Buying a new computer - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

HelloHockeyFans · 03-07-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

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.

Yeah, the warranty and coverage is a big issue... you're right.

I didn't factor in the software costs though... but that's 'cause when I build mine, I don't worry about that.

photon · 03-07-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worth

But no upgradeability.

How so? I've upgraded Dell machines before.. the only quirky thing can sometimes be the motherboard, but most people won't upgrade their own motherboard anyway. Adding drives, memory, changing processor, new video card, etc.. all that is doable.\

EDIT: Unless you meant the Mac, then yeah that's a bit of an issue.

worth · 03-07-2007, 11:00 AM

Yeah, I was talking about Mac.

La Flames Fan · 03-07-2007, 01:36 PM

I never ever thought I would say this, but DO get a Mac.

I got a MacBook and it is the greatest little thing ever. I actually kiss it goodnight before I go to bed. Soooo easy to use. No Windows problems.

I still like Windows, it will always have a place for me. If I'm working on websites or graphics I actually use my PC because I am lazy to move all my stuff, and even then I would have to do something with all the software I have.

They are more expensive, but it's just great.

If you want to stick with PC, only get a Dell if you plan to buy an extended warranty where they come out and fix any problems within 24 hours. I have this on my Dell and when my motherboard crapped the bed I thought I was going to be out a cool 5-6 hundred dollars, but because I bought that warranty, they were there the next morning and replaced it for free, a cool two years after I'd bought it.

That is all.

kermitology · 03-07-2007, 02:37 PM

Why isn't OS X available for other platforms?

If you don't want to deal with Windows and want to have a more custom computer, then try Ubuntu.

Hack&Lube · 03-07-2007, 03:11 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 go across the street from Memex to BCom computers. They used to have amazing surprise sales that undercut Memex by a lot when they first started but I haven't seen any lately. Still, remember when you are inside Memory Exprese use that computer they have near the door to look up bcom.ab.ca and compare prices.

Yeah bcom's system sucks and they don't have much selection but I find they are usually anywhere from $5-$15 cheaper on most small items. Actually Memex, if you compare with the computer parts retailers in Vancouver and Toronto has very high prices in comparison. The monopoly in Calgary with MemEx is too bad.

Hack&Lube · 03-07-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermitology

Why isn't OS X available for other platforms?

If you don't want to deal with Windows and want to have a more custom computer, then try Ubuntu.

there are ways of modifying windows in crazy ways but it does lake a lot of effort.

worth · 03-07-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

You can go across the street from Memex to BCom computers. They used to have amazing surprise sales that undercut Memex by a lot when they first started but I haven't seen any lately. Still, remember when you are inside Memory Exprese use that computer they have near the door to look up bcom.ab.ca and compare prices.

Yeah bcom's system sucks and they don't have much selection but I find they are usually anywhere from $5-$15 cheaper on most small items. Actually Memex, if you compare with the computer parts retailers in Vancouver and Toronto has very high prices in comparison. The monopoly in Calgary with MemEx is too bad.

Well techtronics was decent, until they decided to skip town while they were repairing my $300 monitor.

I-Hate-Hulse · 03-07-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

DELL.

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

Going to let hell freeze over and agree with MYK here. For a novice user, Dell is usually a good choice for 1) price 2) fewer hassles. Although, I will say that buying from them is easy, dealing with their customer service for returns is not.

Here's a great example of why I don't bother building computers for friends as a favor anymore.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=413034

The deal's expired but it's damn difficult to build your own with a Licenced version of Vista (non OEM I might add) for that price. Personally I'd go with a Core 2 Duo (and probably a better vid card) but depending on what you're using it for you might never notice.

That and I hate playing help desk for my friends when I build them stuff....

photon · 03-07-2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermitology

Why isn't OS X available for other platforms?

Good question, I thought this would have been a good direction for them to take.. before it was about the hardware, but now since the platforms both x86.. It probably wouldn't be as profitable for them though?

kermitology · 03-07-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Good question, I thought this would have been a good direction for them to take.. before it was about the hardware, but now since the platforms both x86.. It probably wouldn't be as profitable for them though?

One of my coworkers is the office Mac hound, so I told him what I thought of Apple.

Basically I challenged Apple to create something new, not just improve upon something existing, and then I asked him why OS X isn't available for a regular PC.. considering they're both x86. He had no idea.

I wonder if it has something to do with the multiple hardware configurations of regular PCs? It's just UNIX.. I mean ubuntu ran off the live disc on my laptop in 5 minutes. I even plugged in random peripherals and they just worked.. no drivers. What the hell Apple?

photon · 03-07-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermitology

One of my coworkers is the office Mac hound, so I told him what I thought of Apple.

Basically I challenged Apple to create something new, not just improve upon something existing, and then I asked him why OS X isn't available for a regular PC.. considering they're both x86. He had no idea.

I wonder if it has something to do with the multiple hardware configurations of regular PCs? It's just UNIX.. I mean ubuntu ran off the live disc on my laptop in 5 minutes. I even plugged in random peripherals and they just worked.. no drivers. What the hell Apple?

