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Old 05-12-2006, 02:36 PM   #1
CSV_LS1
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I'm looking at getting a computer package for work. It's not going to be highly stressed but still not having to update it in 6 months as i'm getting a mac book pro to play around mainly. Is dell pretty much the only one to look at?

Also with mac book pro's are there any bargains to be had with these systems or is it retail price is what you get? I'm looking at the macbook pro 15.4" 2.13 cpu.


Thanks.

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Old 05-12-2006, 02:52 PM   #2
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If you plan to buy pre-built all done and cheap, then yes buy from Dell. Try not to get intergrated graphics card, but if you cant manage that at least 1gb or more of ram. Otherwise all other options are up to you.
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Old 05-12-2006, 03:18 PM   #3
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for the mac, PM SimonR who works at a mac store. atm they have a Clearance with 400+ saving

otherwise, get one of your childrens card or sumthing like that, and buy it under "education" as its cheaper......same can be done for any MAC product.

PC

i built my gf's pc for less than 1000 and it had
Amd 64 CPU 2800
3in1 motherboard
512 megg ram
80gig hdd
17" benq lcd monitor
Logitec 5.1 suround sound speakers
webcam
multimedia keyboard and mouse,
tv tuner card (digital)
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Old 05-12-2006, 08:43 PM   #4
robjh80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CSV_LS1
I'm looking at getting a computer package for work. It's not going to be highly stressed but still not having to update it in 6 months as i'm getting a mac book pro to play around mainly. Is dell pretty much the only one to look at?

Also with mac book pro's are there any bargains to be had with these systems or is it retail price is what you get? I'm looking at the macbook pro 15.4" 2.13 cpu.


Thanks.
"A couple of questions which will determine what your best option is."

1. Do you already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse you can use?......or are you looking at buying a whole new system?

2. Are you looking at buying a PC already built?........or are you going to get the parts required and build it yourself?

3. Do you have software already?........Windows, Office etc?

4. Are you going to be playing the latest games on the PC?........or just using it for office work, bit of Internet use etc?
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Old 05-12-2006, 09:50 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robjh80
"A couple of questions which will determine what your best option is."

1. Do you already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse you can use?......or are you looking at buying a whole new system?

2. Are you looking at buying a PC already built?........or are you going to get the parts required and build it yourself?

3. Do you have software already?........Windows, Office etc?

4. Are you going to be playing the latest games on the PC?........or just using it for office work, bit of Internet use etc?
1. Looking at a whole new system.

2. Pre made PC. I'm hopeless with it.

3. Don't need software.

4. No game play at all.
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Old 05-12-2006, 11:54 PM   #6
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Go a Dell special.

Computer, mouse and keyboard with 19" screen for $899, spend the remaining $101 on more RAM.

When you get the computer home, if your fine with Windows XP Home that comes with it just leave it, uninstall McAfee or Norton that comes with it and install AVG, install MS Office 2003 or even give Openoffice.org a go (its free and has 99% functionability of MS Office, saves in Microsoft formats). Go into internet explorer(upgrade to the latest if you wish), get the google toolbar, change the temporary internet file/cache disk size to 10mb (or 25mb on a dialup connection). Also give Mozilla Firefox a go.

Depending on how competent you are on a computer, you can increase performance by decreasing the size of system restore backup. Right click on "My Computer" > system restore. If you have no idea what to do if you accidently "click start run type cmd enter rmdir c:\windows enter" leave it on at 12%. If you know not to delete files you dont understand, 6%. For those that are confident but like something to fall back on, 1%. I have mine turned off.


If you want Windows XP Pro get a computer savvy friend to load his copy of Win XP Pro OEM Volume install. XP Pro is better for networks. Then do AVG and Office install.

Oh yeah make sure AVG is resecheduled to run at 2am instead of 8am. When I first started in my position where I worked, everyone complained their computer was really slow when they got into the office, and would become fast 2 hours later. It had been like that for months they said. I fixed up their problem in less than half hour by rescheduling the virus scan in the middle of the night, allowing it to finish without the other programs the people were using, using system resources.
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Old 06-12-2006, 08:18 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CSV_LS1
1. Looking at a whole new system.

2. Pre made PC. I'm hopeless with it.

3. Don't need software.

4. No game play at all.
For your requirements and budget I would agree that Dell would be a good option to take.
Looking at their website keeping in mind the $1000.00 or thereabouts budget I would look at the Dell C521, link here

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/prod...n&s=dhs&~ck=mn

You can with Dell customise your individual requirements as in upgrade the components, of course at a cost, link here

http://dellstore01.dell.com.au/publi...520694&sr_no=3

The C521 comes standard with 512Mb of RAM, upgrade to the 1Gb of RAM which costs an extra $99.00, you will notice the performance gain over the 512Mb, well worth the extra outlay.

Of course upgrade to the DVD/CD burner which costs an extra $16.50

Upgrade to the 160Gb Hard Drive for the extra $39.50 if you wish although 80Gb for general office use is more than enough, remember the Hard Drive size does not give you any performance increase, as some incorrectly would have you believe.

The Athon64 3200+ processor which comes standard on this model is a good performer and more than adequate for your needs, but again if you want to pay the extra go for the Athlon64 3800+ X2 (Dual Core) processor for an extra $107.80.

With all the extra options mentioned the price comes out at just over $1200.00 and the system will perform extremely well and one I think you would be very happy with.

I support over 5500 PC's in the large government dept that I work in, all various makes and models, we currently purchase a lot of PC's from Dell and they are pretty good, dont have too many problems with them and they perform very well for the office work that they are used for.

Bear in mind of course that if you ever do want to get into the gaming area then the C521 has a PCIx graphics slot on the mainboard to accomodate a dedicated gaming video card, the rest of the system would be up to spec to play the latest games.

PM me if I can be of any more assistance, good luck with it all, Rob.
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Old 06-12-2006, 08:13 PM   #8
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Wow thanks alot for this guys. This has helped plenty. Will PM you Rob if i have anymore Q's. Thanks.
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