Going to buy a computer

[gnomeflinger]

My last 2 laptops didn't live very long. I am hoping the third time is the charm. Is this a good computer for the price? If not, what brand would you suggest for about the same price tag?

http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/ProductLarge/11467849LL.jpg

Warranty & Returns:

* Dell 2-Year Limited Hardware Warranty
* Returns accepted within 90 days from date of purchase

Operating System:

* Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Premium 32-bit

Processor & Memory:

* Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 at 2.0GHz
* 2MB L2 cache
* 800MHz Front Side Bus
* 3GB DDR2 SDRAM, 2 Dimm
(Shared)

Drives:

* 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive

Graphics & Video:

* 15.6" Wide XGA TrueLife Display (1366x768)
* Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (Shared)

Communications:

* Integrated 1.3MP WebCam
* Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini Card
* Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Network Card

Audio:

* Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0

I/O Ports & Slots:

* 3 - USB 2.0
* 7-in-1 Media Card Reader
* 15-pin VGA Connector
* RJ-45 (LAN)
* AC Adapter Connector
* Mic In
* Line Out
* 34mm ExpressCard Slot
* 1 Half Mini-Card

Productivity Software:

* Microsoft® Works 9.0

Additional Software:

* McAfee SecurityCenter 30 day trial
* Adobe® Acrobat® Reader
* Roxio Creator Basic

Power Supply:

* 6-cell Battery

Additional Information:

* Dimensions: W 14.7" x D 9.6" x H 1.02" front - 1.48" back
* Weight (Approximately): 5.8 lbs

[Model 11467849]

[topscribe]

You can't go wrong with the brand. The main considerations with Vista are
the RAM (memory) and clock speed. In this case, there is plenty of RAM at
3GB, and the clock speed is borderline good at 2.0 GHz. It should do fine there.

The graphics is the 3rd consideration. I assume you are not a serious gamer.
Since it's share memory, that means the graphics is probably 128 or 256 MB.
If this is true, then it falls short of what you need for gaming . . . but then,
so does the clock speed.

But if you are going to use it for standard family/business purposes, this
computer should do fine, at least on the surface. http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh256/AZDynamics/Smilies/thdrink.gif

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[gnomeflinger]

Not a gamer. I use the computer mostly for music, internet, and movies.

[topscribe]

Not a gamer. I use the computer mostly for music, internet, and movies.

You might be sure the (share) memory for the graphics is MORE than 128MB.
I have known movies to freeze up a computer with that amount. It did mine,
and I had to buy an additional graphics card so I could enjoy my movies and
stream the TV programs that I watch. And it certainly will not handle HD (high
definition) with no more than 128.

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[topscribe]

Okay, I just Googled your graphics chipset, and it seems to have tons of
memory, and everything else looks good on it, so it should be fine. :)

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[gnomeflinger]

Okay, I just Googled your graphics chipset, and it seems to have tons of
memory, and everything else looks good on it, so it should be fine. :)

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Hooray! I went and Googled some reviews of it as well, and it's gotten good ones. I have it bookmarked and will be ready to purchase in a couple of weeks. I really hate this desktop computer. It's 5 years old which means it's a dinosaur.

[topscribe]

I like the laptop for its portability, and that's about it. I will probably get one
someday, but it will be in addition to my desktop, not instead of it. I don't like
how I have to hold my hands to type with the laptop, and I don't like that
touchpad over a mouse. Moreover, I really like my 22" LCD monitor.

But a lot of people seem to get along fine with a laptop. :whoknows:

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[BeefStew25]

Guys, texy Thnnik like 10 times a day about this stuff.

[getlynched47]

Nice. I have a Dell Studio 15 laptop, and it's pretty good.

As long as you have a Core 2 Duo processor, 3 GB of RAM, and 200+ GB of disk memory...and its around $700.......you're good to go :salute:

[Lonestar]

looks good except for the Vista crap.. Some folks love it some do not..

Heard a rumor they were going to drop it..

[MasterShake]

looks good except for the Vista crap.. Some folks love it some do not..

Heard a rumor they were going to drop it..

Microsoft is doing away with Windows soon, going towards an internet based program or something.

That computer looks good, but I'm a Mac dude now because of my job. Typing on a 6 year old Mac Powerbook right now! I still have a PC for gaming, but that thing is crazy expensive to keep up.

I don't buy into the whole PC vs Mac thing, I think it just depends on what you use them for. My new Mac has a PC based Intel chip and I run Windows off of it sometimes.

[gnomeflinger]

Guys, texy Thnnik like 10 times a day about this stuff.

The only problem with that is I have to pay 30 cents a text, even if I get a text message. The other day, I got 2 text messages from a wrong number.

[Magnificent Seven]

Get MacBook Pro! No question about it! best laptop ever!

[Thnikkaman]

Get MacBook Pro! No question about it! best laptop ever!

If you want to pay 2 grand for a $500 laptop.


Gnome. Good pick. I worked for Dell doing laptop support for a year before I moved to Iowa.

The one thing I would make sure you do is buy the protection plan. The one that says, "if your kid drops your laptop and stomps on it, we will replace it). A new motherboard or screen on one of those things costs $1000. Its a sturdy laptop you have there.

