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General discussion

Looking for a new desktop< Where to start looking?

Jul 2, 2005 8:38AM PDT

I've had my laptop for 4 years(had to replace the hard drive 3x) and I'm finally learning my lesson with sticking to a desktop.

I primarily use the computer to go online, to watch dvds, and to download music/videos. Since I'm not a gamer, a really great video card isn't a necessity.

What I am interested in is the Windows XP Media Center Edition and would like to start using my computer as a tv/"tivo". Having a remote control would certainly make things a lot easier for me. I'm new to this, so any advice on what sort of tv tuner card I should be looking for would be helpful

So any suggestions to brands/models? And. I'm not looking for a Dell.
There is a Best Buy, Circuit City and Comp USA near me. I would prefer to buy the system from one of these places rather than from online.
Thanks in advance!

Discussion is locked

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(NT) (NT) My Budget would be $1200 and would like a 17" flat screen.
Jul 2, 2005 8:40AM PDT
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RE:
Jul 2, 2005 8:45AM PDT

new emachines t6520. Has amd 64, but old socket. But does have media-center, 1gb ram, 200gb hard drive, pci-express slot, dvd+_rw, cd-rom. Add monitor and you got it. If you're not planning on upgrading to new processor, this computer would last your around 4 years.

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(NT) (NT) Yup, an Emachines T6520 will do it
Jul 2, 2005 8:47AM PDT
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(NT) (NT) Does E-machines have good CS? If not, I was thinking HP
Jul 2, 2005 9:33AM PDT
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pretty good
Jul 2, 2005 10:18AM PDT

although have to wait on phone for a while. they send me a replacement part in 4 days.

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Better than Dell or HP...
Jul 2, 2005 11:54AM PDT

Emachines customer service is based in the U.S, so you can actually understand them. Some believe that Emachines has the best customer serive of any OEM.

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Customer Service
Jul 2, 2005 5:36PM PDT

I have an emachines T6212 and recently had problems with the CD-ROM. I used their email support rather than hold on the phone. They sent me (within 24 hrs) diagnostics to run. I emailed the results back and was immediately sent a replacement CD-ROM! So far, I am very impressed with emachine's support teamHappy

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Maybe today,
Jul 3, 2005 1:41AM PDT

but they could be offshore tomorrow. I actually have had good expeiences with HP support lately, both phone and on line chat wise.

I have been happy so far (30 days) with my new HP, and I swore I would never buy a Compaq again, but I know several people who are happy with them also. I think no matter what brand, it is the individual machine that matters, unless there is a known issue with a particular series.

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(NT) (NT) An HP is a Compaq And its Reverse
Jul 3, 2005 3:38AM PDT
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(NT) (NT)emachines T6250
Jul 2, 2005 12:39PM PDT
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The T6520 on sale today
Jul 3, 2005 2:00AM PDT

at Best Buy (all week) for $559.97 with a 17'' Flat Screen CRT monitor and color printer.

Another great buy just showed up at Circuit City. A Dual-Core Processor Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 OS, remote control and tons of things including a 15'' LCD monitor and color printer for $1099.99 after rebates . HP model m7160 with the the Intel Pentium D Processor 820 (2.8GHz). Has the new GMA 950 graphics and with the 945G chipset can upgrade if necessary for higher gaming to a PCIe video card. Check out the specs........

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/126588/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
click on package deal.

Specs:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00389438

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Rebates?
Jul 3, 2005 9:46AM PDT

I personally regard rebates as a short term loan to the vendor! I will never buy anything based on rebates....only on the cash I have to spend at the time of purchase. I purchased an eMachine T6212 with a $50 rebate 2 months ago and am still waiting. I bought it because it was worth that amount. The moment you open the case or claim your rebate, ALL store return policies disappear!
We need a law making the vendor responsible for rebates and all rebates are INSTANT! We are not lenders for the purpose of cash flow!!!!

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John....
Jul 3, 2005 9:54AM PDT

I read your comments all the time and you are good... except, DON'T COUNT REBATES WHEN YOU STATE A PRICE!
It is marketing BS and most are never paid due to the conditions applied! Many are denied because you don't dot an ''I'' or cross a ''T'' and they don't have to tell you (read the small print). I follow the rules carefully, but have received less than 50% of rebatesSad

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Well I disagree Stone...
Jul 3, 2005 10:59AM PDT

We, wife and I, have been using rebates for years to buy stuff. All you have to do is carefully follow the instructions, which some just don't know how to follow instructions. Be sure and make a copy of everything. If you don't receive the rebates in a reasonable amount, just send the duplicate (after making another copy) and send it in with query and they will always honor it. Your are just making a cop-out. Yes, some rebates are real picky, but most are simple and ALL will come through that we have experienced many hundreds of times. Just, again follow the instructions.

