Hi Everyone, I have 2 year old computer, an HP 9694 with 800MHz processor, 256mb of ram, I have 2 hard drives with 40mb each and has a DVD drive and a CDRW. I am getting a new computer for Christmas and I want the best of the best. It has to have at least 512mb of ram, 80mb hard drive a fast DVD and fast CDRW. It has to have Windows XP and can't be an off brand. Can anyone recommend the biggest and best computer out there right now. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kathy
Hi Everyone, Thanks for all your help. I LOVE the Alienware, I love EVERYTHING about it. It is a little expensive. So I am still checking out my options. I am looking at an HP 9995 also,(I know a lot of people hate HP but I have had 2 and they were fine.) but I don't under stand one thing. The memory is 512MB SDRAM (exp. to 1.5 GB) and the memory speed is 133 MHz. The memory speed seems low to me. I haven't found the price out for the HP but if it is even remotely close to the Alienware, The Alienware wins hands down. Thanks for your input. Kath
You said you didn't want to have remorse after seeing something newer and "better" afterwards. Well, like Myk said "You will always end up there." But there are ways to lessen that. You may want to go with a system with DDR RAM. That is the latest technology, unless you go with a system that uses Rambus.
I built a system not all that long ago, it was pretty loaded. 1.33GHz, twin 7200RPM 45GB harddrives, etc. etc.. I chose a motherboard that uses SDRAM. DDR was just coming on at that time but it was still too early for me. If I had waited 2-3 more months then my system would be using DDR. Though I am still thrilled with this system I know my next one will definitely not have SDRAM in it.
133MHz is the fastest standard memory out there right now. It is the current standard. SDRAM is fading, though still very workable. DDR is coming on as the new standard.
Friends don't let friends buy Hewlett-Packard. My Dad, had one; what a nightmare to get around in. I had to install a few things in it, there was hardly any room to work.
One other thing, in one of the posts above you said you had a ceiling of $2500. Well, I went looking through the Alienware site and they have a system called the Aurora. It looked sweet, and the configuration is customizable. It listed for $1999, which is 500 below your limit. Did you see it?
Thanks Scott and Bob, I saw the Aurora, but I love the computer under the custom link. The one I like is $2611.00 and with the color (blue) I want, it is $2626.00. I have a 15" flat screen now, sooooo, I will need to add a flat screen to it. With the flat panel in blue to match the computer it bring it to $3087.00. I have a HP Photosmart 1218 printer and an HP 5100c scanner (that service it's purpose.)So I am Ok there. The question is.......how do ask for such an expensives computer for Christmas.......I have been a very good girl. Thanks, Kathy
I like your sense of humor.... But that was then, and this is now.... and that is what my husband will say. I have been following Pc 911 for about 2 years and I am glad you aren't a girl! (Thanks for putting your picture up.) I thought I was doing great for a girl, until Shelly started answering thing I couldn't. I would alway read messages to learn things I didn't know or understand and a lot of the answers were from Shelly.... Even if your a guy. You have A LOT OF WINDOM, and I thank you for your wisdom. Kathy
Wow ! Looking at all the latest in the computer, my computer is just 2years old and it looks really ancient compared with the shining aluminum tower with the newest in RAM I mean the DDR wonder what DDR mean?. I guess I can only dream. OH ! Mr. S.Claus where are you ? could you ? I mean would you ? OH! my gaurdian angel could you ? would you ?
well, if you want prebuilt, start by going to this page and customize the living snot out of this puppy. you'll end up with a $4500 state of the art box with all the bells and whistles.
if you are willing to get your hands dirty, you can build your own killer system by handpicking premium parts and doing the assembly yourself. very rewarding, and the ultimate way to get a custom system.
Happy computing!
Alex "crazygerman" Byron Webmaster, Editor-in-Chief PC911
