Computer choices - recommendations

Looks like my 5-year old PC has begun to "pine for those fjords" and I therefore need to plan for a replacement. A little unsure whether to go for the "obvious" (=Dell) or if there are better value PC's out there which are reliable. I am not a gamer which seems to be an important issue these days. I mainly do Photoshop work and general MS Office stuff. The main features that I know I need are Windows-based; 1Gb RAM (min.); DVD burner; DVI output; 250GB (?) hard drive. Aside from these can anyone please suggest reliable PC makes and models (don't need to be exact) capable of running Photoshop CS without stumbling. I am obviously aware of Dell but see mixed reports on some of their models. I am hoping to pay less than $1500 for the main computer unit (no monitor or keyboard needed) and want to maximise my spend without seriously jeopardising quality and reliability. Appreciate any advice.............

HP/Compaq alternatives
or how about build your self - you can get some great specifications cheaper and will be upgradable
you may want to consider sata drives and you want fast drives to, to help speed

got to Dell.com and add your own components to you budget.


I could not be happier

Have you considered a Mac? If you're sticking with PC's, Dell is great, you can build to your own specs or if you look around in your area, in the yellow pages or online, I bet you can find a mom/pop PC store that'll build you what you're looking for. Might be a bit more expensive then Dell but your support is a drive away!

I have tried self build and have gone back to using Dell. You cant normally build for what Dell charge made and you get great warranty service from them. If you can run to one of the Workstation specs they work great for photoshop.

I built my own PC with no previous experience other than installing a CD-RW. It took me 10 days from having the idea to having a new working PC. I took a little advice from here and a little from a Computer Forum.

You obviously choose your own components based on what you need to use it for. It will be easier to swop out parts to upgrade if you need to later.

In the UK you could build a sweet machine for the equivalent of 1200US$ so I think in the US you would get a nice machine and still be under budget.

How did it make me feel when it was completed?. It made me feel like the new Pope did the morning after his election .

in the UK you can build a much better machine then dell provides - better graphics, not intergrated and using memory, much more room for expansion later, with a powersupply that will support any expansion, you will need to buy a copy of XP but you get the OS CD and not a load of unwanted software and spyware on the PC, and a recovery partition, there are computer fairs running every week with extremly competative prices.
i have built 4 machines so far - the last one about two years ago cost me £500 for a £1800 equivalent machine.

but i suspect the US is very different as prices are so much cheaper there, also not everyone wants a self build - so as suggested also look at HP/Compaq

Built my own recently to support a growing Rebel/PS Habit and I agree with mapollo - quite easy if you remember a few basics and v satisfying and you get exactly what you want!

In UK I reckon you can get the exact right spec for your needs much cheaper self-build. Mine is a P4 3.0G, 1024MB RAM, 250GB HDD with 19" LCD. Happy to give more details here or in PM if you wish...

If you're technically inclined, and know enough to be your own tech support, then building your own is the way to go. If not, then custom order a Dell. With some of the coupons that regularly circulate, you can get a really good deal on them. Just bookmark techbargains.com or slickdeals.net and wait until a coupon comes out that applies to the system you want. If you do decide to build your own, I'm sure there are several of us here who could help you spec out a system. I personally have built over 50 PCs for myself, friends and relatives, and would be glad to offer you some guidance if necessary. At the $1500 price point, you can build a better PC than you can buy, but you give up the tech support that comes with that purchased PC.

EricKonieczny wrote:
got to Dell.com and add your own components to you budget.


I could not be happier

Dell is usually expensive. You end up paying for their onsite warranties. Their "standard" packages are usually well priced, but they really get you when you want to add ram, bigger hard drive, or video card/upgrade. Many new computers now come with video built into the motherboard - which is not capable of 3D gaming or any serious graphic applications.

I self-built for years, and then bought the last 7 computers from Dell. Pretty darn good overall- good value, very good machines, excellent support. (Note that I don't buy the cheapies - 3 were Dimension and 4 were Workstations, all Intel, but no Celeron/etc)

However, I've been drooling over an AlienWare for the next system....

If you were going to build it yourself you wouldn't have made this post. If I were you I'd go with a dell which I think you could get a killer machine (- gamers video card) for under a 1,000 U.S. The second option would be a hp computer. Same thing as dell but I'd rank dell over hp. It may be a little less money. If you had a friend close by he could get the parts and have a Super Killer machine for around 600 with dvd burner and good video and plenty of ram.

Go with dell and use eCoupons from techbargain.com or similar. If you have an urge to troubleshoot if the system don't startup then built it yourself. I could build a system in less then an hour but it takes days for it to work right.

I would look at this computer: http://www.gateway.com …ducts/ret/ret_8​32gm.shtml
Seems to have everything you want. You could add another hard drive, Matrox video card and more RAM and still be within your budget.

Im happy with my 3g 200mb hard Presario