Computer upgragde 2008, suggestions please.

[Doctor Zoidburg]

I am planning to upgrade my 4 year old plus computer to something a little more modern soon, what is the best compter I can get now.

Questions:

- When to buy, now that the Chistmas rush is over?

- Is a 64 bit computer less prone to computer viruses?

- Is MDG a reliable place to buy, or should I stick with a well known name?

- Which computer manufacturer offers the best back up?

 

[The Fruity Hare]

I am planning to upgrade my 4 year old plus computer to something a little more modern soon, what is the best compter I can get now.

Questions:

- When to buy, now that the Chistmas rush is over?

- Is a 64 bit computer less prone to computer viruses?

- Is MDG a reliable place to buy, or should I stick with a well known name?

- Which computer manufacturer offers the best back up?

From what I have heard many times, avoid MDG at all costs.

Dell has sales with different configurations every week or every two weeks. I'm not sure how their after sales assistance is these days.

 

[LateComer]

Spend a bit more upfront and get a MAC. You will save money (and a huge amount of aggravation) in the long run). No annual updating of anti-virus programs, in fact, no anti-virus programs required at all. Seriously, unless you absolutely need a Windows based machine for compatibilty or other reasons I would buy a MAC.

 

[WoodPeckr]

A linux upgrade is free

Learn linux.
I use Ubuntu.
It won't cost you a penny and linux does everything Windows & Mac does only better.
Linux is leaner, runs faster and is even more stable than Mac plus no virus, spyware, malware worries.

If you throw linux on your old PC you will think you have a new one.

 

[danmand]

Learn linux.
I use Ubuntu.
It won't cost you a penny and linux does everything Windows & Mac does only better.
Linux is leaner, runs faster and is even more stable than Mac plus no virus, spyware, malware worries.

If you throw linux on your old PC you will think you have a new one.

Does linux use the windows hardware drivers?

 

[danibbler]

Spend a bit more upfront and get a MAC. You will save money (and a huge amount of aggravation) in the long run). No annual updating of anti-virus programs, in fact, no anti-virus programs required at all. Seriously, unless you absolutely need a Windows based machine for compatibilty or other reasons I would buy a MAC.

I second this motion wholeheartedly as does Mossberg of the WSJ.

As for going for Linux, as Mossberg and even a Linux developer says, it's not yet ready for consumer use.

 

[bananaman]

Just bought an imac after years of abuse by PCs. Best computer I have ever purchased, and will never go back.

 

[Keebler Elf]

I wouldn't recommend buying a Mac or any other non-traditional PC unless you're comfortable with the technology and know what you're dealing with. For the vast majority of people, the regular Windows-based PC is exactly what they should be using (i.e., the computer for the masses should be used by the masses).

I'd say the best time to buy your PC would have been Boxing Day, but that presupposes that you've already done your homework (which it sounds like you haven't).

So that being said, it all depends on how much you know. Do you want a complete pre-packaged system or do you want to build it yourself? There's so many questions to ask that we need more info to help. You haven't answered the most important question: what will you be using the computer for?

 

[Cobster]

NO MDG!

If you want more help, feel free to msg me.

 

[5andman]

Spend a bit more upfront and get a MAC. You will save money (and a huge amount of aggravation) in the long run). No annual updating of anti-virus programs, in fact, no anti-virus programs required at all. Seriously, unless you absolutely need a Windows based machine for compatibilty or other reasons I would buy a MAC.

I agree.
Get a Mac.

Save on frustration.

It's practical and looks great!

 

[hamermill]

MDG = https://terb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=177289 - enough said

Dell - well priced

Canada Computers - over priced

http://www.cty.ca/ - never been there but compare them to CC.

www.pcmag.com - good for reviews

 

[Keebler Elf]

I recommend Logic Computers, but only if you know what you're doing. Better prices than pretty much anyone but you don't get the box, the manual, etc.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Does linux use the windows hardware drivers?

I believe linux uses its own drivers.

As for going for Linux, as Mossberg and even a Linux developer says, it's not yet ready for consumer use.

