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Thread ID: 109636 2010-05-16 14:18:00 Want to build a PC cancer393 (15359) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
885449 2010-05-18 12:26:00 With the same price, you can get a much better specs desktop!

If he's only watching movies and surfing the net, which specs constitute better?
I'd argue that weight and size are equally if not more important. Not to mention the amount of wires you lose.
Thebananamonkey (7741)
885450 2010-05-18 12:30:00 It'll last longer before it needs upgrading, and when you do want to upgrade, it will be easier.

Unless you need portability, I can't see much point in a laptop. The wires aren't going to matter if it's a desktop anyway because it won't be moving anywhere...
Agent_24 (57)
885451 2010-05-18 23:37:00 If he's only watching movies and surfing the net, which specs constitute better?
I'd argue that weight and size are equally if not more important. Not to mention the amount of wires you lose.

Notebooks work out substantially more expensive due to upgradeability, shorter life and more expensive to repair. Not to mention generally slower due to often slow HDD's and aggressive power save options unless you buy a expensive high spec option.

If you don't "need" or want to be portable avoid notebooks.
Battleneter2 (9361)
885452 2010-05-19 01:38:00 Notebooks work out substantially more expensive due to upgradeability, shorter life and more expensive to repair. Not to mention generally slower due to often slow HDD's and aggressive power save options unless you buy a expensive high spec option.

If you don't "need" or want to be portable avoid notebooks.

My girlfriend bought her laptop two years ago for substantially less than my computer. It's still going strong. No need to upgrade.

When we go to Auckland (which is often) guess who's computer we take?

Hers plays movies, does word processing and surfs the internets, which are the requirements of OP. It's not as fast as my monster. But does it need to be?

I think that for the majority of users these days that, as long as they don't intend to play games, laptops are the way to go. They work out of the box and if they break down then you just send them in on warranty.

All I'm saying is that instead of saying what WE would do, think of what fits OP's needs instead.
Thebananamonkey (7741)
885453 2010-05-19 02:11:00 All I'm saying is that instead of saying what WE would do, think of what fits OP's needs instead.


So I wanna give it a go and try building my own PC.

Sure you can build laptops yourself, but you're quite limited and it's not as much fun...
Agent_24 (57)
885454 2010-05-19 02:48:00 I just built my first pc.
I went for a good quality case and PSU - otherwise pretty basic components.
Main reasons I chose the motherboard were because it had HDMI and integrated graphics.
Pretty quiet system - perfect for everyday usage.

CPU: AMD AthlonX2 DC 250 3.0GHz ($107)
Mobo: Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H 785G ($145)
Case: Lian Li A05N-B ($188)
PSU: Corsair CX 400W ($99)
RAM: Corsair CM2X2048-6400C5 2GB ($88)

Already had SATA HDD, monitor, keyboard etc, so total cost all up was $627.
legod (4626)
885455 2010-05-20 02:24:00 I just built my first pc.
I went for a good quality case and PSU - otherwise pretty basic components.
Main reasons I chose the motherboard were because it had HDMI and integrated graphics.
Pretty quiet system - perfect for everyday usage.

CPU: AMD AthlonX2 DC 250 3.0GHz ($107)
Mobo: Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H 785G ($145)
Case: Lian Li A05N-B ($188)
PSU: Corsair CX 400W ($99)
RAM: Corsair CM2X2048-6400C5 2GB ($88)

Already had SATA HDD, monitor, keyboard etc, so total cost all up was $627.

Cool! That's exactly the things I would need. I have the HDD, monitor, etc.
I guess the RAM could be increased to 4GB?
cancer393 (15359)
885456 2010-05-20 02:28:00 I guess the RAM could be increased to 4GB?

If you're going to install 64 bit, it'll help
Speedy Gonzales (78)
885457 2010-05-20 02:32:00 It'll help even if you run 32-bit, you'll still get an extra 1.25 - 1.5GB or so RAM for use. Agent_24 (57)
885458 2010-05-20 02:40:00 ok, my current os is 32bit vista. cancer393 (15359)
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