We're buying a whole new computer system.

[rbnyc]

We are starting over and buying everything new. Any suggestions? Looking for the best value, of course. We store a lot of graphics and music. Cliff likes to play games. We'll probably also change our ISP.

We're spending some of our wedding money, but we want to save as much of that money as possible so that we can buy a house in a few years, but it's about time we had a decent computer. We both use it so much.

The main thing is, WOO-HOO! No more computer made out of bubble gum and toothpicks. No more computer without sound, and no more AOL!

:)

[pasadenaboy]

1. get a cable modem

they are so much faster, even than dsl!

I like apple, but know I'm in the minority

[rbnyc]

5. cable modem is one thing we've been talking about.

We had DSL for a while and for some reason it was slower than our dial-up.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

33. Set up a wireless network

you can surf from anywhere in your house! It's pretty cheap nowadays too!

[prolesunited]

9. Apple and cable modem here, too

so you've got more company than you thought. Actually, there's lot's of Mac users here. Welcome to DU, pasadenaboy! :hi:

If you like music and graphic arts and video production, then Mac is the platform for you.

Lot's of hardware choices. I have an iMac with a SuperDrive to burn DVDs, but if you're going to splurge, I would go with the G5.
http://www.apple.com/hardware/

For music production
Soundtrack brings the art of music composing to everyone. With minimal cost and effort, you can produce custom music to your video, DVD or Web project. You won’t need to license a song or hire a composer with Soundtrack at your fingertips. Now you can make your own royalty-free music perfectly matched to the mood you’re after. Whether you’ve never written a piece of music before or you’re a seasoned composer, Soundtrack lets you lay down tracks and cut a mix in no time.
http://www.apple.com/soundtrack/

For video
Create professional-quality video with Final Cut Express. Whether you’re a digital video enthusiast, a small business video developer, or an event videographer, Apple’s new feature-rich DV editing software is designed for you. It’s optimized for the DV format and comes with all the high-quality compositing, titling and effects capabilities you need for professional-level video for just $299.
http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/

[rbnyc]

16. Cool.

Thanks so much. I've heard that Mac is the way to go for graphics. One concern tho' is that my computers at work are PCs. Would I be able to bring work home? Word docs? Spread sheets?

[izzie]

18. I know nothing about these things but.....

I have a frinds that knows alot and they use theirs for design and she swears by Mac

[prolesunited]

19. If you get Office for Mac

the compatibility isn't an issue.

You also run Windows-based software on your Mac

We are excited to announce Virtual PC for Mac Version 6.1, the most recent addition to the lineup of great Microsoft products for the Macintosh computer.

Virtual PC for Mac lets you run Microsoft® Windows® applications, access Windows networks, use Windows-only Internet applications, and share files with Windows-based colleagues. Virtual PC for Mac employs standard Mac controls and commands. It gives you the flexibility to work across platforms—side by side—without changing your Mac OS, software or files. Say goodbye to compatibility issues. Virtual PC for Mac lets you have the best of both worlds.
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/virtualpc.aspx?pid=virtualpc

[rbnyc]

24. cool. thanks so much! (nt)

[rbnyc]

25. cool. thanks so much! (nt)

[markbark]

2. It depends.....

I'd say either

Here (pain free)

or

Here (sell your soul to Unca' Billy)


The choice is yours. Both are gonna be around $2200 when all is said and done.


(Let the flames begin! :evilgrin: )


--MAB

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Sell your soul...

To either Billy or Jobsie, don't you mean? ;-)

[markbark]

41. Nahhhh.....

You only have to sell your soul to Steve Jobs if you WORK for him...


--MAB

[rbnyc]

7. Thanks for links.

I've always had/used a PC, but maybe it's time to move on.

[alfredo]

17. For games, get a playstation, he will like it, and you

will not have to fight over computer time.

If you are doing graphics, or any photography work, Apple is the way to go. iPhoto is very good, and iMovie is heads and shoulders above what MS offers.

I just played with the new G5. Very fast, but a G4 dual is very good too, and maybe at a very good price.

If you go with a PC, find a good local shop to put one together to fit your needs. Have them set it up with a Linux partition just for surfing. that is a lot cheaper than having to buy anti virus software every year, and having to futz with firewalls. With free software, you will be able to run Windows programs in Linux.

