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General discussion

I need a computer, question is buy it now or in 2006-2007

Apr 16, 2005 2:38AM PDT

My computer has recently just stoped working. I don't want to go through the troubles of reparing it. I just want a new one. THe one i have is old anyway. Now the only problem is that I read (think it was here on CNET) that people should wait till 2006 because things that are standard now (80gb harddrive, 256mb ram) will be increased like to 160gb harddrive. Is this true? Also when longhorn comes out i want to get it. Please no telling me to stay with XP. Its just that that is what i want. So should i buy a PC now or wait till later? If i should do it now which do you recommand? I am on a budget with the max being $1,500. So can anyone help?

Discussion is locked

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RE
Apr 16, 2005 3:16AM PDT

80gb hard drive is already small today. 160gb is recommended today. 80gb was big back like 2 years ago. 256mb ram is also very little. My oldest computer has this much ram and its 3.5 years old. This is the min. requirement for XP. 512mb is recommended.

Just get a pretty basic pc now. I would sugggest getting the emachines t6212 which cost around $600 since u can upgrade the ram to 1gb, upgrade to a pci express graphics card, and LCD later on. or u can build ur own Pc by ordering parts from newegg.

Windows Xp has another update like next year or the year after to Win Xp SP3. Right now its SP2.

I would not suggest waiting 2-3 years for a new computer as your comuter will not last that long if its slow now. Also when longhorn comes out, probably will be many software issues like with Win. xp.

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I agree with the nerd!
Apr 16, 2005 3:27AM PDT

Just get something inexpensive now to tide you over until next year. Don't buy anything really expensive for a while yet. We're looking at some big hardware and software changes in the next little while.

-JDM

(*BTW, I was just teasing you, NB!) Wink

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thanks
Apr 16, 2005 4:17AM PDT
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RE
Apr 16, 2005 5:41AM PDT

go with the t6212. it is a good deal. Comes with amd athlon 64 3200+, 160 gb hard drive, 512 mb ram, dvd burner, cd rom, and monitor keyboard and speakers included for around $600. However, there have been problems with the hard drive and dvd drive but i dont think they should affect u unless u are burning a dvd backup of your system.

Also good for future upgrades such as more ram and better video card.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/eMachines-Desktop-PC-T6212-/sem/rpsm/oid/118273/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

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Circuit City.....
Apr 16, 2005 6:19AM PDT
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I agree
Apr 16, 2005 6:20AM PDT

The eMachines packages are getting more and more impressive. Seem to be tremendous bang for the buck. Certainly something to carry you through until you get a real exotic machine with Longhorn in late 2006.......if that's the route you wanna take.

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thing is............
Apr 16, 2005 9:38AM PDT

I want to spend the least amount of money. I want to be able to save so that i can get a really high-end PC. so $300 more is not really good for me. If my choice is really that bad then i would get the emachine but will the dell work?

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Back to the Basics
Apr 16, 2005 11:03AM PDT

The cheapest Dell is the Dimension 2400 available at $298 with a 2.4Ghz Celeron, 256mb of ram, and a 40gb harddrive. With those specs you can't really do much except power it up and let it sit there, haha jk. Well the thing will obviously be slow. So if your just going to use it for the basic apps, surfing the internet, and stuff, I guess it would work...might be painful though. If you can suffer through that torture for awhile until you get your uber computer then go for it (I couldn't do it). The computer might be more tolerable if you upgrade to the faster 2.6ghz celeron and 512mb of ram but then you're over your 300 bucks. Jeeze I didn't know you could get a computer for that little.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/eMachines-Desktop-PC-T3985-/sem/rpsm/oid/119863/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
That 1 is $469.99 after a $50 rebate
You can get it cheaper during a weekend sale from Bestbuy or Circuit.
-That's what I would buy for the cheapest computer possible, minus the cruel and unusual punishment.
Emachines T3985
2.93 Ghz Celeron
512mb of ram
80gb harddrive
Double-layer DVD

