Computer shopping recommendations

[OperaTenor]

I think I'm finally in the market for a new desktop.

I'm gunning for an Apple - I think - but may not get so lucky.

Where should I look? I've never really computer shopped before.

[barfle]

I've always assembled my own PCs and had decent luck with them (maybe this should be another project?). But my wife has always had Gateways and has had decent luck with them, too.

If you must have a mac, I don't believe you can buy a chassis, motherboard, power supply, various drives and I/O boards, etc., so you may be stuck dealing directly with J&W, Inc.

If you want a used one, eBay often has tons of them available.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

We got my son's computer at Frye's - it's an HP configured for video and multimedia work. The baby girl's is a Dull bought through the Costco website. My desktop at home is a Handyman Special, assembled by guess and by gosh. (Its video card is beginning to have issues, and it may also be up for replacement soon. One more software upgrade may kill it dead.)

If you're looking for a Mac, try Circuit City and Best Buy and Costco and Frye's and Staples and Office Depot and there's that big computer store at the corner of Fletcher and Jackson and what's the Altoid's tolerance for shopping trips, anyway?

[OperaTenor]

All mahvelous suggestions, thank you. I just want to make sure there aren't any secrets I'm not aware of as far as places to find deals, etc.

There is one G-5 on ebay I'm salivating over. Is it the end-all computer it seems to be? Anyone have one?

[bignaf]

sign up for Consumer Reports online version. you'll save more on various shopping enterprises, as well as get better quality products.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

I clicked the b.com "apple store" button, and it says there are Apple stores in UTC and Fashion Valley.

Or you could order through the b.com button, if you know what you want.

[Trumpetmaster]

I think I'm finally in the market for a new desktop.

I'm gunning for an Apple - I think - but may not get so lucky.

Where should I look? I've never really computer shopped before.

OT,
We are looking for a new computer... most likely will be a laptop....

If you are interested in a Desktop..... check out Dell XPS.

BTW, I'm back.... was ill for a good part of July..... then got back to work and have been slammed.....

I have not forgotten you music..... I am halfway through the arrangement.
Will work on completing it as soon as I get some breathing room....

Regards,
TM

[Catmando]

If you are interested in a Desktop..... check out Dell XPS.

That's what I have T-Master. Got it last summer. My previous computer was also Dell.

[OperaTenor]

Thank you, but I'm in the middle of dual-core G5 PowerMac lust right now.

I'll get back to you...


Geez, TM, I was starting to worry, and I guess it was for good reason. I hope everything's looking better now.

[Shapley]

I have a Dell XPS at home, and I'm not that impressed. I paid about an extra $500 for improved performance, and got a unit that runs no better than my old unit. The enhanced graphics card, which Windows says is running properly, and the diagnostics check out, cannot run my sons 3D computer graphics, whereas my previous unit, with a much simpler graphics card, can.

I'm growing more and more disenchanted with Windows units. I think Mac may be the way to go.

[Catmando]

I'm growing more and more disenchanted with Windows units. I think Mac may be the way to go.

Why is it everyone raves about Mac, but no one has one?

[OperaTenor]

I'm growing more and more disenchanted with Windows units. I think Mac may be the way to go.

Why is it everyone raves about Mac, but no one has one?

Because the general perception is Macs are prohibitively high-priced.

However, from what I'm seeing on ebay, it looks like a lot of G5's are being dumped with the advent of the new Xeon, making them relatively good deals, as long as you don't need peripherals.

[Shapley]

Why is it everyone raves about Mac, but no one has one?

Software issues. More software was written for Windows than Mac years ago, so if you wanted full compatability, you had to have a Windows unit. Mac used to have their own speradsheets, Word Processors, Database programs, CAD programs and Graphics programs, but there were file-interchange issues with Windows software that did the same thing. In addition, Windows programmers offered lots of third-party add-on software that simply wasn't available for the Mac.

That has changed over the years, but only after most of us have become addicted to Windows.

V/R
Shapley

[BigJon]

I hear Dell is having a fire sale on laptops!