Where to buy a new computer?

[Eric Vail]

Any ideas as to where to buy a new computer? It would be nice to know where I can get a good price. Also, it would be good to go to a store where a salesman can walk me through the different features of a new machine. I have been to best buy and future shop, and after spending time being ignored as I played with their demo machines, I left. Any ideas?

[STeeLy]

A lot of experts on CP here who CAN walk u through it...

or as most would say... if u're in Calgary, Memory Express.

[Bertuzzied]

The AMDs just released their Phenom quads. But they are still not as good as the intel quad, which is $289. I think you should ask burninator to put it together for you. hehe.

[Phaneuf3]

well, if you don't know what you need you likely don't need a lot. what are you using the computer for?

i would suggest going on dell or going into a big box store (i.e. bestbuy) and buying the cheapest one available that isn't made by emachines. it will probably be more than powerful enough to handle whatever you throw at it unless you're a gamer or are doing some serious video editing in which case you'd likely already have your specs in mind.

[flamingchina]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

Any ideas as to where to buy a new computer? It would be nice to know where I can get a good price. Also, it would be good to go to a store where a salesman can walk me through the different features of a new machine. I have been to best buy and future shop, and after spending time being ignored as I played with their demo machines, I left. Any ideas?

Honestly, usually the people at Futureshop/Best Buy are uninformed at best, misinformed at worst. I've heard more idiocy wandering through those stores listening to those employees than anywhere else...
A site I find that usually has some good information in anandtech.
They just released their November budget PC suggestion:
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3148
They usually give you several options, and pick the components they think you'll get the most performance out of.
Just look at what they suggest, then look at getting the same parts from memoryexpress or such.

[Kipper is King]

Best not to buy at Futureshop. They are paid on commission, so the sales staff will get you to buy a overpriced setup you likely don't need.

My computer is an MDG. It was at a good price- much cheaper than similar PCs from Dell, Gateway, Compaq etc. I have not had any notable problems with my computer for the four years I have had it. Other than it being time for an upgrade pretty soon.

[Bobblehead]

Stay away from MDG!!!!

They use crap parts and have a really bad service record.

Good experiences with MDG are the exception.

[Dion]

I have a custom built system that was built to my specifications. If you can find someone to build you one, that would be the way i'd go. Maybe ask Burninator.

[MarchHare]

If you want a custom-built PC clone, I'd just go to Memory Express, tell them what your needs are (prepare to pay lots more if you want to play new PC games or do heavy A/V editing), and have them build you a box that fits your budget. The staff there are quite competent and won't steer you wrong.

If you want a "name brand" PC, I've had the best experience with Dell, of the major manufacturers.

Also, have you considered getting a Mac? Apple makes really sweet hardware, plus you can natively dual-boot MacOS X and Windows on it (XP SP2 or Vista). Honestly, if you weren't planning to build the machine yourself, I'd really suggest a new iMac.

[Hack&Lube]

For the unintiated, I would (begrudgingly) have to admit that they should wait for Dell to have a sale and go with that. The systems you can get at Dell at the right time or promotion can be 33% cheaper than equivalent systems at FS/BB. The other best thing to do is go around to the various futureshops and look at the systems they have sitting out on the open box tables as you can also get significant discount on those.

Memory Express is only the option you should go for if you know what you want specifically or have a friend to help you. I wouldn't trust anybody in a big box store to walk you through anything.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Stay away from MDG!!!!

They use crap parts and have a really bad service record.

Good experiences with MDG are the exception.

Really? Chalk me up as an exception. I'm no computer connisseur though. I bought one from them about 5 years ago and am currently posting from it. Decent desktop rig. Of course, I really only use it for internet, music, pictures and contract writing.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Really? Chalk me up as an exception. I'm no computer connisseur though. I bought one from them about 5 years ago and am currently posting from it. Decent desktop rig. Of course, I really only use it for internet, music, pictures and contract writing.

They are so cheap because they use the cheapest parts they can get. They have also been accused of using used parts. Years ago (like 8 or 9) they were caught overclocking cheap processors then selling the systems as the more expensive faster systems.

Maybe they have cleaned up their act or perhaps these were isolated to specific shops, but I still hear about poor service issues, so I try to dissuade people from MDG.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Dion

I have a custom built system that was built to my specifications. If you can find someone to build you one, that would be the way i'd go. Maybe ask Burninator.

I would be so sad if burninator doesn't read this thread. hehe.

I shouldn't really talk though. after dropping the heatsink onto cpu, my quad runs 10 degrees hotter then everyone elses. hehe.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

I would be so sad if burninator doesn't read this thread. hehe.

I shouldn't really talk though. after dropping the heatsink onto cpu, my quad runs 10 degrees hotter then everyone elses. hehe.

Didn't burninator put his heatsink on without taking off the plastic holder that came with the CPU in the box? Resulting in a non-working computer?

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Stay away from MDG!!!!

They use crap parts and have a really bad service record.

Good experiences with MDG are the exception.

Seconded. I am NEVER EVER buying anything remotely MDG again. I bought a computer from them about 3 years ago, a little after a year and a bit, the fan stopped working so I replaced that. The power source crapped out, so I replaced that. The videocard went, so I replaced that. The motherboard went so I replaced that. Within 2 years, the only thing I had left from the original computer is the hard drive and the DVD burner, and the DVD burner is about to go so I'll have to replace that. Hell, I even replaced the shell so I don't have to look at that god awful MDG logo, and be reminded of what a piece of crap that was.

So Steve Nash, love ya cuz you're Canadian and all, but shame on you for endorsing such a craptastic company!

[alltherage]

If you're a regular joe and you just want a fair price, go to Best Buy. I used to work there and I still live by it. The extended warranty is up to you- I didnt buy it on my laptop tho. They have great information and they genuinely get you set up for what you want to use it for.

[Eric Vail]

I am not a complete newbie. I have been working on computers since the Commodore Pet computer came out back around 1981 or so. I also loved the Apple II computer and all that you could do with just 48 K of RAM.

That said, I find that the changes a new computer brings these days is not nearly as dramatic as it once was. The internet seems to have slowed the technology explosion.

That said, I am not a game player. I would like to do a little bit of video editing, but certainly nothing extensive. It sounds like Dell is the place to go. Memory express is good if you know what you want. MDG is awful. How about HP?

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by Dion

I have a custom built system that was built to my specifications. If you can find someone to build you one, that would be the way i'd go. Maybe ask Burninator.

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

I would be so sad if burninator doesn't read this thread. hehe.

I shouldn't really talk though. after dropping the heatsink onto cpu, my quad runs 10 degrees hotter then everyone elses. hehe.

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Didn't burninator put his heatsink on without taking off the plastic holder that came with the CPU in the box? Resulting in a non-working computer?

I thought we agreed never to talk about this?