Building or buying a new system? Maybe I can help some..

[Ducky_Fresh]

Basically if you want to get a new pc. Just gimme a figure you want to spend, and what the computer is for. I'll help you figure out some great system components at the best prices. Then help you build it, so that you can learn to do it on your own NEXT time. And maybe show your own friends. Tired of seeing companies like Dell and Gateway rip off people for crappy computers. Only thing they are good for is companies who need legit software and warranties(even though all the parts inside are covered by the manufacturer already).

I'm not charging nor do I own a store or anything like that. I won't profit from this in any way. Just an idea I had to help people who don't know hardware so well. Could save some money on their new computer and get more bang for the buck!

Overview:
--------------------------------------
Decide what you need/want. - (Gaming or Internet, etc.)
Pick out components.
Build the system.
Install software.
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Get ahold of me on AIM too if you want.

- Everett

P.S. - I don't know Mac's at all. Sorry.

[MackeyStingray]

so you going to obtain the hardware too or just help build em? i'm probably going to be building my own rig but i'm just scrounging around for parts right now cause i'm poor and would rather spend my $ on the bike/trackdays. :rolleyes

while i don't mind building the rig itself, when you price it out, sometimes it actually becomes more expensive than from dell/gateway/micron cause they can get parts wholesale.

[insyder]

True it can be cheaper if going the Dell/Gateway... way. But if you buy the crappy components they tend to use in their cheaper rigs, you can probably get it done cheaper still.

Where they seem to win is in software. Sometimes I've priced together a comparable system hardware wise, but then when you start adding in the cost of the OS and any applications, then Dell will have you beat. But then WindozeXP is available as freeware to those that have the means..:nerd

Where the Dell's lose is when building a custom-tailored rig, in particular one that is built specifically for a certain purpose, like video editing. You just can't beat hand picking specific components that are top notch in the particular jobs they do.

[Ducky_Fresh]

I'm not paying for peoples components...

I will help find what they NEED, not what is te best(unless they really want it). Then I'll help them find it for a good price and from a good vendor.

Basically I want people to learn to do this on their own. It's VERY simple really to build your own tower.

Just lemme know if anyone wants some help. I am learning more everday myself to help find the good stuff thats coming out.

New 52x CD-r came out about 2 weeks ago too. ;)

- Everett

[magyarbetyar]

Very noble of you Ducky :thumbup

No mula at the moment, but I'll keep you in mind.

[280SQUAGGLER]

aaww man !!! why didn't you post this earlier ..i just picked up a system and payed an arm and a leg for it ...dang!!!

Dont even start to ask me what i got ...cuz i dont even now .... lol lol lol

[PASTAPWR]

:wow what timing.

I have recently been looking at new systems. My old 200Mhz Pentium just aint cutting it no more. :laughing.

I have been thinking lap top though. I like the portability. I can do my bills out on the patio while having margaritas, or use it to play DVDs in the car on trips for my kid.

My uses are:
Surfing BARF
E-mail
Word
Power Point
Household book keeping
Some photo editing - Just getting into this
Some video editing - just getting into this (digital vid camera)
Maybe some programming for school

What do you suggest? I have a co-worker that was trying to convince me to build my own. Same argument you used. Could get better system by hand picking components at same or lower price than Dell or Gateway.

[insyder]

We use Dell laptops at work.

Yes they are pricey, but the service that you get from Dell is top notch.

I view laptops as primarily portable, not sit on desk, never go anywhere devices. With portability comes damage, period. No matter how careful you are, there is always the possibility of damaging your laptop.

We had to ship a laptop off to Dell for repair. It was really badly damaged too. Bad screen, keyboard, CD-ROM, and hard drive. We have a small fleet of alike laptops, and simply dumped anything that went bad to this laptop.

Dell has a contract with Airborne Express. Airborne picked up the laptop, in their own box. This was on Thursday afternoon. It was repaired and back in our office on Monday morning!

Service like that is worth the price IMHO...

[MackeyStingray]

I'm not paying for peoples components... if ya got connections for discounts then maybe peeps can tell you the type of stuff they'll need and you can get it for em. they'd obviously pay you for all the comps. you'd get them of course.

pastapower:
keep in mind there isn't much you can do in terms of upgrade on laptops as just about everything is integrated other than the PCMCIA cards and maybe an external peripheral or 2. and upgrades are pricey. RAM and maybe storage space are the only things you can really upgrade. best to shell out the big $ for a dell inspiron or some high end notebook and keep it for a while along w/ full warranty.

btw, you can't build your own laptops.

[Ducky_Fresh]

PASTAPWR:
Well right away, the system looked to be fairly basic. But then you added Video Editing...

So, basically what you need is alot of cpu/ram/vid card/HD. And that tends to get expensive.

