Looking at getting a new Desktop PC

#1

CagleMtnVol

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#1
The computer I am now using has started being weird and is warning of a HDD failure as of late on startup. :yikes:

I have backed up everything and am now looking into getting a new one I have had this one now since the spring of 2008 (I think) so I think that's a pretty good run. :dunno:

Two years ago I bought a HD display screen from a Best Buy sale and I'm looking for one with an HDMI hookup and multi USB ports. (the one I have now only has two)

This is what I have zeroed in on...

Acer - Aspire X AXC-605-UB1F

I'm not familiar with Acer all though I have heard people rave about there laptops. I think this would make only my 4th computer, I have had a HP, Dell and my current one is a Compaq

Any thoughts or recommendations? :unsure:
I really would like to stay in $350 and under neighborhood.
 
#3
#3
also i don't know if you have experience with it. but i loathe, hate, can't stand windows 8 on a desktop computer.
 
#4
#4
general use? gaming? photo storage?

General use, Internet, I also do a lot of stuff currently with Microsoft works-spreadsheet etc.. so that concerns me a little about stuff I saved on my portable HDD about continuing my work on what ever I get.


also i don't know if you have experience with it. but i loathe, hate, can't stand windows 8 on a desktop computer.
None, I think what I have on the I am using is XP?

I really only need to be able to store pics, music and be able to use/save documents like I said from "Works" is what I use most as well as sometimes creating things using "Paint" etc..


Here is another one I'm looking at..

HP - Pavilion Slimline 400-334
 
#5
#5
I've had an E machine for about 5 or 6 years,it has been a long time and it still runs fine,it isn't much,it has needed a video card,but other than that,it has been reliable

I had built several computers and they didn't last long,I think I have a power surge problem and went with an E Machine because of the price and it has worked fine

sturdy and reliable lol of course about all i use it for is the internet and some internet games,like I said,it is in bad need of a decent video card
 
#6
#6
For my next desktop I'm tempted to go to a local store (like Computer Depot in Knoxville) and have one built. I hate all the crap that comes pre-installed on the HPs, Dell's, Compaq's, etc. Those major manufacturers probably make more profit on each PC sold from their contracts with Norton and all that other crap than from marking up the actual hardware and MS operating system.
 
#7
#7
I've had an E machine for about 5 or 6 years,it has been a long time and it still runs fine,it isn't much,it has needed a video card,but other than that,it has been reliable

I had built several computers and they didn't last long,I think I have a power surge problem and went with an E Machine because of the price and it has worked fine

sturdy and reliable lol of course about all i use it for is the internet and some internet games,like I said,it is in bad need of a decent video card

Gateway bought e-machines and Acer has since bought Gateway. Acer shut down e-machines about two years ago.
 
#9
#9
I never use my PC anymore. Ever since I got the iPad Air, I've had no need for a PC. This thing does it all.
 
#10
#10
#11
#11
I'm looking at getting a laptop under $500 for a college student. Any suggestions? Should I wait until Windows 10 comes preloaded in the new ones?
 
#12
#12
my friend went with HPs for his girls in college,just because of the warranty and quick time to get them fixed,I'm not sure what they cost
 
#13
#13
The computer I am now using has started being weird and is warning of a HDD failure as of late on startup. :yikes:

I have backed up everything and am now looking into getting a new one I have had this one now since the spring of 2008 (I think) so I think that's a pretty good run. :dunno:

Two years ago I bought a HD display screen from a Best Buy sale and I'm looking for one with an HDMI hookup and multi USB ports. (the one I have now only has two)

This is what I have zeroed in on...

Acer - Aspire X AXC-605-UB1F

I'm not familiar with Acer all though I have heard people rave about there laptops. I think this would make only my 4th computer, I have had a HP, Dell and my current one is a Compaq

Any thoughts or recommendations? :unsure:
I really would like to stay in $350 and under neighborhood.
One thing to note when buying a PC is when looking at brand x vs brand y. It's really irrelevant. You want to pay attention to what's inside as HP, Toshiba, Acer etc. all use stuff from the same manufacturers. When buying a brand, you're buying their customer service and warranty. PC part manufacturing is actually very small. For instance: The CPU will either be Intel or AMD. Most mainstream brands use a motherboard from Foxconn, Asus, Gigabyte, or Intel. RAM is another one. Sure it may have G.Skill, OCZ, Corsair, or a number of other brands on the label, but the modules themselves are probably made by Micron, Samsung, Kingston, or Hynix.

My advice. Get a PC with a good motherboard, CPU, and HDD/SSD. The Acer you linked is just fine, although if you could wait a month or three, Intel should be releasing their new processors soon. All old stock should go on sale.
 
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#14
#14
The computer I am now using has started being weird and is warning of a HDD failure as of late on startup. :yikes:

I have backed up everything and am now looking into getting a new one I have had this one now since the spring of 2008 (I think) so I think that's a pretty good run. :dunno:

Two years ago I bought a HD display screen from a Best Buy sale and I'm looking for one with an HDMI hookup and multi USB ports. (the one I have now only has two)

This is what I have zeroed in on...

