Originally Posted by
Jaimito Cartero
I prefer to buy just a CPU, and not bundle it with a monitor. I have a number of large flat screen monitors, and it's a waste to get something bundled with something that you just won't use.
I too am looking for the CPU unit/tower alone. The budget I have indicated is for the tower without the LCD monitor. I haven't got a flat screen monitor, so at some point I will buy one.
Originally Posted by
Jaimito Cartero
Costco used to have some very nice CPU only versions. In fact, the last two I got were both through Costco. Plus, you can return them within 90 days if you don't like them. I think they have some sort of extended warranty too.
I am not a COSTCO member. Their website indicates that they require a minimum order of 10 for refurbished units. New ones cost more than the refurbished ones and are less capable than the ones I have been looking at.
Originally Posted by
Jaimito Cartero
If you want to do anything with online video (viewing/editing), a larger hard drive will be nice. Music can eat up a lot of space too. I don't think I'd get less than 750G, with a 7200 speed.
If converting video formats to that for iPod is video editing, my son will be doing that. I am looking at 500 GB or more. I think most of them are 5400 speed.
Originally Posted by
Jaimito Cartero
I do like the new Windows 7, over Vista and older versions of windows. I have 64 bit and 32 bit, premium version, but can't tell you the difference in speed or anything.
I do not want Vista, as I had a Vista laptop. I had a great deal of difficulty networking a mix of XP and Vista computers. It took lot of time to find a way to print from my Vista laptop to a laser printer connected to an XP desktop.
Originally Posted by
Jaimito Cartero
The last one I got for my business had XP installed, as well as an upgrade disc for Vista, and then I got the Win 7 disc too. 8 GB memory, 500 or 600 HD (I don't do any video on this system), and the common Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, etc). I think this ran about $500, less monitor.
This is about the kind of system I am looking at. I have seen some refurbished ones with a quad core processor, 8GB DDR3, 1TB HD for between around $600 plus 10% minus 5% range. I already have three licenses for Microsoft Office 2007 Home/Student edition, of which I am using only one. So I don't need to pay for Word Excel etc. I also have three licenses for Norton Internet security. I myself use only Word and Excel. Microsoft Works includes Word and Excel, but I think it's a trial version only. I hate when specs don't specify whether one needs to buy any Microsoft Office components or not.
Originally Posted by
Jaimito Cartero
You can really buy a lot of computer for a little, these days. Some of the cheaper computers that I got over 10 years ago were horrid. The first E-machines, Packard Bell and such just died way too quickly. I had a Compaq that I just hated. Really hard to add stuff to it. The Dell made it so much easier.
Yes you can buy a lot of computer for about $500. The question is what combination of processor, memory and HD is right. If I buy an AMD QUAD core with 4-8GB, I think it might serve him through his high school years where as a dual core system might need replacement.
Originally Posted by
Jaimito Cartero
There may not be much difference these days. Let us know what you choose. Apple units can be nice, but they're priced so much higher that I think you'd be hard pressed to justify the difference unless you're doing editing.
I have ruled out apple already. I have not looked into any apples as they are pricey. Thanks for your detailed and useful response.