HOWTO: Buy a New Computer - Comments Page 2

Overall it's a good article. But I've never seen anything about refurbished/recertified computers. Right now you can buy i5 with 8Gb RAM and 1Tb HDD in Walmart (Gateway and HP) for $398. The market price for that is around $700. Almost a year ago I bought a brand new Dell with 2Tb HDD and similar other hardware for $449. So two things could save your budget - refurbished and sale. It's Thanksgiving coming, so be prepared.

About display. Why 17? I consider 19 at least. It's less than a hundred now. The optimal option for me is 22-24 that is between $110 and $140. But more... Actually you can hang your PC to TV and get, for example, 72 for free. Well, technically. But don't get 24 instead of computer display - it gives nice picture, but awful text.

So about $500 Bob is right, but that would be one step down from the top computer (i7). I mean regular workhorse, not gaming one. Also you can save another $50-100 with AMD CPU of similar class. So speaking of a really budget PC, we can squeeze to $350 for a new one.

But if you need basic only, I can not agree with Bob about his hate of used computers. I have a relic of 1996 year with Pentium III (originally was PII) that still works fine. It's almost impossible to surf web, but basic Office documents - easy. Any computer that can work with WinXP can run Windows 7. Usually you need to add some RAM that isn't very expensive (2Gb for old Sony Vaio VGN-S380P was around $19.50 for me plus 750Gb HDD for $55 - to install Win7 and FreeBSD together). So you can grab an used PC at garage sale and give it a new life. That would be cheaper $500, believe me.

Some were surprised why there is not a word for laptops. I'd advice to keep away of them. It's nice to have it with you everywhere, but it's a pain in the ass to update or fix. And also a lot of money. How much do you think, price for a cooling system for Sony? $300 - easy! Yes, it's basically fan. Similar problem with slim-factor tiny lovely desktops. Power supply usually $100 for an original or around $40 for OEM. Regular could be found for around $20 or less. Do you math. It's not a question if my computer breaks, the question is when it will happen. So be prepared.

Some other notes. Win vs Mac - the price for Mac is higher mostly not because of demand/supply, but of the Apple marketing. They brainwash you. They sell old hardware for price of brand new. It's not deceiving - they need more time to build error-free software for that hardware and this is why they always are one generation of hardware behind Windows and UNIX/Linux world. Of course, it's not completely error-free, but much more solid. Also they design environment, where every piece of tech can be connected with another and work together. It's a pretty good approach, but it's completely separated from other world by their own proprietary standards. To enjoy this brave new world you have to sell you soul to Apple completely. I prefer ugly world of freedom.

Win 7 is an optimal option since it can work with relatively old hardware. Also new operating systems could work with 64-bit only hardware (for example, Solaris, CentOS). Win 8 have pretty high requirements for CPU as well. My Sony VGN-S380P (Pentium Centrino) I mentioned above is incompatible with Win 8, but fine with Win 7. That corresponds with RAM - Windows can not use more 4Gb in 32-bit version, so you don't need 8Gb RAM for that. Every OS is different - so check its requirements first.

Horsepower in GHz is not enough. For example, is Prescott architecture Pentium 4 from 2004 with 3.8GHz frequency better that Bob's recommendation of "2.5 GHz or better"? Hell no! Now we have multicore/multiprocessor CPUs and lower frequency can give more "horsepower" through more CPU cores. Also pay attention to cache memory - the more the better regardless of manufacturer, frequency, architecture etc.

Linux, UNIX is pretty interesting, but it's completely different approach. It is solid, it works fine. But the main principle - you are master and have to do everything yourself. There are a lot of professionals who are ready for helpful advice, but only you can use it to fix things. It's wonderful exercise for your brain, so you can begin with virtual environment with Linux in you regular boring Windows. When you feel comfortable in this world - switch. Otherwise you can stuck with all your valuable files, photos, movies at HDD with file system that could not be recognized from Windows-based computer. It's like to be a foreigner with basic phrases of local language and huge problems. Learn this language well first.

Well, hope you're still alive after my comment.

Oops, I forgot to mention, that refurbished or recertified should be by manufacturer. I read bad feedbacks at newegg or tigerdirect about refurbished computers that were serviced by some liquidation company. There are good ones, but it's a kind of gamble. Also manufacturer gives you limited warranty for usually 90 days. You can find them online at retailer's or manufacturer's stores.

