Need Advice on buying new Dell Desktop Computer (Page 2): Be prepared. Some of your other older programs may not work on new operating systems like Windows 8. So if you have an older...

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

sjbegres wrote:

I have to break down a buy a new one. I currently use an old Dell with Windows XP. I can't even use my Silver Efex Pro software on this one.

I need to get one that will run my PSE 11 and Silver Efex Pro.

Can someone give me advice on specs I should look for? I think I will need a 32-bit version of Windows 7.

Thanks.

Sherrill

Be prepared. Some of your other older programs may not work on new operating systems like Windows 8. So if you have an older version of Quicken or Outlook Express, something like that, it may not be compatible and you may need to learn something new and also you may need to purchase some newer versions of what you already have.

RDH

obeone wrote:

I didn't know you could still get Windows 7 on an OEM machine. Anyway, make a list of all your accessories - printers, scanners, etc. Many of the older machines are not supported in Win 7 and especially 8. Also, if you need a parallel printer port, be sure to order it with that.

Win 8 has better support for older hardware and software than win 7. In either case get the professional version not home. I have been using Win 8 since last November with no real problems. I would advise installing one of the start menu add-ons, the Win 8 interface is a pain without that. If you buy Win 7 you will have 3 years less before MS removes support. Not a good idea.

strikerazde Loc: Phoenix, AZ

sus wrote:

I had a dell, now I have Mac. No more virus attacks, and it is easy to learn. I set it up like Moose Peterson did. Yes it cost more and it is worth it. I consider it an investment in myself. Sus

Very uninformed opinion and bad information. MAC's are fine machines, but since most hackers are attacking browsers, and Safari is one of the worst browsers in the industry right behind IE, MAC's are no safer than Win machines.

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

I recently purchased a Dell and had nothing but trouble from the get-go. I had trouble getting it delivered, I couldnt pick it up until 4 delivery tries had been exhausted and then I had to drive 15 miles to get it.

In the first 4 days I had it I had 3-4 blue screens and over 5 other crashes. I decided to send it back. Dell offered me $100 if I would keep the computer. I declined their offer and returned it.

I talked with a local computer repair business, asked if they had any suggestions and they quickly came back with Toshiba.

Toshiba has its own website: www.toshibadirect.com where you can check out all the options and iterations of Toshiba computers.

They also have a refurbished division: http://stores.ebay.com/toshibadirectstore. It is an eBay website, supported by Toshiba. They offer only the manufacturers warranty and no extended warranties. However, you can get an extended warranty, if you desire, from www.squaretrade.com. Square Trade is the company which offers the extended warranties through Toshiba when you purchase a new one.

Most of the computers are marked down a minimum of $150. Happy hunting!

Paul

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ottopj wrote:

They also have a refurbished division: http://stores.ebay.com/toshibadirectstore. It is an eBay website, supported by Toshiba.
Paul

I just tried it.

"Sorry, this store does not exist."

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

You can get a lemon, no matter what the brand (I got a Toshiba lemon btw)...I just saw a post recently about Square Trade that kinda turned me off to them. Someone had bought a used camera from eBay & bought the Square Trade warranty that was displayed on the site. They went to get work done under the warranty & Square Trade refused to do it. They sent the person their money back, but the point is, why did they take it in the first place?...I'd be careful with them on a refurb unit...Find out the specifics first... BTW, I've had Dell & HP computers over the years that gave me no problems...I've had Toshiba laptops & Sony Vaio machines as well...

ottopj wrote:

I recently purchased a Dell and had nothing but tr... (show quote)

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

Try this site: http://stores.ebay.com/toshibadirectstore

Sorry for the mistake.

pking5820

sjbegres wrote:

I have to break down a buy a new one. I currently use an old Dell with Windows XP. I can't even use my Silver Efex Pro software on this one.

I need to get one that will run my PSE 11 and Silver Efex Pro.

Can someone give me advice on specs I should look for? I think I will need a 32-bit version of Windows 7.

Thanks.

Sherrill

In my experience, I won't do it. I had to replace my Dell and got up on Consumer Reports and Dell's reliability was WAY down on the list - also replace my desktop with a powerful laptop.
Hope this helps.
Pete

sjbegres Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks, Frank47. On the basis of your advice, I changed my order to the specs you suggested. I am sure I will be happy with that.

Sherrill

Frank47 wrote:

Scott's advice is good, but I hold my PCs as long as I can, so I always overbuy and let software catch up. Six months ago I purchased a Dell at 64-bit, i7 chip, 2 Tbytes, 16 gb ram, using Windows 7. It "smokes" allowing large file usage and multiple files open at the same time.

proteus1 Loc: NEVADA

sjbegres wrote:

I have to break down a buy a new one. I currently use an old Dell with Windows XP. I can't even use my Silver Efex Pro software on this one.

I need to get one that will run my PSE 11 and Silver Efex Pro.

Can someone give me advice on specs I should look for? I think I will need a 32-bit version of Windows 7.

Thanks.

Sherrill

DON'T BUY A DELL ! ! ! !

ANYTHING BUT ! ! !

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ottopj wrote:

Try this site: http://stores.ebay.com/toshibadirectstore

Sorry for the mistake.

Thanks. They have some amazing prices there.

jimpatkde

I would recommend 64 bit system, a i7 processor the fastest you Can afford, and the maximum RAM capacity even if you have less actually installed. This will allow you to upgrade without buy a new system in the immediate future.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

proteus1 wrote:

DON'T BUY A DELL ! ! ! !

ANYTHING BUT ! ! !

I have owned 5 Dell's. Never a problem with any of them! The latest is an XPS8500 and it run beautifully.

jimpatkde

I've opened Dells for over 20 years - never had a problem - with any vendor there is always a chance of a "lemon" but with Dell much less than most

rebride

Dell XPS 8700 Win 7 or 8.
8 GB Ram, 1TB 7200 rpm HD, AMD Radeon HD 7570 1GB GDDR5.
With 4th Generation Intel® Core i5-4430 processor (6M Cache, up to 3.2 GHz) = $699.00
With 4th Generation Intel® Core i7-4770 processor (8M Cache, up to 3.9 GHz) = $799.00
http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8700/fs
I have XPS 8300, i5, 6GB RAM, AMD 6770. Two years. Runs fine.

And they are slick looking.