More new pc advice (CT this may be for you)
Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 4:07 amOk here it is.
My neighbor lady is wanting to buy a desktop and a laptop.
the desktop will be used for mapping software for surveying purposes, this i know needs ram so 1 gig is probably a good start as 512 on the last machine would die once the software fired up. This pc will probably be used mainly by her son who is wanting to surf the web, listen to music etc...
She is looking into pre-built kits from Staples, Best Buy etc and would like spending no more than $700 if possible. Any recomendations?
Here is where I am having trouble helping her, it seems most store bought pcs are aimed at media users which in this case will be her son. Most store boughts contain Windows Media Edition ( I know nothing about this OS).
I am thinking for her mapping software, the better security and memory management she really wants Windows XP Pro, would this be a good assumption? Or do you think Media Edition would suffice?
The second pc will be a laptop, again less than $700 would be prefered, it will be used mainly for office applications, and maybe for writing code both programming and web design. She is taking the same class as i am and for the programming we are starting with Visual Basic 2005, I know my lappy can handle it but want to be certain hers can. And since I am uncertain how much power if any is needed for programing this is where i am confused. (my rigs always have power to do about anything lol)
But the biggest factor would be battery life since it will be used "in the field", needs to also have wireless connection.
I have only delt with gaming rigs, my laptop is a gaming rig so something like it isnt feasable.
I have configured and priced many laptops and average about $700-$800, some at Dell and HP, i have looked at the local Staples (they are too expensive for what they offer) and Walmarts.
But I wonder about CPUs. It won't be used for extreme gaming so that isnt a factor.
Which is a good choice when it comes to office or professional tasks, offer good power savings etc?
I have read Pentium M to be the best for power savings, are these good for multi tasking?
What about Solo Core? or the average Pentium D?
AMDs Im uncertain about due to the power useage.
What is needed is at least 1 gig RAM, good portability and light weight (14" screen under 6 lbs in that area)
Prefer a screen that doesn't second as a mirror (why is it that the glossy screen is so big now I think it sucks)
Again all the ones found at local stores contain Win Media Center or XP Home so XP pro would be a benifit, wireless already built in, a good size hard drive 80gig+. And a low cost.
there are so many options out there I am confused as to building a good business/programming setup so help in this area is appreciated.
I was almost thinking of giving a eMachines a try, a local "techy" stated that they build a good laptop and for $300 it has most components made of good quality and after adding some good RAM can rate with the high price models. But I wonder about upgrade capibility after all the last eMachine that I attempted to help someone with ended up in the trash, lmao.
But if what he says is true I could buy one and then order some parts at a good cost via Newegg or Tiger Direct and end up with a good low cost machine. Of course though he also told me 256mb of RAM will be enough for any laptop, so i don't know and trust the advice here more than him
My neighbor lady is wanting to buy a desktop and a laptop.
the desktop will be used for mapping software for surveying purposes, this i know needs ram so 1 gig is probably a good start as 512 on the last machine would die once the software fired up. This pc will probably be used mainly by her son who is wanting to surf the web, listen to music etc...
She is looking into pre-built kits from Staples, Best Buy etc and would like spending no more than $700 if possible. Any recomendations?
Here is where I am having trouble helping her, it seems most store bought pcs are aimed at media users which in this case will be her son. Most store boughts contain Windows Media Edition ( I know nothing about this OS).
I am thinking for her mapping software, the better security and memory management she really wants Windows XP Pro, would this be a good assumption? Or do you think Media Edition would suffice?
The second pc will be a laptop, again less than $700 would be prefered, it will be used mainly for office applications, and maybe for writing code both programming and web design. She is taking the same class as i am and for the programming we are starting with Visual Basic 2005, I know my lappy can handle it but want to be certain hers can. And since I am uncertain how much power if any is needed for programing this is where i am confused. (my rigs always have power to do about anything lol)
But the biggest factor would be battery life since it will be used "in the field", needs to also have wireless connection.
I have only delt with gaming rigs, my laptop is a gaming rig so something like it isnt feasable.
I have configured and priced many laptops and average about $700-$800, some at Dell and HP, i have looked at the local Staples (they are too expensive for what they offer) and Walmarts.
But I wonder about CPUs. It won't be used for extreme gaming so that isnt a factor.
Which is a good choice when it comes to office or professional tasks, offer good power savings etc?
I have read Pentium M to be the best for power savings, are these good for multi tasking?
What about Solo Core? or the average Pentium D?
AMDs Im uncertain about due to the power useage.
What is needed is at least 1 gig RAM, good portability and light weight (14" screen under 6 lbs in that area)
Prefer a screen that doesn't second as a mirror (why is it that the glossy screen is so big now I think it sucks)
Again all the ones found at local stores contain Win Media Center or XP Home so XP pro would be a benifit, wireless already built in, a good size hard drive 80gig+. And a low cost.
there are so many options out there I am confused as to building a good business/programming setup so help in this area is appreciated.
I was almost thinking of giving a eMachines a try, a local "techy" stated that they build a good laptop and for $300 it has most components made of good quality and after adding some good RAM can rate with the high price models. But I wonder about upgrade capibility after all the last eMachine that I attempted to help someone with ended up in the trash, lmao.
But if what he says is true I could buy one and then order some parts at a good cost via Newegg or Tiger Direct and end up with a good low cost machine. Of course though he also told me 256mb of RAM will be enough for any laptop, so i don't know and trust the advice here more than him
