Buying a new computer - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Roy Keane · 02-11-2007, 01:52 AM

Hello, I am looking to buy a new home computer. I already have a monitor. I don't play any games that require 3D graphics or anything like that. I am basically looking for a good machine that has a large hard drive, so I can store all my music, and can rip and burn DVDs and CDs. A buddy told me about something called LightScribe that will let you burn a CD with the original artwork on the other side. Is this true and is it worth getting? Any general suggestions or tips for buying? Thanks.

Hack&Lube · 02-11-2007, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Keane

Hello, I am looking to buy a new home computer. I already have a monitor. I don't play any games that require 3D graphics or anything like that. I am basically looking for a good machine that has a large hard drive, so I can store all my music, and can rip and burn DVDs and CDs. A buddy told me about something called LightScribe that will let you burn a CD with the original artwork on the other side. Is this true and is it worth getting? Any general suggestions or tips for buying? Thanks.

Lightscribe is pretty much useless and not worth getting. It only inscribes things in black and white and you need to buy lightscribe discs which are expensive and rare.

Your computer needs seem very simple. Just buy one of the cheapest systems you see in your local Futureshop/Best Buy flyer. Don't buy any uneccessary bundles, don't go for the protection plan.

If you only want the new computer to rip and burn CDs and DVDs with a large harddrive, how about just buying a new DVD burner (top quality ones are only $50-$60 these days) and a 400GB Harddrive ($150) and just upgrading your old one.

Roy Keane · 02-11-2007, 11:15 AM

thanks

The_Dude · 02-11-2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Keane

Hello, I am looking to buy a new home computer. I already have a monitor. I don't play any games that require 3D graphics or anything like that. I am basically looking for a good machine that has a large hard drive, so I can store all my music, and can rip and burn DVDs and CDs. A buddy told me about something called LightScribe that will let you burn a CD with the original artwork on the other side. Is this true and is it worth getting? Any general suggestions or tips for buying? Thanks.

get a custom built computer and save yourself money instead of going to a Future Shop or Best Buy. JMO

I usually build a computer in less than an hour. Software and everything takes longer.

Maserati · 02-11-2007, 04:58 PM

custom built from who?

Hack&Lube · 02-11-2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maserati

custom built from who?

A friend or Memory Express or any other variety of Calgary computer shops. Custom building computers is easier than most people would imagine.

Dion · 02-11-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

A friend or Memory Express or any other variety of Calgary computer shops. Custom building computers is easier than most people would imagine.

Agreed! I'm using a custom built system that was built by a friend of the family.

Cerebral · 02-11-2007, 11:29 PM

My computer is starting to die out on me as well, how much would I likely be looking to pay for a relatively new custom built computer? I don't play much in the way of games but I'd be looking for something that is reasonably fast, has a big hard-drive and has a good sound card along with a DVD burner (although I already have one in my old computer that I could likely transfer over).

Skyceman · 03-06-2007, 10:24 PM

Like many of you, I used to swear by Memory Express for a number of years but recently I've had two fairly bad experiences with their customer service.

Does anyone know of any other dealers in town that custom build and are fairly reasonable in cost to Memory Express or do they have a monopoly in town?

Winsor_Pilates · 03-06-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Lightscribe is pretty much useless and not worth getting. It only inscribes things in black and white and you need to buy lightscribe discs which are expensive and rare.

Are you sure?
I think there are some lightscribe burners that print in full colour on CDs with white label tops. They look really good.
We have one at my work, but it's an industrial model. Not sure if the local store sells drives like that.

Bobblehead · 03-06-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyceman

Like many of you, I used to swear by Memory Express for a number of years but recently I've had two fairly bad experiences with their customer service.

Does anyone know of any other dealers in town that custom build and are fairly reasonable in cost to Memory Express or do they have a monopoly in town?

You can try OEM Depot. It is kitty corner to Memory Express.

mykalberta · 03-07-2007, 09:30 AM

DELL.

Get someone you know to pick a system that has expansion capability for Ram and Hard Drive.

MYK

HelloHockeyFans · 03-07-2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Keane

Hello, I am looking to buy a new home computer. I already have a monitor. I don't play any games that require 3D graphics or anything like that. I am basically looking for a good machine that has a large hard drive, so I can store all my music, and can rip and burn DVDs and CDs. A buddy told me about something called LightScribe that will let you burn a CD with the original artwork on the other side. Is this true and is it worth getting? Any general suggestions or tips for buying? Thanks.

Try this link for instructions on how to build your computer: http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

You'll save yourself some money and likely end up with more value for the money spent.

EDIT: You don't necessarily have to build the actual computer yourself. Another option is to go to a privately owned computer store, pick and choose the components you want (after you've done the research), and have them build it for you.

worth · 03-07-2007, 09:51 AM

75% of all people who use computers could build one themselves. It's extremly simple. I could stand there and tell you what to do and anyone could do it.

In addition to Mem Exp. www.ncix.com is a pretty decent place also. They have a computer builder on their site, so you can custom pick your parts, and if you want they'll put them together for you, or send them to you so you can build it. If you compare though, Mem Exp has some better prices.

mykalberta · 03-07-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Try this link for instructions on how to build your computer: http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

You'll save yourself some money and likely end up with more value for the money spent.

EDIT: You don't necessarily have to build the actual computer yourself. Another option is to go to a privately owned computer store, pick and choose the components you want (after you've done the research), and have them build it for you.

Umm, you will not save money based on what he is trying to build vs Dell. A gaming rig is the only time you can build for cheaper than you can buy premade.

MYK

worth · 03-07-2007, 10:16 AM

Building you own is not something you really do to save money, because most times you won't. You do it to learn and for fun, and to get exactly what you want. Most people will be satisfied with what they buy off the shelf, and it sounds as if in this case that would be sufficient.

photon · 03-07-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Are you sure?
I think there are some lightscribe burners that print in full colour on CDs with white label tops. They look really good.
We have one at my work, but it's an industrial model. Not sure if the local store sells drives like that.

That's not lightscribe, that's usually a printer with CD's that have a printable surface on one side; they do look nice and I think you can get inexpensive printers that do the same thing for a home user.. but Lightscribe is different than that (and pretty much useless I agree with the previous poster).

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Umm, you will not save money based on what he is trying to build vs Dell. A gaming rig is the only time you can build for cheaper than you can buy premade.

MYK

I agree with this.. if you know exactly what you want and have a reason for wanting it, then yeah custom built is good.. otherwise for a general home computer I would rather recommend a pre-made Dell system, or if you have to go local go with Memory Express or similar but get a fully assembled system with a warranty.

For most people, having a good warranty and support is far more important than saving a few bucks, plus it's pretty much impossible to build a cheaper basic system if you include the OS and Office software costs.

photon · 03-07-2007, 10:22 AM

Or (gasp), get a Mac!

It will do all of that and have the bonus of not having to worry about viruses, spyware, etc.

worth · 03-07-2007, 10:24 AM

But no upgradeability.

Fozzie_DeBear · 03-07-2007, 10:48 AM

I can say firsthand that the Lightscribe was a waste of time, the feature hardly works, it works fine as a DVD burner but don't bother paying extra...

And I would also suggest checking out a Mac, maybe a Mac Mini...aside from the viruses etc. You can be assured that since it is all designed to work together that compatability issues are less of a problem....

...unless you add a lightscribe drive