computer fried. - Page 1

Ok my computer at the house took a dump.  What do I replace it with?  It has been years since I bought a computer.  I have just kept nursing that old one along.  I don't know much about what is out there now.  And I want something that will be good for a few years.  Please give me some suggestions. 

Reggie

I think it is called ibuypower.com get something with an asus motherboard.

I have 2 computers from them bought at the same time and I believe I have had them over 6 years. Another good one is asus desktops.

I tend to go with HewlettPackard.  Had used them successfully in work,  found the performance of my HP was everything

I needed for the past 5 or 6 years.  HP printer not so awesome, but  functional.  My laptop blew up this year

and I replaced it with the 'same' model couple of generations along.  Have had some difficulties but most due

to Microsoft rather than HP.     Warning !  Reggie, if you didn't keep up withthe software and load new programs

as they came out, on your old 'puter, you might find the crossover problematic  no matter what hardware its on.

Unless you are used to some more recent additional gadgets; tablets , smart phones and such.

I have tried HP in the past and have had no luck with their computers. I have generally gotten about 2 to 3 years out of them before things start falling apart. I suggest that if a built system is to much (ibuypower) then buy an Asus. I have an Asus laptop and really like it.

The challenge will be the OS.  If you are windows, most prebuilts will be Windows 8.  It is rather a challenge to figure out.  If you use a tablet, the differences will not be too bad.

Dell still has reliability issues; new IBM is not worth it.    

Are you looking for a desk top or laptop?

I don't know which I'm looking for.  I'm don't know if there is much difference anymore between a desk top and a lap top.  That is some ofthe information I'm looking for. 

I am more familiar with laptops, so here is what I know.

toshibia still has the best built.  Think about what you are going to use it for and go from there.

Intel is still the best CPU Chip.  

Make sure it has at least 3 USB ports, as that is what most everything uses now.   Better and safer to go with an external hard drive.  You can now use cloud computing, but check security (you get what you pay for).  

Having a CD drive is still ok, but will soon go by the way side.  More and more software you download; movies are streamed.....  Don't spend a lot on one.

Serial ports are also going by the way side;  USB ports are replacing them.  Make sure at least 1 USB is 3.0 (speed); if all are this speed, even better.

Everything else depends on what you are doing on the computer.  

You can get fairly good prices on TigerDirect and I think they ship overseas (US Co).  Definitly check reviews.  

Tablets maybe another option.  If you use a word processor, spreadsheet....  The Windows Surface looks good.  I do not own one, but I intend to upgrade to one.  My iPad is ok, but lots of limitations.

I would go in just the opposite direction. I need 2 monitors and a laptop just doesn't cut it. I also would for the time being stay away from the cloud. To many hackers and security is always going to be a risk. especialIy anything without 2 part verification. Eventually hackers will find a way to beat 2 part. I use a network drive so the external USB drive interests me as an option for backups. I would always get a disk drive or 2 depending on if you want to build to order. ibuypower.com sells awesome build your own systems especially if money isn't a problem.

If you want a pre-built system I would stay away from HP, Dell and Compaq. Like I said earlier the ASUS is a very good built machine.

If you used win 7 previously all your peripherals should work with a new system even with 8 on it. If you love win 7 or XP I would buy a built system with no operating system and then buy win 7 and install it.

Serial ports have been dead for years already. None of the computers we, my family and/or friends have bought is the last 5 years has serial ports.