Buying new computer, need help immediatley

[Mahdi]

Old one died on monday, buyigna  new one. Please check these out, tell me what you think:

Get everything you need in this well-priced, well equipped PC! It comes with a Pentium 4 805 2.66GHz processor and 512MB of DDR RAM. An 80GB hard drive provides lots of storage space while a CD-RW/DVD combo drive allows you to back files up onto a disk, create your own music CDs, or watch DVDs! More Info

WebID: 10055543

Mfr. Part Number: F-EBE3-B2

Available Expansion Bays  1 x 5.25"

Available Expansion Slots  2 x PCI

Cache  1MB L2

CPU Speed  2.66GHz

CPU Type  Intel Pentium 4 805

Disk Drive  No

Fax/Modem  No

Graphics Card  Integrated 2D/3D Graphics

Hard Drive  80GB 7200RPM

I/O Ports  See The Features Section

Included Software  Microsoft Works 8.0

Monitor Included?  Monitor Not Included

Network Card  10/100 Ethernet

Optical Drives  CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive

Other Control Devices  No

Preloaded Operating System  MS Windows XP Home SP2

RAM  512MB PC3200 DDR

Sound Card  Integrated AC'97 Sound Card

Speakers  Stereo Speakers, Black

System Bus  533MHz

Warranty  1 Year Parts & Labour

zDelivery Message  Carriers are limited to door-to-door delivery. Placement or set-up of the product within the home is not included. 

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10055543&catid=10607&logon=&langid=EN&dept=1

$699

The HP Pavilion A630N offers all the features you need to run your favourite applications and play games. It features Hyper Threading Technology, an Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor, 512MB DDR memory, a huge 160GB hard drive, 8X DVD+RW drive, 48X CD-ROM drive and a 9-in-1 media card reader. More Info

WebID: 10054413

Mfr. Part Number: PC109AR#ABA

Available Expansion Bays  2 x 3.5" External

Available Expansion Slots  2 PCI, 1 PCI Express

Cache  1MB L2

CPU Speed  2.8GHz

CPU Type  Intel Pentium 4

Disk Drive  No

Fax/Modem  56K V.92 

Graphics Card  Integrated Graphics

Hard Drive  160GB 7200RPM

I/O Ports  7 USB, 2 Firewire, 9-In-1 Card Reader

Included Software  See The Features Section

Monitor Included?  Monitor Not Included

Network Card  10/100 Ethernet

Optical Drives  8X DVD+RW, CDROM

Other Control Devices  No

Preloaded Operating System  Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

RAM  512MB DDR SDRAM (Exp. To 2GB)

Sound Card  Integrated Sound Card

Speakers  No

System Bus  800MHz

Warranty  90 Day Limited Hardware

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10054413&catid=10607&logon=&langid=EN&dept=1

$699

The HP Pavilion A647C is a fully loaded computer that offers all the features you need to run your favourite applications, play games, store music and files. It features an Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor, 512MB DDR memory, 200GB hard drive and an 8X DVD+RW drive. More Info

WebID: 10054414

Mfr. Part Number: PC141AR#ABA

Available Expansion Bays  3.5" External

Available Expansion Slots  2 x PCI

Cache  512KB L2

CPU Speed  2.8GHz

CPU Type  Intel Pentium 4

Disk Drive  No

Fax/Modem  56K V.92 

Graphics Card  Integrated Graphics

Hard Drive  200GB 7200RPM

I/O Ports  5 USB 2, 2 Firewire, 9-In-1 Card Reader

Included Software  See The Features Section

Monitor Included?  Monitor Not Included

Network Card  10/100 Ethernet

Optical Drives  8X DVD+RW, DVD-ROM

Other Control Devices  No

Preloaded Operating System  Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

RAM  512MB DDR SDRAM (Exp. To 2GB)

Sound Card  Integrated Sound Card

Speakers  No

System Bus  400MHz

Warranty  90 Day Limited Hardware

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10054414&catid=10607&logon=&langid=EN&dept=1

$699

Compaq Presario PCs give you solid performance, ease of use, and deliver just what you need so you can do more with less effort. Whether you are e-mailing family, balancing your online checkbook or creating school projects, the Presario is the right PC for for you.

