new computer question

Here's an easy one.....

I need to go buy a general purpose pc (full package to include mouse,
keyboard, flat screen monitor), for light duty office email and word
processing. I have to get three competitive bids.

What features/specs, etc, should I be looking for (in addition to Win XP for
OS) to be able to readily find an economical package? I figure going to
Wal Wart, Circuit City, etc, but want to be comparing apples to apples.

Smarter and easier to visit Dell.com or HP.com. Do your
homework there. Get more options. Typically pay less.

Some store salesman are good, patient, and deserve your
business. Others are total scam artists selling all kinds of
nonsense that sounds good. For example, if he recommends
anything from Monster, or cables with gold plated connectors,
then run for the hills. If any recommend a plug-in protector,
just say no.

Only option I strongly recommend is the optical mouse over a
mechanical mouse.

No one can say what features you 'need'. You have not
provided anywhere near sufficient detail on all tasks that
computer will do today and in the future.

RB wrote:
Here's an easy one.....

I need to go buy a general purpose pc (full package to include mouse,
keyboard, flat screen monitor), for light duty office email and word
processing. I have to get three competitive bids.

What features/specs, etc, should I be looking for (in addition to
Win XP for OS) to be able to readily find an economical package?
I figure going to Wal Wart, Circuit City, etc, but want to be
comparing apples to apples.

That's actually part of what I do where I work, I work for a non-profit orginization and I do research on what I can get for the least amount of money. I'd say at bare minimum you would want 512MB of memory, this is because you can do XP with 128, but it'
s slow as hell, it works fine with 256, but if all your doing is light office work 512 should keep you going without any upgrades for a while. You will want a hard drive that is at least 30GB because you want to back up your data, you also NEED some sort
of backup media, zip drive, CD-Burner, USB hard drive, you will need this for again data backup and then all the other stuff is just pretty standard, your best bet is to buy at bestbuy or a computer store online, but I strongly sugest 512MB of memory, 30G
B hard drive, and backup media.

What is your budget? I would suggest a Dell www.dell.com
Any of their computers will do what you have described for
very little money. The flat panel will be the most
expensive part, and you should get a 17" to do your work,
after all you'll be spending your time looking at it all the
time.

You can also try Gateway www.gateway.com but they are having
some trouble and have had to close retail stores around the
country, on-line ordering is so much more attractive.
Gateway has also just bought eMachines.

Is this for an office or a home and will it be on a LAN ?

Don't expect the applications software to be included for
free, applications are what makes a computer useful.
Windows XP is just the operating system, to do word
processing, mailings, desktop publishing, spreadsheets and
databases you must purchase the programs you want. Office
is the standard program and is very powerful.

If you are going to have the computer at a business I would
suggest that you get Windows XP Professional because it is
designed for extra security and networking.

With software, the computer and applications you'll spend
about $1,000. You should consider a scanner and printer
also, there are models that combine these in one box, but
you might be better served with dedicated units.

You might want to check with a local computer shop that can
build and support your system if it will be a business,
providing loaner printers and such if necessary.


"RB" wrote in message
...
| Here's an easy one.....
|
| I need to go buy a general purpose pc (full package to
include mouse,
| keyboard, flat screen monitor), for light duty office
email and word
| processing. I have to get three competitive bids.
|
| What features/specs, etc, should I be looking for (in
addition to Win XP for
| OS) to be able to readily find an economical package? I
figure going to
| Wal Wart, Circuit City, etc, but want to be comparing
apples to apples.
|
|

A simple benchmark for any acceptable machine. Do they
provide comprehensive diagnostics for their products - for
free? If not, then remove it from a list of acceptable
products.

But Gateway was even more appalling. For example, memory may
be sold in two chip or nine chip versions. BIOS must read data
from SIMM and configure computer for either type. That means,
for example, a 256Mb SIMM of either type should work in the
machine. Or the manufacturer should make it clearly obvious
which type does and does not work. Last Gateway would not
work with the two chip SIMM. Gateway customer service could
not even say same; instead blaming me from not buying memory
from them. Discovered: BIOS only understood the nine chip
version. BIOS upgrade even would not permit the two chip type
to work. Gateway customer support instead lies to me about a
few things related to this problem (mostly due to technical
ignorance). Went to crucial.com to get an honest technical
answer that Gateway could not provide.

