OT - Home Computer

[Ridgeland Dog]

Good morning. I am in need of a new home computer. I've always like Dell and leaning toward getting a 5000 or 7000 series. Do any of you have any suggestions. Thanks for your help.

 

[ababyatemydingo]

Good morning. I am in need of a new home computer. I've always like Dell and leaning toward getting a 5000 or 7000 series. Do any of you have any suggestions. Thanks for your help.

If you're dead set on Dell, only look at their Optiplex line. It's a business line PC, and won't have all of the bells and whistles of your typical home PC, but the hardware that's inside them is solid. Lenovo ThinkCentre's are solid, as well. Avoid most of the consumer line PC's from all of the manufacturers. They've squeezed each other on price so much that they're outsourcing most of the manufacturing of them, and substandard parts are being used in some cases. I'd actually recommend a MacBook or iMac, if you're strictly using it for home use. Little bit more expensive up front, but cheaper and less frustrating to own in the long run.

 

[Digging dog]

My last 2 home computers have been a Dell. I'm researching and will probably go with a Mac.

 

[MagnoliaHunter]

we have the Dell Opti-plexes here at work- had to replace a lot of the HDs

the hard-drives on a lot of them have gone out.

 

[DamnGoodDawg]

I suggest eBay if you are looking for a specific model. They will have thousands just like you are looking for that are new and have the same warranty you would get at Staples, Office Depot,...

In the search function you can put in exactly the things you are looking for (monitor size, GBs, RAM, Drives, etc)

 

[ababyatemydingo]

the hard-drives on a lot of them have gone out.

The hard drive manufacturers (Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, Samsung) were impacted by the Taiwanese floods a couple of years ago. Two major hard drive manufacturing plants were flooded. No damaged hard drives made it to market, but their quality control suffered as they rushed to make up for lost production. Therefore, a lot of hard drives are failing that were manufactured during that time frame. I'm seeing the failure rate come down the last 6 months or so, but for a while I could expect a couple a week to need replacing, from my client base. Especially in the larger than 1 TB size. This problem is systemic, and affected every PC manufacturer.

 

[ATL Reb]

I just bought a Dell All in One 23" computer and I couldnt be happier. It has a 23" LCD touchscreen and doesnt have a tower. With the wireless keyboard and mouse, there is only one wire (power to the wall) on the whole set up. I bought it from the Microsoft Store for $799 (link below). I decided to buy directly from Microsoft because they put their own software image on the machines and it does not contain any bloatware or adware, plus they offer free support in the event you get a virus or any other issues. Even if you dont want an all in one, I still suggest researching buying directly from Microsoft to get the clean Window's image and the support. If you have kids like me, they will love the touchscreen (most kids are used to iPads and iPhones and dont use keyboards anymore anyway).

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...nature-Edition-All-in-One/productID.309175500

 

[Crazy Cotton]

i really like the optiplex 3020 micro's with the i7

I upgraded my lab with 10 of these this month. I can hang them off the back of the monitor with Dell's all in one mount and lock the whole thing down. I get the same form factor as an all-in-0ne with more flexibility to change monitors, etc.
Couple of newer technologies I would make sure to include

usb 3.0
I really like displayport for monitor use, but if you're going to your TV make sure you have what you need for hookup (DVI, HDMI, etc)
you might want to consider solid state drives, price has been dropping big time, and they are really fast

 

[Dawghouse]

visit dealnews.com or slickdeals.com and keep an eye out. Prices are coming down on last years models as new ones are coming out in the next few months.

I just got a lenovo y40 for 600. Has an i7, 8Gb ram, a 2Gb AMD video card, and a 500Gb/8Gb hybrid HD (would prefer an SSD but this hybrid should be good enough for what this one's for).

Lenovo took a major brand hit with that whole rocketfish spyware nonsense so they are really pushing sales right now.

ETA: I've been using lenovo laptops for about 3 years and have been happy. Prefer them over a Dell.

 

[OleMissLogo]

I recommend doing a laptop with a docking station and monitor. Gives you two screens, plus flexibility so you don't have to sit at one spot in the house.

 

[dawgstudent]

You can get a lot more computing power in a desktop. Just depends on what he wants.

I am going to get a laptop next time b/c I am not a gamer. I am tired of all the wires at my desk at home.

 

[jxndawg]

Until about 10 years ago I associated Macs with weirdos, artsy-types and professors wearing corduroy jackets with elbow patches. Then I bought my first iPod, and the halo effect convinced me to try a Mac when I needed a new laptop. I've bought two more since then and will never go back to Windows.

 

[jdbulldog]

Hands down....buy a Mac..you will love

Good morning. I am in need of a new home computer. I've always like Dell and leaning toward getting a 5000 or 7000 series. Do any of you have any suggestions. Thanks for your help.

the way it runs and will not want anything different once you try it. Go to the Apple Store and buy it there. Yep, you pay a little more. But you get more and IF there is a problem there is someone who will be interested in helping you and more than likely will speak English.

 

[dorndawg]

What if you have to get another one after 30 years?*

nm

 

[jdbulldog]

nm

It will last a lifetime......a tip of my cap to you!

 

[dorndawg]

Hopefully they give you a better warranty than Lonnie Tinkle did.

 

[jdbulldog]

Hopefully they give you a better warranty than Lonnie Tinkle did.

I learned my lesson, so I now have an extended "lifetime" warranty!