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01/21/2008 11:06:27 AM · #1 |
Hi All,
My hard drive on my 2001 computer finally crashed :( so I need a new computer asap. I had already started looking but now I need to buy in the next couple of days. I will be using it mostly for photography, and web browsing. I want something very fast, but also a good monitor for photo editing. I guess my main priority is speed (my old computer was sooo sloowww with uploading large photo files and using photoshop elements!) I also want to start shooting and working with RAW files and I know they are bigger - I am working with a 8MP camera but hope to upgrade someday. and of course, I want all of this performance for under $800 or $900:)
What I think I learned so far in my recent research:
desktop
at least 2 gb of memory
drive speed of at least 7200 rpm
hard drive of at least 250 GB
monitor with at least 700:1 contrast ratio (never had a lcd monitor, so this is all I know about this piece, is this correct?)
Vista - which one?
make: I am thinking HP or gateway - any thoughts?
store: circuit city or office depot - are these okay?
If anyone can point out something I must get for what I want to use it for please let me know. I would hate to make a mistake because money is really tight right now.
I hate to rush out and buy a major purchase like this, but I am lost with my PC! I am using someone else's computer to post this so I will say my thanks in advance and try to check back when I can.
Thank you.
bj
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01/21/2008 11:12:45 AM · #2 |
Try to spend the most money for the bang so that the current technology will last you a while before the next wave of technology makes your 'puter obsolete.
Mac or PC is like Nikon or Canon.
Pick one, learn it, use it, stay with it.
By the way, I am a fan of Alienware.
DON'T BUY FROM CIRCUIT CITY. Believe me when I tell you this. They are a pain in the ass.
Look online for some great deals.
Message edited by author 2008-01-21 11:39:40.
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01/21/2008 01:17:29 PM · #3 |
E6750
2GB RAM
Gigabyte Mobo
GeForce7600 (you didn't state games)
Formac 2010 (amazing 20" TFT)
16x Dual Layer DVD
250 Gb Seagate ST3250410AS Barracuda 7200.10, SATA300, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache, 8.5 ms, NCQ
Windows XP64
oooh you want to purchase a pre-built?
Dell Precision T3400 |
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01/21/2008 01:33:25 PM · #4 |
| In my experience with buying computers, I've always found it best to buy from the manufacturer. I know you have to wait for it to ship, but you also have that option to build your own. When you build your own, you get a better chance of spending your money on what you want and what you'll use. They still put some crappy "free" programs on it, but you have more control over that. I think their warranty is better, less hassle than taking it back to the store. However you choose to do it, look for coupons. Try www.couponmountain.com they have coupons to both the manufacturers and to Best Buy and Circuit City. As for the OS, I use Vista Home Premium, which is great for now. When I start working from home I might have to upgrade, but I definitely don't need those extras right now. |
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01/21/2008 02:32:14 PM · #5 |
Mac.
With the Intel Macs there is no longer a PC/Mac argument.
If you absolutely positively MUST run some windows application that does not have a Mac equal (or superior), then you can do it on the Mac via BootCamp, Parallels, VMWare, CrossOver (see where I'm going here?).
Get one of the Mac Pros if you're looking for a non-laptop (though the MacBook Pros are admittedly the shiznit).
I myself have a MacBook CoreDuo (the Core2Duos came out about 6 months later. d'oh!), with 2G RAM and an external 320G Firewire drive (music and pictures..leaving my internal HD free for applications).
There's Photoshop, GIMP, BibbleLite/Pro (for RAW processing..though the gimp handles it just fine with UFRAW), MS Office (ugh.), NeoOffice (OpenOffice native Mac port), Lightroom (though I've found no need for the expense), Aperture...
Notice that most of those apps are available for Mac AND Windows.
I have Parallels installed but I haven't used it in months (and when I did use it, it was to provide Windows support for my Microsoft using family and friends). |
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