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General discussion

Might get a new desktop - how's this one look?

Oct 27, 2004 12:10AM PDT

* Windows XP Home with SP 2
* Intel P4 Processor (2.8 ghz)
* 1 GB RAM
* 80 GB HardDrive
* 48x CD-ROM (always have a laptop for CDRW/DVD)
* Integrated Graphics Card
* Integrated Sound Card Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/ front audio ports
* Harman-Kardon 2-Piece Active Speakers
* HP Pavilion v72c 17" CRT monitor
* 2 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire ports + WinDVD
* HP Internet Keyboard, HP Optical Mouse
* Microsoft

Discussion is locked

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Re: Might get a new desktop - how's this one look?
Oct 27, 2004 12:15AM PDT

Should mention it's a custom HP a700y

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Re: Might get a new desktop - how's this one look?
Oct 27, 2004 12:34AM PDT

Seems a fair price and more than a basic system. If you're happy when you get it and does what you want, then be happy for longer time. Happy If you get into any warranty issues, don't hesitate, use it, the clock is ticking. enjoy...

good luck -----Willy ":)"

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Re: Might get a new desktop - how's this one look?
Oct 27, 2004 12:29PM PDT

Why a Pentium 4, and not an Athlon 64 or Sempron 3100+?
Why a gig of ram and integrated graphics? 512 meg of ram and a basic 64 meg or 128 meg separate video card would make much more sense for most users.

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Re: Might get a new desktop - how's this one look?
Nov 1, 2004 2:04AM PST

Sounds like a decent system at reasonable price. Only 2 USB ports seems a little chintzy, but if it's got open PCI slots, you can always add more.

Just a suggestion: you might take a look at what's available at the Dell Outlet store. They're returned and refurbished systems that carry the full Dell warranty, often at considerably less than a new Dell system. About two weeks ago they had a big sale and I picked up the following system for under $800 including shipping:

Dell 4600 P4 3.06 GHz w/ 800MHz HT FSB
Windows XP Pro SP2
1 GB PC2700 Dual Channel DDR RAM
Integrated Intel Extreme Video & Audio
6 USB Ports, 10/100 Ethernet, Serial & Parallel Ports
250GB Western Digital SATA 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Floppy Drive
DVD ROM Drive
DVD+R/W Drive + WinDVD
Adobe Acrobat Elements 6.0
Paintshop Pro 4.0 (possibly a trial version?)
Dell 1-year Parts & Labor On-Site Warranty

One of the things I liked about this system is it didn't come preloaded with all kinds of trial software for AOL, Earthlink, etc. For another $50 I added an ATI Radeon 9000 AGP graphics adapter and for $15 more a 3-port Fireware PCI card. I already have a copy of Office XP Pro that I can move from my old machine to this one.

For a monitor, I bought a Princeton 19" LCD flat panel on eBay for $470 including shipping.

Hope you enjoy your new desktop, whatever you decide to buy! Happy

Bill V

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You would be better off with an iMac

For that price and the specs you want...you would be better off getting an Apple iMac. It might be a little more initially, but the iMac comes with much more software and residual value. The cost of ownership is a lot less....the hardware last longer and no spyware or viruses to worry about. In addition, the Mac OS was just rated as the "World's safest and most secure operating system.."
http://www.macdailynews.com/comments.php?id=P3766_0_1_0

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"no spyware or viruses to worry about. " is untrue.
Nov 2, 2004 1:55AM PST
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Actually..it is true

Misinformation? Name one piece of spyware or a virus for OS X...you know...the operating system that runs on Apple hardware.. Macs do not run OS 9 or below anymore...thus, any Mac that is running OS X is currently immune to Viruses and/or Spyware. This is simply a fact. There is nothing to debate here. In addition, Macs have been shown to be cheaper than Windows based machines in many ways:
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/But-Theres-No-Software-for-the-Mac-Right-37806.html

It is funny how up-tight people get when someone recommends a Mac as an alternative. Your comments are baseless. The Mac OS has been shown time and time again to be superior to Windows with regard to security, plug and play, true multitasking, graphics management, and overall system stability.

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Re: Actually..it is true... or untrue.
Nov 4, 2004 1:41AM PST

I guess that it's not widely published.

http://p2pnet.net/story/2810

There are spyware items too. But why should I search for such things? The bottom line is simple.

Bob

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Re: Actually..it is true... or untrue.

Opener is an Apple Scrip. In order for it to get on your system, someone has to have physical access to your computer as well as your admin password. In could be added into a program installer too... but it still requires a user to enter an admin password.
This does not self-propagate...thus... it is not a virus.
It is also proof-of-concept..."Renepo virus hasn't so far been seen in the wild"..(from the article).
Here is another article:
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/security/0,39020375,39172277,00.htm

I could right an AppleScript right now to erase my user folder...make it into an application..and post it on a P2P ...does not make it a virus.
This is ONE example of a "proof-of concept" script that has not affected anyone to date. Compare this to story after story about spyware/malware/trojens/viruses on windows....

More info:
http://news.independent.co.uk/digital/features/story.jsp?story=489935
and
http://news.com.com/2100-1028-5195222.html

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P2P
Nov 4, 2004 2:00AM PST

In general, P2P users do the darndest things. And will fall for this one many times. With the lower population and the fact its a P2P thing, reports will be very low.

Continue to think your immune, but at your own risk.

Bob

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Re: P2P

Again...there are no viruses or trojens for OS X. There are AppleScripts that can do bad thing....kind of like going into DOS and typing in Format...
Apples OS is scriptable. You can automate almost anything...the thing is...in order to "hurt" any of the system files, you need administrative access/password...and enter that password.

When there is something out there that self-propagates..then OS X will have a virus...there is nothing out there now...OS X has been out for a few years. In fact, if you look at that article i posted...it is getting more secure with age.

I totally agree ...people do really stupid things... and will fall for almost anything. No computer is safe from it's user....the difference is, with the Mac operating system, the User actually has to d something...give the program access to the system by entering the admin password..Windows lets just about anything in without you even knowing about it.
But you cannot say that Windows is more secure than OS X....or even that OS X is not secure... That would be misinformation.

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Re: You would be better off with an iMac
Nov 2, 2004 11:14AM PST

Not quite. It takes over double the price(without the monitor)to get similar performance from a Mac than from a pc. Notice on this web page, a G5 1.8 ghz is listed as being approximately equivalent to a Pentium 4 2.8 ghz.

http://systemshootouts.org/shootouts/desktop/2004/0831_dt2300.html

you can get even better performance for your money by choosing an Athlon 64 processor instead of a Pentium 4.

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Did you read the shootout results?

I don't understand your post... The website you directed me to suggested that the iMac is "Best of Field" in almost every category...in fact...it was CHEAPER than the Dell it was compared to.
Now...yes..the Dell can be bought without a monitor...but the fact that iMac comes with a high-quality, user replaceable LCD should not go against it.. most would say that it was a plus. especially considering the Dell works out to be more expensive with a lower quality monitor is included.
Also notice that this site rates the iMacs operating system as "Best of Field" too....

Thanks for the link. I should have posted it myself.

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Re: Did you read the shootout results?
Nov 4, 2004 2:04PM PST

I posted that link to show how the G5 processor compares to a Pentium 4. I was not suggesting that you buy a Dell Pentium 4 system. Unfortunately that website does not have a direct comparison of the G5 chips to Athlon 64 chips, so the the comparison needs to be made indirectly, G5 to Pentium 4, then Pentium 4 to Athlon 64. You can get a very powerful Athlon 64 system at a very reasonable price.