This is a HUGE post on a future purchase.
PART 1: My History and Needs.
I'm horrid at making decisions... and now that I have to think about getting a new computer relatively soonish, it's hurting my brain. Tried asking at work. I get different solutions. Of course Jon wants me to get a Mac (but that's mutual), Adam says Laptop, and I'm sure somebody else will have a different answer.
Ok. Since I know Best Buy employees will be reading this, I'll pretend I'm Carrie - even tho I resemble Buzz a bit more.
"Hello! I'm (Insert name here)! *handshake* Welcome to Best Buy! Your name is? Tia? That's a nice name! (Insert talk about weather/my shirt/my hair/what I do for work etc.) So what brought you inside from this gorgeous weather?
Your interaction with me will find that I will be using my computer for:
Watching movies and listening to music.
Teh Internets (I have a wireless network at my house)
Art (I use Photoshop CS2 currently)
Gaming (I love to play WoW, I do have the expansion. I also like playing Oblivion, and FPS's like Halo and Star Wars Battlefront 2)
I want something that will be able to run NEW games for at least 3-4 years. Anything can run games. I can play Zork on a potato and fart-powered system. It needs to be able to handle advanced games for a few years.
I am not sure how I'm financing this, but it probably will involve the Best Buy Credit Card. I can afford payments of $50 a month. I don't want to spend more than 1000, maybe 1500 if you make it shiny. As nice as a 2k system is, I just can't handle that kind of debt. What I have now I bought 3 years ago, for 420, and I've only upgraded the graphics card and the RAM. The other mods were Dynex brand, or free from friends with defunct systems. Mind you I didn't buy an OS. I have not purchased a legal copy of Windows in about...6 years. LOLZ
The system before my monolithic desktop was a Toshiba Satellite with a 322MHz processor, I bought used on Ebay for 300 bucks, installed Win98 on it and it lasted me 2 years before completely dying. Didn't game on that one, and that was before we got Cable.
So yea...I run stuff into the ground, and I'm cheap. Good luck fellow 548ers!
PART 2: My Pros and Cons.
Mac:
Pros.
Effing dependable.
Sleek, stylish.
Best choice for graphical work.
I have wanted one for a while. My dad and sister have one and I'm the last Purely PC person in the house.
Justin Long is cute.
Cons.
Most expensive option of the three. Parts and services are hard to get since I'll probably get it from the store near Dad's work...in Belmont. (Next to Boston). So if I need a new part, it will take me 3-7 days to obtain it.
Not the best for gaming.
PC Laptop:
Pros.
Portability. Who doesn't want to play WoW while cooking dinner? Or use photoshop OUTDOORS?!
Takes up less space.
Best Buy has them.
Cons.
Not as easy to play with the insides if I want to mod.
Overheating more common
Unless I get Perifs, a bit cramped on the keyboard for my style.
Second most expensive option.
I'm not ready for Vista just yet...
PC Desktop:
Pros.
Plenty of room to mod to my heart's content.
Keeps my feet warm in the winter.
Cheapest option
Best Buy has them.
Cons.
Can't bring it on vacation.
Not ready for Vista...
If you're not Best Buy- still give me your feedback. If you're reading this, then you have had computer experience. Dur.
So there you have it. My requirements and feelings on the whole thing.
I've had plenty of experience with all three. Don't need Geek Squad Services (Sorry guys). I will get a PSP.
Mind you I might not buy this new system in the near future. I need to secure funds, and make up my damn mind.
I'm horrid at making decisions... and now that I have to think about getting a new computer relatively soonish, it's hurting my brain. Tried asking at work. I get different solutions. Of course Jon wants me to get a Mac (but that's mutual), Adam says Laptop, and I'm sure somebody else will have a different answer.
Ok. Since I know Best Buy employees will be reading this, I'll pretend I'm Carrie - even tho I resemble Buzz a bit more.
"Hello! I'm (Insert name here)! *handshake* Welcome to Best Buy! Your name is? Tia? That's a nice name! (Insert talk about weather/my shirt/my hair/what I do for work etc.) So what brought you inside from this gorgeous weather?
Your interaction with me will find that I will be using my computer for:
Watching movies and listening to music.
Teh Internets (I have a wireless network at my house)
Art (I use Photoshop CS2 currently)
Gaming (I love to play WoW, I do have the expansion. I also like playing Oblivion, and FPS's like Halo and Star Wars Battlefront 2)
I want something that will be able to run NEW games for at least 3-4 years. Anything can run games. I can play Zork on a potato and fart-powered system. It needs to be able to handle advanced games for a few years.
I am not sure how I'm financing this, but it probably will involve the Best Buy Credit Card. I can afford payments of $50 a month. I don't want to spend more than 1000, maybe 1500 if you make it shiny. As nice as a 2k system is, I just can't handle that kind of debt. What I have now I bought 3 years ago, for 420, and I've only upgraded the graphics card and the RAM. The other mods were Dynex brand, or free from friends with defunct systems. Mind you I didn't buy an OS. I have not purchased a legal copy of Windows in about...6 years. LOLZ
The system before my monolithic desktop was a Toshiba Satellite with a 322MHz processor, I bought used on Ebay for 300 bucks, installed Win98 on it and it lasted me 2 years before completely dying. Didn't game on that one, and that was before we got Cable.
So yea...I run stuff into the ground, and I'm cheap. Good luck fellow 548ers!
PART 2: My Pros and Cons.
Mac:
Pros.
Effing dependable.
Sleek, stylish.
Best choice for graphical work.
I have wanted one for a while. My dad and sister have one and I'm the last Purely PC person in the house.
Justin Long is cute.
Cons.
Most expensive option of the three. Parts and services are hard to get since I'll probably get it from the store near Dad's work...in Belmont. (Next to Boston). So if I need a new part, it will take me 3-7 days to obtain it.
Not the best for gaming.
PC Laptop:
Pros.
Portability. Who doesn't want to play WoW while cooking dinner? Or use photoshop OUTDOORS?!
Takes up less space.
Best Buy has them.
Cons.
Not as easy to play with the insides if I want to mod.
Overheating more common
Unless I get Perifs, a bit cramped on the keyboard for my style.
Second most expensive option.
I'm not ready for Vista just yet...
PC Desktop:
Pros.
Plenty of room to mod to my heart's content.
Keeps my feet warm in the winter.
Cheapest option
Best Buy has them.
Cons.
Can't bring it on vacation.
Not ready for Vista...
If you're not Best Buy- still give me your feedback. If you're reading this, then you have had computer experience. Dur.
So there you have it. My requirements and feelings on the whole thing.
I've had plenty of experience with all three. Don't need Geek Squad Services (Sorry guys). I will get a PSP.
Mind you I might not buy this new system in the near future. I need to secure funds, and make up my damn mind.