I want to upgrade my current computer but am lost at what to buy, dual core, single core, AMD, Pentium 4, etc. :?
We don't use our computer all that much but when it is used it's for wife doing things for work (Excel, PrintShop, Adobe, etc.), surfing the web, downloading to Ipod. In otherwords real basic stuff. I would like a fast system to complement the DSL (possibly going to FiberOptic in near future) and realiability. I was looking at two different desktops (see below) one is on low end but should handle what we need it for and the other has a two features I like Lightscribe & Firewire. So my question is what would you recommend as the best bang for buck? Here are the two I'm looking at:
#1 Product Specifications Web Manufacturer
Hewlett Packard
Model Number
HP Pavilion Slimline Media Center s7620n - $580 Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Motherboard Chipset
ATi Radeon Xpress 200M Chipset
Processor
Intel® Core(tm) Solo Processor T1350A
Processor Speed
1.86GHz
Level 2 Cache
2MB Level 2 Cache
Data Bus Speed
533MHz Frontside Bus
RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported
1.0GB PC-4200 DDR2 RAM (Expandable to 2.0GB)
Expansion Slots
1 (0 free) 32-bit Bus Mastering PCI Slot
Input Device
HP Multimedia Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse
Included Software
HP Photosmart Premier, Sonic DigitalMedia Plus, muvee autoProducer, DVD Play, Sonic MyDVD Plus, RealPlayer, Microsoft® Works 8, Microsoft® Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003 (60-day trial version), MSN® Encarta Standard Online (1 year trial subscription included), Adobe® Reader 7.0, Norton Internet Security 2006 (60 days of complimentary live updates), Quicken New User Edition 2006, Microsoft® Money 2006
Dimensions (WxDxH)
4.375" x 13.125" x 9.75"
Weight
14.2 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty
1 Year Limited Warranty
#2 Product Specifications Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2b)
Web Manufacturer
PowerSpec - $300 Model Number
PowerSpec 6002
Motherboard Chipset
SiS 661FX Chipset
Processor
Intel® Celeron® D Processor 352
Processor Speed
3.2GHz
Level 2 Cache
512KB Level 2 Cache
Data Bus Speed
533MHz Frontside Bus
RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported
512MB PC-3200 DDR RAM (Expandable to 2.0GB)
Memory Configuration
(1) 512MB DIMM Memory Module
Memory Slots Available
(1) Available 184-pin DIMM Slot
Hard Drive
160GB 7,200 RPM Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive
Video Memory Installed
Up to 64MB of Shared Memory
Sound Card
AC'97 SoundBlaster Pro Compatible Audio Chipset
Sound Output Mode
5.1 Channel Surround Sound
Network Features
10/100 Fast Ethernet Network Adapter
Ports and Connectors
(1) Serial 9-pin Port; (1) Parallel 25-pin Port; (1) PS/2 Keyboard Port; (1) PS/2 Mouse Port; (1) VGA 15-pin Video Port; (4) USB 2.0 "A" Ports; (1) RJ-45 Network Port; (1) Microphone Port; (1) Audio Line In Port; (1) Audio Line Out Port
We don't use our computer all that much but when it is used it's for wife doing things for work (Excel, PrintShop, Adobe, etc.), surfing the web, downloading to Ipod. In otherwords real basic stuff. I would like a fast system to complement the DSL (possibly going to FiberOptic in near future) and realiability. I was looking at two different desktops (see below) one is on low end but should handle what we need it for and the other has a two features I like Lightscribe & Firewire. So my question is what would you recommend as the best bang for buck? Here are the two I'm looking at:
More memory the beter when using Adobe. Try to upgrade to at least 1gb with any computer you go with. Lightscribe is an advertised feature (that sucks in my opinion as it takes forever to put an image on the disk), and firewire is now basic on most every machine. You could spend as little as you want or as much as you want, but aside from the memory, machines these days are more or less the same for the average user.
If you want in home support, buy a dell.
If you want great support, buy a gateway.
If you want reliability dont buy an off brand.
