Best Desktop Computer?

February 29, 2008 11:28 AM

Help me buy a new computer.

I am currently leaning towards a desktop package at a local retailer that looks about right for me. HP M8300F running Vista with Dual core AMD 6000+, 3 Gigs RAM, 640 Gig Hard Drive. Packaged with HP W1907 monitor and HP 4180 printer, all for $900 plus tax, which is about what I want to spend. I might upgrade to the HP 2007 monitor for $50.

Your experience with HP vs. other brands? How would you spend $1000 on a desktop system differently, given the same basic needs?

posted by weapons-grade pandemonium to computers & internet (19 comments total)

For desktops, I've had good experiences just going to local shops and have them custom-build something for me. It's usually a lot cheaper than buying a brand name computer, and if you have any problems you can just take it over to their shop. You could call up local computer shops and ask what their deals for $1000 are, and compare specs.
posted by pravit at 11:36 AM on February 29

Can't really say anything about the model you're looking at, but I've had an HP for 6+ years and it's been fabulous, not a single problem with it, even when I installed XP over Win98 it still worked (and works) great, not slow at all.
posted by Melismata at 11:37 AM on February 29

If you're planning on upgrading to extend the machine's lifespan, you might steer away from the big resellers and towards either building your own or using a company that builds from industry-standard components.

Right now, I have a Dell 2.4GHz P4 machine with AGP graphics. It's okay, but Portal and HL2 are choppy, especially since I switched to a widescreen monitor so I can't just run them at 1024x768 any more. At least, not easily.

I'd like to just swap out the motherboard, chip, and get an PCIe video card. But I can't, because Dell uses nonstandard power supply inputs on their motherboards (at least from then), so the only thing I can do with a new motherboard is fry it. Annoying. And even then, I can't be sure that a standard motherboard and its peg-supporty thingies will fit in the Dell case.

Or, I could just get a faster AGP card. But I can't, because the power supply is weak. And I can't swap out the power supply because if I plug in a normal power supply, it will fry the motherboard.

Etc etc etc. It's frustrating to see all these avenues for upgrading denied to me, especially when making upgrades to biscotti's homemade AMD box is dead fucking easy.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:47 AM on February 29

The big question is what you're wanting to do with the computer. If gaming or 3D graphics of any kind are important to you, you'll be seriously lacking with this computer. The video adapter is suitable for basic Windows usage, but not much else. Of course, with the open PCI Express slot, you can always upgrade down the road.

My experience with HP has been good, but if I was spending $1,000 on a desktop for myself, I'd build from scratch with parts/components purchased from a vendor like NewEgg. If that's not something you're comfortable doing, is there someone who would help you out for a case of beer or something like that?

Your money goes farther when you're not buying a vendor's system. And you can customize to get exactly what's important to you.

All that said, if you're not looking for extreme 3D performance or some other special need, then this is probably a computer that would hold up well for a while.

And I'd definitely suggest going the extra $50 for the larger display. The larger screen size is nice, but the higher resolution is the kicker. You'll be able to put more on screen at one time -- the increase in resolution is significant between those two displays.
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 11:53 AM on February 29

My HP monitor died in about 14 months. I am not impressed at all with the quality of the HP monitor and next time I will probably buy everything separately. I got the HP as part of an HP bundle with a rebate if 3 components were purchased.
posted by 45moore45 at 12:06 PM on February 29

This just in: My local tech guru (who built my previous computers) has been very slow getting a quote back to me, so I've been trying to light a fire under him. He just sent me this quote (no monitor or printer):

Asus P5N-MX Socket 775 Motherboard, 2 DIMM (Upgrade to Asus P5N-D; $110; 4 DIMM, SLI, Faster Chipset)
Intel Core 2 Duo 6550R 1333MHz FSB CPU
Chenbro ATX Mid Tower w/400w Power Supply
Asus GeForce 8800GT 512MB PCI-E Video card
2GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM (2 x 1GB)
LG 20x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive
320GB Western Digital 7200 RPM S-ATA II Hard Drive (Add $35 for 500GB)
Integrated 8 Channel 3D Sound
3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Drive
Microsoft Keyboard & Optical Mouse
Microsoft Windows XP Home or Vista Home Basic OEM
Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Internal Memory Card Reader
Onsite System Delivery.
3 Year Parts & Labour Warranty on System Unit. Warranty is handled onsite.

Subtotal $ 1175.64
EHF $ 10.00
GST $ 70.54
PST $ 82.29
Total w/taxes $ 1339.77

How does this compare? I don't really need more RAM or Hard drive than this, and my son will like the faster video card for gaming.

My Tech guy likes Samsung LCD monitors. Any recommendations from MeFites?
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 12:29 PM on February 29

1300+ for a PC with Vista Basic? As far as a comparison goes, the custom-built has a better processor and video card, but less RAM. While the video card is beefy and the processor is good, you referenced "basic needs" in your OP.

What will you (and anyone else with access to the PC) use the PC for?

For a family member, I recommended this Gateway 9500.

Specs:
2.2 ghz AMD Phenom
3 gigs of RAM
ATI Radeon 2400XT video card
500 gig HD

The tower is $750. BB also has 19" monitors starting just under $200. That seems to be in range with your price points. In comparison to the HP, this has a better processor and a better video card. Keep in mind that Vista needs a strong video card to be responsive.
posted by Psionic_Tim at 12:38 PM on February 29

I had my last desktop machine built by these folks these folks. The inside of this computer is a work of art; the cleanest looking computer interior I've ever seen aside from a desktop Mac. All components are top of the line.

