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computers...
Posted: February 15th, 2008, 4:57 am
by RamboPreacher
My main office computer at home just died. bah. I have backups and most everything is on the NAS (Network attached storage), so it is not a problem at all, as far as apps and data is concerned. My backup desktop is working great as well (Obviously), but it is pretty old and limited to email and Web. for communications and connectivity requirements.
My wife's computer is getting pretty old as well, but at least is till going strong (though I did have to replace a power supply late last year). My son's computer is still working great, and my Church-work computer and my work dial in desktop and laptops are all working, but I "need" to replace my main office system.
I am not a gamer, so don't need anything fancy schmancy, but was wondering if anyone here has any suggestions? I had thought about Apple, but that computer is also my main study computer, and I MUST have my Logos/Libronix software on it (they are not even in beta yet for the MAC version) They are in Alpha only, so not public yet -
http://www.logos.com/media/mac/MacA4.mov
In any case, I don't really have any specific hardware requirements otherwise. anyone have any suggestions?
Posted: February 15th, 2008, 6:55 am
by Pastor Bill
If you are truly wanting a Mac, just go with dual-boot or Parallels for now, you would be able to run it as a Windows machine till your software is available, or with Parallels you could run it as a Mac, and just run your software through windows.
If you aren't looking Mac, Dell's probably got your best bang for the buck.
Posted: February 15th, 2008, 10:12 am
by RamboPreacher
thought about the dual boot stuff, and seriously considered it, but the hardware it takes costs too much, especially compared to a custom built dell.
a grand is a lot of money, but when it comes with a 24" widescreen monitor, uhm - no competition. of course now I will have a couple extra 17" LCD screens.
Posted: February 15th, 2008, 10:33 am
by Pastor Bill
You are right, Dell can put together a cheaper low end machine than Mac offers. I mentioned it because you said you were thinking of going Mac.
Pretty much any new Mac can dual boot, it's just they don't really push the low end side of things, so Dell has them beat there on prices.
Posted: February 15th, 2008, 10:41 am
by RamboPreacher
Pastor Bill wrote:You are right, Dell can put together a cheaper low end machine than Mac offers. I mentioned it because you said you were thinking of going Mac.
Pretty much any new Mac can dual boot, it's just they don't really push the low end side of things, so Dell has them beat there on prices.
"low end"? going to have to disagree on the comparison. and yes, I did seriously consider and research the Apple, but for "similar" systems, the cost was double or more, for the apple, so I really couldn't justify it this time. maybe next or another time.
Since I can build my own, I even checked out building my own system from scratch, and the cost difference wasn't enough for me to justify not getting a name-brand and their warranty/support. I thought I would save a bundle, but it was less than $200 difference. and having a 2 year warranty vs 90 days is a no brainer.
ordered a dell.
Posted: February 15th, 2008, 12:03 pm
by Pastor Bill
What were your specs? I've not seen that large of a difference except on the low end, but then what one person considers low end compared to another can be very different.
I just helped my Dad buy Mom a new computer, and we went with Dell, because it would be a couple hundred difference on a low end machine (although the Mac did have a larger hard drive, but not $200 worth of difference)
Also depends on what line of computers you are looking at in both.
Posted: February 15th, 2008, 8:27 pm
by Billy n NC
I would suggest a good ol White Box special.
No Name. My MOM n Law needed to upgrade about a month ago.
Got her a Intel P4 PC w/ 160 gig HD , 1 gig of mem, 7 -1 Multi Card reader and Cd/DVD Burner. Onboard, Video,sound,ethernet, usb and firewire. Less than $350 .
She already had a 17 inch lcd monitor, Keyboard, mouse and Win XP HOME.
Going with Intel Mother Board gives you growth and expansion. Could even upgrade to faster processor later on as prices come down.
Posted: February 16th, 2008, 4:42 am
by Alan
I agree with Billy here. If you order an Intel boxed board and Intel boxed CPU you get 3 years warranty on each. Seagate hard drives have a 5 year warranty, all that leaves is the cd-rom, RAM, and case. Most RAM comes with a lifetime warranty, and cd or dvd roms/rws, and power supplies are cheap to replace.
My white box systems are running long after most dell's are dead and gone. I'm actually working on one now that I built for my uncle in December of 99, still works great, just got a lot of spyware on it.
Posted: February 16th, 2008, 6:18 am
by MacUser
Yep, you just need another PC.
"I know we said we'd get you a laptop,but this will have to do until business improves."
"I didn't find out quite what I wanted about the economics of democracy but I did find an interesting article about the mating habits of the Patagonian Fruit Bat."
Posted: February 21st, 2008, 11:54 am
by RamboPreacher
before, it's kinda old, as I had a dual 17" LCD monitor setup that I upgraded to a while back, but you get the idea:
After I moved some stuff that hadn't been moved for, well, a long time...
[spongebobvoice]
I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready...
[/spongebobvoice]
I have my VPN/Work system and my "Bible" (one of my tablets) set up on the wing already.
more to come. Fed-ex delivery scheduled for today.
Posted: February 21st, 2008, 12:44 pm
by MacUser
Congrats. Also bravo on tackling those dust bunnies...
Posted: February 21st, 2008, 2:29 pm
by RamboPreacher
MacUser wrote:Congrats. Also bravo on tackling those dust bunnies...
dust rhinoceros's.
about a decade of accumulation there... (no, FedEx hasn't been here yet)

Posted: February 21st, 2008, 4:06 pm
by MacUser
You know that's all your skin and hair from the past 10 years+ right?
You might want to invest in a vacuum cleaner/shop vac/dirt devil/dust buster as well! DOH!
Posted: February 21st, 2008, 6:12 pm
by Joey
MacUser wrote:You know that's all your skin and hair from the past 10 years+ right?
uuuuooooo!!!

Posted: February 21st, 2008, 8:49 pm
by Billy n NC
Thanks Rambo, I needed to know that I was not alone.
Computer Techs Rule. LOL