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WAY BETTER!
Apr 16, 2005 1:18PM PDT

wow that emachine is so much better than the Dell. It has higher specs and comes out to be the same as the Dell with shipping. I could get free shipping on this because i have a near buy curcuit city. So if i were to buy this pc the only thing bad about it is the speed? I mean its all most 3Ghz and that is what my dad has but it is a P4 and its fast enough for me. I could also add the 256mb from my old pc to add to the 512mb of ram. So i guess this is the best buy after all.
Thanks jrmar

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my damaged pc specs
Apr 16, 2005 1:38PM PDT

I am not sure if the emachine will be any different than what i was used to. My damged pc has a 1.7Ghz P4 with 80gb hard drive and 256 mb 266mhz ram. So was my pc worse or is it better than the emachine. also on the emachine i could add the current graphics card that i had on my old pc.

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uh...
Apr 16, 2005 3:37PM PDT

ok
the Dell 2.4 would be ROUGLY equivalent (unless it's a Celeron D also (idk if it is or isn't)

but the eMachines with the Athlon64 3200+ would blow your current computer away (by like..2x or more)

the 2.93GHZ Celeron D would also blow it away
your dad's 3GHZ would walk on the Celeron D, but the Celeron D would walk on your 1.7GHZ

and i'm thinking the RAM in that Celeron D equipped system is coming dual channel (2 256MB sticks) so adding your 256MB stick would slow the machine down (512MB in dual channel > 768MB in single channel)

i'd suggest the one that is $339, idk which one it is (i think it's the 2.93)

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And just a way better.....
Apr 16, 2005 2:01PM PDT

Err......guys....see where it states "packgage deal"...click on that and you can get the computer with a 17" monitor and printer for $439.97 instead of $469.99 for the computer alone.

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/119863/bundleId/1212/rpem/ccd/bundleDetail.do

Also keep in mind that it has a Intel 865GV chipset with Intel Extreme Graphics2 3D, and does not have an AGP or PCI-Extreme x16 slot for upgrading to higher gaming.

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Better yet...
Apr 16, 2005 2:36PM PDT

for about the lowest priced computer, look at the emachine T3882 for $369.99:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=118812&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&BV_UseBVCookie=No
It also has the same (Intel 865GV chipset) Integrated graphics with no AGP or PCI-Express x16 slot for gaming upgrade.

Click on the "package deal" for same computer with 17" printer and monitor for $339.97:

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/118812/bundleId/1211/rpem/ccd/bundleDetail.do

With the Dell 2400 for $298 you get

2.40 GHz Celeron
Free printer..no cable which would cost $25 extra.
256 RAM
Same integrated graphics with no AGP or PCI-Express slot.
40 GB Hard Drive
CD-ROM
No burner.
17" CRT Monitor
no speakers ....$20 extra

Does not include free shipping as order is not over $499, so add $99 to total price.

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Package Deal
Apr 17, 2005 1:09AM PDT

I can't find the package deal for the T3985, it may or not be available in my area. But John says you can get the package deal with a monitor and printer for $439.97.
It's $469.99 for just the T3985 with no monitor and printer as I showed you.

I found something better available at Bestbuy.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=999934400050009&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01173&id=pcmprd34500050009
For $719.97($329.97 after rebates)you get:

1. eMachines - Desktop with AMD Sempron? 3000+
-AMD Sempron 3000+ at 2.0Ghz (equally compares to the Celeron 2.93)
-512MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM
-80GB Harddrive
-Available slots 2 PCI, 1 AGP (so you can use you old graphics card)

2. eMachines - eView 17" Flat-Screen CRT
3. Lexmark - Color Jetprinter Z715
4. Dynex - 10-Outlet Surge Protector TE1090
5. Geek Squad? - 10' USB 2.0 A/B Cable GS-10UAB

**You can cut $350 off the price with rebates!
So with rebates you can pick the computer up for a total of $329.97, that's a great deal!
The rebates expire soon though.

Just go to your local Bestbuy and Circuit and see what they are offering, hopefully the package deal above lol.