LOL!
You could say the same for Windows and don't forget there are forums out there where Mac users complain about the problems they have with Macs also!
No OS is perfect, they ALL have flaws.
At least linux is free and for me it has been a pretty trouble free experience so far.

Macs looks great but are too pricy.
I priced out a Quad Core Mac ....it came out to over $3,000 USD!
I laughed at the Mac salesman and told him for $3,000 I could buy 3 Quad Core PCs with identical specs to their Mac Quad!

 

[thirdtime]

Get a Mac.

Save on frustration.

That's debatable. They're not as infallible as everyone makes out:

http://www.scmagazineus.com/Apple-releases-hefty-package-of-OS-X-fixes/article/100036/

 

[m91us]

Depends

It would depend what you use the computer for and it would depend on your budget as well.

If you know computer parts, you would hand assemble or pay the computer store an extra $20 to assembly your computer system. The best part is that you get to pick and choose what components you want.

You a gamer or does your work require a good graphic card to run high graphic images like AutoCAD?

Wait til January 1,2008 to buy your machine because the GST will drop by 1%. If your business requires a computer now, then buy it before December 31, 2007 ends. Your accountant will claim the 6% GST back on the computer when he/she files your GST Return in June 2008.

Computer hardware business is such a low margin business. Just head over to college and Spadina and browse around for your late Christmas gift.

 

[nominis]

Hey Doc Zoidburg, avoid Dell like the Plague ... My inlaw went solo with his law practice and got totally screwed by Dell. They sent the wrong configuration , wrong monitor and "forgot" to ship the scanner and printer. It was supposed to be a complete package with a top of the line desktop and laptop with a multitude of accessories. It took 8 months worth of call-center conversations with India and they ended up having to go to small claims court to try resolve the $2000 discrepancy between what they paid and what they got.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Gateway support rocks

Which computer manufacturer offers the best back up?

You mean if it is defective?

None are very good.

In summary, I'd suggest an iMac with a copy of Winddows XP on it as well.

In the US Gateway support is great, not sure if this holds in Canada.
Plus support in based in North America, not offshore!

I have a 10 yr old Gatway Pent II that came with lifetime phone support. When I put XP Pro in, that PII it filled up the original 8gig HDD. I needed more room. Called Gateway and the very helpful techie told me how to replace the small 8 GB HDD with a 120GB HDD and even told me how to use an external HDD in case more room was needed. Out of curiousity I asked how long this 'lifetime' phone support will last. They responded it was good till 2025 if the PC is still running!

 

[danibbler]

You could say the same for Windows and don't forget there are forums out there where Mac users complain about the problems they have with Macs also!
No OS is perfect, they ALL have flaws.
At least linux is free and for me it has been a pretty trouble free experience so far.

Let me quote from the Sept. 13, 2007 article from the WSJ:

My verdict: Even in the relatively slick Ubuntu variation, Linux is still too rough around the edges for the vast majority of computer users. While Ubuntu looks a lot like Windows or Mac OS X, it is full of little complications and hassles that will quickly frustrate most people who just want to use their computers, not maintain or tweak them.

Before every passionate Linux fan attacks that conclusion, let me note that even the folks who make and sell Ubuntu agree with it. Mark Shuttleworth, the South African-born founder of the Ubuntu project, told me this week that "it would be reasonable to say that this is not ready for the mass market." And Dell's Web site for its Ubuntu computers warns that these machines are for "for advanced users and tech enthusiasts."

I'm on both the Mac and Linux forums and, boy, the topics between them are night and day. Very few on the Mac forums are asking about drivers, hardware and software compatibility, arcane commands, et cetera.

 

[danibbler]

the mac users are going to get screwed so hard soon because of their over confidence in the OS. you do need antivirus programs for them as well. windows has flaws but there were over 5 times as many serious flaws reported for the mac when compared to vista and xp combined.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=758

I have here a Mac and Windows XP machine. The WinXP machine has AVG on it and the Mac has nothing. Guess which one picked up a virus?

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

I don't need to consult the spell checker.............

Dr Zoidburg, You need to upgrade your spellchecker.

........................I am not jewish, you shmuck!