Can anyone help me pick a good family computer?
Answers:
I've helped a number of people purchase computers and one of the main issues is local support. Most machines work fine right out of the box, but someone has to get the occasional lemon - do you want to string the family along with mailing parts back and forth trying to get everything running?
Mac's are probably the most stable "out of the box" but have less applications (ie games). If that is a "good thing" then do think about the generally more expensive Mac series.
Dell's are great machines but be sure to check into their local support network. They have licensed repair facilities in many major cities but everyone else would have to mail stuff back and forth (major pain on top of the frustration of something not working).
You can get good deals buying the "house brand" of machine from places like MicroCenter (a regional chain where I live). Again, check if they have on site techs for service repair.
The "house brands", one locally known flavor is the eMachine, are cheap workhorses for the generic Windows app and game. You'd have to invest in high end graph cards regardless of Dell or whatever brand if you wanted a tricked out game platform.
That depends on what you envision as a "family computer" - school work, budgeting, documents, entertainment, web - what else?
Good luck
ask dell
avoid evesham
The iMac G5 is a great computer. I've had mine for two years and it hasn't frozen once or slowed down at all. I've loaded it up with pictures and music and all that fun junk and there's no memory problems at all. There are a lot of great, easy to use and fun programs and now the camera and mic come built in! Also, there there's no worries when it comes to viruses. It's a very good investment!
a hp or a compaq are very good computer they have a good amount of space and u can surf the web real easily with them also a appl computer is very good
acer are very good!!!!
you can find the answer at www.dell.com
from cheapest to expensive that are good
1- www.acer.com
2- www.dell.com
3- www.hp.com
4- www.asus.com
The term 'Family Computer' sounds like something Packard Bell make.
You need to work out what you use your computer for and make a decision based on that.
It depends on your budget, but I wouldn't recommend Dell, because they are expensive, and highly overated. Compaq is a good way to go. I'd recommend this: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/compaq-pr...
It's on sale right now, and it's lightning fast, because it has a dual core processor.
You may want to consider building a custom computer.
You could have a higher quality computer that is not propriatary and you could easly upgrade when you feel it is getting on in age.
I have simplified the 'jargon' and how to build one, vist my web site, you could save a lot of money and have a better computer in the bargain.
First things first.! If you want to run your computer and cam as well you need speed and speed will come form your ISP. If you use DSL you can get plenty of speed. Some others use Ethernet too that is powerful.
The computer that you buy should have everything you need for today's on line fun and much much more.
Most of your computers even at Wall mart have great hard drive and Ram to meet the needs. You can always upgrade as you feel necessary to do so.
I use a 12GB Hard drive with 256 Ram hooked up to DSL and I can downloads and upload with no problem.
Dial up is the absolute worse thing to have, but for beginners they learn fast that when your on a computer you want to drive a Porsche across the waves not a Pinto...lol
People want speed. so I am sure we got Ferrari's out there just shooting across the internet and downloading 4mb in one minute...now thats speed.
Don't get a Mac... Also I hate Dells... Those things are atrocious. HP's aren't upgradeable as they use HP-specific parts. I personally like Acer quite a bit. They are very compatible with other parts and they are also cheap and good. The only thing that's lacking is the support. But if you know what you're doing you don't really need that. If you are a basic user you might need the support, but then again there is nothing Dell can fix that you can't google and do yourself... I say go with Acer, a lot better computer for the same price...
Yeah the best way to go is build your own computer from parts but I don't know if you'll be able to do that...
Go visit your local independent computer stores. Tell them what your requirements and needs are and allow they to show or design a system for your needs and budget. You’ll save money, time and get what you pay for, not the bundled garbage that comes from the big retailers. Best of all, when or if you need tech support they are right there to support you, not 5,000 miles away speaking in a foreign tounge.
I would highly recommend the following...
iMac Dual-Core 17" desktop computer or a 13" MacBook or 15" MacBook Pro.
As family computers go, they are the most user friendly.
You need to purchase iWork so you can produce documents but everything that is fun for all the family is already included in iLife.
Got a digital camera? A camcorder? plug them in and get creative in the wink of an eye... Your children will be dazzled by the ease of use and how creatively they can express themselves.
If you want to hear "Daddy, Daddy, come quick and see this!" rather than "Daddy, Daddy, come quick and fix this!", consider the Mac..
Your children will become film directors, photographers and they'll make you loads of money so you can retire to your dream home at 45...
;-)
I want an Apple but I want it portable and for me that's the MacBook Pro...
You can fly to NYC, stay a couple of nights, eat out, buy a MacBook Pro, with a cool carry case and smuggle it home with your carry on luggage while you post the empty box to your home. And this costs less than if you bought it in the UK on its own...
Dell computers are in my opinion not to good although some people will say there the best thing in PC's but if you need to upgrade say the HD you got it you have to buy There HD if you need more memory you guessed right you have to buy there memory and there parts don't come cheap. As other PC's are a little bit more flexable and you can interchange parts. with the powerful proccessors that are now on the market. i.e. duel core and intels and Duron are amoung the most powerfull on the market. There are some very good deals in the shops just at the moment, but my advice is get the best and biggest for what you can afford. the more it has on it the less you will need to upgrade later on. When buying a PC always ask what facilitys are there for upgradeing as some PC's and Laptops cannot be upgraded. Many componants have been upgraded, after the Pentium 3 & 4 such as (Fast Ethnet card, DDR2 memory, high speed HD's and graphics card's a computer with say 2 gig DDR2 is going to be very fast so that is what I would be looking for if I was buying a new PC.
Hope this has been helpfull
P C MAN
Try www.dell.co.uk/outlet
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