Take Gateway off of any list of acceptable products. What I
saw years ago now explains why even the Country Stores may be
closing. A company that cannot be technically honest and
transparent today will not be a good computer company
tomorrow. Gateway does not even provide diagnostics for their
machines - the most damning fact.

Jim Macklin wrote:
What is your budget? I would suggest a Dell www.dell.com
Any of their computers will do what you have described for
very little money. The flat panel will be the most
expensive part, and you should get a 17" to do your work,
after all you'll be spending your time looking at it all the
time.

You can also try Gateway www.gateway.com but they are having
some trouble and have had to close retail stores around the
country, on-line ordering is so much more attractive.
Gateway has also just bought eMachines.

Is this for an office or a home and will it be on a LAN ?

Don't expect the applications software to be included for
free, applications are what makes a computer useful.
Windows XP is just the operating system, to do word
processing, mailings, desktop publishing, spreadsheets and
databases you must purchase the programs you want. Office
is the standard program and is very powerful.

If you are going to have the computer at a business I would
suggest that you get Windows XP Professional because it is
designed for extra security and networking.

With software, the computer and applications you'll spend
about $1,000. You should consider a scanner and printer
also, there are models that combine these in one box, but
you might be better served with dedicated units.

You might want to check with a local computer shop that can
build and support your system if it will be a business,
providing loaner printers and such if necessary.

IMO going to Walmart or Circuit City are not very good choices. Circuit City
over charges, and Walmart has low quality. Don't go to Best Buy either, for
the same reasons. I suggest retail outlets such as MicroCenter or Frys. Also
take a look at eBay or online companies such as Provantage or Newegg. Most
important, figure out exactly what you want in advance (HD capacity, CPU
speed, operating system, amount of RAM, peripheral devices such as a CD-RW
or a DVD recorder). In general, since you intend on using Windows XP, I
suggest 512 MB of RAM, at least a 2 GHZ CPU, and at least a 40 GB HD
(Western Digital is a good brand), and a power supply of at least 350 watts.
Also, for your office work, Microsoft Office is a good choice. It includes
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Powerpoint.

By the way, desktop PCs are usually less expensive for the same capability
than laptops.

Good luck on your search.

"RB" wrote in message
...
Here's an easy one.....

I need to go buy a general purpose pc (full package to include mouse,
keyboard, flat screen monitor), for light duty office email and word
processing. I have to get three competitive bids.

What features/specs, etc, should I be looking for (in addition to Win XP
for
OS) to be able to readily find an economical package? I figure going to
Wal Wart, Circuit City, etc, but want to be comparing apples to apples.

Well said TOM, GATEWAY sucks big time...

-----Original Message-----
A simple benchmark for any acceptable machine. Do they
provide comprehensive diagnostics for their products -
for
free? If not, then remove it from a list of acceptable
products.

But Gateway was even more appalling. For example,
memory may
be sold in two chip or nine chip versions. BIOS must
read data
from SIMM and configure computer for either type. That
means,
for example, a 256Mb SIMM of either type should work in
the
machine. Or the manufacturer should make it clearly
obvious
which type does and does not work. Last Gateway would
not
work with the two chip SIMM. Gateway customer service
could
not even say same; instead blaming me from not buying
memory
from them. Discovered: BIOS only understood the nine
chip
version. BIOS upgrade even would not permit the two
chip type
to work. Gateway customer support instead lies to me
about a
few things related to this problem (mostly due to
technical
ignorance). Went to crucial.com to get an honest
technical
answer that Gateway could not provide.

Take Gateway off of any list of acceptable products.
What I
saw years ago now explains why even the Country Stores
may be
closing. A company that cannot be technically honest and
transparent today will not be a good computer company
tomorrow. Gateway does not even provide diagnostics for
their
machines - the most damning fact.

Jim Macklin wrote:
What is your budget? I would suggest a Dell
www.dell.com
Any of their computers will do what you have described
for
very little money. The flat panel will be the most
expensive part, and you should get a 17" to do your
work,
after all you'll be spending your time looking at it
all the
time.

You can also try Gateway www.gateway.com but they are
having
some trouble and have had to close retail stores
around the
country, on-line ordering is so much more attractive.
Gateway has also just bought eMachines.

Is this for an office or a home and will it be on a
LAN ?