Acer - Aspire X AXC-605-UB1F

I'm not familiar with Acer all though I have heard people rave about there laptops. I think this would make only my 4th computer, I have had a HP, Dell and my current one is a Compaq

Any thoughts or recommendations? :unsure:
I really would like to stay in $350 and under neighborhood.

I'm looking at getting a laptop under $500 for a college student. Any suggestions? Should I wait until Windows 10 comes preloaded in the new ones?


A lot of good advice in here, guys...

Computer specialists, recommend a new computer in this thread
 
#17
#17
Thanks to everyone who has chimed in. I will wait as long as I can to get one but if the one I'm using finally gives up I'll have to go find one as I do a lot of buying/selling on eBay & Listia and don't want to have any sells start backing up and possibly messing up my feedback ratings.
 
#18
#18
For my next desktop I'm tempted to go to a local store (like Computer Depot in Knoxville) and have one built. I hate all the crap that comes pre-installed on the HPs, Dell's, Compaq's, etc. Those major manufacturers probably make more profit on each PC sold from their contracts with Norton and all that other crap than from marking up the actual hardware and MS operating system.

All of that bloatware crap is easy to uninstall. It's not really a valid reason to have a custom pc built, imo. Dollar for dollar it's hard for custom shops to compete with the competitive prices of big box stores.
 
#19
#19
All of that bloatware crap is easy to uninstall. It's not really a valid reason to have a custom pc built, imo. Dollar for dollar it's hard for custom shops to compete with the competitive prices of big box stores.

It's simple to uninstall. It's not so simple to identify what to uninstall.
 
#20
#20
Thanks to everyone who has chimed in. I will wait as long as I can to get one but if the one I'm using finally gives up I'll have to go find one as I do a lot of buying/selling on eBay & Listia and don't want to have any sells start backing up and possibly messing up my feedback ratings.

Recommend tigerdirect.com and take a look at their refurbished area (Factory Recertified and Discounted Computer Products at TigerDirect.com) Lots of good deals and not a lot of risk. You'll need to add MS Office or similar as most won't come with anything more than an operating system, but for under $200 what do you expect.

Heck, just in their desktop pc section there are several top brand name pcs that are listed as "off lease" for $209 that will probably blow away what you have right now.

Dell 755 Desktop PC - Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.00GHz, 4GB DDR2 Memory, 2TB HDD, DVDRW, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (Off-Lease) - RB-825633303201 at TigerDirect.com

JOS-102523419_main01xx_as_mn_9111152.jpg


Happy hunting!
 
#22
#22
never mind ,I found it



THIS ITEM IS AN OFF-LEASE PRODUCT - SAVE RESOURCES AND SAVE GREEN
The term "Off-Lease" refers to a product that has been leased to, and used by, a customer, then returned to the leasing agent at the end of the lease period (typically 2 to 3 years). The leasing agent, or their third-party partner, inspects, repairs (if necessary), cleans, re-packages, and then offers the product for sale as "Off-Lease". Although we only purchase and sell the highest grade off-lease products some items will show signs of use, including minor scratches, slight wear on keyboards, etc. Purchasing off lease product saves you money, creates less waste and saves the resources that would be required to produce new products. If saving money and resources is important to you and you are not concerned with minor wear you should consider purchasing off-lease. Off lease products carry limited warranties through the original leasing agent or their third party refurbisher. See below for warranty details
 
#23
#23
never mind ,I found it



THIS ITEM IS AN OFF-LEASE PRODUCT - SAVE RESOURCES AND SAVE GREEN
The term "Off-Lease" refers to a product that has been leased to, and used by, a customer, then returned to the leasing agent at the end of the lease period (typically 2 to 3 years). The leasing agent, or their third-party partner, inspects, repairs (if necessary), cleans, re-packages, and then offers the product for sale as "Off-Lease". Although we only purchase and sell the highest grade off-lease products some items will show signs of use, including minor scratches, slight wear on keyboards, etc. Purchasing off lease product saves you money, creates less waste and saves the resources that would be required to produce new products. If saving money and resources is important to you and you are not concerned with minor wear you should consider purchasing off-lease. Off lease products carry limited warranties through the original leasing agent or their third party refurbisher. See below for warranty details

It is like buying a certified used car. The key is to make sure you look at the actual components to ensure they meet what you are looking for. The one I posted has a decent dual core Intel chip that should last a long time. It is supposed to be a better chip than the AMDs of similar speed. But, like I said, it is a lot lower risk than spending $1000 bucks on a brand new system.
 
#24
#24
i agree on the price,the next one i get,i will go this route

my biggest problem has been killing motherboards since I moved out in the sticks,I'm fairly certain it has to do with the power coming in the house,i'm at the end of a line,with a transformer on the pole
 
#25
#25
i agree on the price,the next one i get,i will go this route

my biggest problem has been killing motherboards since I moved out in the sticks,I'm fairly certain it has to do with the power coming in the house,i'm at the end of a line,with a transformer on the pole

Get a battery backup with AVR technology, and that will effectively stop.
 

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