Features:

Processor: AMD Sempron

[Andrew]

Of the 3 futureshop computers. I think that the second one

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10054413&catid=10607&logon=&langid=EN&dept=1

simply because of the 800mhz system bus. And a few other reasons. (Like $200 off regular)

As for the AMD at staples, don't know much about AMD (especially when they have them labelled 3100+ processor which does not tell me how many ghz or anything (I'm used to pentium).

If you got the money for it, the one I linked to is not a bad deal. I was looking at it a couple days ago when someone else asked me about what computer to get (although he would have needed a complete system: tower, monitor, printer/fax, for his business).

I know I bought my HP refurbished in 2002, and I don't plan on thinking about getting another one for another year. (4-5 years isnt bad when it still runs perfectly. Just needs the yearly format for speed)

Mine is p4 1.7ghz, 512ram, 80gb HD, cdburner, dvd player. Able to run all programs smoothly, although when into heavy graphics (9300*5500 pixels) images it is a bit slow to edit.

[Megashrap]

Athlon

[Andrew]

And it comes built shipped to your door?

But you have to remember the CAD conversion of U.S. dollars. Probably best to buy it from a canadian dealer.

[Megashrap]

I've only bought a few barebone sys. from them, cause I usually build them from ground up. But here's about 150+ to choose from... http://www.newegg.com/app/searchProductResult.asp?Submit=Go&Range=1&DEPA=0&bop=or&description=barebone+assembled&InnerCata=3

[Mahdi]

Scar, I think you're forgetting that I'm both in Canada and an idiot when it comes to computers.

Still lookng, but have to decide on one soon.  Leanign towards this one:

Features:

Processor: AMD Sempron

[erjin999]

Is it possible to get to an AMD XP based system instead of the sempron ? I agree with scar that I would rather have a XP over a sempron, as the semprom has some bits lacking, I think it was the cache and some thing else.  8) You can see how well my memory serves me.

The sempron is the sucessor to the duron range, I believe, while the XP is superceded by the AMD 64 range.

I recently chose a XP 3200+ over a sempron 3100+ because of that. So if it is possible to still buy a XP system, I would go for that. If not then this whole post has been in vain  :D

Personally I would go for the fastest sempron then.

Edit:=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I have never been a fan of Intel, but I have heard of bad things about the heat from Pentiums.

[d3m0nger]

It depends on what you want...

If you're more into games I wouldn't get any of those Pc's listed above ( 64AMD any day ), though

The second PC is perfect for just about everything except in graphically intense situations such as games, and large multimedia applications. (This pc could perform better in games if you just add a better graphics card)

I have never been a fan of Intel, but I have heard of bad things about the heat from Pentiums.

These intel cpu's listed above don't have any heat dissipation problems, It's the new series of Intel pentium 4 prescott thats causing the bad stories.

[erjin999]

Thanks for clearing that up, I knew it was prescott, but wasnt shure where prescott started...

[Andrew]

Mahdi will be using his compuer to download stuff (browse web), do schoolwork (essays etc) and other basic stuff. No games, no intense graphics.

So basically all he needs is something that works good. And for a good price.

[gryphon]

This might sound stupid, but have you looked at dell.ca ?

It's hard to beath a Dell for price here in The Netherlands. . .and for basic computer tasks it can't be that bad. ..

[Mahdi]

This might sound stupid, but have you looked at dell.ca ?

It's hard to beath a Dell for price here in The Netherlands. . .and for basic computer tasks it can't be that bad. ..

Yeah, but you ahve to buy entire systems (monitors, printers, etc) from them.

Not to mention the $125 ins hipping they make you pay.

[erjin999]

Are we making typoos on purpose here ? It sticks out like a sore thumb.

And have you thought about buying second hand ?  :O