When I added up the cost or putting a computer together myself to the specs I needed, they weren't a whole lot higher, so I had them build and test it.

For me another big reason to have one built was that they installed only the software I wanted; no adware, no Norton, no trial versions of anything, etc. This alone is something to consider.

I'll have them built my next one if I don't end up going back to Macs.
posted by imjustsaying at 12:46 PM on February 29

HP, as a brand, is fine. If you've found a machine you like (for whatever reason), just get it. No doubt someone could show you something that has more bang-for-the-buck, whatever you decide to get.

I build my own machines for fun but nowadays it makes as much economic sense to do that as it would to build my own car. The only advantage to building a machine from scratch or having someone build one for you is that you can upgrade it without your spouse knowing you are wasting money on another computer.

I'm not sure I would buy another desktop machine, in general, however. You can get a pretty good laptop for $900 these days. The last computer I bought (last August) was a macbook - first Mac I have owned and I love it (because I like the color).
posted by thomas144 at 12:53 PM on February 29

"Your experience with HP vs. other brands?"

HP was bought out by Compaq, canned a bunch of the engineers, and the quality subsequently dropped like a rock to match Compaq's. I wouldn't touch one with someone else's ten foot pole.

"How would you spend $1000 on a desktop system differently...?"

Order from newegg and build it. It's not a difficult procedure even for the uninitiated, though you should set aside a few hours to try to do things properly your first time. You get the advantages of knowing it has been done right, and knowing exactly what's inside, rather than buying mystery meat from a box vendor that builds things with whatever's cheap.

"Total w/taxes $ 1339.77. How does this compare?"

That sounds high.
posted by majick at 1:00 PM on February 29

I'd like to just swap out the motherboard, chip, and get an PCIe video card. But I can't, because Dell uses nonstandard power supply inputs on their motherboards (at least from then), so the only thing I can do with a new motherboard is fry it.

Well, you can get a new case (with power supply) and power supply on newegg for just $29. of course that's not so much an "upgrade" as it is a "replacement", but you can still scavenge old parts. I'm looking at getting a cheap AM2 system from Newegg and the entire thing (motherboard with video and sound, cpu, case, PSU, RAM, and hard drive) costs less then $260. The main goal is to get a 64 bit machine for doing some experimental programming, rather then a regular use machine.

Along with With a 24 inch monitor (which I will use with my old PC) the whole thing comes in at under $750.
posted by delmoi at 1:09 PM on February 29

Seconding what pravit, ROU_Xenophobe, ElDiabloConQueso stated.

It's really important to know what you would like to with this computer.

Being able to upgrade and control your computer hardware is a big plus, a benefit you won't really find with Big Name systems. Going your own route will usually net you higher-overall quality of hardware.

However, if you're not that type of person, and you don't play video games. The machine has decent specs. You should definitely take that monitor upgrade!

As for it being an HP... Frankly, I have been seeing a declining quality of all their products.
I work at a University maintaining computers for one of the colleges, the older HP's are still pretty solid, the newer ones die left and right. It's kind of ridiculous. The seem to be making the same mistakes Dell made several years ago. However, like previous posters have stated, some of them run great.

Vista is the only deal-breaker for me... but that is a matter of personal opinion.
Although, I hear the Media Center is actually pretty cool.

/linux guy
posted by FBXRD at 1:37 PM on February 29

I've been building computers for the last 10 years for myself and others. For the last couple years I've been referring everyone wanting computer purchasing advice to Tech Bargains. The left sidebar has 2 particularly great links:

Dell Smart Deal Desktops
More Desktop Deals

If someone wants a computer suggestion I figure out what type of computer user they are (gamer, browser, poweruser, etc), browse these 2 links for 10m maybe, and find a great deal for them.

You could spend days finding a perfect deal and possibly save a little more. With margins so low anymore, I recommend against building unless it's someone who will be gradually upgrading or if they need a specific machine/component not readily available in a retail computer.
posted by Kupo? at 1:41 PM on February 29

When I don't build a system myself, I usually buy from NCIX. I'm not sure where in Canada you are, but NCIX has a bunch of locations in the Vancouver area. They've got a couple decent pre-built systems around $950 that you can customize however you like.
posted by jjb at 2:08 PM on February 29

Puget Custom Computers or PCs For Everyone are some of the many custom builders. Buying an HP or a Dell or any other name brand name computer means you are getting low-quality ram, motherboard, hard drive, paying for things you don't need and missing out of things you do. Built it yourself, get what you want, choose quality components. You will save money and come out with a much better system.
posted by sophist at 3:21 PM on February 29

I have two matching Samsung 24-inch monitors (245BW) at home, and they're very very nice. I've used thirty or forty LCD monitors at various client sites in the last few years, in various places, and Samsung has consistently been the best of the 'cheap' brands, in my experience.
posted by rokusan at 5:53 PM on February 29

This is all very helpful info. Thanks.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 7:07 AM on March 1

I bought an HP Pavilion Elite m9150f in January and am very happy with it. It replaced a 5-year-old HP system which was still working fine.

I like the idea of buying local, but I don't understand how small shops can possibly compete on price.
posted by lukemeister at 9:35 AM on March 1

Case in point: I just checked Costco.ca, and they have this system on sale for $999. Includes 22 inch monitor.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:39 AM on March 1