Which Computer Brand?

demonrail666 · 03.31.2009, 10:13 AM

OK, my Compaq laptop is slowly dying on me. Making strange noises and generally acting like a spastic.

I've decided I need a new computer. I have a budget of around £/$1k.

I basically need it for email, this place, porn and writing.

My real issue then isn't features so much as sturdiness and reliability.

So which brands have a good rep in this dep't?

PS: I don't mind getting a desktop or even switching to Apple.

demonrail666 · 03.31.2009, 10:29 AM

In all seriousness, the local PC shops around where i live are staffed by people who I imagine would struggle to find employment at Burger King. The last time I asked one for advice the 'assistant' broke off our conversation mid-way throuh in order to answer a call on his mobile phone. Thanks though. I'll definitely look into neuronet.

demonrail666 · 03.31.2009, 10:33 AM

Hmm. I just googled it. I believe you were, what do they call it? 'Taking the piss'?

pokkeherrie · 03.31.2009, 10:39 AM

EDIT: I'M JUST GOING TO TEST IF l CAN POST IN ALL CAPS HERE

pokkeherrie · 03.31.2009, 10:40 AM

EDIT: I'M TESTING IT AGAIN BY USING A DIFFERENT METHOD

pokkeherrie · 03.31.2009, 10:41 AM

sorry, I forgot to log in under my advice dog account!

ricechex · 03.31.2009, 10:50 AM

Hmm, i quite like my Lenovo desktop. They are Chinese co, but it's basically IBM. Don't know if u have to have a laptop or not but Lenovo and Acer sell great budget pc's. I got mine for about $400 and never have a problem. It is XP O/S, which i insisted on. Had it for a couple years now. Thing is loaded, 160gig hard drive, 1.6 cpu. Came with 1 gig memory, but i installed another gig bc my web design apps need it.

demonrail666 · 03.31.2009, 11:05 AM

I no longer feel able to trust anything said in this thread.

I don't want to be the guy who walks into PC World asking if they have anything with a 'hyperdrive'.

demonrail666 · 03.31.2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricechex

Hmm, i quite like my Lenovo desktop. They are Chinese co, but it's basically IBM. Don't know if u have to have a laptop or not but Lenovo and Acer sell great budget pc's. I got mine for about $400 and never have a problem. It is XP O/S, which i insisted on. Had it for a couple years now. Thing is loaded, 160gig hard drive, 1.6 cpu. Came with 1 gig memory, but i installed another gig bc my web design apps need it.

This seems like a credible suggestion though. Thanks.

floatingslowly · 03.31.2009, 11:39 AM

I'd be wary of a $400 Chinese computer, but that's just me.

Macs make surfin' fer pron somewhat less worriesome; on the other hand, without Apple Care, yr bound to wind up with a pile of scrap the week after you buy it.

have you looked into Tandy TRS80's?

pantophobia · 03.31.2009, 11:42 AM

how old is your compaq, and what are are your crucial specs or needs? like processor speed, memory, hard drive?

i have had my HP for 4 years now, and it's still running quite good, although it's slowing down more, they own and sell compaqs as an entry level brand along with their other namesake ones, Sony makes good ones but are expensive

i have heard mixed reviews on Dell over the years, and don't know much about Samsung, Toshiba and Acer

demonrail666 · 03.31.2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantophobia

how old is your compaq, and what are are your crucial specs or needs? like processor speed, memory, hard drive?

My compaq is a couple of years old now

I don't really understand much about processor speeds, etc. I'm not that up on specs in general. All i really need it for is:

1. Internet
2. Word processing and powerpoint.
3. Watch DVDs

I imagine any PC will allow me to do those. I just want something that's really solid and reliable rather than having loads of bells and whistles. I don't mind paying extra for durability and overall sturdiness.

pantophobia · 03.31.2009, 11:57 AM

have you looked at netbooks? they tend to be cheaper since they are using lower speed processors and smaller hard drives, meant for people who are mostly interested in web browsing and not running heavy graphic laden applications

you should check out cnet reviews on the subject
http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-3121_7-...tColumnArea1.0

their catch all best of, in different catagories

although i will say , a good number of netbooks don't have dvd drives in them, so they may not be the best for multimedia

radarmaker · 03.31.2009, 11:59 AM

Lenova Thinkpads seem to be the most oft-recommended laptop PCs for reliability & value for money, and I would've gone with one of those if I hadn't got a bargain deal on on a Toshiba Tecra (£400 for a new-in-box model that usually retails for about £1200), which has served me well thus far, aside from the DVD drive fucking up after about 6 months.

I imagine you'll get the usual chorus of Mac-acolytes, but despite having asked several of those I know for a single good reason why I should pay substantially more for a similarly specced Mac than I would for a PC, I'm yet to get a halfway satisfactory answer: "They're just better" or "They just work" seem to be the usual responses.
But then again, I like Vista so am obviously a clueless pleb when it comes to discussing computer hardware & software...

davenotdead · 03.31.2009, 12:20 PM

only people who work in media/dj/etc should get macs.

