Getting a New Computer

[Geekyfanboy]

So my currently computer is over 6 years old and I was going to upgrade it but it looks to be cheaper to just buy a new desktop computer. First let me say I'M NOT BUYING A MAC... Harry has a Mac and it's great but with my Avid system I need a PC. So I'm looking to buy a new one.. Here is the front runner so far..

http://www.amazon.com/HP-Pavilion-Elite-HPE-440f-Desktop/dp/B003ZX87KE

Suggestions would be appreciated...

[Rico]

HP is a decent machine Kenny.  This machine has a little faster processor and a few other things too are bumped up.  The Intel i7 chip is VERY fast.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Elite+Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i7+Processor+/+8GB+Memory+/+1TB+Hard+Drive/9919073.p?id=1218195230378&skuId=9919073

[KingIsaacLinksr]

HP at this point is the only brand I will suggest for PC anymore, except to build it yourself or have someone else build it.  I have very little faith in the rest of the companies, Dell is ok, but a risk.  The rest are too high-end or not-so-great.

What I will suggest to not get: Gateway, e-Machines.  STAY AWAY!   >:(

So tl;dr: Rico's.  ;)

King

[Blackride]

Dell or HP is fine for a desktop/laptop. We use both at work and both have their postives and negatives.

[Geekyfanboy]

Well I have a Dell now and it's going on six plus years with very few issues... so I wouldn't mind getting another Dell.. I know I want at least a i5 intel processor, 8 Gigs for Ram and at least 1TB of drive space. It's just a matter of finding the right fit for me.

[Rico]

Dell, HP, Asus are all pretty good.  Of course, I build my own but I still read a lot of system reviews and magazines.  Since you don't buy a new machine too often Kenny, I'd buy as fast a machine as you can afford.

[Blackride]

I know nothing about ASUS. If you are concerned with customer service and tech support calls I would say Dell is the best for desktops and HP has a slight edge in the server world.

[davekill]

I bought an HP Z600 a few months ago and really like it.

Very fast and can easily upgrade to dual Quad-Core processors.
I run CS4 Master suite and 3DS Max on it - no problem.
(It maxes out at 48 GB of ram.)

http://www.zones.com/site/product/index.html?id=003255968

If you want more expandability - go with the Z800. ;)
http://www.zones.com/site/product/index.html?id=003255978

[Ktrek]

My previous PC was a Sony Vaio and it was great! I would have bought another one in a sec if I had had enough money to spend at the time I replaced it. Now I have a Dell and it has been a fine unit with no problems. The only thing I wish is that I could have gotten a step up so my LG Blu-Ray burner would play in it. It will burn and play DVDs just fine but not Blu-Ray. I don't really need it to but it would be nice to have a backup in case something happened to my Blu-Ray player. Personally I would not buy an HP but only because the last time I bought them they only lasted me a short time. They kept overheating on me because I was placing too many demands on the processor doing video conversion work. That's when I got my Sony and I never had any problems with it until the very end and that was five years of heavy usage.

Kevin

[Rico]

You do have to keep in mind that computers are really a sum of the parts used in them.  So when comparing models, look at the parts such as CPU, video card, RAM, etc.  For the most part, the actual brand label on the machine doesn't matter that much.  It's what is used inside that counts.

P.S.  Kevin - shoot me an email or PM with the software on your machine you are trying to use for your Blu-Ray player.  I got mine to work, but you have to know a few "tricks" to do it.

[billybob476]

Rico's right, a 700 dollar Sony Vaio won't compare to a top end Dell or HP. On the other hand a top end Vaio is a nice machine.

[X]

Kenny, I honestly think that you could build your own computer in a few hours. It's no where as hard as people think. If you played with legos in the past you can pretty much build a computer provided you buy all of the necessary parts. Then it's a lot of insert tab a into slot a

[Rico]

Chris, is pretty much correct.  But it does take a little finesse.  If you are someone who is handy and good with their hands the assembly isn't too hard.  Actually the real trick these days is getting all those components working right, the right drivers, bios settings, etc.  And really a pre-built machine isn't a bad way to go at all.  Some nice systems out there and at good prices.

[Dangelus]

If you don't fancy doing it yourself you might want to look at getting one custom built. The problem with store bought systems is a lot of the time they come with a lot of bloatware which you just don't need and the OS usually has some branding.

In fact the first thing I did when I bought my netbook was format the hard drive. :)

[Rico]

A good program to remove "bloatware" and junk you don't need or want on a new PC, is called PC Decrapifier.

Here:  http://bit.ly/aJ4WS