We are defintely geeks

[kalidust]

The Dustman and I went to various computer stores so that I could get a new keyboard.

Well I got the new keyboard and.......













another computer!

Got a good deal on it ($300 after rebates with monitor and printer) and will use it as a test server and some other things.

Ah, the cost of being geeks :eek:

[Lance]

That is a deal. Computers are so cheap these days it's unbelievable. You can get a whole Dell system w/flat panel for like $600 now. I paid twice that 2 years ago...

[sewmyheadon]

Congrats Karen. I'm saving up for a new PC myself - got a hand-me down last week and loaded Fedora on it and am having fun learning more about Linux again. It's been a while.

You're right Lance - PCs are so much cheaper now - makes it a little less painful on the wallet to upgrade. Still, when I use the online configurators at Dell, I still rack up two or three Gs worth of PC. A guy can dream, eh?

[LSChosting]

Well there's your first problem - dell :P

*cough* overpriced! *cough*...

sorry, i just hate dell :P

I custom build for myself and my customers, and on average, save between $200 - $500 than i would buying a brand-name pc :)

[sewmyheadon]

Rob, I'm kicking around building my next office monster instead. I just have to trim the wish list down to a reasonable level. And for a laptop, I'm still thinking Dell wouldn't be too bad if I watch the specials.

[LSChosting]

For laptops, my recomendation would be to take a look at the LG's... they are more expensive than the HP or Dell, but much better quality, and look nicer IMO :)

It is fun to build your own laptop tho :p now *That* was an adventure!

[ndndixie]

OMG! Someone else gets off on sites with "configure your own" systems and looks forward to the various catalogs from tiger and addict pc? Here I thought that I had my own little fantasy............

[Robert]

Alienware, Dell, Gateway, TigerDirect... if you can name it, I've most likely priced a custom system there. LOL.

It's always fun to "dream". Anyone remember when those 300 mhz machines hit for sale on sites like Gateway, which was doing custom systems online and it seemed like such a new idea to order a custom built PC online? lol

[sewmyheadon]

Yep, I was there, Robert, and configuring and dreaming away. Purchased a few even. Spent a few thousand for a PII 350 with 128MB Ram, etc. Oh, the old days . . . ;)

[kaosphere]

Well there's your first problem - dell :P

*cough* overpriced! *cough*...

sorry, i just hate dell :P

I custom build for myself and my customers, and on average, save between $200 - $500 than i would buying a brand-name pc :)

actually if dell is on-sale they are pretty cheap. Usually the $$$ you save on white-box is operating system :) , however generally you'll have better components in a white-box since you can hand-pick quality components.

[ndndixie]

Yep, I was there, Robert, and configuring and dreaming away. Purchased a few even. Spent a few thousand for a PII 350 with 128MB Ram, etc. Oh, the old days . . . ;)
Thousands for it and we thought 128 was the ultimate fast machine! I was looking at notebooks the other day and saw one with 128 and said "I don't want that slow crap." :p But then I'm such a geek that I tell cashiers that their baud rate is too slow on their credit card readers. (their look is worth it, start talking about the components in their cash register and watch 'em squirm)

[PvUtrix]

Real geeks don't buy brand names :)

I always build my own from spare parts, it's cheaper and easier to upgrade in the future...

[ndndixie]

Lol, I'm not a Dell fan, I don't like their stuff but I AM a huge AMD fan. I prefer AMD processors and have found them to be much more stable.

[Tomas]

Intel fan here, but I have to admit that AMD is really improving and sometimes, outperforming Intel.

[mikelbeck]

Intel fan here, but I have to admit that AMD is really improving and sometimes, outperforming Intel.

They kinda go back and forth. For a while I was building nothing but Athlon machines, but now the Celeron has gotten much cheaper and faster, I build only Celeron machines now (for the low-end).

I remember paying $800 for a new Maxtor 200 MB (Megabyte, not Gigabyte) IDE hard drive. That was when I was running a BBS on a 386sx-20. With a USR "Dual Standard" modem that cost me (I think) around $600. 14.4k, that was, HST & V.32bis. Speedy! ;-)

[Hvu]

I currently have an Alienware desktop. Its about 3 months old, AMD FX-55, 2gb ram, (2) 74gb 10k drives in Raid-0, ATi x850xt. Cost about $2600, with their $700 instant off and free shipping. The processor itself costs $900, Graphics card $450ish. It was deal in my eyes, everybody said I got ripped but what they dont understand is the on-site support and next day ship and repair.

But if your in the market for a laptop..desktop replacement check out WidowPC.

http://widowpc.com/gaming_pc_laptops.html

[sewmyheadon]

I've looked at a few Alienware PCs and they seem awfully expensive. Plus, I had to replace a shirt and tie after drooling. Ahhhrrrrrggg. . . Aliens . . . Mmmmmmm. They look like they rock and roll. Is it working well for you? Gotta be speedy!

[Hvu]

Checkout their Promotions.. http://www.alienware.com/intro_pages/promotion_center.aspx?source=1801

Dont expect your desktop to be coming soon if your order one. take atleast half a month for them.

[ndndixie]

Alien does seem a bit expensive, but then I'm a regular phantom config'er on addictpc.com so I guess it's all in what suits your style. How is alien on actually getting the product to you quickly? That's my one beef with addict, they are SLOW! I need a new laptop but I'm unsure of what I want and keep putting it off.