Rob Instigator · 03.31.2009, 12:22 PM

Tandy

sonic sphere · 03.31.2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricechex

Hmm, i quite like my Lenovo desktop. They are Chinese co, but it's basically IBM. Don't know if u have to have a laptop or not but Lenovo and Acer sell great budget pc's. I got mine for about $400 and never have a problem. It is XP O/S, which i insisted on. Had it for a couple years now. Thing is loaded, 160gig hard drive, 1.6 cpu. Came with 1 gig memory, but i installed another gig bc my web design apps need it.

i can vouch for the lenovo option too

demonrail666 · 03.31.2009, 02:46 PM

I looked on their site. They definitely look like they'd do the trick.

Cheers ears

pbradley · 03.31.2009, 02:46 PM

radarmaker · 04.01.2009, 06:19 AM

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to pbradley again

03.31.2009, 10:13 AM	#1
demonrail666 invito al cielo Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18,510	OK, my Compaq laptop is slowly dying on me. Making strange noises and generally acting like a spastic. I've decided I need a new computer. I have a budget of around £/$1k. I basically need it for email, this place, porn and writing. My real issue then isn't features so much as sturdiness and reliability. So which brands have a good rep in this dep't? PS: I don't mind getting a desktop or even switching to Apple.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 10:29 AM	#2
demonrail666 invito al cielo Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18,510	In all seriousness, the local PC shops around where i live are staffed by people who I imagine would struggle to find employment at Burger King. The last time I asked one for advice the 'assistant' broke off our conversation mid-way throuh in order to answer a call on his mobile phone. Thanks though. I'll definitely look into neuronet.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 10:33 AM	#3
demonrail666 invito al cielo Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18,510	Hmm. I just googled it. I believe you were, what do they call it? 'Taking the piss'?
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 10:39 AM	#4
pokkeherrie invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,289	EDIT: I'M JUST GOING TO TEST IF l CAN POST IN ALL CAPS HERE
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 10:40 AM	#5
pokkeherrie invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,289	EDIT: I'M TESTING IT AGAIN BY USING A DIFFERENT METHOD
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 10:41 AM	#6
pokkeherrie invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,289	sorry, I forgot to log in under my advice dog account!
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 10:50 AM	#7
ricechex the destroyed room Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 582	Hmm, i quite like my Lenovo desktop. They are Chinese co, but it's basically IBM. Don't know if u have to have a laptop or not but Lenovo and Acer sell great budget pc's. I got mine for about $400 and never have a problem. It is XP O/S, which i insisted on. Had it for a couple years now. Thing is loaded, 160gig hard drive, 1.6 cpu. Came with 1 gig memory, but i installed another gig bc my web design apps need it. __________________
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 11:05 AM	#8
demonrail666 invito al cielo Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18,510	I no longer feel able to trust anything said in this thread. I don't want to be the guy who walks into PC World asking if they have anything with a 'hyperdrive'.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 11:39 AM	#10
floatingslowly invito al cielo Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 21,165	I'd be wary of a $400 Chinese computer, but that's just me. Macs make surfin' fer pron somewhat less worriesome; on the other hand, without Apple Care, yr bound to wind up with a pile of scrap the week after you buy it. have you looked into Tandy TRS80's?
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 11:42 AM	#11
pantophobia expwy. to yr skull Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,349	how old is your compaq, and what are are your crucial specs or needs? like processor speed, memory, hard drive? i have had my HP for 4 years now, and it's still running quite good, although it's slowing down more, they own and sell compaqs as an entry level brand along with their other namesake ones, Sony makes good ones but are expensive i have heard mixed reviews on Dell over the years, and don't know much about Samsung, Toshiba and Acer
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 11:57 AM	#13
pantophobia expwy. to yr skull Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,349	have you looked at netbooks? they tend to be cheaper since they are using lower speed processors and smaller hard drives, meant for people who are mostly interested in web browsing and not running heavy graphic laden applications you should check out cnet reviews on the subject http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-3121_7-...tColumnArea1.0 their catch all best of, in different catagories although i will say , a good number of netbooks don't have dvd drives in them, so they may not be the best for multimedia
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 11:59 AM	#14
radarmaker the end of the ugly Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,122	Lenova Thinkpads seem to be the most oft-recommended laptop PCs for reliability & value for money, and I would've gone with one of those if I hadn't got a bargain deal on on a Toshiba Tecra (£400 for a new-in-box model that usually retails for about £1200), which has served me well thus far, aside from the DVD drive fucking up after about 6 months. I imagine you'll get the usual chorus of Mac-acolytes, but despite having asked several of those I know for a single good reason why I should pay substantially more for a similarly specced Mac than I would for a PC, I'm yet to get a halfway satisfactory answer: "They're just better" or "They just work" seem to be the usual responses. But then again, I like Vista so am obviously a clueless pleb when it comes to discussing computer hardware & software...
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 12:20 PM	#15
davenotdead invito al cielo Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,784	only people who work in media/dj/etc should get macs. __________________
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 12:22 PM	#16
Rob Instigator invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the land of the Instigator Posts: 27,976	Tandy __________________ RXTT's Intellectual Journey - my new blog where I talk about all the books I read.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 02:46 PM	#18
demonrail666 invito al cielo Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 18,510	I looked on their site. They definitely look like they'd do the trick. Cheers ears
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

03.31.2009, 02:46 PM	#19
pbradley invito al cielo Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SoKo Posts: 10,621
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04.01.2009, 06:19 AM	#20
radarmaker the end of the ugly Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,122	You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to pbradley again
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|