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?

[mechwarrior1989]

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."

Yes, but of course I said it depends on what you are trying to do, for a mac, 256 megs of ram can be sufficient, do you realize how much ram windows by itself sucks up? Also, as I have mentioned before, harddrives are dirt cheap, spend $50 and pick up a nice seagate 160gb harddrive. Bigger monitor also means more deskspace taken up, plus eMAcs are all in one, I believe your system is not, some people need their deskspace for things other than their computer, hence people buying LCD's, though that isn't the only reason of course.

Also if you sit on your hands and wait long enough, you can easily get a laptop for under $1,000. I'll list examples:

Labor Day weekend: Officemax or depot, one of the two, had the Compaq something or another, AMD 2800+, 30gb, 512mb ram, Wireless-G, DVD/CD-RW combo drive for $600 after rebate, not including tax, shipping etc.

I got my Compaq 2199US about 4 months ago for 649.99 AMD 2800+, 40gb, 512mb ram DVD/CD-RW combo drive etc.

Also around the same time: Toshiba Satillite A45-121 I think, Celeron 2.8ghz, 40gb, 256mb Ram, DVD/CD-RW combo drive etc, 499.99 AR/PM.

Dell often has deals on laptops for under $1,000. Their current Inspiron 1000 series is specifically targeted towards budget buyers.

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

It's too bad that she isn't the only one who is reading this. If I may quote from the first page:

Thanks! I'm searching for new computers too! You're advice was very helpful.

I might also mention that IBuyPower is one of those specialtiy places like Alienware and Voodoo etc. Jut there are targeted towards people with a budget. You could easily configure the same comp at Dell or HP and have it be cheaper. The only good think about that is that you can choose more or less exactly what you want, but for the average consumer, that isn't necessary.