Buy or build a new PC

[savage]

PCs

Many apologies for not posting in random static. I humbly ask for forgiveness.

No worries, I wasn't trying to call it out as an issue. Really just trying to differentiate between TLS and RS threads. I don't think we need both.

So back to your topic: I went to laptops some time ago because I travel for work and prefer to occassionally bring my own computer along. I dumped wintel laptops because I kept repairing them and being a former UNIX guy OSX appealed to me. Vista has what... 3000+ bugs. :rofl:

In the 90s, I built all my towers and I think it always has been a solid option for someone who wants to build the best specialized system (aka game, video, music, etc) at a reasonable, not alienware, price.

 

[mbrinkhues]

I came back from Laptops to classic desktops with the last system for a number of reasons:

+ I don't move my computer around enough to need a Laptop
+ Normal systems are easier/cheaper to upgrade in some areas (Disk, Graphics) (1)
+ I prefer to use dual monitor systems and those don't work with a Laptop (2)
+ Keyboards and mice. I found myself travelling with external KB and mice the few occassions I travelled with the Laptop

I might get myself a cheap Netbook as a secondary/travel companion one of these days. Say shortly before going into battle with Lutke and the German Squadron at Aurora

(1) The main reason for a new system was that the 64MByte mobileRadeon in the Laptop wasn't powerful enough for some jobs

(2) Different heights in the displays etc

 

[Blue Ghost]

I remember backn in the 90s first gen pentiums were going for between $1100 and upwards of $4300, clock speed depending. Six monthes later those systems were "obsolete", so to speak. I build my first computer for a fraction of the cost. Hence I got hooked on building my own PCs.

But when I went to price video cards and other components the other week, it seemed like I'd be spending more to build one than to buy a nice 2gig RAM system.

I would like a nice little cheap laptop strictly for word processing. But for graphics work I'll stick with a tower. My only other issue with desk tops is the noise. By that I mean the heatsink fans. Right now I have something like 8, possibly 9 (not including the CPU fan) humming away. It's so I have to turn up the TV just to hear it net surfing.

Oh well. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[mbrinkhues]

I am sitting in offices with up to 8 large (Quad Core etc) Towers running at once. They are quite even if running at high load. Most Office/Business line boxes by the big companies (IBM, DELL, Fujitsu etc.) are build that way, in some cases even the Consumer lines are.

One of the reasons my next privat box will be identical to my office box even if it means 50€ more.

 

[ThunderChilde]

Been away from the enthusiast community for a while eh? One of the hot trends of the last couple of years are silent PC's. Fanless, just HD and perhaps videocard making noise. They use heatpipes and low voltage components to control heat generation and disapation, the even make passively cooled vids, usually lower preformance types. The new 45 watt AMD quad cores run rather cool too. They are making low rpm, semi-efficient air moving silent fans too.

Just use your Google-Fu and look for silent pcs.

 

[JAFARR]

I'm facing the same problem. My old Dell was bought at the pawn shop I worked for at the time. I have upgraded it as far as it can go and It can't handle the newer software coming out. Several posts mentioned OS or OS hassles. The kicker on which way to go may end up being what software package you can get with a pre-made or design your own name brand vs. build your own. I took started a A+ course about 3 or 4 years back, and the instructor said buy a Dell design your own, based on software and warranty quality. I don't know if that still holds true at the present time, but it is something to think about.

 

[mbrinkhues]

Well, let's say it this way: I have been using DELL as my workstation since 2001 and so have quite a few of our customers. We have gone back for more and so have they.

DELL Laptops had some issues in 2005 or so but even those are considered solved.

The key to buying DELL or other configureabel Brandname systems is NOT to believe that the Website gives you all you can order. The concept is

a) Go to the BUSINESS customer part of the side and see what they have there
b) Configure system
c) Print configuration
d) Phone order hotline and tell them "THIS I want but as a normal customer"

You may have to threaten the poor 1st level Pole/Irish to get a supervisor but you ARE the customer so they have to live with it.

 

[jfetters]

I agree with Mike. I ordered a Dell laptop for my wife for Mother's Day a few years ago. THey had a nice web interface where you could specify what you wanted on the machine.

I ordered a system with Vista and Office, bought a decent anti-virus suite and kept it patch-updated. Zero problems. At least with the OS. Badly designed websites, on the other hand....

EDIT - actually there was one problem - the "C" key had issues, but that is easily repairable, and we usually use a wireless keyboard on a docking station anyway...

 

[Blue Ghost]

Been away from the enthusiast community for a while eh? One of the hot trends of the last couple of years are silent PC's. Fanless, just HD and perhaps videocard making noise. They use heatpipes and low voltage components to control heat generation and disapation, the even make passively cooled vids, usually lower preformance types. The new 45 watt AMD quad cores run rather cool too. They are making low rpm, semi-efficient air moving silent fans too.

Just use your Google-Fu and look for silent pcs.

Yeah, about four... maybe five years? I can't recall really. I bought my Alienware case at Fry's. As a coworker reminded me it was probably refurbished. When it was upstairs in my office it made noise, but, it was on thick carpet, and nested between the printer stand and desk, keeping the sound vectored upwards. Now I have it downstairs next to my old oak desk with open leg design (verse the single piece particle board design of my upstairs desk). And I can hear the thing coming up the walkway :rofl:

No joke. When I put the key into my front door I can already hear it "whirring" away. It doesn't seem that loud, but actually is. Ah well