<p>Our old desktop is on its last leg and we’re biting the bullet to buy a new one. I’ll probably just go to Best Buy—would like ideas from this learned group as to what features to look for, what to avoid–brands and features.</p>
<p>Think we’ll stick with a desktop. Need all the standard stuff, nothing fancy.</p>
<p>Toshiba all the way~</p>
<p>Last desktop I got was a semi-custom build from here: [eCollegePC.com</a> Custom Computer Systems](<a href=“http://www.ecollegepc.com/]eCollegePC.com”>http://www.ecollegepc.com/)</p>
<p>My machine is almost 6 years old, gets used 4-6 hours/day, and I’ve never had a problem.</p>
<p>Their prices are decent, you get name brand components that are higher quality than what you find in a Dell POS. Support was much better too (at least it was 6 years ago when I bought it and had questions.)</p>
<p>I would check some other on-line places like [Newegg.com</a> - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!](<a href=“http://www.newegg.com%5DNewegg.com”>http://www.newegg.com) as well.</p>
<p>You might reconsider getting a laptop with a separate LCD monitor, mouse, and keyboard. This lets you use it like a desktop with a big screen, but gives you easy portability when you go on vacation or whatever. You can probably get a setup like this for less $600.</p>
<p>According to Consumer Reports:
Best mainstream desktops:
HP-Pavilion Elite HPE-112y-
Dell-Studio XPS-7100-</p>
<p>Best budget desktops:
Dell-Studio XPS 8100-
BEST BUY
Dell-Inspiron I560-4000NBK-
Compaq-Presario CQ5320Y-</p>
<p>Best compact desktops:
Dell-Inspiron 580s-<br>
HP-Pavilion Slimline s5310y-</p>
<p>Best all-in-one desktops:
Apple-iMac 27-inch MB952LL/A-
HP-TouchSmart 600-1120-
Apple-iMac 21.5-inch MB950LL/A<br>
HP-TouchSmart 300-1120-</p>
<p>^^^ I wouldn’t buy a Dell any more, they have gone way downhill. Never had good luck with HP desktops at any of the companies I worked for.</p>
<p>I would check the computer magazines for recommendations, rather than CR, for example [Reviews</a> and News on Tech Products, Software and Downloads - PCWorld](<a href=“http://www.pcworld.com%5DReviews”>http://www.pcworld.com) .</p>
<p>Well, 2 of the Dell’s are also in the PC magazine top 5 standard desktops. I have never had a problem with a Dell. When they needed some replacement parts after 3 or more years and out of warranty I just used a local company to do the repairs. PC World has a Gateway in the top budget category but Consumer Reports tracks the technical support issues and does not recommend them. </p>
<p>Read several different reports and then shop price when you narrow your selection.</p>
<p>I bought two Dell Studio desktops refurbished last year. Dirt cheap computers with incredible compute power - they have Core i7 processors. Love the systems. That said, I have read so many customer complaints about products and service lately that I can’t recommend their products anymore. I have plenty of their products but they do run through bad patches from time to time and this appears to be one of those.</p>
<p>Partially because of warranty replacements, we kept getting HP desktops. No more. We had numerous, numerous hardware failures. Plus HP has lots of bloatware. With every new computer, it has taken at least a day to configure and to try to remove the bloatware and adware that keeps trying to access the internet.</p>
<p>Next will be laptops instead of a desktop. There is just no reason for the big steel tower.</p>
<p>We have stuck with Dell and had NO PROBLEM. In our family we have one desktop, three lap tops and a mini (netbook). My husband has the desktop and a lap top as his office is home. I have a very old laptop (yesterday Microsoft announced it was not supporting Windows XP service pack 2 any longer, that is how old it is) and a newer netbook and D has a laptop. All Dell. No problems with hardware are software or service. Husband has to call now and then. There were years we dreaded calling Dell for service but not in the last 2-3 years. </p>
<p>You can get a great dell online, and an even better one if you go with a Dell refurbished on their website.</p>
<p>I just went the other way - replaced my laptop for a desktop. My son and I spent an hour or so on Newegg.com configuring the ultimate price/performance components with a smallish tower case. It includes:</p>
<p>AMD 3.20GHz processor
8GB RAM
64-bit OS (Windows 7)
500GB Hard drive
OK video card - not gaming quality, but decent
DVD Burner
No monitor (I had one)</p>
<p>Total cost: $600.</p>
<p>Same configuration on Dell was around $900.</p>
<p>Son put it together in a few hours, and so far it’s been terrific.</p>
<p>Timely post - our old Dell got a virus that I can’t fix - with the price to get rid of that and fix the fan that is almost out, we could buy a new one, which we are.</p>
<p>Just ordered a new Dell desktop last night. Don’t have the specs on me, but I think it’s similar to what vballmom described. A little over $600, including a new monitor. (actually, it might not be as turbocharged, but plenty big and fast enough.)</p>
<p>It’s replacing an older one (5/6 years old) that just got too slow and clunky. We’ve had good experience with Dells.</p>
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<p>garland, if those are the criteria for replacement, then I’d better watch my back. The missus may well have plans, and I’m not talking about the 'puter. :eek:</p>
<p>LOL, Violadad. </p>
<p>We are much more forgiving to biologically based entities in our house. Or we’d all be off to recycling!</p>