Suggestions for prebuilt PC

[uhohs]

2gb of ddr2 memory is often <$30 after rebate, so that would be a good alternative as well.

 

[Winterpool]

Wait, what's the budget here? That would help a great deal.

If a user is not too budget conscious and likely to seek support, Apple is the way to go. Their tech support and 'Geniuses' aren't perfect -- hell, they're not even us, but they're generally considered the best amongst the major brands, in almost every poll and survey. Dell support is better than one might think, but it's still not terribly good. If there's an Apple Store in your brother's vicinity, the convenience of the Genius Bar cannot be overestimated. Switching operating systems is no joke, of course, but most users adapt to Mac OS X fairly quickly, and he can always run Windows via Boot Camp or virtualisation. Again, if an Apple Store is nearby, why not stroll in and take a look; that's what they're there for. iLife, especially, provides a lot more 'useful computing' to the typical user than all our FPS games and bloated 'productivity' suites.

If you're still interested in a 'media' (ie television) option, HP seems to do a lot of that, for whatever reason. Make sure everything is HDCP compliant if you think Blu-ray might be a future possibility. But does your brother not own a proper HDTV yet? Most people like to sit back in a big chair or sofa to watch their telly, not sit twenty inches from a computer monitor.

If you do buy 22-inches, try to find one that's 1920x1200 for '1080 HD'. Pretty much all 24-inch monitors will offer this resolution. Generally, four-digit Dell models are higher-end (compared to three-digit). Be sure to read recent reviews if you get a Dell. They tend to switch panel types and manufacturers so quality can vary widely, even within a model number. The Dell 2408WFP seems the best in their lineup right now, since their 20-inch displays no longer offer S-IPS panels. It's a surprisingly good 24-inch monitor for $600. Not sure if it ever shows up in Dell bundles, however.

Unless they specify otherwise, major PC OEMs generally include only some sort of 'restore' disc that basically re-images your machine. Often, though, you can find an option to get an actual Windows disc for a nominal fee (ten or twenty bucks).

Considering your brother was running this long on a Windows 2000 system, it might be a good idea to get somewhat more power than he needs, and Windows Vista. XP won't be supported forever, and it sounds like your brother might keep this computer for a long while. Even 'web browsing' means viewing a lot of 'rich content' these days, which can stress some weaker machines, especially when it's poorly coded Flash. My old Athlon XP (on which I ran Windows 2000 Professional!) would shoot immediately to 100 per cent cpu when viewing some of these pages. In the worst cases, my browser would simply crash.

Processors and memory are cheap: I'd recommend a 'true' Core 2 Duo and 4 GB of memory if you can find a good deal. 2 GB memory minimum. I see a Vostro deal on Dell Small Business today for a Q6600, 2 GB of RAM, and a 22-inch display for $679. Not sure if that's a worthwhile monitor, though.

Edited: oh, as to Word-type software, jah MS Works is the stinker. Open Office is preferable and probably more compatible. Unfortunately it's not 100 per cent compatible, though it's usually enough for the average home user. The problem is that it's not MS Office, it doesn't look like it, saves to a different default format, etc. This bothers some users a great deal. But if you're willing to configure it for your brother, it could be the way to go.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Winterpool
Wait, what's the budget here? That would help a great deal.

My brother didn't specify a budget. I worked up what I thought would be OK and called him this evening. When we hooked up I asked him if he wanted to buy that new computer. He said it depends, how much would it cost. I said about $700, minus shipping and tax. He said that sounded good.

If a user is not too budget conscious and likely to seek support, Apple is the way to go. Their tech support and 'Geniuses' aren't perfect -- hell, they're not even us, but they're generally considered the best amongst the major brands, in almost every poll and survey. Dell support is better than one might think, but it's still not terribly good. If there's an Apple Store in your brother's vicinity, the convenience of the Genius Bar cannot be overestimated. Switching operating systems is no joke, of course, but most users adapt to Mac OS X fairly quickly, and he can always run Windows via Boot Camp or virtualisation. Again, if an Apple Store is nearby, why not stroll in and take a look; that's what they're there for. iLife, especially, provides a lot more 'useful computing' to the typical user than all our FPS games and bloated 'productivity' suites.

Not being an Apple guy myself, I don't feel comfortable advising him to get one.

If you're still interested in a 'media' (ie television) option, HP seems to do a lot of that, for whatever reason. Make sure everything is HDCP compliant if you think Blu-ray might be a future possibility. But does your brother not own a proper HDTV yet? Most people like to sit back in a big chair or sofa to watch their telly, not sit twenty inches from a computer monitor.

