Computer Recommendations

[Shamb]

We're thinking about getting another computer, primarly for my wife so she can do her ebay thing and stay off mine. After getting a degree in Computer Science I built all of my own computers for the past 8 years or so. So we'll just say... i'm a bit "out of the loop" when it comes to manufactured computers. What my questions are....

1. What's considered a good brand name computer?   Sony? Compaq? HP? Dell? Toshiba?  or.. ?

2. Does every computer come mandatory w/ Vista now?  or do you have options w/ the operating system?  I'd prefer to stay XP because I really don't want to spend over $1000 for a CPU that can actually handle Vista.

3. Why would you consider your choice good?  maybe some specifics on what makes the computer better then the rest. Customer support? reliability? hardware? software?  ect.

Thanks,
Shamb

[DTB]

We're thinking about getting another computer, primarly for my wife so she can do her ebay thing and stay off mine. After getting a degree in Computer Science I built all of my own computers for the past 8 years or so. So we'll just say... i'm a bit "out of the loop" when it comes to manufactured computers. What my questions are....

1. What's considered a good brand name computer?   Sony? Compaq? HP? Dell? Toshiba?  or.. ?

2. Does every computer come mandatory w/ Vista now?  or do you have options w/ the operating system?  I'd prefer to stay XP because I really don't want to spend over $1000 for a CPU that can actually handle Vista.

3. Why would you consider your choice good?  maybe some specifics on what makes the computer better then the rest. Customer support? reliability? hardware? software?  ect.

Thanks,
Shamb

so wait...... you have a degree in computer science and you're asking US for help? 

[Shamb]

I built all of my own computers for the past 8 years or so. So we'll just say... i'm a bit "out of the loop" when it comes to manufactured computers

I built my own, know nothing about these "big name" or store bought computers. The question isn't, "What should I be looking for in a computer?"  my question is who sells the cpu's with the best parts for the money.

[mudking82]

I have had good luck with Dell.  I have had two of their desktops and just bought a laptop from them.  With Dell you still have the option of XP on at least some of their computers, especially laptops, you just got to search for them.  I like them for the ease of customization, you can get exactly the specifications you want on the first try.  And I have had good luck with their customer service the one time I needed it.  And that was for a computer that was long out of warranty, but they were a huge help.  Just my two cents.

[CTENG in KS]

If you look around more and more places are asking for stock computers with Windows XP on them cause too many people don't want Vista...so they are out there...I think Circuit City has XP machines, but BB doesn't?

I have a Toshiba laptop and for low end web wheeler type computer it works great and it was cheap...<$500 new.
Sony's are always good, but they are towards the higher end of the price range.  Dell has fallen off the quality they used to be IMO, but it seems that Gateway has actually been getting decent reviews the past 2 years or so.  For a while there they were complete crap.

Compaq bought HP or the other way around, can't remember...the HP's have gotten decent reviews, but their association with Compaq scares me...Compaq has a reputation for using very crappy bus' and always seem to tend towards crashing...
I think they exist only to create entropy in the universe...very irreversible types.

Other ones I don't know too much about.  I have seen some good reviews of Acer stuff...I think they are like the Hyundai of computers and might finally be getting to the point that it isn't embarrassing to own one.

I would use your friend Google and SEARCH!

[Shamb]

I would use your friend Google and SEARCH

nahhh, that's what this thread's for.. i'm lazy   

[MiniSimp]

Do a google for "The God Box"

[Shamb]

i'm probably opening a can of worms...


this is way over priced but...


http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/Aurora_ALX/aurora_overview.aspx?SysCode=PC-AURORA-ALX-R7&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

Aurora ALX by Alienware 

nah.. way too much computer for what i'd be using it for... this will just be a web surfing computer with a few songs and whatever garbage my wife puts on it.

[redneckbrat]

Dell gives the option of xp or vista.  you can get a good one for about 6-700, shipped to your door.

[DTB]

ive always been happy with my 350 dollar e-machine. had it for about 3 years now..works fine for surfing, pics, music, e-bay, etc.

[Cheesemaker]

We got the Gateway dx210x, and haven't had any problems!  We bought higher end to do pictures and some video, and it works good!  I've got friends that buy the $500 Gateway computers and love them!  I can't see why you would want to build one, when you can get one complete for nothing!  I got a buddy that is running Vista on a 4 year old Dell, with no problems!  The vista compatible thing is bull crap!  I prefer XP!

Several of my friends have bought Dell in the last year, and have hated them from day one!