You can actually run OSX on a normal PC if you want, there's a way to hack it so it works apparently. Driver support is of course limited.

That could be part of it, though if they did it they would undermine their hardware sales... and I don't think Apple wants to be a software company.

Maybe they figure they can take over enough of Microsoft's share by doing both hardware and software and keeping the profit from both. If they did just the OS LOTS of people would switch I'm sure, but like you said then they have a huge QC issue with devices and drivers.

kermitology · 03-07-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

You can actually run OSX on a normal PC if you want, there's a way to hack it so it works apparently. Driver support is of course limited.

That could be part of it, though if they did it they would undermine their hardware sales... and I don't think Apple wants to be a software company.

Maybe they figure they can take over enough of Microsoft's share by doing both hardware and software and keeping the profit from both. If they did just the OS LOTS of people would switch I'm sure, but like you said then they have a huge QC issue with devices and drivers.

That makes a lot of sense. But if you're going to attack Microsoft for being bloated and living in the dark ages, then try to play on a level playing field. I'd rather be able to fully customize everything I want in a computer and use a good operating system.

I wonder if OS X would bloat if it had to support all the hardware and legacy that Microsoft is required to support? As I said, Ubuntu had no problems with the devices on my laptop running from the live CD.. so what's the deal!!

Teh_Bandwagoner · 03-07-2007, 05:03 PM

I'm considering buying a laptop in the next few months. I'm a pretty avid gamer. I just bought Supreme Commander, and lo and behold, it doesn't run on my desktop (my video card has been obsoleted by this game).

Could someone provide me suggestions for a high-performance gaming laptop, maybe around 15" screen size? Some pluses would be a built-in webcam/mic (only available on Mac and Sony?).

I-Hate-Hulse · 03-07-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

I'm considering buying a laptop in the next few months. I'm a pretty avid gamer. I just bought Supreme Commander, and lo and behold, it doesn't run on my desktop (my video card has been obsoleted by this game).

Being an "avid gamer" I assume you'd want to be DX10 compliant for the latest and greatest games in the future. Is there even a mobile DX10 solution out there? I suspect you'll have to wait at least 6 months before something hits the market for that.

I've heard a lot of good comments about the Dell XPS laptops for gamers, realizing that there are always limits to mobile computing and gaming.

teamchachi · 03-08-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermitology

One of my coworkers is the office Mac hound, so I told him what I thought of Apple.

Basically I challenged Apple to create something new, not just improve upon something existing, and then I asked him why OS X isn't available for a regular PC.. considering they're both x86. He had no idea.

I wonder if it has something to do with the multiple hardware configurations of regular PCs? It's just UNIX.. I mean ubuntu ran off the live disc on my laptop in 5 minutes. I even plugged in random peripherals and they just worked.. no drivers. What the hell Apple?

Why reinvent the wheel?

OS X isn't available for standard hardward because Apple is primarily a hardware company. They want to sell you Apple hardware. It's not a question of whether it will run on commodity PC hardware. In fact, Michael Dell has been quoted as saying that he'll pre-install OS X on Dell hardware as soon if Apple will give him the green light.

Virtually everybody who has ever played with my Macs has gone out and bought one with absolutely no regrets. None of them would consider going back to Windows.

The beauty of Apple is the fact that they provide support for the hardware and the OS. If something goes wrong, there are way fewer variables to resolve. It makes a big difference for the average end user.

Ubuntu is great, but you really do need to be a geek to run it.

If I were buying a PC (shudder) I would head straight over to Computerrack on Macleod Trail and get them to build you one. They've built lots of machines for my clients with no problems at all. Great service and they know their stuff.

Bobblehead · 03-08-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamchachi

...
Ubuntu is great, but you really do need to be a geek to run it.
...

Interesting article at HardOCP 30 Days With Linux

And an response from some Ubuntu reps. (I've tripped over issues with metapackages - I'm glad they are trying to take care of them)

teamchachi · 03-08-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

How so? I've upgraded Dell machines before.. the only quirky thing can sometimes be the motherboard, but most people won't upgrade their own motherboard anyway. Adding drives, memory, changing processor, new video card, etc.. all that is doable.\

EDIT: Unless you meant the Mac, then yeah that's a bit of an issue.

Depends. Upgrading an iMac or laptop is an issue. But then, laptops are an issue regardless of manufacturer. Upgrading a Mac Pro is not an issue. In fact, there is a quite a little industry dedicated to upgrading them.

teamchachi · 03-08-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Interesting article at HardOCP 30 Days With Linux

And an response from some Ubuntu reps. (I've tripped over issues with metapackages - I'm glad they are trying to take care of them)

Yes, I saw that HardOCP article on Digg the other day. Interesting read.

Like I said, setting up Ubuntu as an email and web browsing machine is easy. Trying to run multimedia or games is not for the faint of heart.

photon · 03-08-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamchachi

Depends. Upgrading an iMac or laptop is an issue. But then, laptops are an issue regardless of manufacturer. Upgrading a Mac Pro is not an issue. In fact, there is a quite a little industry dedicated to upgrading them.

True, though if I had the money for a Mac Pro, I could afford to get a new one every few years anyway.

Mmm.. 8 cores...