builtright3 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Thinking of getting a new desktop computer to run the CA program. I know a lot of people don't like Dell but I have a Dell and have been very happy with it and the online support has been good. I pay the service fee each year because when I screw things up I have instant help and I multitask a lot so I need it. Does anyone have any suggestions on the type of operating system, hardware, software....? And I'm open to other manufacturer's I just wanted to give my experience with Dell Computers. I not totally dumb when it come to computers but I would like to know what others are doing so I can make a better choice. Thank You Joey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan_Son Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I have my computers built and configured by a local "computer guy". That way you get exactly what you need, a little more money stays local, and your service is nearby instead of India. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbuttery Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Joey: I like HP's tech support - had good experience with them at least while under warranty not all brands use India for tech support basically toss a coin and choose a name brand that has the specs you want/need I check the reviews on Amazon and Cnet and Computer Shopper (very extensive) EVERY product will have negative reviews some will sound "horrible" so I look for 100+ reviews with 4-5 stars overall I will read the negative reviews to ensure that the product meets my wants/needs As for OS, I hear Win 8.1 is finally "user-friendly" for desktop users I decided to stay with Win 7 when I bought a PC in Jan when my prior PC died in an Ice storm power surge Windows 10 is coming in the spring (MS is skipping Win 9) but that is probably to long to wait Lew Lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan_Son Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 ...not all brands use India for tech support... I realize that. I was just making a point. I prefer to have the guy who actually built the system deal with any necessary service or repairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Alienware, owned by Dell now, Great for gaming and that's what you need for Chief. I've had mine for many years now, changed out a few parts, added some over the years and still running great, worth the extra price. Never had to call support, ever. You can also build your own system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbuttery Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Michael: my preference is for name brands I've never tried to "go local" - maybe I should but have no idea who to trust ??? with a name brand I might have a chance of them honoring the warranty just my thoughts .... Lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 I think I will look for a local shop and see what's out there. I will tell them I want it good enough for gaming. I think that is a good suggestion. All great suggestions! Thank You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 My son purchases his equipment through alienware and builds his own for gaming. He spends a couple thousand every few of years. Maybe I will ask him to build it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton_Brown Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 My signature shows my most recent computers. One desktop is home built, the other is HP. I've been happy with both approaches. Purchased the HP in June and have been VERY pleased with it. The liquid cooling is quiet and the six cores add a little extra pop for ray traces. This model also allows overclocking. Don't own a MAC so won't comment on that OS. Windows 8.1 in desktop mode works great. From what I've read recently, if you have Windows 8.1, you will get a free upgrade from Microsoft to Windows 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 I have had HP before also and I had good luck with it in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Whatever you buy just get one with the best video card and CPU you can afford. Those are the 2 things that mean the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 My signature shows my most recent computers. One desktop is home built, the other is HP. I've been happy with both approaches. Purchased the HP in June and have been VERY pleased with it. The liquid cooling is quiet and the six cores add a little extra pop for ray traces. This model also allows overclocking. Don't own a MAC so won't comment on that OS. Windows 8.1 in desktop mode works great. From what I've read recently, if you have Windows 8.1, you will get a free upgrade from Microsoft to Windows one One of my lap tops has windows 8.1 and I hate it. Let me know if you get more info on the upgrade I would like to do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton_Brown Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Joey, I have a curiosity question. What part of Windows 8.1 do you hate? I stay in the desktop mode, have it basically configured just like Windows 7 and previous Windows OS's - works great for me. I especially like Windows 8 because is handles multiple monitors much better (on PC has three monitors, the other has two). From what I've read recently, Windows 10 is what Windows 8 should have been. The funky 'modern UI' stuff now display as re-sizable windows when in desktop mode and for those that want it, the start menu is back (never used it so didn't miss it). Also, Windows 10 is supposed to finally scale correctly even for the UHD monitors. Oh, and technical preview of Windows 10 was released last Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 I put mine in desk top mode also. I just think it is really awkward compared to other versions. It was set up for touch screen and I think that is why it is the way it is. I think they should of figured a way to make so you can still have the traditional desk top. They sort of did that but not very good. I think they really missed the mark. I think its even worse than windows vista. XP in my opinion has been the best ever as far as user friendly. I hope they do a better job with the next version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich_Winsor Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Whatever you buy just get one with the best video card and CPU you can afford. Those are the 2 things that mean the most. Those and a SSD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbuttery Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Joey: Vista was decent after SP2 - my laptop is still Vista Win7 is similar to Vista which is why I went with it instead of Win 8.1 for my desktop in Jan When I next need a desktop or laptop I will move on to Win 10 or later Lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshall Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I have my computers built and configured by a local "computer guy". That way you get exactly what you need, a little more money stays local, and your service is nearby instead of India. I used to have a local "computer guy" build my computers, I now use a computer guy up in Cupertino to build all of my computers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlackore Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Here is our last two purchases, which are working out really well: https://www.falcon-nw.com/ Falcon Northwest Talon.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJSpud Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I went custom .... like the outfit I chose .... they study hardware options and look for parts that have the lowest failure rates .... do heat tests etc. before your machine goes out the door .... you can monitor the process of your build on a daily basis. No bloatware installed. You can configure based upon many options. Great support and lots of good techy articles etc. on their website ... www.pugetsystems.com. Get as much as you can afford .... Good processor and MB; SSD for programs; HD for data; lots of RAM; good power supply, best video card you can afford (I like Nvidia), etc. I wouldn't use a small case. Tom's Hardware has lots of in depth articles on components: http://www.tomshardware.com/ Also, as we age, bigger monitors are better so I wouldn't skimp on monitor(s) either if that is part of your upgrade. I am using two in the 23"/24" size range and sometimes wish I had a 27" in the middle. Some Chiefer's are going much bigger and liking it. Good luck. Let us know what you come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 Thank you all for the specifics. That really helps! I want to make a good choice and these are all good suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbuttery Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 one of my rules is to get as much in the box as you can afford now for items that can't be upgraded later especially if the upgrade can be done externally via USB etc buy what you need now but plan for the future if so, then a PC can meet your needs for 4-5+ years instead of 2-3 years get a decent power supply - probably 800W+ range Lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 I spoke to my son and he buys a lot of his components through newegg.com and some from Fry's electronics and even alienware. I think with all the information I have been given I think I will build a system myself using his help and the technical information that you have all shared with me. I have been using AVG as an antivirus and I also herd some good things about system mechanic. Any thoughts on that? Thank You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Those and a SSD. Yes, the "SSD" was one of the best things I have ever added to my system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I use "ESET" and have been for a lot of years now, never had any intrusions, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARCHIJEF2000 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Why only one year Iguana Tea (which I thinks sounds better than guarantee), those shipping charges seem very high Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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