He has a 40-42" HDTV but I think it's small for the space it's in. Even a 65" would be small, IMO. But they like it and I don't want to say anything. If it were my space I'd put curtains up and hang a screen and have a projector, but they'd never go for that. I didn't suggest the TV option on the PC. It would be real nice, though.

If you do buy 22-inches, try to find one that's 1920x1200 for '1080 HD'. Pretty much all 24-inch monitors will offer this resolution. Generally, four-digit Dell models are higher-end (compared to three-digit). Be sure to read recent reviews if you get a Dell. They tend to switch panel types and manufacturers so quality can vary widely, even within a model number. The Dell 2408WFP seems the best in their lineup right now, since their 20-inch displays no longer offer S-IPS panels. It's a surprisingly good 24-inch monitor for $600. Not sure if it ever shows up in Dell bundles, however.

We ordered a Dell system without monitor and got a Samsung 2253LW elsewhere, $259.95 shipped after $20 MIR (PCConnection.com). Reviews at Newegg and Amazon are very positive, much better than the reviews I saw about the Dell 22".

Unless they specify otherwise, major PC OEMs generally include only some sort of 'restore' disc that basically re-images your machine. Often, though, you can find an option to get an actual Windows disc for a nominal fee (ten or twenty bucks).

I didn't see that, but I figure (hope) it'll be possible to download (torrent) a non-crack version of Vista at some point and use the key supplied with the system to validate it.

Considering your brother was running this long on a Windows 2000 system, it might be a good idea to get somewhat more power than he needs, and Windows Vista. XP won't be supported forever, and it sounds like your brother might keep this computer for a long while. Even 'web browsing' means viewing a lot of 'rich content' these days, which can stress some weaker machines, especially when it's poorly coded Flash. My old Athlon XP (on which I ran Windows 2000 Professional!) would shoot immediately to 100 per cent cpu when viewing some of these pages. In the worst cases, my browser would simply crash.

I upgraded the Vista Home to Vista Home Premium. I don't know if this was wise or not.

Processors and memory are cheap: I'd recommend a 'true' Core 2 Duo and 4 GB of memory if you can find a good deal. 2 GB memory minimum. I see a Vostro deal on Dell Small Business today for a Q6600, 2 GB of RAM, and a 22-inch display for $679. Not sure if that's a worthwhile monitor, though.

I saw that Vostro, it was linked (I think) in the thread today. The system we got has a Core 2 Duo, 2.0 GHz CPU, 2 GB DDR2 667 MHz. I went with the default CPU, but bumped the RAM. That 22" upgrade to the default 20" Dell display was the one that people weren't too happy with. Since they didn't have an option to choose "No monitor" I abandoned that page and went with the one in a Dell email to me a few days ago, which linked the Inspiron 530 on this page.

Edited: oh, as to Word-type software, jah MS Works is the stinker. Open Office is preferable and probably more compatible. Unfortunately it's not 100 per cent compatible, though it's usually enough for the average home user. The problem is that it's not MS Office, it doesn't look like it, saves to a different default format, etc. This bothers some users a great deal. But if you're willing to configure it for your brother, it could be the way to go.

Yeah, today I looked up MS Works and saw that people didn't care for it at all, at least a lot of people. We didn't get him anything in the way of software. He said we'll cross that bridge when we get to it in 2.5 weeks. He's running AVG Free right now, and I figure that Vista has it's own firewall. I figure I might try Open Office to give him the ability to deal with Word files. I've never seen it. He just wants to read .doc files, edit them, create them. He's using Outlook (either full or Express, I don't know) right now. Chances are he won't have even opened the system when I arrive to help him with the transition. I'll bring my flash drives. Hell, I may even bring my external 500 GB USB drive to help in the transition. It probably wouldn't be necessary, though. He has used incredibly little HD space, especially considering he's had the system for probably 7 or 8 years.

 

[Winterpool]

Unless they specify otherwise, major PC OEMs generally include only some sort of 'restore' disc that basically re-images your machine. Often, though, you can find an option to get an actual Windows disc for a nominal fee (ten or twenty bucks).

I didn't see that, but I figure (hope) it'll be possible to download (torrent) a non-crack version of Vista at some point and use the key supplied with the system to validate it.

I think so long as you can find a Vista OEM disc from Dell (on the Internet or from someone you know), there's a good chance that the product key on your brother's computer will work with it. Of course, you could always go with the flow and image your brother's eventual setup yourself; there are several decent free imaging tools now.

If your brother's used to Outlook, particularly the full version, it might eventually be necessary to get MS Office after all. Most people I know use Thunderbird or (Mac) Mail, but users who rely heavily on Outlook, especially for business, generally can't live without it.

