Need A New Computer / Can't Build My Own

What do you guys recommend?

I don't want a Dell or any of the major name brand computers... I don't have the technical know how (or desire to obtain that know how) to build my own computer....

My current PC is a 5 year old Falcon Northwest, which is/was a quality PC, but was very expensive...

Too bad I can't contract one of you resident Geeks to build one for me. =]

I was checking out the IBUYPOWER website but they apparently have atrocious customer service & support, which does not bode well for the company...

But yeah, I'd like to get a customized PC... PC would predominantly be used for internet browsing, listening to music, and playing one particular video game....

Your help is appreciated...

 

I recommend getting a Compaq or HP computer because there good for the price. Most of them come with bad intraged graphics but your can always upgrade that. Do you want AMD or Intel? What game is it that you like to play? Here is a HP pc http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pavilion-Desktop-PC-A6009N/sem/rpsm/oid/178512/catOid/-12962/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
Also you can add more ram and upgrade the video card witch is not hard to do if you want to.

 

PClover has shewn one with an amd, and Vista, and it could be worth a look.
However you need to consider what else you use with your computer- printer, scanner/all-in-one, and to get the excellent Vista aero graphics, you need a very good graphics card, and at least 2gb of good ram,- if you want to run games well, and the game you want to use- is it Vista compatable ? If it isn't then go for XP/XP Professional.

 

I would suggest looking at somewhere like newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=10&name=Desktop-PC

However, if you don't know, or wish to know anything about computers, the it is safest to go to someonr like Dell, and through their pages you can tell them what you want to customise to your taste, with I always found excellent support, after sales.

 

Dell got sued so i wound not buy dell http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Technology/story?id=3179394

 

I know how to operate computers, I just don't know how to build them... I can install/uninstall video cards and swap RAM without a problem...

The video game I would be playing is Counterstrike Source, which would require a 256MB graphics card for maximum enjoyment...

I can't stand all the preloaded programs that come loaded up on PC's from the major manufacturers... Yeah i could reformat the hard drive...

 

Where in NJ are you? I'm in New Brunswick and up around Morristown a few times a month, and its summer If you're interested, let me know and we can talk about building a system for you. I've built ~40 machines so far in the last 5 or 6 years

Keep in mind that a 'do it yourself' system may not be the cheapest method, but you know you're getting quality parts throughout.

 

I live in Bergen County but went to school @ Rutgers 3 years ago... It's only about a 45 min drive from me.

 

I know Bergen County pretty well. Let me know if you'd like to talk about building a system, or if you'd prefer to buy a pre-made one and just want suggestions.

 

Glad to hear that you DON'T want a mass produced major market PC Support the local small business!!!! Find a small local independent PC store and tell 'em what you'll be using the PC for: gaming, web surfing, office or student stuff, etc., and tell 'em what your budget is, and they'll do their darned-est to build the BEST computer for your buck. Plus you'll get WAY better support from a local shop than you could ever get from any multi-national money hungry faceless corporation.....

hd2k

....and many of the smaller shops will let you hang out with the tech while he builds the PC so you can ask questions, and learn what's what.... I don't think that Dell or HP does that, do they????

 

Well, normally I would agree with you about small business but my daughter had a comp built by just such an outfit and when it had a problem they refused to do anything about it. So you never know.

Don

 

Plenty of advice coming along from majorgeeks. ANHEDONIC, confused
Your original self description was a little different to the follow up, so as you are more computer (build, and format) literate than you originally intimated, you can follow up In years to come, and/or hopperdave2000 suggestions, as you could buy a basic unit, and add memory, and graphics card, and install an operating system , yourself, as you say you can manage of those actions.
Majorgeeks, probably does so well, because the major builders, and some small pc builders do not always give a quick service, and there are so many willing to answer your problems, if they can.
Howerver, I am one who did have good service from Dell, got rooked by small companies, when I first started, and never judge anyone until a verdict is reached.
However, once you learn to build your own, you don't need the big companies!
With the basic knowledge you have, you can be far more picky than you realise.
You know what you want your computer to do- In years to come has made a good offer, or, If you look at somewhere like Newegg, you can get a good idea on price, and comparison. If you have a good small computer builder near you, as hopperdave 2000 says, go and ask if he can build what you want, and what guaranties he will give - and hope he is still in business next year, if you have a problem (or, come to majorgeeks
The pc market is changing so rapidly that the stock small business's can keep could quickly be outdated, as it can be expensive to keep up with the new, BUT, you can still purchase a nice system to last you for a few years from them.
Computers are so easy to put together,and basically reliable, that any reputable shop, big, or, small, should not get many problems on the present pc motherboards, cpu's, psu's, memory, and other components.
Hard drives tend to be more reliable, and manufacturers guarantees have gone up to 3 years , on most, now.:guitar:guitar

Quote:
InYearsToCome I know Bergen County pretty well. Let me know if you'd like to talk about building a system, or if you'd prefer to buy a pre-made one and just want suggestions.:dancer

 

I was going to suggest something like that, but you beat me to it. Ask around, a lot of these guys have a lot of integrity, some don't. One of the measures is whether they've been around for a while. Right now it is a tight market, these guys really can't burn too many people, or they won't last.

 

I build computers for a living and can tell you to check out your local dealers 1st. Check out their rep. I suggest this because if you go to circuit city / best buy / wal-mart etc.... You are stuck with mailing your computer in for warrnaty repair. If you go through your local guy you have service right there. Make sure they have at least a 1-2 yr warranty.

You will know their integrity by whether or not they sell you what you need / want vs. selling you a bunch of expensive stuff you won't need. We never sell a customer something they don't need. Also this way you can get the parts you want and if you do some research on your own you can find out what parts are most compatible for speed, reliability, and performance.

Also, now HD partitions with Recovery crap that uses 1/2 your HD space for that lame partition.

Although , if you were happy w/ falcon NW, maybe go w/ them again. THey have a good rep and can make a mean PC.

 

You can get me to build a custom computer for you. I am not exactly a resident geek, but I do ebay business, and would be happy to build one and ship it out to you. Since your a fellow majorgeek i will charge you as little as possible without much of a labor charge or anything. PM me if you are interested...I have listings currently on ebay that I could adapt for whatever you need!!