Comments

TrekNW wrote on 10/8/2003, 8:55 PM
The best time to buy is from a direct or BYO seller after intel has just completed a CPU price reduction. since the direct sellers hold no CPU inventory they pass the savings on immediately. The hardware sites usually keep up with pending price moves. System margins are thin and constant and price swings are mostly a function of CPU and memory.

regards,
tim
jester700 wrote on 10/8/2003, 9:04 PM
it also depends on the vendor. Dell, for example, regularly has $250-300 off or rebate offers. Or a similar value in upgrades free. That's when I buy.
swarrine wrote on 10/8/2003, 9:14 PM
It is always best to buy in the future, because as soon as you do buy it will be in the past and as we all know the future brings bigger, better, cheaper than the past.

If you listen to my advice you will never own a computer. And you will never cry a month later when the latest and greatest deal arrives.

Good Luck.
BillyBoy wrote on 10/8/2003, 9:25 PM
If you buy a box from Dell or Gateway, etc. and not assemble your own the best time is just past. Mid to late summer is usually the slowest time. Next best, early January. Also NEVER order a system from the name companies off their web sites. Always instead phone and talk to an agent They deal IF you know how to deal. Also spend some time in the newsgroups. Dell and Gateway used to have fairly active Usenet groups where you'll learn what's going on and what not to order, agent to talk to, stuff like that. For a little more money there are scores of companies that will custom build a system for you from the ground up. The advantage is you get the parts you want, not what the Gateway or Dell is trying to unload to make room for newer stuff.
tadpole wrote on 10/8/2003, 9:27 PM
You might wait for the new 'precott' version of the new pentium to come out.(if u want uber speed)
Thinking their going to call it the P4 extreme or something silly like that.
Due out in Novemeber.

From what i have read its pretty darn fast.. might be some problems with mobos handling its power/heat etc .. kinda of scary buying first gen anything.. usually better to wait a bit... of course, by that time, the new PCI Express systems might be out.

Personally, i think I am going to wait for the PCI Express system, thinking that technology will have a good run.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/8/2003, 11:16 PM
I build my own computer, and I agree with swarrine.

I buy when I have the $$$. Just make sure you can upgrade what you buy. Last year I built a p3-667 with 256mb DDR. The MB was upgradable to a 1.1ghz P3, but... for the price of the P3 1.1 ghz chip, but about $10, I bought an AMD XP 1800 and a nice Asus MB with 6 channel sound (great in Vegas!) 3 months ago!.

Just don't wait. Something better will always be around the corner. Buy what you want/need/can now. You can always upgrade next year for a little extra $.
Jsnkc wrote on 10/9/2003, 9:41 AM
I agree, it is a very valuable skill to know how to build your own PC, it will save you tons of money in the long run. Plus it also gives you a good insight to how a computer works and will also help you troubleshoot problems better. It might be worth picking up a book and checking it out, it really isn't all that hard to do!
busterkeaton wrote on 10/9/2003, 2:00 PM
If you are buying a name brand computer Dell, Gateway, etc, check for coupon codes on the web. Just type "Dell Coupons" into google, you will find a lot of sites, you can save some nice bucks. Also if you are buying from them, check their sites regularly. Dell prices are always hard to figure out, because they keep shifting their deals, sometimes it's double the memory, sometimes it's free shipping. sometimes it's a better monitor. So you need to figure out what you need and then figure out the total price on that. For example, if you want a LCD monitor, and their deal is on an upgrade to the 19 CRT monitor, it doesn't help you. You will start to notice when their prices have actually changed. They often have big sales right before they are introducing a new chip or new model. The sales clear out the old stock.
wolverine wrote on 10/9/2003, 3:49 PM
You just missed a great deal from dell, they were selling a P4 2.4GHz/256MB/40GB/40xCDRW desktop machine for $139 after $100 rebate. Unfortunately the deal is dead now and I missed it too.

So I would say look around and if something pops up grab it.
Jsnkc wrote on 10/9/2003, 4:14 PM
I'd be really weary of deals like that, most likely the computer although powerful, can't be upgraded easily. Normally in a system like that you will get 2 free PCI slots, there is only 1 5 1/2" bay and it is already filled with a CD drive so if you want to add anything else you're pretty much screwed. You also rarely find an extra bay for a zip drive and if you do I hope you don't want to put more than the main hard drive in there becasue there isn't any spaces for it. Before you buy anything take a close look at things like that, most people won't and they just say oh it has a fast processor and lots of RAM and a big hard drive and think it's a great machine. Especially for a video editing machine you have to have extra spaces for more hard drives, at least 3 PCI slots, and a full ATX case so you get good airflow through the system, mini or baby ATX won't work, trust me, I've been down that road many times. Now I build my own.
wolverine wrote on 10/9/2003, 5:02 PM
It is Dell 4600 so there are a few expansion slots. But regardless the P4 2.4GHz processor alone is worth more than $139, not even counting WinXp which is easily another $80. But anyhow I learnt this deal too late as Dell pulled it off their web.
busterkeaton wrote on 10/9/2003, 5:50 PM
I believe the Dell 4600's run pretty small.
They have that itty-bitty version which is for office use.
Then they have what they refer to as a mini-mid-tower, I believe.
jester700 wrote on 10/9/2003, 7:09 PM
That had to be a misprint. Great if you catch it in time (I just upgraded, but I'd have still gotten one if I was quick enough), but not worth worrying about.
Salamander wrote on 10/9/2003, 8:04 PM
I currently have a Dell. I'm looking at Alienware, Velocity Micro, DVLine, and PCNirvana. I'd appreciate any comments/feedback I can get on all four vendors.
busterkeaton wrote on 10/9/2003, 8:21 PM
So you are already on to top tier PC makers.

