What is a good desktop computer to buy?

I am planning to buy a desktop, and I want to make the right choice in buying one. I mostly use the computer for surfing, listening to music, watching videos, and video capturing. What would seem like a good choice at this time?

What is a good desktop computer to buy?
I would say HP / Compaq.





Dells are complete garbage and overpriced, witnessed by their loss of marketshare to HP / Compaq.





Nearly all new PC's ship with Vista instead of XP. And Vista is a memory (RAM) hog. To keep a PC with Vista speed, you're going to want 2gb of RAM.





And of course you'll want a dual-core processor. Great for multi-tasking, video/audio editing, gaming and any other program that uses lot of CPU power.


The best are in this order:


Intel Core 2 Duo


AMD X2


Intel Pentium D


The Core 2 and X2 are leaps ahead of the Pentium D.





Circuit City and Best Buy have deal on every week. I would just by the cheapest Core 2 and X2 machine and add a 2gb RAM kit from newegg for $70


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...





Or, if you're adventurous build your own- it's very easy. You get top quality parts for the money, instead of lowest bidder, assembly line crap.
Reply:Best Made Desktop: Compaq





Best Gaming Computer: Alienware (expensive)
Reply:If you are not computer savvy or don't like messing around with hardware, get a pre-built PC from makers like Dell or HP. If you are game to build your own PC, you can buy all the components needed in an online shop like http://newegg.com and save a lot of money in the bargain.





Buying a Mac based desktop is not a bad idea and all Apple stores have a decent portfolio of beautiful iMac desktops but it is definitely more expensive than PC's. All the best in your quest.
Reply:HP with AMD Athlon 5200 64 x2. It does all the applications you've describe and more. I have HP w/ AMD Athlon 5000 64 x2 and very happy with it!
Reply:Go to http://www.tigerdirect.com and look to the left for catagories. Build your own. for around $600 you can build a big beauty. A 3.0ghz intel P4 cpu, 2 gig ddr2 ram, a 256mb Nvidia Graphics Card, 250gb hdd sata, dvdrw/cdrw, 19" lcd wide screen monitor, Intel socket 775mobo, Case with 450 watt ps. All for $565.00 plus Shipping. They accept all major credit cards, checks, money orders, and ebanking. Or you can buy premades there for really cheap too.
Reply:Dell makes pretty good pc's...Sony would be my next choice. Alienware is too expensive and overlly and exessively pricy.





Higher prices do not make a pc better. Check in craigslist.org locally and you can find many at a lower cost.





Goodluck!
Reply:I custom build computers, and if you tell me the max amount of cash you can spend, then i can quote you on a system. Also, do you need just the tower, or things like keyboard, mouse, monitor, ect.





And I guaranty that my price will be the best you can find, more system for the buck








Just message me if you are interested
Reply:Compaq. But check processore and CPU features also.
Reply:HP isn't bad
Reply:Dell....by far. Sony has great laptops, so does Toshiba, but when it comes to PCs aside from a great gaming rig like Alienware...I would stick with a Dell.





I was an NT admin who ran a helpdesk for a company with 2600 Dell PCs. Out of the 5 years I ran the helpdesk we had maybe a dozen or less PCs that had to have hardware replaced. Now if you take into account that about 3/4 of them were left on day and night, then I would say that is a pretty good track record. Also, now-a-days, you cannot beat the prices of them either. Try to stay away from Celeron or Sempron processors though, it's like getting a 4 cyclinder motor in a Cadilac. Sure if you have some PC skills you can overclock them, but if you are looking for some value for your dollar it will go a lot further with a Duo Core or something similar.





Good luck, Joe

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