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Rebates...
Jul 3, 2005 4:46PM PDT

John, why should WE have to do the work to buy something and then get some of the money back we shouldn't have had to pay in the first place?
PLUS we pay sales tax on the list price. Some of these multiple rebates on bundles result in us paying sales tax on $300-$500 too much money because of an inflated sales price ''before rebate.''
The rebate system is becoming pervasive and over used. Show me the final price, let me put down my cash, take the goods home and then I am done. An article I read in a consumer magazine (forget which) stated that less than 50% of rebate money is ever paid. Good hidden profit eh? If a manufacturer wants to use a rebate as a temporary discount it should at least be triggered by the mere act of purchasingHappy

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Yes....
Jul 3, 2005 5:22PM PDT

my wife says she read the same thing, and apparently the companies know how lazy, forgetful, or just don't care many people are, so they don't bother with the rebates, making money for the companies. They are also probably doing better with cash flow and/or interest, gee, how many penny's in interest am I loosing in my checking account (do you know how little they pay now)if they keep $50 or $75 for a couple months on a large purchase. I pay off my credit cards every month and sometimes get to use the retailers money for 25 or so days without interest. Wife also read that Best Buy is thinking about doing away with rebates.

I look at rebates as good, because I bet a dollar to a donut, when they do away with the rebates and seem to lower the price, it will be just like any business and government, they will raise the price in a month or two and it will cost the same as original price...and probably more...without a rebate.

Something like our property taxes...oh... do the politicians like to say they do not raise taxes, but watch every two years or so the total assessed value of your property is raised causing the tax assessment to be higher paying more, but the taxes itself was not increased.

I hope the rebates on anything is not done away with, as I firmly believe we (the people that want to cut down on expenses using rebates) will not get any price break a few months later.

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Sorry John but....
Jul 3, 2005 6:02PM PDT

...the competitive nature of the business controls prices. Also, many cannot afford to pay the inflated price and wait for a rebate!
Give me a discount I don't pay sales tax on it. Give me a rebate and I do pay sales tax on it PLUS wait 2 to 3 months for MY money. I spent many years in the auto sales business and eventually all rebates were claimed at the dealer and instantly applied. Rebates are designed to provide a temporary discount while not changing the invoice price to the dealer.
If it is advertized a rebate should be the responsibility of the retailer NOT the buyer. The manufacturer would reimburse the retailer for the instant rebate. But again, I prefer "discount" instead of "rebate" as it is not taxable. Complex subject John and one that I have had to work with for years in the retail businessHappy
P.S. I am just a kid compared to you....I am only 60!

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Yes, right, the competitive nature of the business controls
Jul 3, 2005 9:13PM PDT

prices, and that is exactly what they are doing with rebates, being competitive with each other in prices.

Ah, but Stone, retailer's do give their own mail-in rebates many times along with factory rebates, and also at the same time in-store rebate (they even advertise them as instore rebates) you get at the check-out register.

Now-a-days, just about anybody can get a credit card, and almost everybody uses one, even when buying stuff with rebates. Usually it is the poorer ones that need the rebate and they use their credit cards on more stuff than just rebate $$.

I've purchased many new auto's from the dealer, usually through a fleet sales manager and special order (like mail order & never in a new car rush) to get exactly what I want without all the extras that I don't want, and yes, get the factory rebates right there at the dealer when we tally up the bill. Course me being the old reprobate, I always have to fight off CAR SALESMEN trying to tack on Dealer extras and service to jimmy up their profit. You should know what I'm talking about having been in auto sales. Wink And taxes....err...how many times have I made them do the whole print out over again for charging me tax on taxes, like licence plates/registration, and state taxes. What gets me is the auto advertising...showing all those goodie extras like you are getting something special, when it is standard factory equipped with those items. Or, we only have 3 for this price.....and..I'll have to check with the general manager/owner on that price...


I also owned my own business 15 years ago.

Yes, it would be nice if all rebates could be had right at the retail stores, like a discount or sale, but in any event, I'll take any type of rebate, rather than see them discontinued and they smooth talk something about lowering the prices.....for how long....Expect to soon pay an even inflated price not long after rebates are eliminated.

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Actually went to Best Buy today and took a look @ the T6520
Jul 3, 2005 3:02PM PDT

I saw the $599 sticker, but was unsure what it included. (Didn't have a great description)
Thanks for clarifying that the price inc. a monitor and printer.

You don't happen to know if there's a tv tuner card with a remote in the emachines deal, do you? And if there's a wireless keyboard/mouse combo?

Anyways, thanks for everybody's suggestions! I would've been totally lost but now I've narrowed it down to 2: the emachines T6520 and the HP m7000series.

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(NT) (NT) sorry but u have to purchase those separately
Jul 3, 2005 3:05PM PDT
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(NT) (NT) yep. Just looked @ Best Buy's website and saw that> Tha
Jul 3, 2005 3:38PM PDT
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You saw a $599 sticker??
Jul 3, 2005 4:41PM PDT

Well, since you apparently didn't get the weekly Best Buy Flyer in the Sunday newspaper, when you go in the front door of BB, get the Sales Flyer and look on page 18, right side $459.97 after rebates for the new emachine T6410 with 17'' Flat Screen CRT Monitor and color printer. Middle of that column ''Upgrade for an additional $100'', in fine print it gives the computer model number T6520 for that upgrade. So you get the T6520 with CRT monitor & printer for $559.97 after mail-in rebates.

