computer help?

Question

i want to get a new computer
and i have my standards set
it doesnt matter whether it is a desktop or laptop
but i prefer the tidier space of a laptop

i dont save things on my computer(pictures, movies etc)
but i use programs
firefox, aim, limewire, messenger.. etc
so i need a computer that can still be fast with all this software on it..

please and thank you!!

Answer 1

If your not well with computers then don't use a Mac...They more for the graphic design and art people. Mostly any computer that is $800+ will run those softwares well. The things I mostly use is AIM, Firefox and a few of my games. A laptop would go the same, but anything above $900ish would do. Also remember to find a laptop with a wireless card built in. Most do now so you won't have to worry too much. If you don't save things on your computer then find a computer with less Hard Drive space and a high end processor. It will help things speed up fast. I would just say anything that is 500Gigs is more then decent for you. I got mine for 1,800 which is a desktop too. 1Tig of hard drive space and a good processor. You should focus on one that would have a good processor and RAM. 3-4Gigs of RAM is also more then enough. Hope more people help you out.

Bye. =P





Oh I was reading the other responses and people were saying hp or dell. i would say go with dell. even though i am not a fan out that company. HP will get you freezing problems. lots of people say that's why they return their HPs because of freezing issues.

Answer 2

Hi, let's simplify it for you

Don't go for laptop, cost a fortune to fix and upgrade sometimes.

So your choice is Desktop, if you do not save too much data,and you mentioned you like small one, you can get desk top in small case. That wouldn't be a problem.

Go for Dual core CPU (Intel if you are not a gamer ) otherwise AMD dual it's fine.

If you can choose XP, go for XP ,get Vista only if you have too. Another thing if you use Limewire, have a good Anti virus, I recommend AVG 8 Professional .

1-Desktop

2-small case like Micro or shuttle

3-Dual core more than 2Ghz

4-Memory more than 2GB



Good luck

Answer 3

There are lots of choices.



Just remember, macs are much more expensive, harder to repair, more expensive to repair, run less less software, harder to upgrade so i'd go with a pc.



Macs have less viruses but you need to think about this example if you are in a room with 2 people you may not catch a cold but if your in a room with 4000 people your chances would go up.

Answer 4

MacBook. Hassle-free and easy-to-use. You can even run Windows on it if you want to (but you won't want to). The best part is that you'll always remain in control of your computer, not some hacker. This is especially important when you think about webcams. Windows is just too dangerous for anyone but an IT Pro to run safely.

Answer 5

For Vista, look at the MS requirements…and double it at least and make sure it's certified. Triple if you can afford…then Vista should rock your socks. If you learn how to use it, Vista features and technology blows XP away…when it works. ;) You want it to last so get 64-bit Vista Home Premium or Ultimate.



But if you have old programs, they might not work (esp. with 64-bit version). Vista compatibility list wiki here:

http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List

You have to know a bit about computers to get them to work (for those old programs that have problems and IF there is a solution. Internet has a lot of solutions that smart people share).



Ultimate is the best but if you don’t think you need anything that fancy, Home Premium is good too. Get a good video card if you want to Aero graphics (at least 256MB 128-bit in the newer cards). Better if you can afford.



Recent release of Service Pack 1 made things better and more compatible with hardware. Unfortunately, Microsoft marketing made people think it will work with old computers but it’s very risky so that’s why there are so many problems. It’s too far ahead in technology and requires new hardware and too many manufacturers sell cheap computers that don’t run Vista good.



Vista uses extra RAM to store commonly used files in a new activity known as “disk caching”. The computer determines which files will be accessed most and copies it to RAM (where it is much faster than accessing your hard disk). This includes components of the programs you use on a regular basis. When you need more RAM for programs you launch, etc. the computer purges the “least likely used” files from RAM to make room. That’s why if you look at the performance monitor, Vista always has near zero “free” RAM. So in theory, the more RAM (for disk cache) you have, the faster your computer will operate.



Vista Home Premium and Ultimate has Media Center, where with a TV card/USB adapter (if not integrated) of the type that fits your TV, acts similar to an advanced TiVo. You can play your videos, schedule recordings, etc. As an added bonus, you can get a wireless keyboard / mouse or gyro-mouse and it will be sort of like remote control.



Deals of America and Tech Bargains catch good deals on HP and Dell’s and sometimes you can get like $500 off! XPBargains has deals on Tablet PC’s!

http://www.dealsofamerica.com/

http://www.techbargains.com/

http://www.xpbargains.com/best_deal.php/tablet_pc_deals.htm

 

Unless you are an artist, most Universities (and programs) as well as the rest of the world use Windows. WinMacs are popular (of the 7% of Mac users…5 of 7 are WinMac’ers).

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=11

But for the price, Macs don’t run Windows as well as other brands.



Macs are durable because many have an accelerometer in there that can "increase the chance" of saving your hard drive when you drop it. Like those used in airbags. The power cord is also magnetically attached so it reduces the chance that you yank it off the table.



OSXMacs can exclusively install Final Cut Pro (which is good for media work). Adobe CS is also good and available for Windows but works better on a OSX. The Windows version actually looks like an OSX port.



Most Mac users eventually use Windows on it however. (of the 7% of Mac users…5 out of 7 are WinMac’ers)

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=11

I would suspect that many OSX keepers are artists as usual. Emotion workers are generally not as good with computers as logic workers so OSX's are good for them.



Windows runs better on windows machines of course, but sometimes it doesn't really matter that much to most users.



Mac Pros:

OSX stability

OSX is easy to use

Dual-bootable to Windows

More durable than many brands

Trendy



Mac Cons:

Not as much peripheral support

Not as much software support

Windows doesn’t run as good

Expensive

Minority: currently Only 7% use Macs [2% OSX, 5% WinMac] (91% use Windows)



PC Pros:

More customizable

More choices

More styles

Cheap hardware

Vista has best gaming capability (DX10)



PC Cons:

Less stable (unless you are an IT pro)

Many are relatively not as fashionable

Not as user-friendly

The extra features in Windows requires advanced knowledge to use

The extra features requires selection of more advanced hardware whether you use them or not

Answer 6

probably a dell or hp name brands honestly dont matter. and you can configure them. i would say 1gb ram, 200gb hd, 2ghz core 2 duo. DONT GET A MAC unless you want to pay a premium for nothing, they are cool but stick with a pc

Answer 7

Mac = two times the price for something(everything) that PCs can do better.

Answer 8

Ibook G4's are great for the money!