OK computer experts...I have to buy a new computer....

[droner]

This one is 9 years old and it's on it's last legs. I dread this because I have no idea what to get. I suppose I'll just get another Dell. This one has been reliable until now. But I need help in the specs.

Right now I have this: Intel Pentium 4 Processor at 2.4 GHz, 512 SDRAM and 80 GB hard drive. I assume that computers are much better now. 

I don't do any fancy stuff on the computer (desktop). I keep some pictures and records but use it mainly for internet.

I would need some ideas on what I should be looking for now in the modern age.

Your help would be appreciated.

[Black Diamond Vol]

A totally pimped out Mac Pro will run you about 18 grand.  That's pocket change for super rich folks like you.

[BanditVol]

You can't go wrong with what you posted.  For what you are doing, that should be fine.

I have a similar sitch.  My desktop is 7 years old.  I did get a new laptop earlier this year, but don't use it a whole lot yet.

I need to get around to installing the new cable modem and wireless router I finally bought about a month ago.   

[ReVOLver]

This one is 9 years old and it's on it's last legs. I dread this because I have no idea what to get. I suppose I'll just get another Dell. This one has been reliable until now. But I need help in the specs.

Right now I have this: Intel Pentium 4 Processor at 2.4 GHz, 512 SDRAM and 80 GB hard drive. I assume that computers are much better now. 

I don't do any fancy stuff on the computer (desktop). I keep some pictures and records but use it mainly for internet.

I would need some ideas on what I should be looking for now in the modern age.

Your help would be appreciated.

I just bought a bunch of these for the office and they are solid.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NPHVNM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Do you already have a good widescreen LCD monitor?

[Volznut]

Get one with at least an Intel I5

[ReVOLver]

Get one with at least an Intel I5

If you're doing basically just Internet, an i5 is nice but not necessary. The Core 2 duo is enough.

Of course my work machine is a i7 with 16 GB of RAM and is overkill so I'm not one to talk.

[ReVOLver]

I just bought a bunch of these for the office and they are solid.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NPHVNM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Do you already have a good widescreen LCD monitor?

One thing about these machines... they come with 2 GB of RAM... which is probably OK for the basic internet user... but I added 2 GB to each machine I bought for the office. Your office computer guy could do that for you if you bought the RAM.   This is the memory: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NA25VS

[73Volgrad]

Get at least an Intel i5 (or i7 if you can afford it) or AMD Quad core, Windows 7 Premium 64 bit, 6 or 8 GB DDR3 memory, go with separate video card with HDMI and/or DVI video output (512 MB min, 1GB memory better) and not integrated video, 1 TB hard drive, go all out with two DVD//CD writers.  Integrated audio is a lot better than it has been.  Even at Dell, you should get this for less than $600.

Do not be cheap when buying a computer.  You get what you pay for and a cheap computer is ...well... cheap.

[ReVOLver]

Get at least an Intel i5 (or i7 if you can afford it) or AMD Quad core, Windows 7 Premium 64 bit, 6 or 8 GB DDR3 memory, go with separate video card with HDMI and/or DVI video output (512 MB min, 1GB memory better) and not integrated video, 1 TB hard drive, go all out with two DVD//CD writers.  Integrated audio is a lot better than it has been.  Even at Dell, you should get this for less than $600.

Do not be cheap when buying a computer.  You get what you pay for and a cheap computer is ...well... cheap.

That last line is absolutely not the case in today's computer market. Inexpensive does not equal cheap. The high end computer far exceeds the needs of the average user, especially one that lists the things that droner listed.

I have not seen any computers from HP or Dell that have the specs you list for less than $600 but maybe I haven't been looking in the right place. I bought something similar to that from Dell for my computer tech and paid $800 for the box.

[droner]

I just bought a bunch of these for the office and they are solid.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NPHVNM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Do you already have a good widescreen LCD monitor?

I need a new monitor also. I'm thinking a whole new system. That's why it's easy with Dell. But I suppose I could order this and a monitor also. And adding anything is out of my league. We don't have a office computer guy. When we put in the new machines in the office a couple of years ago I hired a tech service to set it up. So whatever I buy has to have it all already installed. I wouldn't dare mess with any of that stuff. Plug and play is what I'm looking for.

[droner]

A totally pimped out Mac Pro will run you about 18 grand.  That's pocket change for super rich folks like you.

That would wreck my wine and car budget.

[droner]

I just bought a bunch of these for the office and they are solid.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NPHVNM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Do you already have a good widescreen LCD monitor?

Does this come with everything installed. meaning mainly Windows 7?

[BigOrange Maniac]

That last line is absolutely not the case in today's computer market. Inexpensive does not equal cheap. The high end computer far exceeds the needs of the average user, especially one that lists the things that droner listed.

