<p>I should have added that my old desktop has only a CD-ROM drive (it just plays; I can’t burn anything to CD’s with it). I’m pretty sure that DVD drives weren’t standard back in 2000. I’m trying to remember when I bought my first stand-alone DVD player. It probably was around 2000 as well.</p>
<p>Sorry; I just find it very hard to believe that Michuncle or anyone else would criticize, or expect me to justify in any way, a decision to purchase a new desktop after 12 years. It’s astounding, given that I’m quite sure I’ve kept with my old desktop for far longer than 99.9% of all the people who comment here.</p>
<p>Ive had great success buying from the Dell outlet website . Just look for the computers that have the newest , most expensive Intel chips you can afford and are “dinged and banged up” rather than refurbished. </p>
<p>here are 2 with fast chips, plenty of memory, big HD’s and are scratch and dent, ie. new. </p>
<p>I don’t recall integrated video in 2000. Could you name a few of these
around 2000?</p>
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<p>Flash is an integer application and as an integer application, uses
a lot of CPU resources. That said, how many ISA bus graphics cards
do you think are on the market these days? Newegg lists 0.</p>
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<p>Yes, I do that on my MacBook Pro which uses less than 85 watts or my
Dell laptop which uses less than 65 watts.</p>
So my 10 year old computer should be improving??? (j/k) I have had good luck with the Dell Outlet store online. Is that what you are calling “refurbished”? I think they are mostly bumped or dented, or cancelled or returned orders. In a way it’s a relief for me to not have to ponder every single option - just have to make sure the already-built computer has what I need.</p>
<p>Yes - the Dell Outlet - great place to buy equipment at a discount. Some of their stuff is brand new from cancelled orders. I have picked up some really great deals there in the past. You get to use the work that someone else invested in configuring the system.</p>
<p>Every once in a while, there are coupons for the Dell Outlet too.</p>
<p>I would suggest you look at home IT (information technology) as an ongoing expense, and not merely as a ‘once in 10 years’ activity. If your pride and joy 486-DX crashes and burns, it takes everything with it, and good luck restoring from backup (if your software still works, that is :-))</p>
<p>I would think a $400 every 2-4 years is not too much to pay for a system that works when I need it, does not crash and burn every other time I power up, keeps my stuff secure, and is modern enough to not choke if I add some new hardware or software to it.</p>
<p>As a software engineer I’m on a 2 year cycle at home, and recycle my old systems to my kids first, and then sell them. A good desktop that cost me $600-800 to build, all top of the line parts, lasts me 2 years, my kid another 2, then I can get $200-250 or so out of it. Repeat as needed. I often update parts as needed, and again cycle the parts to my kids or sell them. If you’re not using the computer for serious work, a cheaper system would work fine of course, or a Dell/Lenovo/HP type.</p>
<p>Think of the time and energy you’ll spend recovering a 12 year old system when it crashes and burns and then tell me if $100/year for a new system is too much…</p>
<p>I’m with you, Donna, 12 years is astounding.</p>
<p>I know that there are computer experts here and elsewhere who really understand these beasts and enjoy getting under the hood. There are those who enjoy building their systems, adding new pieces and replacing others. For those who have that level of knowledge and interest, and can keep an ancient machine running at peak capacity for years and years – more power to you. </p>
<p>But there are also those of us who don’t know a video card from an integer application, and don’t want to. We want to use computers, without having to become experts on how the guts work. And Donna, I think that’s perfectly valid. Enjoy your new puter!</p>
<p>^This. If you have computer geek family members or close friends who have experience with computer hardware, I would highly recommend having them build you one. You get better parts for less money (!)</p>
<p>The downside is that there is no company customer service numbers (ala Dell, HP) to call if you build a computer. However, each individual part is covered by warranty, which by the way you’d be far less likely to need because the person building the computer will know to get quality parts.</p>
<p>Choose another Dell for a desktop and also get a Dell laptop for a second computer if you want to. Better build than HP, Gateway. Check Tech Bargains for the next round of deals. Laptops are limited, especially in screen viewing. We have had HPs et al as well as Dells but recently chose Dell again. I can give you good specs in a PM if you’re interested. H is the real geek here but I also know how to sort out options. There are many better features on the latest models. You don’t need to keep your vintage model going just because some posters do and are proud of the tweaking they did. An old car is an old car no matter how ewell cared for it won’t have the options a new one does- same with computers. No reason to change out everything to make it “like” new when you can spend not that much for a new one. I read H’s Maximum PC and PC World and am very much aware of what has changed and how much to spend for a good, current computer.</p>
<p>For desktops…Dells are ok…though not the best for your money. </p>
<p>Laptops…</p>
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<p>That’s actually damning with faint praise considering how crappy Gateway and HP have been…especially the latter after merging with king of crap Compaq. </p>
<p>If you’re looking into notebooks, look at Toshiba, Lenovo, Apple, Panasonic(expensive and only if you’re really need a toughbook). </p>
<p>If you must get Dell…lean towards the corporate Latitude line…though I have had some concerns with them…especially after a former supervisor complained about overheating and hardware failures with several company Latitudes a few years ago.</p>