micky123

Ok well we are considering purchasing a new computer. We've looked at a few different options, mainly Dell.

Some of the features are already decided, like this:

Windows Vista Home Premium

2GB RAM

At least 320 GB hard drive

22" wide-screen monitor

The graphics card and sound card aren't really such a big deal, we do not use this PC for gaming/video-editing anyways. The PC will primarily used for Office applications, web development, general Internet/email use, watching DVDs and learning about Windows Vista (I can't wait to use User Account Control!).

 

The most important thing on the list is 3 Year Tech Support. I won't explain that here, but even with Linux it is the most important thing on the list.

 

Now some things I would like to know about:

Should I aim for getting the Pentium D dual-core processor (1.6 GHz) or the IntelÂŽ Coreâ˘2 Duo Processor E4500 (2MB L2 Cache,2.20GHz,800 FSB)? A lot of people on CNet say that Windows Vista is optimized for 2 processors, but it brings the cost of the PC up by $100 (incl. taxes and everything).

Is it worth adding $30 for a 13 in 1 Media Card Reader? I don't think so, because I rarely use media cards, mostly USB flash drives. But they may have other uses.

Should I pay $20 for a Data fax modem or $40 for an Internal PCI 802.11g Wireless Network card or neither? I thought that this would be a good deal, but apparently the other people want to connect the new computer to the router and buy a wireless adapter for this Windows XP computer.

Is a TV tuner a good investment ($100)? We initially thought it was, but now we are unclear on this.

Also if you have other opinions on the any other components then feel free to tell me. So far the PC with the Core 2 Duo processor is $1,103.52 CDN (including taxes and shipping). We don't want anything too expensive, however we want to make a good investment as we would use the PC for about 4 years before buying another one.

I suggest using the Core2 duo option, the pentium D proc was a failure from Intel, if you use a Pentium D along with a P4, there is no performance increase noticeable

Core 2 Duo on the other hand was more successful than the pentium D technology and the speed difference can definitely be seen.

My Choise is Core 2 Duo, AMD is suffering and may close shop soon, so do not consider the same!

I have an Optiplex GX-270 that "shuts-down" the same way randomly. I don't even use Outlook. Power light is green sometimes and yellow sometimes.
You can hear something running but still have to shut it off and repower up. Sometimes several times to get it to boot. I've replaced the power supply, processor, added 512mb ram (1 gig now), reloaded XP-SP2.

It will probably do it again in a second so I'll close now. HELP! This sucks!

-StevieB