I need help buying a new desktop. Please

I go and look at these different sites and see all sorts of things that totally confuse me. I don't really want to fuss with Vista because I have already learned that many of my favorite programs aren't compatible with it. So . . is it too hard to install XP on it instead? And then what about the drivers? Would I have to find different drivers than the ones that would come with it?

And then there is the hardware itself. I don't know what are the basic requirements that I need. Can someone please help me know what I need? I am not a "gamer" but I have lots of games that are simple and entertain my feeble brain. I play at a virtual petsite and make graphics. I use my pc to play music and dvds. Dual core and quad core might as well be Greek to me.

 

These are two systems Bomba and I have been looking at...
Trying to get a system at a reasonable and best price, like so many others -

Been trying to compare HP m9000t series with Systemax at Tiger direct, I may be comparing apples and oranges:confused

I'm thinking the HP is a better deal and maybe box but I really don't know. Is there somewhere I could look for a box like the HP that would have the duel core and 2G mem and decent graphic card with 19# monitor? Comments or suggestions welcome

----------------------------------------------------------------
From Tigerdirect.com

Systemax Venture VX3 Intel
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Intel DQ35JO mATX Motherboard
Intel Core2 Duo E4500 2.2GHz 2M 800Mhz Processor
2GB DDR2 PC5400 667MHz Dual Channel (1GB x 2)
320GB 7200RPM 3G SATA II Hard Drive
20X Lightscribe DVDRW Dual Layer Drive
GeForce 7300GS 256MB PCI-Express ....works with images and photos
Integrated Gigabit Network Adapter ... will be using DSL
Logitech Deluxe 250 Keyboard USB
19" Black LCD Monitor (VGA/DVI) (Add $169.99)
Logitech X-230 2.1 Speakers (Add $34.99) ...listens to music and often audio books
00 Watt Power Supply (Add $29.99)
No Antivirus Software (Subtract $0.00) has used and likes avast and spybot D&D as well as some others, windows firewall
Microsoft Office Application - NONE
Total > $1,146.95
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HP m9000t series from HP site:

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit ...not crazy about this but have XP Home CD
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor E6550 (2.33GHz)
2GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024)
FREE UPGRADE! 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS, DVI-I, TV-out, HDMI
320GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
ATSC-NTSC TV tuner with PVR, FM tuner, remote ...don't need this but may be able to ask HP, it's part of the package
Integrated 7.1 channel sound w/front audio ports
Norton Internet Security(TM) 2007 - 15 Months ...don't need this but may be able to ask HP, it's part of the package
Microsoft(R) Works 8.0 ...don't need this but may be able to ask HP, it's part of the package
HP 19-inch LCD Wide Flat Panel Monito
HP stereo speakers (2.0)
HP keyboard and HP scroller mouse part of the package
HP Surge Protector, 7 Outlet, Phone/DSL Protection $20
HP Deskjet F4180 All-in-One Printer, Scanner, Copier
HP Hi-Speed USB Cable a-b, 6`



Price $1,319.96*
Instant rebate
-$238.00
Mail-in rebate
-$0.00
Total:
$1,081.96

 

you may try this and add your own monitor and speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229008
or this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103085

 

between those two, go with the HP. technically, you get a faster processor and a monitor, a printer, and a more modern video card (performance-wise they will be close to the same though) And since you have an XP CD, Vista wont be a problem

 

<ibbonkers> Thanks! Looks promising

 

Yes, that's what I thought. Going to look at cyber power may be able to get comparable system for under 1k that would be very nice. will choose soon

 

try checking out www.ibuypower.com
they got some nice desktops for low prices with good stuff, not to mention they look awesome, also the ones ibbonkers linked are nice as well

 

WOW TrainHeartnet I just looked at the link you posted and it looks like I can get a really great pc for about half the price and with xp still. Thanks so much! (Now I have to convince Dunkan)

 

with ibuypower/cyberpower (basically the same place), DO NOT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD get a laptop from them. My friend got one and technically it's fine but wow what a piece of crap in terms of build quality. The monitor hinges broke after like a month, the paint is wearing off on parts...just a bunch of little things like that. They use other cases besides their own for desktops so you should be OK there

 

I don't want a laptop. I am confined to my bed, have limited mobility, and hand control. There is no way that I can use those tiny little buttons on a laptop.

 

This is what we ended with... just a bit over the goal but I think it was worth it Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

* *BASE_PRICE: [+669]
* CAS: ($10 off Mail-in Rebate) New! Raidmax Sagitta II Mid-Tower 420W Gaming Case w/ Side-Panel Window (Black Color)
* CASUPGRADE: NONE
* CS_FAN: Extra Case Cooling Fan [+3] (1 x Fan)
* CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6550 CPU @ 2.33GHz 1333FSB 4MB L2 Cache 64-bit
* CD: (Special Price) 20X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER (BLACK COLOR)
* CD2: NONE
* CABLE: None
* FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
* FREEBIE_CU: FREE Game! Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
* FAN: INTEL LGA775 CERTIFIED CPU FAN & HEATSINK
* FREEBIE_VC2: None
* FLOPPY: 1.44 MB FLOPPY DRIVE [+10] (BLACK COLOR)
* HDD: Single Hard Drive (320GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
* HDD2: NONE
* IEEE_CARD: NONE
* KEYBOARD: PS2 MULTIMEDIA INTERNET CONTROL KEYBOARD (BLACK COLOR)
* MOUSE: NONE [-5]
* MODEM: NONE
* MONITOR: ViewSonic Q9B 19" COLOR TFT Active Matrix SXGA LCD Display 1280x1028 [+209] (Original Black)
* MONITOR2: NONE
* MOTHERBOARD: Asus P5N-E nForce 650i SLI Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard
* MEMORY: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair Value Select or Major Brand)
* NETWORK: ONBOARD 10/100 NETWORK CARD
* OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition w/ Service Pack 2 [+89]
* PRO_WIRING: Professional Wiring for All WIRINGs Inside The System Chasis with High Performance Thermal Compound on CPU [+19]
* PRINTER: None
* PRINTER_CABLE: None
* POWERSUPPLY: STANDARD CASE POWER SUPPLY
* RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
* SOFT: Microsoft® Works v8.5
* SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS 24/7 LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
* SOUND: 3D WAVE ON-BOARD 5.1 SOUND CARD
* SPEAKERS: Logitech S100 2.0 Stereo Speaker Set (BLACK COLOR)
* TEMP: NONE (AS SHOWN)
* TVRC: None
* USB: Add External USB 2.0 Hub (4x USB 2.0 Ports) [+19] (BLACK Color IR-4100-BK)
* UPS: None
* USBHD: NONE
* VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT 512MB 16X PCI Express (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
* VIDEO2: NONE
* VIDEO3: NONE
* VIDEOCAMERA: NONE
* WNC: NONE
* _PRICE: (+1013)
* _view_: detail

$1,013.00