In an effort to enhance my YWN experience, I have decided to get a new(er) computer as this one is from 2004. In looking through its stats I was surprised to find that have been operating with a Celeron processor with only 512 of RAM. can you believe it? 512!! Anyway, I surfed on to Overstock and found a plethora of refurb computers. But I've been out of the computer buying biz for a looong time. Maybe someone can help me out here. My usage comes down to about 40% Skype, 20% random internet usage 20% school work, 10%video and photo editing, and another 10% word processing. So you gurus out there, what should be the most important? Processor speed? memory? Dual cores? Is a dual core with 2ghz the same as one processor with 4ghz? HELLLLLLLPP!!!
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Computer advice
(22 posts)-
Posted 3 months ago #
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You need dual core just for the operating system and base software these days. If you're doing even a little video editing, you want high processor speed and lots of memory. Since you didn't mention games on your list, I'd tell you to consider your graphics card the lowest priority and stick with the embedded option in favor of more memory. You also neglected to say what your school work is.
Posted 3 months ago # -
I have bought several refurb laptops from eCost. Quite satisfied.
Posted 3 months ago # -
The school work is for my kids. They do this math program online. So for a comparison take these two systems, which would you recommend?
1)Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32-bits
Processor: 3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 4GB DDR2
Hard drive: 750GB
Optical drive: DVD+/-RW
Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000
Audio: Integrated Sound Audio
Networking: Ethernet
Ports: 9 x USB 2.0, 1 x VGA, 2 x audio line-in, 2 x audio line-out, 1 x Ethernet (RJ-45), 1 x parallel port, 1 x serial port2)Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3
Processor: 3.0 GHz Dual-Core Intel Pentium D
Memory: 2GB DDR2
Hard drive: 500GB
Optical drive: DVD+/-RW
Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000
Audio: Integrated
Networking: Ethernet
Ports: 9 x USB 2.0, stereo in, stereo out (back), stereo out (front), headphone, 1 x VGA, 1 x parallel, 1 x serial
Model: OptiPlex 745Now, I kvetched the other day about how YWN moving and blinking ads slow my computer down, which of these would not let that happen, and also let me use skype without the stuttering and choppy video? 1 is $310. 2 is $225. Any advice.
PS: could I just buy some more memory for 2 and have it be like 1?
Posted 3 months ago # -
You can buy more memory for two, but I would recommend 1 anyway because it comes with Windows 7. XP no longer gets security updates which is a big problem if you spend any amount of time online. You can take care of the ad problem by installing adblock plus in firefox.
Posted 3 months ago # -
This is not advice about which computer to buy, but if you don't like the moving/blinking ads, why don't you use Firefox and use the add-on of AdBlock Plus. I have NO ads whatsoever on this site or any other. 1,2,3 and they're gone. Nothing more to slow down my computer.
Now for the advise, I would go for the first system since it comes with Windows 7 already and a lot of the new programs aren't made to work with XP anymore plus there's double the memory and the processor is a higher quality one plus you have 50% more of a hard drive. For sure worth an extra $85 in my opinion.
Posted 3 months ago # -
IMH undeducated opinion #1 seems to be a better computer. However, if you are looking to save money and want to go with #2 there are a few things you should know.
1. Are these desktops or laptops?
2.You should try to inquire of the brand name (HP, Dell, Acer, Sony, eMachine, etc..)
3. 2GB RAM should be enough for Windows XP, but if you intend to store lots of music and video on the computer you may want to up the RAM.
4.Not all computers can have the RAM upgraded to whatever you want to, there may be a limit involved.
5. You indicated lots of skype usage; does either have a built in camera?Posted 3 months ago # -
Well, they are desktops. Both are dell optiplex 755 machines. My whole issue is between these two, is there going to be a niticeable difference in performance in my everyday usage. Note that I have been just fine with mine for many years now and I really do like XP. Its just that YWN site (and other applications) show just how far behind my computer is. They are also both small form factor units. My question boils down to should I go for the more expensive one, or is the cheaper one not so far off and I won't know the difference?
Posted 3 months ago # -
PS My internet is Verizon DSL. I dont know if that makes a difference.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Ctrl Alt Del-
They are both underpowered machines, but the second one isn't even worth consideration.