Geeks will cringe, but for a novice senior who can afford $900, a Linux-based Wow! computer can be a miracle. Designed with the features most likely to be wanted by seniors and with complexity carefully hidden away, it is a beautifully designed answer for this market. I have an 85-year-old friend who has tried for more than 15 years to learn to use a computer; but despite 3 computers, classes, tutoring, a mountain of how-to books, and neighbor support, she simply couldn't get it. Within five minutes of hooking her up to a Wow!, she was ecstatically online looking up her favorite author and sending email to her daughters. Amazing! Yes, pricier than a PC but less than most Macs.

Google docs doesn't exist anymore. It has been renamed My drive which is confusing.

Think twice before suggesting a laptop, especially for a senior citizen. A laptop is an ergonomic nightmare for some people. I'm one of them and I'm only 50.

Well written. I agree with Bob D...27" monitor, as I work with Seniors myself. Many need enough real estate for large print and still keeping most what they are reading on the screen. Also, I was surprised that you recommended AVG, since I switched from Security Essentials to Avira based on your November article. AVG had scored well, too, but not as well as Avira (and G Data).

Bob,
since you are thinking of writing new articles on tablets why not one on general smart phones and how to use its basic functions to get a person that has just purchased their first smart phone transition from their old flip phone. Some people have purchased one for the first time and are going through a nightmare because the manual does not explain its use only very basic to just turn on. I get asked to help daily from friends and family members. It would be nice to write an article or even a book on the topic.

Most t v s now come with connections for for computers so if you have a new t v you can use them for a monitor ,I have two connected to two 32 inch tv s with no trouble at all .Saves buying a monitor .

I am glad to see others agree that refurbished is an excellent way to go. I just bought my "new" PC off of eBay from a seller with excellent ratings, longevity and even willing to speak over the phone if there is a question or problem. It's running Win 7, came with keyboard, mouse and a 17 in. monitor. The latter I gave to my husband as his CRT finally died. I myself use a 24".

I paid $155 for the whole bit with free shipping.

So I was a bit put off that the article didn't even mention the refurbs. Not only are the prices right, but it is an excellent way to still get Win XP or 7 and completely avoid Win 8.

Bob, excellent article. However, I feel that for those who are on a limited budget, to get a refurbished Dell or Packard Hewett computers.

I have gotten several for friends, in years past. Just this past few months, I purchased 2 refurbished Dell computer towers, for my husband and myself. These came with Windows 7 and I was so pleased. The place where I have gotten them from is Computer-Show.com and they give a 6 months warranty, which is very unusual. The packaging for shipping, is awesome. They wrap the computers in plastic and then use "blow foam" to fill the box, for protection. They come working, right out of the box, too.

Both of these computer towers cost me only a little over $500, which included shipping and handling. Now, in my opinion, this was a good deal. I also, added 2GB memory module, to each tower, to have 4GB memory module in each tower.

I am so pleased with these towers and I am a person who has built 12 computers, from scratch. So, that is the quality of the refurbished computers, from Computer-Show.com.

I purchased my HP Pavilion a6632uk in Dec 2008 and it is still very far from obsolete, thank you! The ONLY thing it doesn't have that some newer desktops might is Wi-Fi. But as it's a desktop computer, I prefer a hard wired connection anyway, as you get significantly better speeds with hard-wired compared to wireless.

It has 4 GB RAM and I installed a retail version of Windows 7 Home Premium as soon as it was released in the UK. My video card is more than adequate for a silver surfer, who never plays high speed video games but does quite a lot of photo editing! And the PC's general performance still seems excellent :-) So I disagree that PC's get obsolete after about 3 years!

I must disagree on monitor size. Get what feels right for you (check them out at local stores. If no monitors are set up, fake it by checking regular TVs.). As a "senior" with crappy eyesight I actually find 16" CRTs or 19" LCDs most comfortable (although I get double vision with some LCDs). I know someone who just had to go with a big 32" LCD screen, but soon found that it was terribly uncomfortable on his eyes and now wishes he had gone smaller. And like others have said, I'm quite happy with my old XP laptop system, although there are things to be said for Win7 like I have on my netbook. My desktop with Vista has been a bit of a pain though.

One other thing to consider. Although there there are Linux evangelists, I have found a number of programs I need to use (like for online auctions) only come in Windows or Mac versions. And one online game I play only released a Mac version recently. So match the OS to the software you want to use, not the other way around.

My opinions.

Goto Apple store, pick Macbook Pro or Air -- done!

Great timing! I am advising a "silver surfer" client who has a 5 year old e-machine that is giving her grief (slow, error messages, crashes, etc.). She will keep her 24" monitor and wireless Internet connection. I was researching desktops last evening and ran into your article. With very few exceptions I agree with your article.
Thanks!