Getting a New Computer

[Dangelus]

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

Those are useful but I've always much preferred to start from scratch with a fresh install, the ultimate Decrapifier! :)

[beer]

I've been -thinking- about buying a laptop between now and the summer. Mostly for games :) I'm totally lost tho nowadays - gonna have to figure out these new hardware stats, different processors etc. I was bummed cuz my last computer was not able to play that elder scrolls oblivion game due to video card problems.

[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

Those are useful but I've always much preferred to start from scratch with a fresh install, the ultimate Decrapifier! :)

Yes, that's great if you have a Windows install disc.  Most pre-built systems do not come with that.  They come with a "restore" disc.  Which puts them in the exact state they are when you buy them, extra software and all.

[Geekyfanboy]

So I'm heading out today to Fry's to get my new computer.. thank you for your suggestions.. still not sure what I'm going to get but I'll let you know when I get it.

[Dangelus]

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

Those are useful but I've always much preferred to start from scratch with a fresh install, the ultimate Decrapifier! :)

Yes, that's great if you have a Windows install disc.  Most pre-built systems do not come with that.  They come with a "restore" disc.  Which puts them in the exact state they are when you buy them, extra software and all.

Very true, I've always bought my Windows licences separately since I've always built my own desktops. Last year I became a Technet subscriber which gave me access to extra licenses which is very economical for users with multiple boxes.

I would still recommend a custom build for those nor confident enough to DIY as they use a clean OEM installation.

[Blackride]

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

Those are useful but I've always much preferred to start from scratch with a fresh install, the ultimate Decrapifier! :)

Yes, that's great if you have a Windows install disc.  Most pre-built systems do not come with that.  They come with a "restore" disc.  Which puts them in the exact state they are when you buy them, extra software and all.

Very true, I've always bought my Windows licences separately since I've always built my own desktops. Last year I became a Technet subscriber which gave me access to extra licenses which is very economical for users with multiple boxes.

I would still recommend a custom build for those nor confident enough to DIY as they use a clean OEM installation.

The license itself is on the computers on a nice MIcrosoft sticker. You should just have to buy the disc without a license which is cheap.

[Dangelus]

Yes but that key us an OEM key that doesn't work with a retail disc. You need a vendor specific install disc. I'm sure there are ways round it but the average Joe consumer wouldn't know how.

[Geekyfanboy]

Today I went to Fry's and picked up my new computer. I've had my last computer for over six years and it was a great computer it was time to retire it and buy a new one. I did some research the past few days and decided on an HP Pavilion Elite HPE-440f PC.

Details:

   * Intel i5 760 processor
   * 8GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM memory
   * 1 TB of hard drive space
   * Wireless LAN
   * Blu-ray Player/SuperMulti DVD Burner
   * Built in TV Tuner, HP Media Center Remote Control
   * ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics card with 1GB DDR5 dedicated graphics memory, HDMI, dual-link DVI, display port, and VGA capabilities, and support for Blu-ray and Microsoft DirectX 11
   * High Definition Audio with up to 7.1 surround sound capabilities
   * Front panel 15-in-1 memory card reader:
   * 6 USB 2.0 ports (Back); 3 USB 2.0 ports (Front); 1 FireWire (IEEE 1394) port (Back)
   * Headphone; Microphone; Audio left/right-in; S-video-in; Composite video-in (Front); Optical Audio Out; LAN; Microphone/Line-in/Line-out; Rear speaker-out; Side speaker out; Center (subwoofer)
   * Windows 7

This system is so much better then my old one. I was looking to get a Intel i7 but it was a few hundred more for that one which I was willing to do except it didn't have the built in TV Tuner and I really wanted that.

So far it's great I'm trying to get use to Windows 7 as my last computer had Windows XP. Only downside I can find at the moment is there are discs with this system. The recovery/backup is actually partition on the hard drive. Which kind of makes no sense. What if the hard drive crashes there would be no way to recover the computer's main operating system. Gonna see if I bump this stuff over to an external hard drive just in case. Other than that I'm very happy with it.. of course I've only been on it for a few hours but so far good.

Going to be spending the next several days uploading and downloading some 32 + programs that I use. Along with figuring out all my passwords and bookmarks.

[Rico]

Sounds like a great system Kenny.  It should last you a good long time.  I would expect HP should make some way for you to back up that restore info to a DVD.  Maybe look either online, or in any documentation that came with it.  You are right, having your only back up on the one, main hard drive is a bit silly.

[Geekyfanboy]

Sounds like a great system Kenny.  It should last you a good long time.  I would expect HP should make some way for you to back up that restore info to a DVD.  Maybe look either online, or in any documentation that came with it.  You are right, having your only back up on the one, main hard drive is a bit silly.

thanks Rico.. yeah it's like 12 gigs.. I'm going to see if I can move it to an external hard drive.

[Dangelus]

Nice specs Kenny!

You'll easily adapt to Windows 7 and you'll be amazed how easy it is to get things done on it.

[Geekyfanboy]

yeah Win 7 reminds me alot of Mac OS

[davekill]

I'm still using XP pro because I didn't want to fool with Vista. Windows 7 sounds pretty good, let me know how you like it.
The HP I bought this summer came with no XP operating system disc either.
I was able to easily make a system restore disc (2 DVDs and a CD) before loading my software.
Better than nothing I guess.

[alanp]

You prefer Avid to Final Cut Pro?

[Geekyfanboy]

You prefer Avid to Final Cut Pro?

For sure.. it's what I was taught on. Avid is professional, Final cut is consumer.. though some companies use Final cut as it's alot cheaper then Avid.