I have not seen any computers from HP or Dell that have the specs you list for less than $600 but maybe I haven't been looking in the right place. I bought something similar to that from Dell for my computer tech and paid $800 for the box.

I agree. Since the $400-$450 HP computers you pull off the shelf at Walmart are more than sufficient for most PC users, there's no point in going overboard if you aren't going to use it. Computers are the mobile homes of the electronics/tech world...as soon as you cut open the box, the price depreciates significantly. I had over $900 in an HP setup for my home office. When I decided to go back to a Mac at home, I tried to sell it. It was almost brand-new. I wound up taking $300 for it.

Ten years ago, it might have been wise to steer away from cheap. At least my experience was that Compaq and HP sucked. These days, anything I buy aside from Mac says HP on the front of it.

[ReVOLver]

Does this come with everything installed. meaning mainly Windows 7?

It does come with Windows 7 installed. If you want more stuff preinstalled like Office, buy Dell.

[VinnieVOL]

A simple but significant recommendation I would make is a solid state drive for Windows and all your programs.

I realize your not building it yourself.. But surely Dell and HP have this option.

You'll be shocked at how much of a difference it makes not only in booting the machine but launching programs.  I'll never go back to a traditional hard drive as my boot drive.

[Oldvol75]

I have an Apple II e I'll let go cheap!!!!!!!

[ReVOLver]

A simple but significant recommendation I would make is a solid state drive for Windows and all your programs.

I realize your not building it yourself.. But surely Dell and HP have this option.

You'll be shocked at how much of a difference it makes not only in booting the machine but launching programs.  I'll never go back to a traditional hard drive as my boot drive.

HP is not as configurable as Dell but Dell does have SSDs for sure.

[droner]

How about this one? http://www.dell.com/us/p/desktops#!facets=135390~0~6687268&p=1

It's the one at the top. And I should ask for solid state drive?

I knew there was a reason I dreaded this. 

[Quasi EVol]

This one is 9 years old and it's on it's last legs. I dread this because I have no idea what to get. I suppose I'll just get another Dell. This one has been reliable until now. But I need help in the specs.

Right now I have this: Intel Pentium 4 Processor at 2.4 GHz, 512 SDRAM and 80 GB hard drive. I assume that computers are much better now. 

I don't do any fancy stuff on the computer (desktop). I keep some pictures and records but use it mainly for internet.

I would need some ideas on what I should be looking for now in the modern age.

Your help would be appreciated.

You could get one of these at Wal-Mart:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-Dell-Inspiron-560/16878748
It's pretty reasonable price & if it's not in stock they'll ship it for free. I bullied my brother into buying one & he loves it (especially after hooking up his HDTV as his monitor, which is a bit much for Farmville ).

[ReVOLver]

How about this one? http://www.dell.com/us/p/desktops#!facets=135390~0~6687268&p=1

It's the one at the top. And I should ask for solid state drive?

I knew there was a reason I dreaded this. 

Looks good, and to 73VolGrad's point, that meets the specs he listed for under $600. He was right about that because I was thinking "business" desktop, not home and there is a difference in the OS.

If you "personalize" it, you can add MS Office and a Monitor, but I didn't see a SSD drive as an option... maybe you can get it if you call them.

[droner]

Looks good, and to 73VolGrad's point, that meets the specs he listed for under $600. He was right about that because I was thinking "business" desktop, not home and there is a difference in the OS.

If you "personalize" it, you can add MS Office and a Monitor, but I didn't see a SSD drive as an option... maybe you can get it if you call them.

OK, now we're getting somewhere. I can ask them about SSD but I assume that isn't absolutely necessary for a computer schlub like me.

Thanks for the help.

[ReVOLver]

OK, now we're getting somewhere. I can ask them about SSD but I assume that isn't absolutely necessary for a computer schlub like me.

Thanks for the help.

It just makes things faster to boot and to access and they are less prone to fail than regular drives. That being said, you'd need a SSD for the OS and programs and then a regular drive for storage because you get a lot less SSD for the money than you do with a regular drive. That may be more than you want to deal with.

[VinnieVOL]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about the SSd that much.  It's definitely nice to have but it's not something worth going through a lot of trouble for given what you stated you use your computer for.

If it's easy to order, I say go for it.. But don't go through too much hassle.  It wasn't my intention to complicate your shopping ecperience.  :-)

[droner]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about the SSd that much.  It's definitely nice to have but it's not something worth going through a lot of trouble for given what you stated you use your computer for.

If it's easy to order, I say go for it.. But don't go through too much hassle.  It wasn't my intention to complicate your shopping ecperience.  :-)

You didn't make it any more complicated than it already was. I appreciate the input. All I want is to order it, get it, hook it up and go. I enjoy the car buying process. Not so much for computers.