Buying new computer

[D1J8Z]

Ok, I haven't purchased a new computer in about 10 years and I've just started looking into purchasing something new. I've been considering a "All in one" computer but I am open to a tower and monitor if it is still the best bang for your buck.

Anyone big into computers that can shoot me some advice that would be awesome!

Thanks in advance,
Dave.

 

[al0ha]

really depends on what you are looking for. i personally like macs not for their name and hype but for the adobe suite stuff. if you are using it recreationally, not for work, its very easy to use and i find its less of a hassle....been running my old macbook for 5 years and startup time is fast compared to a 5 year old windows

 

[lfsmarineguy]

DAVE! What's your budget? We could easily build a better unit at a fraction of the price. Couple hours one afternoon and you'll be up and running.

 

[james1990]

Iv always been a PC guy, right now my desktop is the HP ENVY touch all in one and its great, the touch screen is neat and its all in one. Im not tech savy to comment too much on performance.

I also like Mac's. They are simple to use and they tend to fight virus's and bugs alot better than PC's. its my opinion that a mac "should" last longer. I just picked up a new 15 inch retina display mac book pro and im blown away. the quality and performance is top notch. Looks like Ecotech makes it =]

 

[D1J8Z]

Jared I don't really have a budget in mind, basically want something reliable that wont need to be replaced tomorrow. My biggest problem is having about 600 in store credit to best buy. Granted I need more than just a computer I'm sure I could spend 600 at best buy on other stuff.

 

[D1J8Z]

James I was actually looking at the hp envy but I've been getting a lot of mixed reviews on "all in one" computers.

 

[D1J8Z]

Al0ha it is going to be for business, not recreational.

 

[KathyC]

Al0ha it is going to be for business, not recreational.

It might be a good idea to let the folks know what type of programs you need for the business you need the computer for..could make a difference in what suggestions are given?

btw - love your signature line..lol

 

[empire]

is it going to be used as a POS? if so, the software for macs is costly. if that doesn't matter to you, then go for a mac. a family friend has a mac as a POS and it is very smooth. He's able to view instantaneously updates of inventory, sales, p&l, you name it, right through his iPad.

all mac everything!

 

[bertyboy69]

Dont waste your money on apple anything. PC does everything mac does plus 1948583 times more and much better to boot. I would suggest away from an all in one cause there not as easily upgradable or repairable , if something was to break it an all in one it would cost you approx 2 to3 times as much to fix . Plus the specs of the aio are usually less than that of a desktop because of lack of cooling .
I would suggest building one yourself but since you have the store credit i wouldnt let it go to waste so thats up to you , if you decide to build one i could help you along if you had any questions as im sure many others can.

 

[jerl77]

mac the only way to go worth every penny

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Dave if it's just for business we could get parts at best buy, or at least some of them. $600 you could build a very decent business computer that wouldn't need updating for awhile.

 

[20gallonreefer]

Exactly. I didn't want to start an argument here but you are one that is right 100% I've had a vast number of computers in my life. Some upgraded to more than double the macs specifications and the mac still ran better. I can't find the link right now but they did a test a while back with a bunch of computer brand all the same exact specifications and the windows operating system ran better/faster on a mac than on any of the PCs. This just proves they are built better. So buy a mac you will not regret it. Also if you haven't looked for a computer in about 10 years you will probably end up getting a PC and getting a virus and then pulling your hair out to figure out whats wrong. With a mac you have far less of a chance.

mac the only way to go worth every penny

 

[bertyboy69]

Exactly. I didn't want to start an argument here but you are one that is right 100% I've had a vast number of computers in my life. Some upgraded to more than double the macs specifications and the mac still ran better. I can't find the link right now but they did a test a while back with a bunch of computer brand all the same exact specifications and the windows operating system ran better/faster on a mac than on any of the PCs. This just proves they are built better. So buy a mac you will not regret it. Also if you haven't looked for a computer in about 10 years you will probably end up getting a PC and getting a virus and then pulling your hair out to figure out whats wrong. With a mac you have far less of a chance.

I would be very intrested to see that experiment , because what makes a mac a mac is nothing more than a pretty logo on the outside, on the inside the boards chipsets capacitors memory video cars all are the same exact thing , the only dofferene is apple restricts the amount of hardware they use to make thoer operating system more lightweight , but if you built a computer with the same board chipset and EXACT specs including memory size speed timings , motherboard with the same chipset processor north brodge south bridge ect ect then in theory i would say hands down i would bet my entire life savings that they would perform identical if they were both running the same operating system , because in reality i can build a custom computer with the same specs as a mac and istall osx on it and whos to say mines not as good cause it doesnt cost 2 grand and have a pretty apple on it, they will perform identically


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I would be very intrested to see that experiment , because what makes a mac a mac is nothing more than a pretty logo on the outside, on the inside the boards chipsets capacitors memory video cars all are the same exact thing , the only dofferene is apple restricts the amount of hardware they use to make thoer operating system more lightweight , but if you built a computer with the same board chipset and EXACT specs including memory size speed timings , motherboard with the same chipset processor north brodge south bridge ect ect then in theory i would say hands down i would bet my entire life savings that they would perform identical if they were both running the same operating system , because in reality i can build a custom computer with the same specs as a mac and istall osx on it and whos to say mines not as good cause it doesnt cost 2 grand and have a pretty apple on it, they will perform identically


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Reefs

This horse has been beat to death and the reality is that if you took the same money that you would put into a Mac and you built a PC instead, it would crush it. Nobody is going to say that Macs don't run well but as far as utility, PCs are the better choice and for what Dave needs, an inexpensive PC is by far a better option than a Mac.

 

[fjpod]

I buy quite a few computers per year for my business. I used to buy Dells online and look for their value models. They worked, but were often slow dogs. Then I switched to building my own from Tiger or Newegg. These were faster but I experienced component failure more often.

Now I buy their off-lease or refurbed units. These are usually well built as they were intended for business use. They can be quite simple and inexpensive, or later model hardware can also be had for slightly more money. They are fully assembled, come with the operating system, and in a sense, are fully tested.

 

[beerfish]

Dont waste your money on apple anything. PC does everything mac does plus 1948583 times more and much better to boot.

I can run Windows on my Mac. Good luck trying to run Mac OS on your PC.

Hmmm... Guess it doesn't do everything a Mac does.

 

[Widdy]

I have Mac OSX (Mountain Lion) under vSphere that's on a PC platform :p

 

[bertyboy69]

And i run mac osx on my dell mini laptop , as well as an insiron 6400 , its very simple if the drivers are available but since mac only uses very specific hardware there are less drivers than normal but it is always possible and many have done so without any problems. Not that any one with a pc would want to run osx , because pretty much every program you can run on a mac was first designed to run on windows

 

[Widdy]

And i run mac osx on my dell mini laptop , as well as an insiron 6400 , its very simple if the drivers are available but since mac only uses very specific hardware there are less drivers than normal but it is always possible and many have done so without any problems. Not that any one with a pc would want to run osx , because pretty much every program you can run on a mac was first designed to run on windows

I have 5-6 Hackintoshes sitting around the apartment ranging from Vostro A40s, Latitude D620/D630s. But your last statement is pretty bold.