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General discussion

Basic desktop to replace Dell desktop with WIN XP

Dec 19, 2014 5:46PM PST

I've been looking at laptops since November 2014 to consider replacing my 5 year old Dell Vostro 1510 laptop computer with WIN Vista. I've also been looking at desktops to replace my 8 year old Dell Dimension 3100 desktop PC with WIN Home XP. I really need to consider replacing the Dell desktop PC since it's OS is no longer supported by Microsoft.

I've already looked at new Dell desktops; what's another good brand or brands to consider for a desktop PC replacement to be used for basic computing? Word processing; internet access and emailing?

I would want it to have a CD or DVD drive so I could install new software. I'm not a gamer; not into digital photography or video editing; I just need a new desktop to do basic computing on. I also have no clue which OS I should consider. Feedback would be appreciated.


Big Steve
12/20/14

Discussion is locked

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Re: basic desktop
Dec 19, 2014 6:08PM PST

For your intended use, any modern desktop (they come with Windows 8.1 at the moment) will be fine. Just make a shortlist at your local shop or your preferred webshop and ask us about those specific models and configurations.

Kees

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Re: basic desktop
Dec 20, 2014 1:04AM PST

So you recommend going with a basic desktop computer having an OS of WIN 8.1? How much memory should it have? How large of a HD should it have? The only bricks and mortar stores in my area that sell new computers are Best Buy; Office Depot; Sears; Walmart and Sam's Club. There are no mom and pop computer stores here at all.

There were 2 here before Hurricane Katrina but both stores were heavily damaged by the storm and the owners never built back; they closed down and moved out of state. Both of the Dells that I currently have were configured by a guy who works for my brother in Texas and he ordered both of them online from Dell. What kind of a processor would you recommend? An Intel or an AMD?

If I bought something online should I configure a system or just buy one already built for sale? I've owned several HP inkjet printers through the years and have been very satisfied with them but I've never owned an HP desktop computer. HP's got a model line called the Pavilion which I've been looking at.

My first desktop computer was a Powerspec PC which came with a floppy drive and a 4GB HD. I acquired it back in 1997 along with my first HP inkjet printer; an HP Deskjet 722C; it was a workhorse of a printer then a few years later I acquired an HP Deskjet 895Cse; another very good inkjet printer. All of my computers since that first Powerspec model have been Dells.

I'm disappointed that Dell no longer sells the Vostro line through their company's Small Business Division; it's now Inspiron models or Lattitudes or XPS; the last 2 model lines sold by Dell are pricey. If I bought a basic desktop computer from HP; what size power supply do you think they put into those PCs? Probably less than 400 watts?


Big Steve
12/20/14

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Brands I trust
Dec 20, 2014 1:58AM PST

I have no problem with the Dell Inspiron desktop line. I have two of them, one is 2.5 years old, the other 1.5, neither has had the first problem. They're both running Windows 7 Pro, but I have two other desktop PCs running Windows 8.1 with Classic Shell that are fine. One of the older desktops is a 5 year old HP which has been trouble free, but with HP the support is worse than nothing. Sad
In addition to Dell, I trust Asus and Toshiba. I have a 4 year old Toshiba notebook that's still working fine except for the sound. I installed a USB Bluetooth adapter and use an external soundbar with it when I'm at home. I have an Asus Android tablet that's been trouble free in just under the year I've had it. I think you'd be in pretty good shape with any of these 3 brands.
I like the Intel I5 processor, but you can get $300 Dell desktops and $250 Toshiba laptops with pretty decent Pentium processors. I see a local store has these with 4 GB RAM and 500 GB hard drives, which should suffice for your use unless you want to keep 20 or more tasks open all the time. If so, upgrade the RAM to 8 GB - that would likely cost in the $50 to $100 range, depending on whether there're free RAM slots. The 500 GB hard drive should be more than enough for your stated use. On my 4 year old laptop, I'm only using 98 GB. With these 3 brands, I wouldn't worry about the power supply.
Good luck.

