What to get, what to get.

[Zell's Fists of Fury]

I really don't know what forum to put this into so I'll just put it here.

I need a new computer. Badly. THe one I'm using now is liable to die any day now. So, what kind of computer should I get that's relatively cheap but will make me happy. Keep in mind, I don't play many game on my computer. I plan on putting one or two on the next one. But maily I'm going to use it for downloading crap and stuff. So yeah.

Dell has one for $499 and if I order now I get a free CD Burner. Is Dell a good brand?

[BobDarkavenger]

If you're not going to play games get a Mac.

[Mr. Graves]

Gateway is a better brand. I don't know what sort of deals they have though.

[Rinoabella]

Get a Mac.

[Del Murder]

Go to UBid if you want a good deal. Their PCs are refurbished and they guarantee them. Macs are weird if you aren't used to them. I don't suggest it.

Buying a package is always nice though. Might be more more expensive but it's convienent. That Dell deal sounds alright.

[Rinoabella]

In my opinion, Macs own. If you get a Power Mac G4 with the built in Superdrive, it doubles as a CD/DVD Player/Writer

But I suppose you'd want it for playing games...

[Zell's Fists of Fury]

I'm probably going to get a couple games, yeah.

[Dr Unne]

Dell has good prices sometimes. I just got a computer that came with free 256 MB extra RAM, free 48x/24x/48x CD burner, free 17" flat-panel monitor upgrade (from a 15" CRT, I think), a free MP3 player (MuVo or something), and a $200 mail-in rebate, for $1200 (after rebate, including shipping and tax). 2.6 GHz, 800 MHz frontside bus, 512MB RAM, 60 GB HD, Geforce 4 MX, Soundblaster Audigy, etc. My last computer was also Dell and it lasted me 4 years without a single problem in spite of how hard I abuse the thing. Dell has seemingly a different offer every week or so, so it's good to wait until a good one pops up. It comes with a lot of extra crap too though, like they force you to pay for Windows, which sucks, but it comes with Office / WordPerfect / whatever else you could imagine. Good or bad thing, I don't know. The other good thing about Dell, you can buy it from home and they mail it. The bad thing, shipping costs $100. Their support is also very very good. They replace parts if they break and whatnot, for as long as you're willing to pay your warranty.

The cheapest option is likely to buy the parts and build yourself a computer from scratch. If you have the knowledge to do it, and know a good trustworthy place to get the parts.

I also don't suggest a Mac. Dear God no.

[m4tt]

Gateway is not as good as it used to be. Dell has passed it up quite a bit.

I'd go for the Dell.

[Big Ogre Umaro]

My new compy is a Dell. From my experience, here's the pros and cons.

Pro: Your compter is probably going to be black and looks/performs in a manner akin to awesomeness.
<img src="http://mike.smallcave.net/dell1.jpeg">

Con: This guy.
<img src="http://mike.smallcave.net/dell2.jpeg">

[Shlup]

What BOU said. I reccomend buying a custom system off the Dell website. I also hear that there's a deal for a Dell without monitor for $500.

[Yamaneko]

Yeah, Dell has good stuff. Just stay away from HP and Compaq (they're the same company now).

[Leeza]

I also recommend getting a Dell off the Dell website. You can build it to your own specifications and their service is excellent under warranty. (I don't know how their service is when your warranty runs out though.)

[crono_logical]

Dell is pretty good as far as I know, one of the better prebuilt computer suppliers for this country anyway. You could even get one of the less decent Dells and customise it with your own components if you know exactly what you want in your PC

Don't get a Mac, no - you have to be mad if you want one of those Unless you're a hardcore artist or something, otherwise stick with a PC More support for PCs anyway (both in terms of troubleshooting, and hardware/software you can get for them), since they're so much more common than Macs

[Zell's Fists of Fury]

DOn't worry. There's no way in hell I'd get a Mac.

I'm probably going to get <a href=http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/model_dimen_dimen_4550.htm>this</a> one. I doubt I'm going to coustomize it any since it'll only cost more money. I suppose I <i>could</i> get it sans the monitor and customize it a little, but I hate the monitor I have now oh-so-much. We'll see how much money I end up with total, I guess.