Is there a market for custom built computers sold through an independent person, versus Dell or HP?
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posted by trogdole
on May 18, 2013 -
30 answers
Today is the last day to buy Windows 8 (specifically, upgrade) at the discount price of $40. Is it worth it?
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posted by Auden
on Jan 31, 2013 -
30 answers
I would like a small new desktop PC. I would like it to be faster in Lightroom. I would like to spend as little money as humanly possible. What's my best strategy?
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posted by selfnoise
on Aug 12, 2012 -
14 answers
How can I take my expensive desktop computer with me to move when I am flying? If I were driving, I'd just put the desktop tower in my car.
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posted by AppleTurnover
on Jun 26, 2012 -
28 answers
My work provided us with Lenovo Thinkpad X220 Tablets. I'm looking for software that could possibly replace the Windows 7 desktop and make the touch screen easier to use. The caveat is that I need to be able to get back to the Windows 7 desktop.
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posted by crios
on Apr 8, 2012 -
2 answers
My IT Help Desk is stumped - can you help me? My computer is making what I can only describe as a
hardware beep that I can't turn off. Muting Windows and disabling all system sounds doesn't work. Yet the beep only happens when I do certain things with the software - at first, it was only when trying to save a document into my virtual system in Word, but recently it's every time an email arrives in Outlook, which is just awful. This didn't used to happen, but once, many months ago, I accidentally pressed a random combination of keys and it started. I have no idea how to turn it off - and neither do the IT people. System details inside.
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posted by Dasein
on Feb 17, 2012 -
10 answers
Desktop computer smelled like smoke- now will not power on. Already changed Power supply?
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posted by l2yangop
on Jun 2, 2011 -
12 answers
Looking to build a Intel Sandy Bridge Windows 7 machine that will primarily function as a centralized repository for mp3s, movies, and photos. Anyone have any hardware recommendations?
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posted by decrescendo
on May 31, 2011 -
5 answers
After fifteen years of using a laptop and monitor as my desktop, I'm strongly considering switching over to dual-computer life, trading in my trusty MacBook Pro for a Mac Pro at work, and a MacBook Air at home / on the road. Are there non-obvious (i.e., beyond Dropbox and MobileMe) services, software, or best practices that would make wrangling two computers less of a disaster?
posted by thomascrown
on Feb 21, 2011 -
8 answers
Netbook/Windows Starter 7 question: What is the filename (and path) for the default, non-changeable background (wallpaper) image? Can I just save what I want as that file and have it use that instead?
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posted by fiercecupcake
on Oct 20, 2010 -
6 answers
Should I build a new desktop machine or should I build nothing more than Network-Attached Storage? Details inside...
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posted by decrescendo
on Aug 8, 2010 -
11 answers
Weird internet blockage—problem resolved, but mystery remains. Macintosh and Time Warner cable internet inside…
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posted by klangklangston
on May 13, 2010 -
3 answers
I'm going to buy a new desktop computer. My budget is up to $1,000. My basic requirement is that it must play Starcraft 2 on high settings at 60fps. Where do I start reading / from where do you recommend I buy? How do I learn to distinguish between the seemingly millions of similarly named video cards, ram configurations, Phenoms and i7s, and more importantly how I can
maximize the gaming bang for my buck? A friend of mine said that at my price point, I'm best to go with a Dell, getting Dell to install a better video card if possible?
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posted by demagogue
on May 10, 2010 -
23 answers
I am moving across the country in a few weeks. I had these two VERY old desktop computers that I have completely taken apart. Now I have this box full of hard drives, boards, wires, etc. I want to dispose of them securely...
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posted by eric1200
on Mar 26, 2010 -
12 answers
I do a fair amount of photo/video editing and would like to step things up with some new equipment. I'm going to replace my overheating, broken screen hinge laptop with a desktop and monitor, but I know nothing about gigs and ram and video cards. Any other suggestions regarding photo storage, organization, and editing software are welcome.
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posted by defreckled
on Mar 22, 2010 -
7 answers
Swapping my laptop for a desktop and monitor instead of selling? My plans have changed, and my laptop and furniture are not working together well and causing me pain.
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posted by StrikeTheViol
on Dec 26, 2009 -
5 answers
In lieu of buying a tricked-out MacBook pro, I'm thinking about taking the advice in this
comment and picking up a mostly equivalent, Windows-based desktop for around $500. Can you give me advice?
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posted by niles
on Aug 22, 2009 -
10 answers
I need a new computer--a desktop--but I don't know what kind of expectations to have for a new machine versus my 5-year-old computer. Is whatever's on special gonna impress me?
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posted by misanthropicsarah
on Jul 27, 2009 -
24 answers
After 5+ years of working remarkably well, my desktop is finally giving out in multiple places, and it's time to move on. I use my desktop as an always-on computer, though, so I'd like to get something low-power.
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posted by devilsbrigade
on Apr 16, 2009 -
5 answers
ComputerBuildingFilter: As my home PC just recently kicked the bucket, I'm looking into building my own PC for the first time, and I want to make sure the parts I'm looking at buying are compatible.
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posted by Grither
on Nov 25, 2008 -
16 answers
BuildMyComputerFilter: I want a new desktop. Tiny, affordable, more specs below the fold.
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posted by billtron
on Nov 20, 2008 -
14 answers
Can I extend the life of my aging Dell XPS desktop by means of a processor swap? Details within.
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posted by killdevil
on Jun 5, 2008 -
13 answers
What are some creative things I can use an extra desktop for? The computer is big, loud, and hot, so I keep it in the pantry with a wireless adapter and access it via SSH or remote desktop.
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posted by lpctstr;
on Aug 6, 2007 -
10 answers
Should I stick with my last July G4 iBook, buy a MacBook or an iMac or wait for untold delights?
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posted by dance
on Aug 10, 2006 -
12 answers
Looking for something for Windows and/or Mac OS X that allow you to invoke or otherwise mark off an area at the side of the screen with only widgets/applets/chiclets/whateverlets in them. It should be different from, say, the OS X dock, in that it should claim its screen real estate fully -- no letting things slide under it or over it, windows that bump up against it should recognize its edge and stop.
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posted by namespan
on Apr 13, 2006 -
4 answers
Is there a way to tell those fancy desktop search engines like Google or Copernic, to NOT index the contents of any file on my PC?
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posted by Oneirokritikos
on Feb 11, 2006 -
9 answers
My 2001 Dell Dimension 2100 desktop is making this incredibly scary and irregular grinding noise. This sounds way more serious than a fan having some issues, but I'm no expert. Help.
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posted by mdonley
on Jan 1, 2006 -
9 answers
I need help finding a desktop background - from a site that had some amazing options. [MI]
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posted by fionab
on Dec 10, 2004 -
9 answers
