I've been out of computer hardware for a while now, though some information never dies My mother-in-law needs a new computer. Any suggestions would be helpful! Notes: 1. The biggest thing she does on it is watch multiple streaming videos at the same time (ie: ustream). 2. She would like to go with HP, and honestly I want her to go with a brand-name computer; I don't want to do any sort of configuration or software install on it. I also don't want to deal with setting up hardware. I know how to do it, but spending a whole weekend on someone else's computer is not my cup of tea. 3. Computer should last approx 5 years (hopefully). My assumptions when I look at PC's: 1. More ram = more better[sic]; 32 bit OS max is 3GB. 2. 7200 RPM HDD, SATA 3.0 or better 3. DVD-RW or better So some questions! 1. The processor options seem all over the map - what's a good Intel processor line? A good AMD processor line? 2. Would going with a 64 bit OS mean a headache for me as far as support (will she run into issues?)
Well I can say intel or amd, though amd is often cheaper. It's tough when you want it last 5 years as well look at how far cell phone went in 2 years. As to the 64 bit question you could have a problem with some program's but you can run in compatability mode. However like anything if you have limited knowledge of the operating system it can make it tougher. To be honest, the laptop that lasted me over 5 years was an apple. But the real question is how much do you want to spend. The better the video card you have, the more future proof you will be at least with your requirements.
It's hard to go wrong with just about any PC if all she's really looking at is general processing and watching Internet streams. If you're in no immediate rush and can wait about 4 weeks to order, I can get you 18% off a Dell computer with an employee coupon. I'd offer one up now but I've used mine for this quarter already and our Q2 doesn't start for a couple more weeks.
i would talked to enigam he seems to be our computer guy when it comes to buying a computer and setting them up. He has helped a few people now with new comps. but keep in mind either way you go your gona pay atleast 600 plus for a system to last 5 years. my last comp lasted 6 years before i upgraded to a new one and it was a HP.
You'll have no issues over 32 bit vs 64 bit. Rather, anything different really. If you are looking into buying a brand name, why not just surf those sites? Dell has some really good options, HP does too. She doesn't sound like she needs anything too high tech, so it wouldn't be too hard of a decision, and since you want a brand name, then you aren't building it "from scratch" like I do. Heres' the "home office" every-day computing HP section: http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...lp/psg/desktops/leftnav_solutions_home_office (Big link sorry)
at work we only have a few 32 bit systems too sell ... most with p4 refurbs or some older dual cores with xp pro on it and only 2 gb of ram You wont have any issues going up to the 64 bit windows 7 TBH I get asked that same question everyday ... I sell a ton of HP desktops with quad AMD 4/6gb of mem 1tb HD and cd/dvd burner for around 450 - 500 and if you want a bit better can get a phenom quad or i3/i5 for a few hundred more and a better video card with it
I did look at HP's site (she has a Dell now, and had a few with bad luck, so she's avoiding Dell's). There's just so many options - and honestly I don't know what's good. From what I've read, Core 2 Duo's are being replaced with i3's - but at the same time - why are they still being sold? Will they last several years if they're already being phased out? Or is it just a fancy name change to make me worry and avoid them (Core 2 Duo)?
Dore 2 Duo is really old now days, it came out in 2005 or 2006. It was replaced by the i7, which came out at the end of 2008. i7 is now in generation 2, which uses the socket 1155 platform. i3, i5, and i7 are just the names of the core and differentiate model levels. Now days: i3 = dual core or low end quad i5 = quad core with no HT i7 = quad or hex core with ht For AMD, look at Phenom II processors.
Yeah, if shes not going to do anything but stream videos on it. You really can't go wrong. If you want a smoother performance make sure you get a semi decent video card. If its not integrated they you should be okay. As for processors, I'd go for one of the i's probably i3 or i5. But if you want to go AMD, yeah one of the Phenom II's will be good. x4 or x6 would last you longer.
If she wont be saving lots of stuff on the computer, then an 80-120GB SSD would be great. Do some manual configuring to delete temporary internet data on exit (except cookies), and set the pagefile to only 1-2GB instead. That way you will maximize the usable space on the SSD. But if she is going to load it up with tons of pictures and junk then a SSD probably wont be enough space. Windows 7 = 10GB Microsoft Office = 5GB Internet browser with extra space for cache = 1GB (just estimating gigs for everything) other necessary programs = 5GB So if you had an 80GB SSD, you would have ~55GB of usable space after the necessities. And stack it with a bunch of RAM, memory usage is only going to go up as years go on. DDR-1600 or better is preferable. You can currently buy 8GB of DDR1600 for as low as $75 is you look around for a sale, only $90-100 when not on sale. Also, the integrated video on the AMD 890GX chipset should be plenty for just internet streaming and movie watching. Just get one with a DDR-1333 RAM chip integrated onto the motherboard for the integrated video and it will work great.
Not sure how it is on the brand name side, but currently SATA 3.0 controllers are pretty junky. My EVGA board has a marvell controller and I gave up on trying to use it for now as it doesn't provide a huge increase in performance (despite being 6.0gb/s vs 3.0gb/s).
Amd's sata 6gb/s ports are not really that bad. Not the best on the market but still have great low latency which is all what they really need. Intel has highest performance Sata 6 ports. But only on Sandy Bride boards, and only 2 ports that are integrated into the chipset. The other ports on Intel boards use that crap Marvell controller.