[topscribe]

looks good except for the Vista crap.. Some folks love it some do not..

Heard a rumor they were going to drop it..

I'm not a fan of Vista at all. I hate it, in fact. :mad:

But then, some people say they get along fine with it. I'm just not one of them.

But we have no choice anymore in laptops. Dell still offers XP with desktops, I understand.

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[Requiem / The Dagda]

Hi, my name is Chris. Can I interest you in a Macbook?

[gnomeflinger]

If you want to pay 2 grand for a $500 laptop.


Gnome. Good pick. I worked for Dell doing laptop support for a year before I moved to Iowa.

The one thing I would make sure you do is buy the protection plan. The one that says, "if your kid drops your laptop and stomps on it, we will replace it). A new motherboard or screen on one of those things costs $1000. Its a sturdy laptop you have there.

I liked it when you put it as "the holy shyte, I accidentally dropped the computer down the stairs" warranty. :laugh: That is a MUST.

[Thnikkaman]

Hi, my name is Chris. Can I interest you in a Macbook?

No. But if you will sell me a copy of OS X without having to buy a piece of your hardware and I can install it on my Thinkpad, I would be interested.

Oh wait, I have a copy of OS X, but its called Kubuntu.

[Zweems56]

No. But if you will sell me a copy of OS X without having to buy a piece of your hardware and I can install it on my Thinkpad, I would be interested.

Oh wait, I have a copy of OS X, but its called Kubuntu.

Indeed. Nothing more appealing than 2500 for a 1000 dollar laptop

[Requiem / The Dagda]

I'm getting mine for free, so ha.

[gnomeflinger]

I'm getting mine for free, so ha.

At the price of selling your soul to the Force. BWAHAHA

[Thnikkaman]

I'm getting mine for free, so ha.

Steve is nice to give head every once in a while before he rapes you.

[Requiem / The Dagda]

Name wasn't Steve, it was Anthony. Last night was a blast.

[Slick]

No. But if you will sell me a copy of OS X without having to buy a piece of your hardware and I can install it on my Thinkpad, I would be interested.

Oh wait, I have a copy of OS X, but its called Kubuntu.

You're a sexy bitch.

[Thnikkaman]

You're a sexy bitch.

You should have seen me when I was all about Gentoo.

[Slick]

You should have seen me when I was all about Gentoo.

I should probably try Kubuntu. Still using Ubuntu 8.04. It works so well for me I have a hard time giving myself a good reason to switch.

[Thnikkaman]

I should probably try Kubuntu. Still using Ubuntu 8.04. It works so well for me I have a hard time giving myself a good reason to switch.

You shouldn't have to switch. Just install KDE and try out the gui. Poof, kubuntu.

KDE pwns Gnome.

[studbucket]

You shouldn't have to switch. Just install KDE and try out the gui. Poof, kubuntu.

KDE pwns Gnome.

I really don't have strong feelings when it comes to KDE, Gnome, and Xfce and I've used them all, but KDE also pwns your resources more than Gnome, so if you are using an older computer, I would stick with Xubuntu or Ubuntu. Just my take.

[Slick]

You shouldn't have to switch. Just install KDE and try out the gui. Poof, kubuntu.

KDE pwns Gnome.

I'll try that when I get home later. I might PM you if I have trouble.

[Thnikkaman]

I really don't have strong feelings when it comes to KDE, Gnome, and Xfce and I've used them all, but KDE also pwns your resources more than Gnome, so if you are using an older computer, I would stick with Xubuntu or Ubuntu. Just my take.

Or just use blackbox for your window manager. But if you want to run OS X, your best bet is using KDE with some Karamba widgets. And Amarok pwns iTunes as far as I'm concerned.

[studbucket]

Yeah, iTunes sucks as far as I'm concerned. I'd use Rhythmbox, Amarok, or Banshee over it. I wish I could get some of those to run on Windows so I don't have to use WMP, iTunes, winamp, or something else that sucks.

[Slick]

I've never had a problem using Rhythmbox with my Ipod. Solid program. I like the lyrics feature too.

[Thnikkaman]

Yeah, iTunes sucks as far as I'm concerned. I'd use Rhythmbox, Amarok, or Banshee over it. I wish I could get some of those to run on Windows so I don't have to use WMP, iTunes, winamp, or something else that sucks.

Try foobar2000. It has replaced most music players on my laptop. I used to be a big winamp guy until it became bloatware.

[studbucket]

Try foobar2000. It has replaced most music players on my laptop. I used to be a big winamp guy until it became bloatware.

Tried it, didn't really like it. Can't remember why not. I might try again, but who knows.

[Slick]

We need a Linux thread. Sorry Gnomey.

[Thnikkaman]

We need a Linux thread. Sorry Gnomey.

Just made a suggestion to Tned for a computing forum.

[Zweems56]

You shouldn't have to switch. Just install KDE and try out the gui. Poof, kubuntu.

KDE pwns Gnome.

gawddamn it tnik. You just made me get Kubuntu. Its been 2 years since i've touched linux.