Computer for college?

[ComputerNovice]

Hey, I am a new member of this forum, this is my first post. As you can probably tell by my username, I am not an expert on computers. Anyway, I am going to Cornell engineering school next year, and I know I want to get a DESKTOP. I want to get the whole package. Desktop, monitor (doesn't need to be flatscreen), nice speakers, printer (doesn't have to be color), but I need a nice desktop that can handle my heavy courseload next year. So if anyone has a good recommendation for the different hardware mentioned, I would appreciate it, thanks.

 

[ComputerNovice]

I forgot.... I want a PC. I'm not a mac person.

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Um...sine you sound like you have no idea what you really want (or need), contact Cornell and see what they reccomend. Then see how much you have to spend. Then go to Dell or HP or Compaq and get one from them.

 

[Ionizer86]

Since you want the whole package, you don't want to build you're own? Maybe you can get something preconfigured like below.
A computer is very budget dependant, but if you want to stay away from going too high, what's below should be a pretty good value for the $. Maybe some companies will offer something similar (line underneath shows how much the product is now)

EPoX 8KHA+ nForce 2 board
$85
AMD Athlon XP 2500+
$96
Case + PSU (whatever they give you)
$50
2x256 PC2700 ram
$80
Radeon 9100
$65
WD 120gb 8mb buffer drive
Hot deal brings it to $30, but usually ~$100
Burner
Hot deal brings it down to free but usually $40
DVD
$30
17" flat CRT (tube that's flat; not a panel though)
$90
Kbrd + Mouse
Free after rebate; you may be able to get these separately.
WinXP OEM
$60

Nice speakers would be like...Klipsch Promedia 5.1 😛
Noncolor printer = maybe get a laser once you're there. Minoltas have been around $60. Lasers last a very long time and are cheap per page of printed stuff.

If you're going with mainstream dell or something, check hot deals once in a while. PPl have been able to get a dell for just over $600 with a high-end Radeon 9800, new 865 chipset, Office XP Pro, etc (very expensive stuff couponed down to $600).

 

[charlie21]

If you don't know much about computers, go the Dell route.

I don't know why the answer to this kind of question always has to be "build it yourself". A warranty and tech support is a must for people that aren't good with computers.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Dell has some nice deals once in a while

 

[Armistad123]

"If you're going with mainstream dell or something, check hot deals once in a while. PPl have been able to get a dell for just over $600 with a high-end Radeon 9800, new 865 chipset, Office XP Pro, etc (very expensive stuff couponed down to $600). "

WOW, Ionizer86, that sounds like a great deal, i just checked dell's hot deals section and i didnt see anything like that, maybe i missed something, but if anybody has got a link to that please give it!, Thanks

 

[heartsurgeon]

definitely contact you school before you buy...

they may have a school related volume discount

if not, just get a dell