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That is the 'Best Buy' yet Jrmar...
Apr 17, 2005 1:44AM PDT

for a low priced computer. The Best Buy weekly flyer just came in with my Sunday newspaper and on the back page shows that particular T3090 with 17" CRT flat-screen monitor and color printer for $329.97 (after rebates). Regular sells for $429.99 (after rebates) without monitor or printer. It comes with Integrated (on board) graphics, but as you indicated it does have an AGP slot for upgrade to a video card, something that the T3882 or T3985 does not have.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7124701&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01172&id=1109937790266

The flyer does indicate "Minimum 4 per store. No rainchecks".

Checked the emachine site and this T3090 model is apparently new and not listed yet.

Checked the sales flyers for Circuit City and CompUSA and they do not have any sales that would equal or better the T3090 for $329.98 (after rebates).

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The T3985 'package deal' $439.97 was withdrawn
Apr 17, 2005 2:19AM PDT

this AM, that is why my link now gives "We're Sorry! You've encountered an error at circuitcity.com. To continue, please follow the instructions below."

The link had worked good and apparently the $439.97 package deal expired at midnight last night as Circuit City and Best Buy usually change their weekly sales every Sunday.

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ok...
Apr 16, 2005 3:31PM PDT

well if you want Longhorn, it's out in may 2006, and MS is sticking by this


ALSO
256MB of RAM and 80GB is no where near standard now!

1GB of RAM and 160GB+ is standard now

i'm guessing longhorn will require the following from a CPU:


x86-64, and multi-core

meaning 64-bit capable multi-core CPU (only 2 exist currently, at least that i know of, the Opteron 875, and the Pentium 840...neither of which are cheap (nor very good dual core procs (the 840 isn't great, idk about the 875 from AMD)


i'd wait if you really want Longhorn

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Re: I need comp now.
Apr 16, 2005 4:24PM PDT

You don't really need 160 gb, unless you want to store TONS of movies/music. 80 gb should be good enough.

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Going with the T9385
Apr 17, 2005 1:13AM PDT

It is just $100 more than the T3882. It has one more USB port, has dvd burner, 8-1 memory card reader, 512mb of ram and faster processor.

for anyone who wants to see the two computers here are the links again

T9385: http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=119863&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&ct=0&BV_SessionID=@@@@0362084409.1113750293@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceaddegkgdfgdcfngcfkmdffhdffl.0

T3882: http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=118812&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&BV_UseBVCookie=No&ct=0&BV_SessionID=@@@@1861186915.1113750425@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccaddegkgdglicfngcfkmdffhdffo.0

also about my graphics card, it is a PCI card. So i dont think it would be a problem adding it to the pc.

Ok I think im settled on what im going to buy. Thanks everyone

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No monitor...
Apr 17, 2005 1:19AM PDT
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T3985
Apr 17, 2005 1:23AM PDT

Let us know how everything works out. Enjoy your new computer.

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Re: T9385
Apr 17, 2005 2:21AM PDT

The special 'package deal' on the T9385 for $439.97 with a monitor and printer was withdrawn by Circuit City this AM. It appears you would have to pay the regular $469.99 without a monitor and printer.

The T9385 doesn't have an AGP slot, however your PCI card would work in any computer. A PCI (not PCI-E) card is slower than an AGP card and is very limited on how high of a card you can go to.

Did you see the special for today at Best Buy?
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7586-0.html?forumID=68&threadID=98742&messageID=1132066

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(NT) (NT) i wouldn't buy a computer with no AGP or PCIE
Apr 17, 2005 11:32AM PDT
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Neither would I, that is why I try
Apr 17, 2005 1:42PM PDT

to inform people.... whenever...about a computer with Integrated Graphics...if it has or has not an AGP or PCI-Express x-16 SLOT to upgrade for better gaming.

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eMachines T6212
Apr 17, 2005 1:54PM PDT

is on sale this week at compusa with monitor,keyboard, mouse and speakers and cost $599.98. However circuit city had a better deal a couple of weeks ago which included a printer and cost $20 cheaper. But this is still a good buy. I wouldn't wait another couple of weeks because eMachines rebate will be over soon.
Roger