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General discussion

buying new PC for multimedia production

by tigah1 Mar 23, 2004 6:44PM PST

I've been doing a lot of music production over the last year, and can't even run some of the apps with my current system, let alone multiple soft synths. I've been upgrading the same box since 1998 or so, and it won't support a newer motherboard and only has 2 USB ports, so I'm thinking it's time to buy a new system entirely.

Right now I'm considering buying a machine out of our local classifieds with the following specs:
"P4 2.53GHZ COMPLETE SYSTEM W/MONITOR HP Multimedia Machine in box! Intel P4 2.53 Ghz System, 512 MB DDR memory, 52x32x52x cdrw, 50x CD drive, 80GB HD, 2 Amplified speakers, onboard Ethernet NIC, 56K modem, 6USB , 3 Firewire ports, Keyboard, mouse, Windows xp preinstalled."

Price is $850CDN, which is a lot cheaper than newer systems such as this one:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10040313&catid=10607&logon=&langid=EN&dept=1&WLBS=fsweb5

That has a somewhat faster processor, a bigger hdd, a better video card, and DVD-RW. Doesn't seem to me to be worth the extra $1000 though.

So is the used comp a good choice? Anything it's missing, or any questions I need to ask? I would be porting my current 120GB drive over to add to the existing 80GB drive, and probably upgrading the RAM to 1GB.

thanks,
Geoff

Discussion is locked

2 Posts

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Re:buying new PC for multimedia production

by Mark G Mar 23, 2004 7:15PM PST

well if its used what kind of warrenty/length does it have?
in the shop i work in used carry 30 days.think about it if on the 45th day it dies?

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Re:buying new PC for multimedia production

by John Robie Mar 24, 2004 4:28AM PST

In my opinion not a good buy for a used computer from an individual when you can get better new for about the same price with a one year warranty. If I was going to get a used computer I would buy it from the refurb section of Dell. Most of their PC's are brand new, some never used, just returned. They must be sold as refurbished which all they do is give it a good check on everything.

If you have patience and can check out Dell every week for a while you can get an outstanding buy on a new computer (not from the refurb dept) just like this guy (customized it):

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7586-0.html?forumID=68&threadID=13333&messageID=153212

(without a $99 17" monitor) and the PC has the
800 Mhz FSB w/Hyper-Threading Technology.
Dell changes their set up and prices on purchases almost every week and also juggles around on shipping free

The previous posts:
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7586-0.html?forumID=68&threadID=13204&messageID=150222

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