For photo and video editing, I suggest a better and more powerful machine than either of the two above.
CPU speed and memory are both important.
Also, get the 64-bit operating system to fully utilize your system.A dual core machine is not at all like a single core at twice the speed. For some tasks it is much more effecient (such as virus scan while simultaneously performing another task) while for others you may not get much of a performance boost. It also depends on if the program is written to use multiple cores.
Posted 3 months ago # -
ICOT, Im not getting NEW machines, they are refurb's. I just want to bump up my performance a bit. Most important (over video and music editing) is smooth video conferencing. I skype with Israel a lot and its so jarring on my computer now. Will either of those systems smooth out the picture and sound?. And good point about the virus scan. When my computer scans it is paralyzed. I cant do anything. Especially if its downloading an update. So all things considered which of the above 2 shold I choose. (unless you know of a deal for a new spiffy unit thats about 3 bills)
Posted 3 months ago # -
Bump.
Posted 3 months ago # -
deff go wit option 1 for wat u described tht ur doin 4gb ram is more then enough and also win 7 is so much better then xp tht in it self makes it worth it
Posted 3 months ago # -
Ctrl Alt Del-
First , to answer your question without editorializing: I’d get the first machine. The specs are quite similar, but the more powerful CPU and (to a lesser extent) additional memory plus larger hard drive make this a clear choice.
Verizon DSL is something I’ve used in video conferencing without a problem, so I doubt your connection speed is the issue.
Either of these two machines should have more than enough power for video chatting – I’ve even used a netbook and it worked fine.Now, the editorial:
First of all, make sure the machine you buy has a decent warranty and support. 90 days (common among refurbs) is a bit skimpy, and if you’re not comfortable working with PCs you can really get stuck with a fat repair bill. If they’re giving you a one-year warranty, that’s much better – that’s what new PCs usually come with.Second of all, a brand-new low-end PC may not cost much more than $300, especially if you’re paying tax and shipping, which many sites don’t charge.
Third point, video and photo editing will be much faster with a more powerful CPU and more memory. A 32-bit operating system won’t be able to use more than 4gb memory even if you install it. (If @300 is your limit, ignore this point.)
Posted 3 months ago # -
build your own rig.
get yourself a nice case, a nice i7 proc, id recommend the sandy bridge series, 8 gigs of ram minimum, 16 if youre doing heavy video editing, an ATI Radeon HD 6970 video card (maybe two in a crossfire array if you're rendering full HD video) and some biiiiiiig hard drives, and an SSD to run your operating system and essential software. its expensive, but trust me its worth every penny. i've built all of my computers and they work better than any stock computers ive ever used or owned.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Soleik, he is deciding between a $225 machine and a $310 one. I think your suggestion is just a bit out of his price range. Unless you are sponsoring. Maybe he should wish upon a star...
Posted 3 months ago # -
lol soliek, I had to build a computer (on paper) for my computer theory class last semester. Sandy Bridge E, 64GB RAM, 2 2TB hard disks, 512GB SSD, and nVidia GTX580. The machine (plus, of course, all my nifty peripherals) cost over $20,000. :)
Ctrl Alt Del: I don't have anything else to add except that it's really irritating to try and do graphics and video editing on an underpowered machine. If you are going to do so regularly, it's really, really worth it to spend the little extra. Wait for back-to-school or 4th of July sales. I got my laptop new at a back-to-school sale for $500 - it was over $750 before rebate and sale.
Posted 3 months ago # -
play the new york lottery--hey, you never know
Posted 3 months ago # -
I will assume you have an old type of screen invest at the same time in a new/refurbished lcd or led 22-24 thin screen for optimum viewing
Posted 3 months ago # -
They are both fine for your tasks but with 1 you wont have to upgrade in 2 years it will last you 3-4 years. Seeing how infrequently you buy a computer you might as well get a better one.
Posted 3 months ago # -
watch the sales. I got a new laptop by staples last year for about $350 with 4gb ram and either 320 or 500 gb hard drive, you can get more now for about the same money or a drop less for even less money and they are brand new not refurb.(all brand names)
Posted 3 months ago # -
Yeah, I got mine from Staples too. :) For some reason, the laptop I wanted was cheaper there than online.
Posted 3 months ago #
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