After reviewing my options for a new home computer setup, I am pleased with the outcome of my decision. My requirements were: purchase a new machine for home computing and entertainment, upgrade parts to my old Dell desktop and network the two together.
Initially I debated over whether to go Mac, Windows or Linux. While Mac is groovy and Linux is cheap, I have decided for best integration to stay with Windows. All my Mac-loving friends, go ahead and let the tomatoes fly. Yes, I’m staying on the dark side.
The next question was where to purchase the machine and how to go about getting the upgrades done. I considered purchasing another Dell which is OK but have noticed how cheap many of the components were in my old machine. The big box stores don’t offer much better in terms of standard parts. By the time I purchase the machine and upgrade the essential parts I might as well go out and by two new Macs and convert over shelling-out way more than I intended spending.
I considered white boxing a new machine, purchasing parts and putting one together myself. While technically I know how to do the work, the idea of testing compatible parts and getting the network humming was much more trouble than I am willing to put into it.
Finally I’ve turned to my friend Drew Stephens who is the owner of the Cedar Park, Texas franchise of Computer Troubleshooters. Drew is able to build me a new machine, upgrade my old Dell and work out the kinks in my network configuration all for a very reasonable price. I know I’ll have quality components, extend the life of my current machine and enable my family to get the most out of our time online (which is extensive) without breaking the bank.
An added benefit is that I’m supporting a local, independent business that is providing quality service with integrity. I also know that if I have issues down the line I’ll have someone down the street and not in India or Ohio trying diagnose them with no prior history. If Drew built the machine, he’ll know exactly how the box is configured and most likely will be able to diagnose the issue very quickly. Best service and price; why not go local?
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15 Comments
Its always nice to get a new computer. Did you go with Vista or Windows XP?
Mike, Going with XP. Thinking that 12 to 18 months out is better time to upgrade. Your thoughts?
It really depends on how much stuff you have that won’t work with Vista. I’m sure you’ve heard bad stuff about Vista, and there are some things that are pretty annoying.
Personally though, I would rather buy Vista now than buy XP now and Vista later. Of course, you could probably look at which way you would come out cheaper, Vista now or XP now + Vista upgrade later.
I’m not real familiar with the pricing. I would suggest getting at least home premium if you go with Vista though.
Please don’t go with Vista! It’s so SLOOOOOW! The entire OS is bloated. My suggestion is to stay with XP and don’t bother upgrading unless SP1 for Vista does some real fixing.
I really think you should have went with a Mac. You could have just used Boot Camp. Just my opinion though. I won’t flame you.
Mike, Good thoughts on Vista. I’ve been leaning towards staying with XP as it has been such a stable OS and honestly nothing that I’ve seen with Vista has been compelling enough to want to make the migration, not yet anyway. I do like the latest version of Office which is where, IMHO, Microsoft has always excelled the most.
Matt, Thanks for your comments. as I mentioned to Mike, probably going to stay with XP. Considerer Mac, but the cost differential is fairly significant and with a solid connection to my friend who can support the home network, I’m thinking I’ll stand the best ground for success in the long run. I really need to focus on development and stay away from network management. Done it, just not my thing. Thanks for not flaming me
One big phat squishy tomato for you Phil. But you’re forgiven. Sorta.
Kelly, I thought of you when I wrote it. Too many hooks in the Windows world. I’m going to be developing on their platform, .Net this year. It’s the dark coding land I’m in along w/ the price factor and integration. Keeps me locked-in.
FYI, my company current IT policy is NO to Windows Vista for any users. Nevertheless, two of my IT support teams were given new computer with Vista to get themselves familiarize with Vista.
I bought a new computer with Vista for my children. I find it quite nice. There are a lot of changes in Windows Vista that worth the try. However, one have to really go for the highest configuration – fastest processor and get as much RAM that one could afford.
Best Wishes
Let’s Acquire Wisdom and Live with Passion
Sam,
Interesting stuff. The machine I’m looking at getting has the capacity for up to 8MB of RAM so it will have the potential to house Vista. I’m just not sure I want to make the move now or wait a bit. I know there are upgrade costs later, but perhaps MS needs to get some kinks worked-out. From a UI perspective I know it’s slick, just not sure I’m ready to add-in the complexity. Your experience is helpful though. Thanks!
8G of Ram? If so, you’ll have to run the 64bit version of the OS, which is another realm of problems. 32bit operating systems can address up to 4G of RAM. Personally, I won’t look at a computer without at least 1G.
I don’t think that Vista is slow, but I put it on pretty new hardware, and I have 2G of RAM. I purchased my machine before Vista was available, so it should run well on any newer machine.
I am the IT department at my company, and I haven’t said no to vista, but I haven’t tackled the compatibility items yet, at least not all of them, so I will still buy XP as long as it is available.
As a user, I don’t have the same list of hardware and software that I have to be totally compatible with, so it isn’t as big of a deal.
The new machine won’t come with 8G just have the capacity. I think he quoted 3G to start with. It’s just a nice upgradeable box. Been debating about going Vista, but I think I’ll stay w/ XP as it’s so darn reliable. I am curious though about the new OS. I’ll probably chat w/ one of the developers here who uses the new OS and see what he thinks as well. If I go Vista, I’ll be sure to let you know. Peripherals, from what I understand are not a big deal, you just have to mess w/ them a bit to get them backwards compatible. Only have a few at the moment.
I have three laptops and no desktop, which I am going to have to invest in. I want to doodle and learn 3D modeling which makes me think that I should go Mac – *but* a PC with proper graphics hardware and driver would do the job (and a dual core processor). I’m thinking of going the way of having one built for me as well. I can tell someone what I want to accomplish with the machine and they can figure out how to make it work.
Micki, Well I’ll let you know how it goes, but I’m pretty excited about having someone build me a machine. For me it comes down to simple economics, I can get so much more brute force for less w/ a PC. Even though I know Macs are very cool. My main machine for work is a laptop which is handy in many ways, but I think I’ll appreciate the performance (and cost) at home w/ desktops.
Hey Phil,
Here is my opinion about sides
Windows: Dark side
Mac: Polished side
Linux: Colorful side
Well, I like colors. I’ve been a long-time(for 10 years) linux user. It’s like “You can checkout at any time you like, but you can never leave”
Ozgun, that’s pretty funny. Yeah, I’ve been on the dark side for too long, but hey Bill’s stuff pays my bills, so I can’t really complain.