How much are you looking to spend?

- Ev

[PASTAPWR]

Mackey,
I am aware that I can not build my own laptop. I am also aware of upgradeability (is this a word?). Upgrading is not an issue as I am one of those people that buy a decent machine and use it into the ground (i.e. I am currently running a 200MHz Pentium machine I bought 6 years ago.).

Ducky,
I am currently looking at about $1600.00-$1800.00. That will put me into a laptop with a 2.4GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 30 GB HD, 3.5" floppy, 16x/10x/24x CDRW/ 8x DVD combo drive. OR a 2.533 GHz Pentium 4, 512MB DDR SDRAM, 80GB HD, 3.5" floppy, DVD-RAM/-R/CDRW, 128MB NVIDIA GeForce4 MX440G video card and an 18" flat panel LCD monitor.

Thank for the input all,

[insyder]

OK, I give up..which laptop is the one spec'd?

Dell? Gateway? Compaq?

[insyder]

If money is not a concern(yeah right..), Alienware makes
a kick-ass laptop that can play all the latest 3-D games
and is marketed as "perfect for LAN parties"

http://www.alienware.com/main/system_pages/area51-m.asp#

http://www.alienware.com/main/images/a51_big.jpg
http://www.alienware.com/main/images/a51_top_view_big.jpg

[PASTAPWR]

Insyder,

It is a Gateway, but my search on Dell's web site turns up the same config at about the same price. Money is somewhat of a concern. Would like to keep as close to $1000.00 as possible, but not going to happen with a laptop and since I would spend $1600.00-$1800.00 on a laptop, why not drop it on a screamin desk top?

[Ducky_Fresh]

Laptops are horrible investments. I don't suggest buying one unless you require the mobility of it for work or something. The displays look like crap, and the systems generally are inferior to the current technology.

For $1600, fuck, I could make a really nice desktop. My system I just built was $1k with no accessories (monitor/keyboard/mouse).

Also, If I were to buy a laptop, it would be a compaq. That is what kind I have, and they have AWESOME support. The screen got broken, and they ran out of the part, so they employed some team of guys to find my part all over the globe. Was very cool, got it all fixed in under 1 week, all postage paid and stuff. Good software, and good components. Secondary I would get a Dell or Gateway I suppose. Just my personal preferences there. My friend had a dell in college, it worked fine.

Desktops are the money saving powerhouses, laptops are like, well I'm never buying one again until I have alot more money. =)

If anyone wants to build a system. Just give me a price you can spend up to, what its for, and when you want to do it. Remember, the market is always changing and new stuff comes out daily. Waiting like 2 weeks could save you hundreds sometimes.

- Everett

[MackeyStingray]

Alienware makes
a kick-ass laptop until you run out of batteries. that kinda laptop doesn't do too well w/o a power source. :teeth IIRC, it took less then an hr. to drain the entire battery. once it gets a decent battery, :thumbup :thumbup

btw, if you're not using the rig for gaming, do you really need a GeForce? why not give the ATI all in wonder a whirl? has vid in/out and a starter pack for vid editing/capturing.

if anything, i'd probably get a falcon northwest rig if i couldn't build it myself :thumbup

[Ducky_Fresh]

Calvin, you are probably right about the ATI card. They do make some great home editing type cards for all purpose. I'm just a gamer myself, so that's my specialty I guess. ;)

Guess no one needs help or wants to save a buck either.....

- Everet

[Hamburger Legs]

I agree with the alienware's specs being the best that I've seen for a laptop..... but the thing with laptops, is that you can't replace the monitor, and all LCD's are soooo particular, I'd HAVE to see the monitor b4 I dumped my money into that. Also, as great of a laptop it is (for $3k), you could build a tower that'd blow it away for around 1/3 of the price.

[kimchee]

Laptops + WiFi + DSL
Barf on the living room couch
Barf on the toilet
Barf outside
Barf OWNS YOOO

[PASTAPWR]

Well thanks to some advice from FifthRival I decided which route I am going to take.

I am going to build a nice desktop for doing my digi editing and buy an older used laptop for my portable uses. Since the portability thing was more about convenience than it was computing power.

Now all I need to do is start my research on which stuff to buy and where to buy it from, then it is off to building my new machine.

[Hamburger Legs]

Good job PASTAPWR! I'm glad you got it all figured out. I highly recommend Asus and Intel motherboards if that's of any help, hehe. As for buying parts, check out www.pricewatch.com if you haven't already. Good luck, if you need some help, I'd be happy to assist you.

[Ducky_Fresh]

I don't recommend Intel Motherboards. Mine was recalled, and I was never notified or heard anything about it, or why.

Asus and Soyo are good, so far. ;)

- Everett