 

[BigZ1981]

Originally posted by: Flammable
build one for him...

that sounds like a good option as well...costs a bit more, but you can specifically choose the components & setup

edit:
failed to notice the second page

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: BigZ1981

Originally posted by: Flammable
build one for him...

that sounds like a good option as well...costs a bit more, but you can specifically choose the components & setup

edit:
failed to notice the second page

Problem with building it for him is pretty much that I live 500 miles from him so all the onsight support I'm going to be able to give him will be over the weekend of June 12-15, and only part of that because of other things on the agenda.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Winterpool


Processors and memory are cheap: I'd recommend a 'true' Core 2 Duo and 4 GB of memory if you can find a good deal. 2 GB memory minimum.

Turns out we ordered the default Intel® Pentium® dual-core processor E2180 (1MB, 2.00GHz, 800FSB). The cheapest Core 2 duo processor was $70 more, the Intel® Core?2 Duo Processor E4600 (2MB L2 Cache,2.4GHz,800 FSB). Did bump to 2 GB memory.

 

[maziwanka]

Originally posted by: uhohs

Originally posted by: Muse
I'm going back to my brother's house (500 miles away) on June 12th for around 4 days, and hope he'll have his new system then so I can help in configuration, etc. Haven't made any decisions, but am inclined right now to want to get him a Dell.

My thinking is Inspiron with Vista Home Premium. I figure to get him a monitor elsewhere. I saw an ad for Frys when I was at his house a week ago for a Samsung 2253LW 21.6" LCD monitor for around $250. That was last week and would be plus tax, but I see looking online that we can have it sent to him for around the same money. Does this seem like a good monitor for him? He's been using a 19" CRT, but I'm sure he'd like an LCD and I saw a post here that 22" LCD is the sweet spot these days (this was a couple of months ago, probably). Does this seem like a good monitor for basic computer activities? I saw a lot of positive posts at newegg and Amazon.

Would Celeron be OK, or should he upgrade to a dual core Intel CPU? I figure with Vista, 2 GB is a lot better than 1 GB, but at dell.com the extra 1GB costs $50 extra. Should we just get 1 GB and upgrade the RAM ourselves?

How about keyboard/mouse? He's actually using a ball mouse now! I gave him an optical (a freebie after rebate I had), but don't know what he did with it.

He already has a printer. His desk has a slot custom made for a midtower, so it will go in there (assuming it's not too big).

Will the price of a roll-your-own be competitive with Dell's basic models?

here

dude. are vostros always this cheap? 400 bucks including a monitor???

what the heck are hot deals like for this stuff then

 

[Muse]

I assembled the new Dell PC for my brother over the weekend (Thursday and Friday, actually). I guess it's OK. I was quite disappointed to find that the Inspiron 530 using the onboard video (didn't buy one of the video cards offered) didn't have a DVI connection for his new Samsung 2253LW 21.6" LCD monitor. I use a dual DVI card, myself. The VGA cables he had weren't long enough, so we went to Frys and instead of getting a 10' VGA cable, we bought a cheap video card and a 10' DVI cable. The video card is a eVGA GeForce 8400 GS (PCI-e, 512MB). I suppose that's all he needs, since Free Cell is the only computer game he's likely to use. The main thing I figure is to give him the DVI connection he needs to get sharpness on his LCD.

Opened the box and saw he has two empty RAM slots and two PCI slots, both unused. So, there is some upgradability in this thing. I was kind of surprised to see it only has a 300w PSU, though.

 

[ther00kie16]

Yea, but that rig likely won't ever pull 200W. So unless he adds a power-hogging video card or some USB cooker of some sort, that power supply will do just fine. If you are really that concerned, you could grab an Antec Earthwatts for $30 during one of the deals.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: ther00kie16
Yea, but that rig likely won't ever pull 200W. So unless he adds a power-hogging video card or some USB cooker of some sort, that power supply will do just fine. If you are really that concerned, you could grab an Antec Earthwatts for $30 during one of the deals.

He's not apt to upgrade video card or use power-hogging USB devices.

In Device Manager it shows IDE channels but I didn't see any IDE connectors on the MB, which surprised me. The HD and DVD burner are both SATA. There are 2 unused SATA connectors. I'm thinking that to use IDE devices, I'd have to install an IDE PCI controller card. I have a couple I'm not using (at least one). Anyway, I didn't have a controller card with me, so I couldn't install one of the IDE HDs from his old system as a backup device in his new box.

Also, there were no COM ports available, which was a disappointment since he has a serial computer interface for his Palm Pilot. Is it possible to get a PCI card that will add a COM port to his PC? I asked my brother and he doubts that he can get a USB interface for the Palm Pilot.