Don't expect the applications software to be included
for
free, applications are what makes a computer useful.
Windows XP is just the operating system, to do word
processing, mailings, desktop publishing, spreadsheets
and
databases you must purchase the programs you want.
Office
is the standard program and is very powerful.

If you are going to have the computer at a business I
would
suggest that you get Windows XP Professional because
it is
designed for extra security and networking.

With software, the computer and applications you'll
spend
about $1,000. You should consider a scanner and
printer
also, there are models that combine these in one box,
but
you might be better served with dedicated units.

You might want to check with a local computer shop
that can
build and support your system if it will be a business,
providing loaner printers and such if necessary.
.

Well said TOM, GATEWAY sucks big time...

-----Original Message-----
A simple benchmark for any acceptable machine. Do they
provide comprehensive diagnostics for their products -
for
free? If not, then remove it from a list of acceptable
products.

But Gateway was even more appalling. For example,
memory may
be sold in two chip or nine chip versions. BIOS must
read data
from SIMM and configure computer for either type. That
means,
for example, a 256Mb SIMM of either type should work in
the
machine. Or the manufacturer should make it clearly
obvious
which type does and does not work. Last Gateway would
not
work with the two chip SIMM. Gateway customer service
could
not even say same; instead blaming me from not buying
memory
from them. Discovered: BIOS only understood the nine
chip
version. BIOS upgrade even would not permit the two
chip type
to work. Gateway customer support instead lies to me
about a
few things related to this problem (mostly due to
technical
ignorance). Went to crucial.com to get an honest
technical
answer that Gateway could not provide.

Take Gateway off of any list of acceptable products.
What I
saw years ago now explains why even the Country Stores
may be
closing. A company that cannot be technically honest and
transparent today will not be a good computer company
tomorrow. Gateway does not even provide diagnostics for
their
machines - the most damning fact.

Jim Macklin wrote:
What is your budget? I would suggest a Dell
www.dell.com
Any of their computers will do what you have described
for
very little money. The flat panel will be the most
expensive part, and you should get a 17" to do your
work,
after all you'll be spending your time looking at it
all the
time.

You can also try Gateway www.gateway.com but they are
having
some trouble and have had to close retail stores
around the
country, on-line ordering is so much more attractive.
Gateway has also just bought eMachines.

Is this for an office or a home and will it be on a
LAN ?

Don't expect the applications software to be included
for
free, applications are what makes a computer useful.
Windows XP is just the operating system, to do word
processing, mailings, desktop publishing, spreadsheets
and
databases you must purchase the programs you want.
Office
is the standard program and is very powerful.

If you are going to have the computer at a business I
would
suggest that you get Windows XP Professional because
it is
designed for extra security and networking.

With software, the computer and applications you'll
spend
about $1,000. You should consider a scanner and
printer
also, there are models that combine these in one box,
but
you might be better served with dedicated units.

You might want to check with a local computer shop
that can
build and support your system if it will be a business,
providing loaner printers and such if necessary.
.

Well said TOM, GATEWAY sucks big time...

-----Original Message-----
A simple benchmark for any acceptable machine. Do they
provide comprehensive diagnostics for their products -
for
free? If not, then remove it from a list of acceptable
products.

But Gateway was even more appalling. For example,
memory may
be sold in two chip or nine chip versions. BIOS must
read data
from SIMM and configure computer for either type. That
means,
for example, a 256Mb SIMM of either type should work in
the
machine. Or the manufacturer should make it clearly
obvious
which type does and does not work. Last Gateway would
not
work with the two chip SIMM. Gateway customer service
could
not even say same; instead blaming me from not buying
memory
from them. Discovered: BIOS only understood the nine
chip
version. BIOS upgrade even would not permit the two
chip type
to work. Gateway customer support instead lies to me
about a
few things related to this problem (mostly due to
technical
ignorance). Went to crucial.com to get an honest
technical
answer that Gateway could not provide.

Take Gateway off of any list of acceptable products.
What I
saw years ago now explains why even the Country Stores
may be
closing. A company that cannot be technically honest and
transparent today will not be a good computer company
tomorrow. Gateway does not even provide diagnostics for
their
machines - the most damning fact.

Jim Macklin wrote:
What is your budget? I would suggest a Dell
www.dell.com
Any of their computers will do what you have described
for
very little money. The flat panel will be the most
expensive part, and you should get a 17" to do your
work,
after all you'll be spending your time looking at it
all the
time.

