iGuest 3 Report post Posted February 15, 2008 http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/I'm not exactly working off a fixed budget, as I'm spending most of my time doing school stuff. I have $374, and this computer totals out to be exactly $324.07. My question is, is this a piece of junk, should I save my cash for a bigger one?eMachines seem to be sturdy, I've had mine for 9 years.My current system is a Windows ME, so I need the upgrade ASAP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
docduke 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2008 There have been mixed reports on E-Machines. I have one that is 10 or 11 years old (Win 98), and have never had a problem with it. It lives on my home network, and does email and text editing just fine. There have been complaints more recently about quality control and access to tech support, but it is hard to find a computer manufacturer these days that doesn't have problems providing good, free tech support. Judging from the specs at your link, they are making compromises in reasonable places: they are using 2x 512 MB memory modules, so you would have to replace both if you wanted more than 1 GB. They also "share" some of it for graphics memory, which saves them (and you) money. The video card has just recently dropped off the list of current cards (PDF) at MSI. The 6200, in the same family, is still there. Note in the e-Machine picture: Display sold separately. The monitor in the picture might well set you back as much money as the computer. Unless you got an advanced monitor with your present computer, you may find that today's software is hard to read. You may find a medium-resolution monitor (e.g. 1280x1024 on a 17" or larger screen) necessary for today's software. See: resolution. I don't know what your applications are, but if you are in school, you might be interested in Linux. A 160 GB drive is big enough to dual-boot Windows and Linux. (On the other hand, if you're into music, video or high-resolution photography, nothing will be big enough! As the world economy slows down, look for deals! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iGuest 3 Report post Posted February 16, 2008 I know there's no monitor. I have a semi-recent monitor, 1024x768. I can also get a monitor at Circuit City for about $100, and I got gift cards for there. As for my programs, I'd be runnung AIM, MSNmessenger, Multimedia Fusion 2(which runs on a ME, so yeah), firefox, and maybe some basic microsoft apps, like word. I think this is more than enough to run that stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xboxrulz1405241485 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2008 eMachines is known for making refurbished machines. For that money, you could build your own new system. You could check your local home computer store. Most AMD machines are very cheap right now since AMD dropped their prices like crazy recently.xboxrulz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iGuest 3 Report post Posted February 18, 2008 eMachines is known for making refurbished machines. For that money, you could build your own new system. You could check your local home computer store. Most AMD machines are very cheap right now since AMD dropped their prices like crazy recently.xboxrulzI wish I knew how to do work on computers, but I have no idea. i'm better off buying a new machine. I would like a better allaround computer anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iGuest 3 Report post Posted March 9, 2008 Disabling onboard video Emachine W3644 This Emachine, Worth The Cash? I was just wondering if there is a way to disable the onboard video on an Emachine W3644? Have found nothing in bios to disable it. Can disable thru control panel in windows but with the bios still having it enabled it shares memory to it. Have new Card installed and seems to work fine. Just wanted to get back the shared memory and remove the old video from windows completely.Tech support was pretty much a waste of an hour. -question by Barry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iGuest 3 Report post Posted March 18, 2008 Well if your new card is taking most of the heat then why would you want to disable the onboard anyways if its working fine...im probally misunderstanding something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xboxrulz1405241485 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 I wish I knew how to do work on computers, but I have no idea. i'm better off buying a new machine. I would like a better allaround computer anyway.There are computers that cost about $300 w/ no operating system which are new. However, I can't direct you to one since all my sources are Canadian sources. Disabling onboard video Emachine W3644 This Emachine, Worth The Cash? I was just wondering if there is a way to disable the onboard video on an Emachine W3644? Have found nothing in bios to disable it. Can disable thru control panel in windows but with the bios still having it enabled it shares memory to it. Have new Card installed and seems to work fine. Just wanted to get back the shared memory and remove the old video from windows completely.Tech support was pretty much a waste of an hour. -question by Barry You don't have to disable the onboard video. Once you insert a new card, the onboard chip powers down. It's only used if the system can't find an AGP/PCIe card. xboxrulz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Are there any good british versions/alternatives? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
levimage 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 1) You can try getting another motherboard or what some shops/electronic outlets call a barebones setup. They're typically under $200 dollars. And you would get some a new motherboard, a compatible processor, and sometimes some memory. Other upgrade options would include a case and power supply if your new setup requires it. And then with your left over equipment, you can just move everything over to your new computer.You can save heaps of money in the long run or if you don't want to purchase that new computer just yet.2) On the the eMachine ad, It looks like they are selling dated equipment. You could take thoughs specs to another vendor, or pc shop can ask them if they have an equivalent model or if they can build a similar setup with their spare parts they don't need. You just may save more money or come out with a better performance pc. :)Good luck yo! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iGuest 3 Report post Posted April 23, 2008 w3644 great This Emachine, Worth The Cash? Are you kidding? The W3644 is great! It is a Gateway computer, despite the co-branding with emachines. It has an onboard nVidia 600 series card, which I required for my video appliocations. It is 64 bit Sempron, which with a 64 bit OS is quite fast. I got this for $299 at Walmart, but Office Depot also has it. I got the Walmart one becasue it has XP on it, whereas Office Depot only seels Vista. I dual-boot with Ubuntu, which is blazing fast on this machine. I picked up a 22" LCD at Target for $200. You can beat it! -reply by perspectoff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iGuest 3 Report post Posted May 22, 2008 second hard drive This Emachine, Worth The Cash? Purchased an emachine wanted to add second hard drive. H.D. In there is.. Hard Drive: 160GB SATA II (7200rpm, 8MB cache)2...Can I add a second H.D. Drive ( D )..I have a Maxtor 250GB., but will I need another SATA.. -question by Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iGuest 3 Report post Posted October 29, 2008 Emachines w3644 This Emachine, Worth The Cash? Replying to AylinglingI bought this system new and the first thing I did was UPGRADE the RAM. It now has 2Gigs onboard . I'm happy with it so far. It's running Windows XP . Only 1 Problem...When you do windows update to SP 3 it can cause some issues. The next step is upgrading to a dou core processor from Tiger Direct. They are cheap enough now days so why not spend the $60.00 on it ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
