My roommate, Baloo28, has a friend at work who builds computers.
He is building one for me. I will be getting:
1) A 17' monitor(I have a 13" now).
2) 512 memory(I now have 32).
3) New speakers.
4) 40 gig hard drive(I have a 10 gig now that's 90% empty).
5) CD/DVD player (I don't want a burner yet).
6) Windows XP(I am running Windows 98 now).
7) New mouse.
8) New keyboard.
9) New video card.
10) New sound card.
All for $340.00.
He is going to come over and set up everything tomorrow.
It will be about ten times faster than what I have now.
YUMMY!

What do you all think?
I think:
:nice: :nice: :nice: :nice: :nice:

how fast is it?

how fast is it?
What do you mean how fast? My computer right now makes running water look like it's molasses .
:confused: :confused: :confused:

your new one. how fast is it going to be?

What Gibby's asking is, what processor/CPU will be in the new computer?

It should be a Pentium 4 if that's what you mean.
:) :) :)

Two suggestions:

Get a CD burner. I use mine MUCH more than I thought I would.

Send me your old computer. I need a dinosaur with 98 and Works.

Sounds like a great setup.

I had to give him my old computer for parts. Right now I have 256 memory but, he has another 256 ordered. And, it not a Pentium 4, it's an AMD Atholon 2400.
:nice: :nice: :nice:

Yeah, get a burner

206, that is a great price.

I am comparing Dell, Gateway, and CompUSA (HP) to try to find the best deal with the following requirements, RAM and Windows XP being most important.

P4
512MB RAM
120GB HD
DVD burner
6 USB ports
17" monitor

Dell and Gateway can do it at about $850. Dell is a little more expensive, but they don't charge for shipping so they end up pretty close. Not cheap, but still a lot cheaper than my currently obsolete PC when it was new.

A digital media card reader and IEEE firewire would be nice, but can be added later.

Are there any important differences between Windows XP Home versus XP rofessional besides price?

The mouse has a scroll wheel. That is so cool. Plenty of new features on this thing to explore. I really haven't left the house since Monday.
The cost to me was $340.00 but I found out my roommate paid $40.00 to upgrade from a CD to a DVD player and the added memory. And it's only a 15' monitor.But still, it IS a great price.
:nice: :nice: :nice:

A scroll wheel is essential for bulletin board reading and posting.

Geez, I can't imagine using a mouse without a scroll wheel. Tell ya the truth, I hate using a mouse that isn't gyroscopic.

I doubt if there's a significant difference between XP Home and Pro. Go to Staples and read the specs on the boxes. (I use XP Pro because I got it for the student price of $80.)

Geez, I can't imagine using a mouse without a scroll wheel. Tell ya the truth, I hate using a mouse that isn't gyroscopic.

I doubt if there's a significant difference between XP Home and Pro. Go to Staples and read the specs on the boxes. (I use XP Pro because I got it for the student price of $80.)
pro has some nifty things in it, more networking options and such. Pro is designed to be the client OS for server 2k3 :)

Pro has proper networking added into it. I Also have the Corperate license verson of Pro at home (thanks to my company license, its even legal too :D ) So I don't have to tell Microsoft what hardware is in my system :)

hugs

lilnymph

That's what I am running. Windows XP Professional.
:) :) :)

Hehe its really fun to have a new computer thats a big jump from your last one isn't it :)

hugs

lilnymph

206, that is a great price.

I am comparing Dell, Gateway, and CompUSA (HP) to try to find the best deal with the following requirements, RAM and Windows XP being most important.

P4
512MB RAM
120GB HD
DVD burner
6 USB ports
17" monitor

Dell and Gateway can do it at about $850. Dell is a little more expensive, but they don't charge for shipping so they end up pretty close. Not cheap, but still a lot cheaper than my currently obsolete PC when it was new.

A digital media card reader and IEEE firewire would be nice, but can be added later.

Are there any important differences between Windows XP Home versus XP rofessional besides price?
Pro is much more stable, and has added features...don't ask me what they are though, as I've never taken the time to check.

I could prolly build that computer for less btw Snouter. :p

TheGreatMonkey, it sucks that Microsoft plays games by putting out an inferior version in addition to the regular version.

After looking over the new computer situation from retailers, navigating Dell's configuration site sucks, they don't seem particularly timely, and if something goes wrong it seems customer service is problematic.

Gateway charges tax and shipping and their business is crumbling. eMachines is the low cost maker that they have merged with. The nice thing about eMachines and similarly priced HP's at Circuit City, CompUSA, Best Buy is that if it fails, which happens soon after purchase if it does, it can be brought right back and exchanged without the shipping hassles.

Unfortunately, the retailers are doing a little scam by jacking up the price and then offering rebates. The net cost for a eMachine with:

Intel Celeron D Processor 325
256MB RAM
40G HD
DVD/CD RW
16" flat screen CRT
(and worthless printer thrown in)

is $400. That is after $300 in rebates which could take weeks to be received, but still, not a bad deal. There is cash left over to get a fancy video card.

Is there anything special about the Pentium 4? Is the Celeron just a slower processor?

Snouter.

Don't buy Dell or Gateway. They fund causes that you wouldn't find very American.

I would suggest you find a reputable computer shop that puts name brand equipment in their computers and have them build one to your specifications.

Or just buy a laptop like I did after I blew up the mobo on my last self build :) (must make sure its earthed properly next time I try to build one ;))

My emachine is about 7 years old. I found the one company in the world that offered p66 RAM upgrades and installed a larger hard drive, and I still use it. When I was trying to figure out how to upgrade the RAM I was able to access live chat help at the emachine website.

Be very careful about those dam box stores - use cash if you can. They can (and do) multi-swipe your card and sign you up for multiple internet accounts and the like. They receive their commissions for each account, even though you cancel them when you find the multiple billing later. (I learned about this when I spent three weeks working in a call center.)