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Re: Brands I trust
Dec 20, 2014 4:39AM PST

So I should consider for a desktop replacement either a Dell or an Asus? I'm not familiar with Asus. As for a laptop replacement you recommend all 3 brands but right now I need to focus on upgrading my 8 year old Dell Dimension 3100 to something newer. Dell Inspiron desktops; aren't they sold by Dell's Home Office unit? Years ago the word was that units Dell sold through their Home Office unit were junk; if you wanted something better from Dell you needed to buy one from their Small Business unit.

This laptop which I'm using right now is a Vostro 1510 which was a model line Dell sold through their Small Business Unit; it's OS is WIN Vista and it seems to be built better than the Dell Inspiron 1300 laptop my brother gave me to use for the first time back in April 2006 along with the current Dell Dimension 3100 desktop which unfortunately has the WIN Home XP OS; hence the reason I need to upgrade to something newer so I can once again have a desktop computer connected to my high speed internet.

Right now I'm using the Dell desktop mostly for word processing. I just finished last week addressing 100 Christmas card envelopes using that 8 year old Dell desktop and a workhorse of an inkjet printer made by HP; a 12 year old Deskjet 895Cse; it's still a great printer; I take good care of my hardware but buying the 2 cartridges I needed to print those envelopes for my Christmas cards set me back almost $80.00; that printer takes a #45 black and a #23 color cartridge; both have huge tanks compared to the cartridges being sold in today's HP inkjet printers.

I agree with what you said about HP's tech support; I need to give them a call soon because my newer inkjet printer which is 6 years old; an HP C5280 Photosmart All In One inkjet printer is begining to act up; I can't scan anything with it right now but before I consider buying something to replace that piece of hardware I'm going to give HP's tech support a call right after Christmas and see if they can help me fix the scanner problem. An error messages started popping up last week telling me to insert the "scan" disk; I don't have a "scan" disk but I'll tackle that problem right after Christmas.


Big Steve
12/20/14

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I trust those two brands for desktops
Dec 20, 2014 5:21AM PST

Asus has been in the component business for a long time and they have an excellent reputation. My first experience with them was a motherboard back close to 20 years ago. I don't remember seeing desktops made by them until a few years ago, but I do have that tablet made by them, and it's been flawless so far. I've bought Dells via mail order from their dell.com site, but the two I have now I bought from Micro Center. I haven't had any problems with any of them. I support 28 other Dells that I believe are OptiPlex models bought by the county I live in, and they've all been very reliable. Some are close to 4 years old and running fine.
I've never had a HP printer at home although there are 4 where the computers I support are. At home I use Canon for inkjet and Samsung for laser printers. Since you have older printers, check to see if they're Windows 8 compatible when you buy that new computer because a lot of older printers aren't. The manufacturers have refused to provide Windows 8 compatible drivers, so a good no. of folks I know have had to buy new printers when they went to Windows 8.

Good luck.

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Re: I trust those two brands for desktops
Dec 20, 2014 11:33AM PST

wpgwpg:

I never considered the issue of whether my older printers would work with a new desktop computer if it came equipped with a Windows 8 OS; I would imagine my HP Deskjet 895Cse inkjet printer would not work with any computer having an OS of Windows 8 because it's just too old.

That printer's predecessor; the HP Deskjet 722C inkjet printer was the first HP inkjet printer I had ever owned and it was paired up with my old Powerspec desktop PC which had a 4GB HD and it's OS was WIN 95. Thanks for pointing that printer issue out.

Which forum should I go to and start a new thread to post questions about the scanner problems I'm currently having with my HP C5280 Photosmart All In One inkjet printer? Should I start a new thread in the HP forum? In the peripherals forum? In the computer hardware forum? Which forum might I receive the most feedback from?


