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| Thread ID: 68704 | 2006-05-08 06:55:00 | Are my specs OK for a beginner in the big city? | Laura (43) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 453233 | 2006-05-08 06:55:00 | Three weeks ago in Dunedin I said I'd be helping to buy a computer in Auckland for a relative. Several towns (and many relatives' visits) later, I've finally got to the big city & checked out a couple of firms for options. This is what we're considering. I'd be glad if you'd give me your opinions. (She's never had a computer at home before, just uses one at work - mainly for email, though I can see her embarking on a bit of photo editing later.. She won't turn into a gamer, though) Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 80GB 7200RPM SATA 11 NCQ 3Gb/s 8 MB HDD ST380811OAS LiteOnSOHW1693 half-height 16xDVD-R/+R Dual Layer PACKAGE: AMD Athlon 64 SKT939 HLC-9632SB ATX P4 Case, front USB ports, 2 CD doors (4 bays) with 400watt power supply AMD Athlon 64 3000+Socket 939 with fan retail box ADA3000BP Genius Easytouch Optical 11 Multimedia keyboard + Optical Mouse kit PS2 black - combo TwinMos 512M DDR -400 64Mx8 CL2.5 8 chips single side Philips 17" 170S6FB 12ms Black flat panel LCD 3 years on site warranty MSI K8NGM2-IL Socket 939 Nvidia 6150 Chipset dual channel DDR 400 PCI Express x 16 SATA 8 channel HD audio L:AN USB 2.9 All in One 1.44MB 3.5" floppy drive Windows XP Home Ozaki CM688 800W 2.1 channel speakers. Now some of that is a foreign language to me, although I understand the basics, so any criticisms or approvals will be gladly received. The quoted price for this is $1296 inc. GST. I'm assuming the package aspect of some of it will help? I asked for a Seagate HD & the Liteon brand player. Ashamed to admit I don't remember what they replaced, but I think price was similar, if not exact.. I hope I've read this correctly off a piece of paper in a dimly-lit internet cafe surrounded by teenage boys playing shootemups. It's noisy. I'll come back tomorrow to read what you experts have to say. Thanks in advance. ( P.S. This is fun - spending someone else's money. I've only had second-hand boxes with no choices so far myself...) |
Laura (43) | ||
| 453234 | 2006-05-08 07:08:00 | ...She's never had a computer at home before, just uses one at work - mainly for email, though I can see her embarking on a bit of photo editing later.. She won't turn into a gamer, though... If she has been using a standard office desktop, then she is going to get a big (performance) suprise with the package you posted. Which then begs the question - does your friend need to spend so much money? And does she need a new system? Have you considered one of those sub-$1000 laptops? You could even sneak a Linux distro on it - she may never notice the difference (maybe the lack of malware though)... But for peace of mind, the warranty that comes with a new system is a good thing. |
vinref (6194) | ||
| 453235 | 2006-05-08 07:37:00 | Whats the computer store name? | bob_doe_nz (92) | ||
| 453236 | 2006-05-08 07:38:00 | I've finally got to the big city & checked out a couple of firms for options. Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 80GB 7200RPM SATA 11 NCQ 3Gb/s 8 MB HDD ST380811OAS LiteOnSOHW1693 half-height 16xDVD-R/+R Dual Layer PACKAGE: AMD Athlon 64 SKT939 HLC-9632SB ATX P4 Case, front USB ports, 2 CD doors (4 bays) with 400watt power supply AMD Athlon 64 3000+Socket 939 with fan retail box ADA3000BP Genius Easytouch Optical 11 Multimedia keyboard + Optical Mouse kit PS2 black - combo TwinMos 512M DDR -400 64Mx8 CL2.5 8 chips single side Philips 17" 170S6FB 12ms Black flat panel LCD 3 years on site warranty MSI K8NGM2-IL Socket 939 Nvidia 6150 Chipset dual channel DDR 400 PCI Express x 16 SATA 8 channel HD audio L:AN USB 2.9 All in One 1.44MB 3.5" floppy drive Windows XP Home Ozaki CM688 800W 2.1 channel speakers. The quoted price for this is $1296 inc. GST. Thats ok but I'd change the motherboard to ASUS. Whos the company(s)? You want to ensure goode after sales service too...Computer Lounge are good for that. Theres alot of dodgy places in Auckland. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 453237 | 2006-05-08 07:50:00 | thats a pretty good price | Tux (606) | ||
| 453238 | 2006-05-08 08:22:00 | lol it's overkill for emailing ........but a good price and I agree with the 'get an asus motherboard' comment..... | drcspy (146) | ||
| 453239 | 2006-05-08 09:10:00 | Thats ok but I'd change the motherboard to ASUS. Whos the company(s)? You want to ensure goode after sales service too...Computer Lounge are good for that. Theres alot of dodgy places in Auckland. Socket 939 is the way to go and I too recommend Asus along with Soltek and Gigabyte motherboards. A couple of weeks ago I bought a new computer (in parts) and put it together. Motherboard was an Asus A8N-SLI premium. So you can see I put my money where my mouth is. I agree with PCTEK also with the advice to buy with a company that has been around a while. I have dealt with PBTech in Auckland and Hamilton and been quite happy with their sales, service and return if broken policy. |
Sweep (90) | ||
| 453240 | 2006-05-08 12:37:00 | Seems good to me. But I didn't notice the inclusion of a modem. | Greg (193) | ||
| 453241 | 2006-05-08 13:26:00 | Two sticks of RAM and yea ASUS mother board | Rob99 (151) | ||
| 453242 | 2006-05-09 05:04:00 | Thanks everyone for the feedback . I should've explained that my sister is the person we're shopping for . She's accustomed to using an Auckland District Health Board comp at work, so I'm guessing that's a pretty slick system . I don't want this to be a comedown for her, and we're hoping to future proof a little, anyway . . . It seems Asus motherboards have the vote, so I hope asking for a change in the package offered doesn't alter too much else in the price . So - to answer your questions - the store is QMB Computers in Mt Albert, though I see their stationery says Mt Roskill & Royal Oak, so either they've moved or this is a new branch? (And yes, pcteck, we did go to Computer Lounge first, but they're too high-end for us . With the minimum specs they stock, their system comes to $1856 . Admittedly it's fancier, but we don't need posh) After-sale service is important, though . Does anyone have any good/bad info about QMB? Once I return home, my sister would like to know she can depend on the store if something goes wrong . QMB have a one year warranty (return to store) I note . I'll try them out for an Asus tomorrow . I've no transport & my sister is back at work now, so I'm about to learn buses/trains from Avondale . And Rob99 - explain 2 sticks of RAM, please . |
Laura (43) | ||
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