[rbnyc]

26. He likes to play flying games online.

Apple is looking better all the time, tho.

[Wcross]

3. Price shopping site

You really have to know what you want, but this is where I buy my components. It is a by-price shopping site of many vendors.

http://www.pricewatch.com/

[rbnyc]

8. great link.

Thanks so much.

[billbuckhead]

15. For pictures, CD's, DVD's Apple is untouchable

I spent a hour and half trying to download pictures Sunday at work with a new cheap camera we bought to display product on the internet. Never did get it working right. I took the camera home plugged it into my iMac without loading any software and BAM, I had pictures. Apples OS X digital hub software such as iDVD, iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes is the consumer gold standard of software. Throw in iCal and Safari and who needs any Microcrash software. You'll never perform an "illegal" operation again.

[soleft]

6. Hey RB!

Are you homeward bound yet?

[rbnyc]

11. I'm home!!

I got home last night. I'm still on crutches until the 10th. And I still need the wheelchair for longer trips. I start back at work part time on the 20th. Then I'll work my way up to full time, and then I'll add my second job. I'm not sure how long it will take, because I'm not sure how long it will take me to walk again after the cast comes off. Sometimes I feel really strong, but all last night and all day today I've been weak and tired and in a lot of pain. It's a little harder to get around this apartment than it was at Cliff's parents' house. But I needed to come home.

I'm having a big party on Friday October 3rd. Save the date.

[BlueJazz]

10. I don't know how much or how little you .....

know about computers but maybe in order to help you more, do you have any certain brand or model in mind?

What I'm getting at, is, you might get better advice from telling us techs want you are thinking of buying and we'll tell you if it's worth it.

Getting the componants and "building your own" is always the best route for performance/dollar.....but how much effort are you willing to "read up on" to save 5-7 hundred bucks? :)

[rbnyc]

14. I know nothing.

All out past computers have been build-your-owns that my husband has put together, and they have all died terrible deaths. This one is on it's last leg.

I just want to be able to upload my music from CD, and store a lot of graphics and sound files, which I know are big. I want faster internet service, and I don't want to lose my connection every 10 minutes. And I'd love it if I could spend about $1500.00, but I know we'll probably spend a bit more.

What do you think of Gateway?

[prolesunited]

21. I also have two Gateways

and been happy with them. No big problems and great customer service for smaller issues. On one, the speakers went bad during the warranty period — a little vibration — and they exchanged them promptly with no hassles.

That said, I LOVE my Mac and hardly touch the Gateways.

[BlueJazz]

22. Gateway is OK (but just OK)

Do... I mean ABSOLUTELY do not settle for any monitor less then 19 inch.

If you have to ...go to a store and use a large monitor for 10 minutes...you'll understand why :)

[alfredo]

23. Check on the financial situation of Gateway first

I know Apple, Dell, HP/Compaq, and Sony are on solid footing, but I don't know about Gateway. going into the bush recession, Gateway was given little chance of surviving. I stopped playing the markets at that time, so I haven't kept up with Gateway.

It appears they have diversified their product line. that can be good or bad.

[linazelle]

28. I advised my sis to buy a Gateway....I wouldn't advise her to do it again

Mainly because she had to take it in for repairs twice and because it turned out to be way more expensive than comparable systems. I was in Best Buy yesterday. They have a much better selection now than when I bought my laptop two years ago. They even have Macs. I used to own a Mac desktop and I loved it.

My only advice to you is to buy a laptop no matter what. They are portable and you don't can get comfy and still use them. You don't have to be desk bound. I'm sure your hubby will like it too since he'll be able to play games in the recliner.

I'll never buy another desktop again.

[alfredo]

31. Just read that Gateway is making deep cuts.

Here's the story.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/51/32629.html

Laptops are great. I have been thinking about one, possibly an iBook or a Powerbook. If I go PC it will be Linux, screw Microsoft. they're too intrusive.


Still think a PS2 for games would be the way to go.

[Don_G]

12. What Do You Want?

Feel free to PM me.

[onehandle]

13. All you need is provided by an official friend of Bill...

Bill Clinton that is. Steve Jobs presents....

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore/

[Safi]

20. What was your old machine?

Thats the real question I think, when considering what you want to upgrade from.