Big Steve
12/20/14

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Run the Windows 8 compatibility advisor
Dec 20, 2014 10:37PM PST

You can download the compatibility advisor from the Microsoft web site. It will give you a lot of info about Windows 8 compatibility. Not personally having a HP printer, I have no idea what forum would be best for that. There is a HP forum here. I can tell you that bleepingcomputer.com has a lot of forums with a whole lot of activity also. I don't know if HP itself has user forums, but you might want to check.

Good luck.

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That was easy
Dec 20, 2014 10:52PM PST

I googled 'HP C5280 Photosmart driver " and one of the first hits was to the HP support site.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&tmp_geoLoc=true&product=3204464 lets me download drivers for Windows 8.1, both 32 and 64 bit.

For the 895Cse http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?product=59864&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_r1002_usen_c-001_title_r0007 mentions Windows 8, but not Windows 8.1. So the best thing to do is calling HP Customer Service and ask. I think there's a good chance it will work, but only HP should know for sure.

And once you call them about this printer, why not ask about the issues with the scanner at the same time? If they can't help, just post the issue in out Computer Help forum, telling al about your issue.

Kees

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Check locals ads
Dec 20, 2014 12:53AM PST

The Sunday newspaper inserts of various vendors provides many an idea of the local offering and same for online of the brands of PCs out there. The sales either local or online get the best attention during this time especially for the holidays or end of year sales. Also, local returns are possible if it isn't a good fit or have local support available. Check it all out.

tada ------Willy Happy

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Re: Check local ads
Dec 20, 2014 1:13AM PST

My Sunday morning paper is packed full of ads; Office Depot and Best Buy ads are in those papers every week but those 2 try to force you to purchase one of their extended warranties and if something goes wrong with your newly purchased computer you have to call some 1-800 number and deal with another company. Knock on wood I have not had any problems with either one of my Dells; I've only had to call Dell's tech support twice since I've had them.


Big Steve
12/20/14

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You can decline...
Dec 20, 2014 2:38PM PST

Any extended warranties offered and just walk away. There is a short period well within finding out if it works as intended, but don't hesitate to return it to the store. After that initial period then some 800# comes into play. However, the same applies to any purchase whether online or local. if you find something you like local you can search online for same or similar and go that route. The point being the vendor themselves become the lasting happy customer and I can guarantee you both online and local can fail you. However, with local you can someone to talk to in general and put the point across. At least local you get to "touch and feel" the PC and what to expect and pricing of similar models tend to be the same regardless. good luck

tada -----Willy Happy

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I agree that they had to move on.
Dec 20, 2014 1:18AM PST
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/cracking-open/diy-desktops-are-dead-in-business-and-dying-in-the-home/

This can really rankly die hard desktop folk. While you can't beat a desktop for a gaming rig, over half the folk today can get by with the #1 or #2 model laptop at this amazon link (ignore the chromebooks.)
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Computers-Accessories-Laptop/zgbs/pc/565108

That's 250 to less for a ready to use laptop without fiddling. As to Windows 8.1 everyone I know installs Classic Shell. Sure you could spend more but if I recall your current machines that 250 buck model may beat it on many aspects.
Bob
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Re: I agree that they had to move on.
Dec 20, 2014 4:45AM PST

I've heard of Amazon but I've never bought anything from them. Are they like Ebay or much better than and more secure than Ebay? Would you purchase a computer from Amazon or buy one online from the computer manufacturer's website like Dell.com or would you go and purchase one from a bricks and mortar store?


Big Steve
12/20/14

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In that case, ignore what I wrote.
Dec 20, 2014 11:46AM PST

To explain Amazon would take a small novel. So use the channels and suppliers you are comfortable with.
Bob

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Re: In that case, ignore what I wrote.
Dec 20, 2014 1:12PM PST

R. Proffitt:

I will do that and I hope you have yourself a very Merry Christmas. :^)


Big Steve
12/20/14

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Reply
Jan 1, 2015 11:14AM PST

I think that if you buy all the parts separately and buy the best parts then it would be a good one.