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01/04/2008 11:40:08 AM · #1 |
| I can't stand it any more have to upgrade need some good -read cheap, i'd rather spend my money on glass, suggestions on what i should be looking for. thanks in adv. |
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01/04/2008 11:43:00 AM · #2 |
Get a Mac.
(there, got that out of the way)
;-) |
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01/04/2008 12:03:39 PM · #3 |
If you know what you are doing with computer hardware, my suggestion is to buy the components and build one yourself.
What is the current system you are you upgrading from? |
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01/04/2008 01:54:57 PM · #4 |
| Since you want cheap (pricewise), check your area for local "computer shows" or swap meets. You can get a decent system for a fraction of what you'd spend at a chain store, just not usually with the big brand name on it. The shows have different local vendors who usually have complete customizable systems, barebones (add drives and memory), or all the different parts if you want to build one yourself (or they'll put it all together for a small fee, if any). You can usually haggle a little bit on the price since they know you can just go down to the next booth. Grab a copy of Computer Shopper and do a little research on prices before you go so you kind of know what you're looking for. Good luck! |
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01/04/2008 01:58:07 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by strangeghost:
Get a Mac.
(there, got that out of the way) ;-) |
hehe
You missed the part where he said CHEAP. lol |
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01/04/2008 02:00:25 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by _eug:
You missed the part where he said CHEAP. lol |
I've got a G3 IMac I can let go of real cheap! (It would not really be an upgrade, however!) |
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01/04/2008 02:14:07 PM · #7 |
Yeah, the whole Apple thing is expensive - you're paying for style as much as function, plus they have seriously limited upgrade paths.
Building your own is the cheapest way but can be a major PITA if you don't know what you're doing. It can go really smoothly and it can go horribly wrong, and unfortunately experience (and a lot of googling) is the only real way.
There is however a mid ground - buy a barebones system. This is basically the case, power supply, motherboard, memory and CPU all tested and pre-fit. All you need to do is to put in a hard drive, CD/DVD and a graphics card (or maybe not if gfx and sound are on the motherboard and you don't need anything fancy) or thereabouts, and that's a much easier thing to do. Also much less that can go wrong.
I can't recommend anywhere in the US just because I'm a UK person, but make sure any place you get it from pre-tests all their barebones kits. This just ensures that there are no component failures or incompatibilities BEFORE you get it, and that's often where all the aggro stems from. Plugging in hard drives and other peripherals is simple, and if they don't work you'll be able to much more easy to diagnose.
Alternatively, just buy a cheapo PC from a local builder (i.e. NOT PC World!! I don't know what US PC World is like but here you can buy a better model for the same price from anywhere else - daylight robbery). If you're just doing photo editing you can get a dual processor (old Pentium D based cores) with plenty of RAM (2gb) for about 300 UKP (500-600 USD?), cheaper for an old single core. For maximum value go single core, but be aware large photoshop transformations/filters may take significantly longer...up to you...
HTH
N
Message edited by author 2008-01-04 14:19:40. |
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01/04/2008 02:21:41 PM · #8 |
try Shuttle Barebones,very much a cost effective scenario ,heres the link ,//us.shuttle.com/
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01/04/2008 02:22:28 PM · #9 |
| Ebay is always a good place to look. Then you can choose whatever platform you want. |
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01/04/2008 02:25:54 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by fastforward:
...the whole Apple thing is expensive - you're paying for style as much as function, plus they have seriously limited upgrade paths.... |
It's probably cheaper to buy a Ford with a Kia engine, tires from four different manufacturers and without getting any insurance on it than to get a real Ford, a real Bug or a Benz. |
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01/04/2008 03:44:01 PM · #11 |
Do you have a Fry's Electronics in your area? They have great deals on PCs. I've bought two of them over the past three year for around $269 (US) each. They are bare-bones, but I already have monitors, wireless cards, etc. I also bump up the memory by installing an extra chip or two. These low-cost PCs usually come with some form of Linux, but the first thing I do is to replace the OS with XP or, more recently, Vista.
If you are not up to upgrading PCs on your own, then check your local sale papers. For Christmas, I bought a Lenovo from Office Depot (320Gb drive, 2GB RAM, Vista Home Premium, Intel Dual-core 1.66 MHz each CPUs, etc.) This setup was only $399 (after a $150 mail-in rebate).
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01/06/2008 03:59:36 PM · #12 |
| thanks for all the help guys finally bought a gateway 400g hard drive and 3 g of ram for 600.00 wow what a differance from the old 1 this thing zooms! might actually enjoy photoshop now--no waiting! now if only i could get digital photo pro to open my pic folders--the viewer utility will open them but pro won't anbody have any ideas? |
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01/06/2008 06:08:48 PM · #13 |
Alien Ware's Area-51, spend the money you don't have to get a decent computer that will last you a while.
Don't listen to those Mac-i-avelions, they just don't get it.
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