...

Where can I go to get unbiased recommendations

The problem is that all recommendations are biased. We have different likes,
prejudices etc. That's true of individuals here and it's true of magazine
writers, web sites, etc.

on what computer
manufacturer rates the best and what I really need on a computer for
my use?
I'm just your average computer user (with teenage children) looking
to buy a new desktop computer. We will use it for internet use,
email, digital photos (basic) and MS Office. No Games.

It sound like your needs are very modest. *My* biased opinion is to buy a
machine for around $500 from Dell. I would get their cheapest, slowest
processor, 512MB of RAM, and a 60GB hard drive.

 

[Uncle Joe]

Teenage kids? No games? Not likely. Kids are
going to install games on your PC. That's a fact.

If I were buying (I built my own), I'd buy a medium-
priced Dell PC with at least 512 megabytes of RAM,
at least a 40-80 gigabytes hard drive, a 17" Dell
monitor, Windows XP (Home) operating system,
and MS Office 2003 standard. If you don't have
a good quality printer, you'd need one of those too
for digital printing. Consider the Epson CX4800 for
$129 with a $30 rebate. It prints drop dead beautiful
prints that last for 60-200 years, includes a direct
connection for a digital camera, includes a quality
flattop scanner, and is fast when connected via USB2
cable.

Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Thank you! You've been very helpful!

Teenage kids? No games? Not likely. Kids are
going to install games on your PC. That's a fact.

If I were buying (I built my own), I'd buy a medium-
priced Dell PC with at least 512 megabytes of RAM,
at least a 40-80 gigabytes hard drive, a 17" Dell
monitor, Windows XP (Home) operating system,
and MS Office 2003 standard. If you don't have
a good quality printer, you'd need one of those too
for digital printing. Consider the Epson CX4800 for
$129 with a $30 rebate. It prints drop dead beautiful
prints that last for 60-200 years, includes a direct
connection for a digital camera, includes a quality
flattop scanner, and is fast when connected via USB2
cable.

Good luck.

 

[Paul Knudsen]

Where can I go to get unbiased recommendations on what computer manufacturer
rates the best and what I really need on a computer for my use?

You're here, so...

Dell was tops for a long time but they have slipped badly lately. You
might take a look at HP. Also look around for a reliable local shop
to build you one. Many like to obtain the parts and build their own.

I'm just your average computer user (with teenage children) looking to buy a
new desktop computer.

In my opinion, any user over the age of 12 should have their own
computer. Not necessarily fancy but good enough to write papers on.
It's easy to share a printer and Internet.

We will use it for internet use, email, digital photos
(basic) and MS Office. No Games.

What a meanie. (g)