buying question

i have saved up about 5,000 dollars and im rady to buy a machine. i looked at the alienware machines (b/c theyre the only ones ive heard about really), but couldnt tell much about them. i know that they are more for gaming, and i dont do online gaming much, so im not sure what systems i should look into. the main things i use my cpu for are...

- storing movies and mp3 (lots and lots of home movies, so big hard drive(s)!)
- burning cds and home video dvds (so i want a dvd rom and cdr/dvdr rom)
- playing poker online (not a big deal i know, just trying to give all the info!)
- surfing web
- listening to music/watching movies

thats about it. i stay connected most all of the time, so i hardly ever turn it off and im always on my computer. just hoping someone on here can help me out, you guys know a lot more than me so im seeking advice. thanks

chris

 

5000 dollars could get you about 3 or 4 machines that can do everything you listed. Let's wait to see what the other major geeks have to suggest.....

 

yeah, if you dont game, dont go alienware. get something else and give the rest of the money to me

 

well i went to http://www.abspc.com and the one i want is out of stock. i really wanted it, sounded great. and youre right i dont play many games, so alienware isnt for me. any other places i can look? and i still dont know what i need to look for in it. i want the best everything, processor, memory, hard drive, everything... so where should i go? and i would build it myself, if i knew the first thing about it! alright ill be looking back to check from replies. thanks again

chris

 

ok, for what you are going to use your computer for. you are not going to need the best everything. you wont be using any graphic intensive programs. to get all the most powerfull components would be a HUGE waste of money. i strongly suggest getting something that fits your needs and spend the rest of the money on other things.

 

Just get a Dell deal, or HP, something like that. Sounds like that is all you need.