The pricewatch link is right on. You can build a really good rig for very cheaply these days. Under $500 easily if you plan on using your old monitor/keyboard/mouse. However, depending on how old/what kind of quality the monitor is, you may want to splurge and get a new one.

I highly recommend getting a decent monitor as part of your upgrade... the newer ones are so crisp and clear compared to older ones. I also suggest getting the monitor separately if you order a machine from a company. I have a 1996 MultiSync XV17+ sitting here that makes me dizzy when I look at it, the image is so horrible compared to my laptop LCD or my Diamond Pro 900u.

-Safi

[BlueJazz]

27. Gateway is Ok...(but just OK)

Do... I mean ABSOLUTELY do not settle for any monitor less then 19 inch.

If you have to ...go to a store and use a large monitor for 10 minutes...you'll understand why :)

With a large monitor, Games, Programs and such seem much more alive....I can't stress this enough...the difference is amazing.

[rexcat]

29. May I suggest Alienware

the best of everything. Go to http://www.alienware.com. I have an alienware tower in my home office and use an alienware notebook computer on the road. The only problem I have had with the office computer is the CDRW went south after 1.5 years and they replaced it with no hassles (I do have a 3 year extended warranty on the machine). Their tech support is the best in the industry. The company is known for some of the best gaming machines in the business.

[DS1]

30. heh, money is an issue, alienware doesn't agree

overpriced.

Have a friend that knows what they are doing build one for you, it's MUCH cheaper, and you don't end up with shitty OEM drivers

[zizzer]

32. An endorsment for Dell

I helped my mom buy a dell a few months ago and I cannot say enough about how well it all went! The website gave some great compartison options and we used that as a model for ordering the thing over the phone. The people on the phone were great, informed, patient and friendly. The computer works well. She has had no problems with the machine it self. As allways, watch the rebate stuff. It can be tricky but they seem pretty willing to work with folks if they screw it up.

Dude, buy a Dell.
Or a Mac!

[rbnyc]

38. Cliff was talking about Dell today.

We also talked about a mac but he says they don't run the flight simulation games he likes to play online.

EDIT: missing letters

[Bossy Monkey]

34. Consider looking at Ubid

I bought this thing (Sony Vaio desktop reconditioned, out of date now but nice when I got it 2 1/2 years ago) there for about a grand including monitor. My buddy Rob got a notebook there and I also got my digital camara through them. They do have a way of selling your name to every spammer on the net, though, so make sure there's something you really want to bid on before registering.

[dpbrown]

35. You'll be happiest with a Mac

Industry best MP3 player with the iPod, industry best graphics, movie, DVD burning, and music programs with iPicture, iMovie, iDVD, and iTunes.

Upgraded operating system due out this fall will have an X11 built in letting you get at open source Unix and Linux applications.
http://www.linuxworld.com.au/index.php?id=660010615&fp=2&fpid=1
http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/main_news.cfm?NewsID=6828

For another $30, you get access to almost any Windows applications you want to run as well.
http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/main_news.cfm?NewsID=6829
http://openosx.com/wintel/

Apple's office suite opens and saves in .doc and .xls, but Microsoft Office is also available for the Mac, as is Open Office through the X11 interface (http://www.macdevcenter.com/lpt/a/3207 or http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/ooo-osx_downloads.html ), and ThinkFree Office (http://www.thinkfree.com/), another $50 app that gives you access to the nearly the whole MS Office panopoly.

There's no reason anymore for anyone to give money to the M$ adjudicated monopoly, and its support of homophobes and creeps like Michael "Savage" Weiner, and its crappy operating system.

Plus, Steve Jobs only gives money to Democrats.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[myomy]

36. Al Gore is a new BOD member

.

[dpbrown]

37. Excellent additional point

And he got more votes than did Steve Jobs at the last election (although Jobs didn't ask for a recount). ;-)

[ikojo]

39. One word MACINTOSH

If you have cash to spare get a G5 or a high end G4...

If you play games you can get Virtual PC which allows you to install PC programs.

Life is easier on a Mac.


I LOVE MY MAC I LOVE MY MAC I LOVE MY MAC!!!

:bounce: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[dpbrown]

40. I love all my Macs

My Flat-screen 17in iMac, my iBook, and even my little SE/30.