Buying a computer....

[Divide Et Impera]

Recommendations?

Internet coupon codes?

Give em to me....

So far, it looks like I can get more for my money with Dell. I just priced out a whole system with all upgrades on the 8400 desktop and I got $2240 out the door. That's with a 3.2 P4, 256 graphics card, 1G memory, 19" flat panel monitor and a multipurpose printer/fax/scan/copy. That also included a security suite and other software upgrades. I tried to price a comparable Gateway, but there's less available upgrades on their site and it was still over $600 more. Do any of you have any recommendations as to which computer on the market is the best and where I can get teh best buy? Also, if you know of any coupon codes, please give them to me....

 

[jw7]

This site updates the latest Dell coupon deals every day:

http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php

 

[Divide Et Impera]

I went to that link and rebuilt my computer from that page and it was $2181, but I couldn't get all my upgrades from that page. I think my first configuration is probably what I will go with....

-Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 630 with HT Technology
-Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition
-1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (2x512M)
-Dell Multimedia USB Keyboard
-FREE UPGRADE! 19 in E193FP Flat Panel Display
-256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800
-250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
-3.5 in Floppy Drive
-Logitech® MX™ 500 Optical Mouse
-Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
-56K PCI Data/Fax Modem
-Dual Drives: 48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability
-Sound Blaster Audigy™2 ZS (D) Card w/Dolby 5.1, and IEEE 1394
-Combo: Microsoft® Plus! for Windows XP and Digital Media Edition
-Combo: RecordNow! and MyDVD Deluxe
-Dell All In One Inkjet 962

I'm not a techy guy, but is this a good system?

 

[Ryanwb]

II'm not a techy guy, but is this a good system?

Absolutely! (except that printer, Dell Printers suck ass)

 

[Chaz]

I went to that link and rebuilt my computer from that page and it was $2181, but I couldn't get all my upgrades from that page. I think my first configuration is probably what I will go with....

-Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 630 with HT Technology
-Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition
-1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (2x512M)
-Dell Multimedia USB Keyboard
-FREE UPGRADE! 19 in E193FP Flat Panel Display
-256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800
-250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
-3.5 in Floppy Drive
-Logitech® MX™ 500 Optical Mouse
-Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
-56K PCI Data/Fax Modem
-Dual Drives: 48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability
-Sound Blaster Audigy™2 ZS (D) Card w/Dolby 5.1, and IEEE 1394
-Combo: Microsoft® Plus! for Windows XP and Digital Media Edition
-Combo: RecordNow! and MyDVD Deluxe
-Dell All In One Inkjet 962

I'm not a techy guy, but is this a good system?

Yes and it ought to be for $2100.

The only thing I question is the CD-RW drive. Why? You already have a DVD-RW drive, it will burn CDs as well as DVDs.

You might rather have a DVD-ROM as the second drive than a CD-RW drive.

Just a suggestion.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

I also priced out an XPS Gen4 Dell 8400 and it was about $250 more, but that includes a game pad and a gaming keyboard as well as all the other standard periphery. The processor is a 640 series instead of 630 and it has a sleek design.

8400 MCE:

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XPS Gen 4:

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[DieHardFromMO]

Before you make your purchase you may want to take into consideration that Microsoft is scheduled to release a new Windows operating system codenamed, "Longhorn" as the successor to Windows XP. As of now it is supposed to be released in late 2006 in time for the holiday shopping season.

If it was me I would purchase an inexpensive system if I couldn't wait until late 2006, and then purchase one with all the bells and whistles when the new operating system is available.

 

[devilalum]

Just got this for $1680 out the door. I gave the printer to my sister's kid. What a piece of crap.

[font=arial, helvetica] Dimension 8400
Pentium® 4 Processor 630 with HT Technology (3GHz, 800 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition Qty: 1
Unit Price: $2,074.00 Dimension 8400 Pentium® 4 Processor 630 with HT Technology (3GHz, 800 FSB)
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x512M)
Keyboard Dell Quietkey® Keyboard
Monitor FREE UPGRADE! 19 in E193FP Flat Panel Display
Video Card 256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800
Hard Drive 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices No Floppy Drive Included
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition
Mouse Dell Optical USB Mouse
Network Interface Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
Modem 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD ROM/DVD ROM Dual Drives: 16x DVD + FREE UPGRADE! 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write
Sound Card Sound Blaster Audigy™2 ZS (D) Card w/Dolby 5.1, and IEEE 1394
Speakers Dell 5650 5.1 100 Watt Surround Sound Speaker System with Subwoofer
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No Productivity Suite - Corel WordPerfect® word processor only
Security Software McAfee SecurityCenter with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-months
Digital Music Dell Jukebox PLUS - Rip and burn your CDs faster, print CD labels, and more
Digital Photography Photo Album Premium - Archive, remove red-eye,create calendars and more
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 3Yr Ltd Warr,At-Home Service,and Tech Support plus Nights and Weekends
Dial-up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service and Support
Financial Software No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
Dell Home Customers: Save $400 off this Dell Dimension 8400!
Expires on 2005-04-29 06:59:59 - $400.00

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Dell 720 Color Printer
Free Dell Color Printer 720 Qty: 1
Unit Price: $0.00 Dell Color Printer 720 Free Dell Color Printer 720
FREE720
Hardware Support Services 1Yr Ltd. Warranty- Advance Exchange
ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS
Dell Home Customers: Free Ground Shipping on any Dell Dimension order greater than $599!
Expires on 2005-04-29 06:59:59 - $99.00[/font]

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Sub-Total $1,674.00 Shipping Discount -$99.00
Shipping and Handling $0.00
Tax $6.78 Total $1,680.78

 

[devilalum]

Before you make your purchase you may want to take into consideration that Microsoft is scheduled to release a new Windows operating system codenamed, "Longhorn" as the successor to Windows XP. As of now it is supposed to be released in late 2006 in time for the holiday shopping season.

If it was me I would purchase an inexpensive system if I couldn't wait until late 2006, and then purchase one with all the bells and whistles when the new operating system is available.

I wouldn't be in a hurry to put Longhorn on your computer. The first incarnation will probably be horrible just like every other first edition of Windows.