Best Buy shows it here for $649.99 before a $50 rebate without a monitor or printer:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7261465&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01172&id=1117176782327

Same at Emachine without a monitor or printer:
http://www.emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=eMachines_T6520

As mentioned by NerdyBoy, no TV tuner (for that inexpensive package), and rarely have I seen a wireless keyboard/mouse even on $2000 computer sales without paying extra.

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Just Looked at the circular and saw the ad. Didn't see it b4
Jul 4, 2005 12:02PM PDT

I could've sworn though I saw a $599 sticker on the system at the store. Maybe they didn't get around to changing it.
Its okie I'm planning on going to Best Buy again sometime this week.
(Don't think I'll be taking the monitor or the printer though - I have a small desk and there's no room for a big hump on the one in the picture)
Thanks!

Would it be easy to buy a tv tuner card and get it installed? *Ideally would've wanted a dual tuner setup so I could record and watch at the same time.

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(NT) (NT) Yep, piece of cake...
Jul 5, 2005 3:39AM PDT
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Hmmm.......
Jul 5, 2005 7:17AM PDT

Err.... computer alone cost $600, with a 17'' monitor and printer $560. Surely you could sell or leave out at the curb as trash for me to pickup ...the monitor and printer if you didn't want, and still come out ahead. Then get one of the inexpensive Acer LCD monitors with 8nm or 12nm response (see Newegg) as low as $215.

If you can wait and see for a while what will generate...like the T6212 later came out at one of the stores with a 15'' LCD monitor and Printer for around $600, then later a package with a 17'' LCD monitor. Course' a CRT is best for gaming, unless you get a good more expensive LCD with low nm response.

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emachine T6520
Jul 6, 2005 8:07AM PDT

BestBuy.com has a special package that includes T6520, lexmark Z715, emachine flatpanel plus accessories for $1019 less rebates. I don't think that the back to school rebate applies ... the way I read it, if sold as a bundle not applicable.

Without back to school, rebate is $280, bringing down to $740 plus tax and apparently can be picked up at store to save ship fee

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Thanks. Good catch reading the fine print
Jul 6, 2005 9:06AM PDT

on those rebates.

It seems there are 3 types of prices good for this week at Best Buy on the T6520:

$889.97 before rebates with the 17'' CRT flat-screen monitor and color printer:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=999938400050002&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01173&id=pcmprd38600050002

$1019.97 before rebates with the 15'' LCD flat panel monitor and color printer
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=999938400050003&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01173&id=pcmprd38600050003

$649.99 before $50 rebate without a monitor or printer
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7261465&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01172&id=1117176782327

It would be best for anyone purchasing to check with Best Buy concerning the rebates:

The $50 back to school rebate need clarification:
"Rebate does not apply to PC and monitors bundled and sold together".

Also on the $50 LCD rebate:
"Rebate does not apply to club or warehouse purchases, or to all-in-one purchases (i.e. PC and monitor bundled and sold together)".

All eligible products must be purchased during the promotion period (as stated above) and must be identified on one receipt.

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John, I am so happy because...
Jul 6, 2005 10:04AM PDT

...you are now posting the $$$ we have to shell out before rebates! Most of us John Does are very sensitive to what we pay now due to financial contraints and a rebate comes much later as a refund of money you have already spent and paid sales tax on!
PLEASE in your future posts state the price the same way as in "price before rebat(s)".....Thanks JohnHappy

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Well, I'll probably continue to
Jul 6, 2005 10:36AM PDT

post the prices that I read in the Flyers of Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Home Depot, Office Depot, and others, and try to remember to also post the smaller print ''After Mail-In Rebate''.

I have always received the rebates that have been advertised in the past, without fail, just follow the rules/instructions. Apparently you are one of the (50%) people who didn't even apply or waited too late for your rebate when you purchased the T6212 or you would have squawked.Wink

Best Buy has advertised the rebates and even provided a method to obtain the applications. Surely I would complain to them, the BBB, and other agencies, if they didn't come through, as it would be IMO false advertising or even 'bait & switch'.

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I will say Best Buy makes it easy...
Jul 6, 2005 1:36PM PDT

I am not sure about the other stores, since althought I have shopped at CompUSA, Circuit City etc I just can't remember what they do. BUT Best Buy actually will print multiple receipts, each receipt has the directions etc. I did buy a $20.00 phone that had 3 different $5.00 rebates and bu\y the time they all had printed out I think I had a 1/8 of a mile of reciept tape ha ha. But again, if nothing else I do think Best Buy tries to make it as easy as possible.