Buying a new computer..., ...what do you recommend? Options

[*thesweetescape*]

Okay, be resonable. Obviously, I'm not going to go out and buy and alienware, and no...I'm not building my own either (even though some day I'd like to attempt it.) What desktops or laptops would you recommend that would be a best deal for low price? I've shopped around a little online but I want to know first hand how these computers are running...I can't afford for a computer to crap out on me in a few months...and what I want is pretty basic: internet, word processor for school, cd burner, floppy drive....if possible, i'm looking for a laptop but if i can't find a cheap enough one ($1,000 or under) i'm going to get a desktop....soooo any suggestions?

[capsule]

Someone also mentioned how it would seem you get more bang for the buck with a PC rather than an iMac or w/e. Completely not true, it all depends on what you are trying to do, Plus, you cannont merely look at the specs and let them explain all, take for example the AMD Athlon XP 2800+ w/ 2.133 ghz core speed, compare that to a 2.4ghz P4, which is faster? The uneducated consumer will look at the P4 and say, of course it's faster the AMD is so slow. This is completely untrue, it's like looking at the AMD 64-53 processor and saying it's a jillion times slower than a P4 at 3.0ghz just because the AMd 64-53 processor only runs at like 2.5 ghz or something, I'm not quite sure since I forgot. But like these processor's, the numbers don't tell all, Apple's have a much more efficient way of processing data, because of that even a much slower clocked Mac will perform comparably to higher clocked PC, am I condemning PC's? No of course not.

um, yea..that was me. you're sayin that specs shouldn't explain all, but the only back-up you have against that is the processor. what about hard drive? ram? i know a P4 3.0 isn't on par with an AMD64-53 or a G5, but even if the processor was better by at least 1.0 ghz, the better deal would still be the value XP > eMac because the Value XP would still beat the eMac @ RAM (512 DDR400 > 256 DDR330), hard drive space (80 GB Ultra ATA > 40 Ultra ATA; both are 7200 RPM), and a bigger monitor. and also, both computers were sold at the same price by the model makers themselves. so yea, i wasn't wrong: you do get more out of your money if u stick with a PC. and oh yea, dont go sayin i wouldnt know cause i bought macs + pcs, and pcs are the better deal. "am i condemining Mac's? No of course not."

Next subject, Gaming:
If you want to game on your comp, Mac is instantly out, games on macs cost more and they have less games for it period. Don't get a mac if you want to game. Secondly, determain what kind of gamer you are, Hardcore or casual. The Hardcore gamer is looking for maximum framerates and maximum resolution with max settings. They want the get the MAX out of their gaming experiance. This is who the highend PC's are talored to. This sort of gamer could easily plop down 3-5 grand for the lastest and greatest, AMD 64-53, 2gb DDR2 400 RAM, PCIe GeForce 6800 ultra, twin WD 10k RPM raptors in RAID 0, etc. These guys want their computers FAST and will take nothing else. Of course by buying all the latest tech, you just end up wasting money so it isn't exactly the smartest idea.

However, for the casual gamer, you don't need super high framerates, or UBER graphics to get the most out of your gaming experiance. All you need is for the game to run smoothly and look pretty nice and for the comp to last you a while. I won't get in depth with this but I'd suggest: P4 3.2ghz, 1gb Ram, at least 120gb harddrive, ATI Radeon 9600 equivilant or higher.

wow..i prop you for sayin all that, but its too bad she didnt even mention wanting a gaming pc.

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maybe u didnt read her price limit at $1000?