You can also try Gateway www.gateway.com but they are
having
some trouble and have had to close retail stores
around the
country, on-line ordering is so much more attractive.
Gateway has also just bought eMachines.

Is this for an office or a home and will it be on a
LAN ?

Don't expect the applications software to be included
for
free, applications are what makes a computer useful.
Windows XP is just the operating system, to do word
processing, mailings, desktop publishing, spreadsheets
and
databases you must purchase the programs you want.
Office
is the standard program and is very powerful.

If you are going to have the computer at a business I
would
suggest that you get Windows XP Professional because
it is
designed for extra security and networking.

With software, the computer and applications you'll
spend
about $1,000. You should consider a scanner and
printer
also, there are models that combine these in one box,
but
you might be better served with dedicated units.

You might want to check with a local computer shop
that can
build and support your system if it will be a business,
providing loaner printers and such if necessary.
.

Well said TOM, GATEWAY sucks big time...

-----Original Message-----
A simple benchmark for any acceptable machine. Do they
provide comprehensive diagnostics for their products -
for
free? If not, then remove it from a list of acceptable
products.

But Gateway was even more appalling. For example,
memory may
be sold in two chip or nine chip versions. BIOS must
read data
from SIMM and configure computer for either type. That
means,
for example, a 256Mb SIMM of either type should work in
the
machine. Or the manufacturer should make it clearly
obvious
which type does and does not work. Last Gateway would
not
work with the two chip SIMM. Gateway customer service
could
not even say same; instead blaming me from not buying
memory
from them. Discovered: BIOS only understood the nine
chip
version. BIOS upgrade even would not permit the two
chip type
to work. Gateway customer support instead lies to me
about a
few things related to this problem (mostly due to
technical
ignorance). Went to crucial.com to get an honest
technical
answer that Gateway could not provide.

Take Gateway off of any list of acceptable products.
What I
saw years ago now explains why even the Country Stores
may be
closing. A company that cannot be technically honest and
transparent today will not be a good computer company
tomorrow. Gateway does not even provide diagnostics for
their
machines - the most damning fact.

Jim Macklin wrote:
What is your budget? I would suggest a Dell
www.dell.com
Any of their computers will do what you have described
for
very little money. The flat panel will be the most
expensive part, and you should get a 17" to do your
work,
after all you'll be spending your time looking at it
all the
time.

You can also try Gateway www.gateway.com but they are
having
some trouble and have had to close retail stores
around the
country, on-line ordering is so much more attractive.
Gateway has also just bought eMachines.

Is this for an office or a home and will it be on a
LAN ?

Don't expect the applications software to be included
for
free, applications are what makes a computer useful.
Windows XP is just the operating system, to do word
processing, mailings, desktop publishing, spreadsheets
and
databases you must purchase the programs you want.
Office
is the standard program and is very powerful.

If you are going to have the computer at a business I
would
suggest that you get Windows XP Professional because
it is
designed for extra security and networking.

With software, the computer and applications you'll
spend
about $1,000. You should consider a scanner and
printer
also, there are models that combine these in one box,
but
you might be better served with dedicated units.

You might want to check with a local computer shop
that can
build and support your system if it will be a business,
providing loaner printers and such if necessary.
.

Well said TOM, GATEWAY sucks big time...

-----Original Message-----
A simple benchmark for any acceptable machine. Do they
provide comprehensive diagnostics for their products -
for
free? If not, then remove it from a list of acceptable
products.

But Gateway was even more appalling. For example,
memory may
be sold in two chip or nine chip versions. BIOS must
read data
from SIMM and configure computer for either type. That
means,
for example, a 256Mb SIMM of either type should work in
the
machine. Or the manufacturer should make it clearly
obvious
which type does and does not work. Last Gateway would
not
work with the two chip SIMM. Gateway customer service
could
not even say same; instead blaming me from not buying
memory
from them. Discovered: BIOS only understood the nine
chip
version. BIOS upgrade even would not permit the two
chip type
to work. Gateway customer support instead lies to me
about a
few things related to this problem (mostly due to
technical
ignorance). Went to crucial.com to get an honest
technical
answer that Gateway could not provide.

