basic computer purchase

[ward]

Hi guys,

I've been bogging my work laptop down with all kinds of music and crap, and have been thinking about getting a basic setup for home to free up the work computer

I'd be using the home comp to basically run itunes and store pictures, and waste time on these silly internet boards.


the basic imac looks to be about 1300 bucks,
looks like i could save some $$$$ by getting a basic dell
(i'm not interested in getting the super cheap fry's 200 buck computer, I'd like to keep to dell or maybe apple)

not looking to start an apple vs PC argument, just looking for some input as to if the extra $$$$ for the apple would be worth it or what the apple may offer for the extra $$$$$

I'm already wireless networking in the house using an airport express

thanks in advance!

[vladinecko]

well, since i'm a huge mac person, i can tell you what you will get if you go for the iMac.
- very compact form factor: 17" LCD and the entire computer in one
- outperforms (Intel-based) any similarly priced PC
- very strong, robust, stable, visually appealing and secure operating system
- a suite of applications (iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto, GarageBand, iTunes, Photobooth, etc, etc.) that other PC makers would sell you additionally for big $$$
- built-in high-quality (H.264 based) webcam and microphone
- built-in 54g Wireless, and Bluetooth 2.0
- if you're big on music, you'll like the Front Row app that utilizes the remote that comes with the iMac
- etc, etc.
- and most of all, you don't have to deal with Windows, firewalls, anti-virus shit, security holes, blue screens of death, restarts every other hour, complicated network tuning, etc., etc.

With a DELL PC you get:
- a computer running Windows
- a bunch of crappy apps built by DELL that expire after 30 days unless you intend to buy them

or as Apple's ad says the best, you'll get a dull little box performing dull little tasks.

[db17k]

Get a Dell, I bought four last year. one for myself and three for family members. Just make sure you get a pentium processor and not a celeron. also their deals change like every week. one week they offer a free flat panel, the next week they'll offer a free burner and ram upgrade, so if you don't like the deal now, check back next tuesday and it should change.

[deutschmann59]

I would go for the dell desktop. Are you used to using apple's o/s? I'm not positive about this, but from what I've seen it looks different than windows. I'm used to windows and wouldn't want to change.

You could have a decent dell built for around $8-900 if you were looking to spend that much. Or you could probably buy the parts and build yourself if you know what you're doing in that area...probably you could save yourself about $100 or a little more. I built a crappy P3 just to use as a spare, and screw around with for about $200.00 and it works fine. It's as fast as I need it to be...around 900mHz Intel, 20gb HD, CD-RW drive, crappy video card...64 mb nvidia... but it was pretty cool when it was new!

The computer is decent. And yeah, I'd recommend regular intel over celeron.

[findtom]

If you're looking for something for home to use for pictures and music you should think about a Windows Media Center setup.

[Enroutte]

I have an IBOOK and a Dell Laptop.. they both work well.. but if you don't care about which one looks prettier, i'd get the dell. then again, "pretty" is subjective. but dells are more affordable. their customer service department is really nice too. i spilled water all over my laptop a few months ago while doing college apps and i sent it in and they fixed it, no questions asked.

get a dell

[thd13]

Go to fatwallet.com, slickdeals.com, or dealsea.com. They all post current deals on random stuff. A lot of the times, they have specials on Dell and Apple. They update their pages a few times a day so just keep on checking. I see at least one Dell deal on dealsea.com everyday. Good luck.

[gsxrpaul]

Get an iMac. The 20'' sitting in my office at work is real nice. But I am biased.

[vladinecko]

people should stop looking at computers as "pretty" "not pretty" and look more on functionality and a set of tools that each of them offers. of course, the way something looks matters a lot, but i don't think there is much competition between DELL and Apple at this.

look at the features on both and see which one fits your needs the best. i gave you a list of them on the iMac. so far though, the only argument about getting a DELL here was "get it because i have it"

as far as warranty goes, just like DELL, Apple also offers extended warranty (Apple care) to their products for additional cost.

[UncleWede]

I don't know what there is any more for Macs in terms of gaming, etc. If it's truly just for iTuens and E90post, you can get a NICE Dell for about $5-600, including an upgraded hard drive, RAM, and usually a flat panel at least 17 inches. Like above, check every week or so. And look in Game, Home, and Small Business. All three will sell to anyone with a credit card, but they are separate business divisions and often offer dramatic differences in prices for very similar systems.
Pentium (not celeron) at least 512 RAM, (more if you want to play games,) upgrade to at least 80GB hard drive, (more if you're doing LOTS of iTunes or pictures)

[northerncalguy]

Apples are the cream of the crop, just like BMWs. Dells can be compared w/ Hondas, Toyotas, Kia...they look like crap stock and when you rice one out, you'll have a small disco-complete with neon, plexiglass, loud fans...you get the point.

You have a fine car, why not a fine computer?

[ward]

Thanks for the input guys,

I've always been a PC guy too, but for a goofing aroung computer an apple's been strangely appealing lately, Damn that effective marketing!!!

[Compos Mentis]

Look at Dell's remanufactured specials. Compact 4200C w/LCD are plentiful.

[shimshimhada]

www.ibuypower.com ftw!