I have heard folks rave about PCNirvana. Spot swears by them.
craftech wrote on 10/9/2003, 10:21 PM
I can tell you one thing which happens if you order too close to Christmas. You won't get delivery in time for Christmas. Happens every year.

If you are looking for deals, follow the various coupon stacking scenarios on the hot deal forums. Sometimes they fall through, sometimes they are great. Most of the time the Dell deals work.

http://www.techdeals.net/

http://www.techbargains.com/

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/categories.cfm?catid=18

http://forums.anandtech.com/categories.cfm?catid=40

http://www.spoofee.com/

http://www.bensbargains.net/

John
ZippyGaloo wrote on 10/11/2003, 1:42 AM
PC ROUTE:

- SAVE some money.

- BUILD your own.

- Allows you to get BETTER COMPONENTS for the money
vs. buying from a manufacturer/vendor.

- Buy EVERYTHING from Newegg.com.


MACINTOSH ROUTE: (My choice if I had to do it over again)

- Buy a MACINTOSH DUAL G5!!!......VERY NICE MACHINE!!!

- Get THE best. (Mac OSX is much better than Windows XP)

Salamander wrote on 10/11/2003, 2:25 PM
Apparently the title to this thread was not clear. I am NOT looking to build a pc, I am looking to BUY a new pc.

Obviously I was also not clear enough that I am NOT looking at Dell, Gateway, HP, etc. I am looking at Alienware, Velocity Mtcro, DVLine, and PCNirvana.

Could I get some feedback on my specific questions, as opposed to debate and discussion on side issues that do NOT respond to my specific questions?
ZippyGaloo wrote on 10/11/2003, 3:35 PM
If any ( I still suggest building one)

Alienware = Aurora Extreme (64 Bit....the future)
Velocity Mtcro = Garbage
PCNirvana = Crap
jester700 wrote on 10/11/2003, 5:45 PM
I don't think you save much money by building. You CAN get better components, and certainly specific ones, but most makers offer quite a bit of flexibility these days. It used to be that you didn't know what cards you were getting, but that matters less now - the chipsets include most functions right on board, and there are usually options on graphics cards. The biggest isse these days, IMO, is the power supply - make sure you can get a good one.
Salamander wrote on 10/12/2003, 9:16 AM
Can you give me a bit more detail as to why you consider Velocity Micro garbage and PCNirvana crap?

I am also confused about the Alienware recommendation for the Aurora. It is a shown on their website as a gaming system, not a video editing system. I am looking for a video editing system (though I will also use it for moderate gaming). Given this is a Vegas forum, I assumed that was understood. Or are you recommending the Aurora for video editing?
jester700 wrote on 10/12/2003, 10:41 AM
The main difference between a great gaming system and a great editing one is the graphics card. Gamers need a fast one; we don't. But big power supply, cool case, fast CPU and memory, fast & big hard drives - they benefit both groups.

The only changes I'd make to the system is to ditch that Audigy card, if possible.
Salamander wrote on 10/12/2003, 10:57 AM
The Aurora Extreme has only one hard drive, while the video editing systems have 2.

When you say ditch the Audigy card, are you referring to the one with the Aurora? If so, what card do you recommend that will work for video editing and moderate gaming?
Acts7 wrote on 10/12/2003, 12:30 PM
I GOTTA say - DONT buy one of those Deel cheapo-zoids
I was so excited at work cause I got a new computer - (Graphic Designer needs powerful system)
Its a P Iv 2 GHZ man was I happy it was going to fly - no more waiting 3 minutes to open Photoshop.
Wel I was wrong.
Those pre-built (nonupgradable) systems sound like a steal till you realize their worst features are processing and multi-tasking.
Dont even dream of runing video on one of those (at least the rendering aspect).
Just my two cents worth - technology has made it so simple that I think I will build my next computer.
But all of my family and extended family has has GREAT luck with HP.
Best way to buy theirs is at : HPShopping.com about 3 weeks before Christmas. You get free shipping and the prices are pretty good too.
DEFINATELY the others advice and call your order in to make sure that every slot is there (that nothing is integrated).
My final word of caution AVOID ANYTHING WITH THE WORD INTEGRATED!!!
If you dont know ask - if they tell you but they dont seem sure of them selves (if your at a store like best buy) ask to open the back of th ecomputer up. IF they are serious about selling you a computer they will have no problems with this.

Later