Take Gateway off of any list of acceptable products.
What I
saw years ago now explains why even the Country Stores
may be
closing. A company that cannot be technically honest and
transparent today will not be a good computer company
tomorrow. Gateway does not even provide diagnostics for
their
machines - the most damning fact.

Jim Macklin wrote:
What is your budget? I would suggest a Dell
www.dell.com
Any of their computers will do what you have described
for
very little money. The flat panel will be the most
expensive part, and you should get a 17" to do your
work,
after all you'll be spending your time looking at it
all the
time.

You can also try Gateway www.gateway.com but they are
having
some trouble and have had to close retail stores
around the
country, on-line ordering is so much more attractive.
Gateway has also just bought eMachines.

Is this for an office or a home and will it be on a
LAN ?

Don't expect the applications software to be included
for
free, applications are what makes a computer useful.
Windows XP is just the operating system, to do word
processing, mailings, desktop publishing, spreadsheets
and
databases you must purchase the programs you want.
Office
is the standard program and is very powerful.

If you are going to have the computer at a business I
would
suggest that you get Windows XP Professional because
it is
designed for extra security and networking.

With software, the computer and applications you'll
spend
about $1,000. You should consider a scanner and
printer
also, there are models that combine these in one box,
but
you might be better served with dedicated units.

You might want to check with a local computer shop
that can
build and support your system if it will be a business,
providing loaner printers and such if necessary.
.

"RB" wrote in message
...
Here's an easy one.....

I need to go buy a general purpose pc (full package to include
mouse,
keyboard, flat screen monitor), for light duty office email and word
processing. I have to get three competitive bids.

What features/specs, etc, should I be looking for (in addition to
Win XP for
OS) to be able to readily find an economical package? I figure
going to
Wal Wart, Circuit City, etc, but want to be comparing apples to
apples.

Support your local businesses.......It is too hard to find out what
parts these bigbox stores have installed......Support; which is
better drive across town or call to India.....

"RB" wrote in message
...
Here's an easy one.....

I need to go buy a general purpose pc (full package to include
mouse,
keyboard, flat screen monitor), for light duty office email and word
processing. I have to get three competitive bids.

What features/specs, etc, should I be looking for (in addition to
Win XP for
OS) to be able to readily find an economical package? I figure
going to
Wal Wart, Circuit City, etc, but want to be comparing apples to
apples.

Support your local businesses.......It is too hard to find out what
parts these bigbox stores have installed......Support; which is
better drive across town or call to India.....

"RB" wrote in message
...
Here's an easy one.....

I need to go buy a general purpose pc (full package to include
mouse,
keyboard, flat screen monitor), for light duty office email and word
processing. I have to get three competitive bids.

What features/specs, etc, should I be looking for (in addition to
Win XP for
OS) to be able to readily find an economical package? I figure
going to
Wal Wart, Circuit City, etc, but want to be comparing apples to
apples.

Support your local businesses.......It is too hard to find out what
parts these bigbox stores have installed......Support; which is
better drive across town or call to India.....

The computer companies, Dell included, are hiring out
tech support overseas putting techs here out of work. (If the companies
here keep sending work overseas soon there will be no one here to buy
anything since no one will be working and they will wonder why sells have
dropped, eh.) When you call for support you may get a reading from a book
and two techs will give you two different answers for the same problem (one
may void your warranty, that's how bad it can be). There are horror stories
at PC World and various other magazines and web sites about this. You may
get someone whose English is so bad that you can't even understand them. It
isn't what it used to be, that's why I build my own and have for years (it
is easier to return one bad component).

You may want to try a local computer store (mom and pop variety) since,
lately, they have been getting better scores (PC World). Make sure that
they have been in business for a good while and that they have a good
standing with the BBB. Make sure you get everything in writing and what the
length of the warranty and what the warranty contains. Make sure of their
support. You can pick and choose your components this way - there on site
and it is generally cheaper. Some will give you a discount if you are
non-profit.

My opinion only!

"RB" wrote in message
...
Here's an easy one.....

I need to go buy a general purpose pc (full package to include mouse,
keyboard, flat screen monitor), for light duty office email and word
processing. I have to get three competitive bids.

What features/specs, etc, should I be looking for (in addition to Win XP
for
OS) to be able to readily find an economical package? I figure going to
Wal Wart, Circuit City, etc, but want to be comparing apples to apples.