Advice? Reviews? Opinions?

[averygoodun42]

Geoff and I are figuring that our next major purchase, assuming nothing breaks in the house, will be a computer. One that doesn't take two to five minutes to think about opening any program, let alone completing a request/order.

We are not gamers (except for crosswords and the like), so we're not looking at high-end stuff. My main requirements are that the computer can run firefox, open office/Word and gimp, preferably all at the same time, though I'm willing to do two out of three. I'd also like a faster internet connection (maybe 100Mbps? Geoff's laptop has that...) and a decent video/graphics card so that I can watch youtube videos as I listen to them and such.

And it has to cost less than $500.

This looks good to me. We don't need a new monitor but for an extra $30, I'm willing to splurge on a flatscreen! (If that deal still exists when we have saved up the money.)


So my question: Do you, oh knowledgeable flist, know good or bad things about this computer, company or its components? I've looked through the reviews, and it seems like the good outweighs the bad, especially as we are NOT gamers (or working on insane mathematical models) and don't need a spiffy spaz of a machine. But if you know of a better computer for about the same price, I am all ears.

Thank you!

Comments

[kribu.livejournal.com]

I have to admit I didn't even know Compaq Presarios were made any more - figured that was over once HP acquired Compaq. Shows what I know. *g* In any case, I had a Compaq Presario .. oh, some 10 years ago, and it was quite OK. And it was always considered a rather respectable brand, I think; not the absolute top, but decent everyday computers.

The specs look decent. It will certainly be more than good enough for Internet browsing, picture editing and any Office applications. Although I don't know how Windows 7 will work with any older programs you might have and want to run on it.

Just make sure the warranty's good. If it has any serious issues, those tend to show up right away. Not that longevity could ever be promised - any computer part can fail or just wear out in a few years. :-S

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

As I'm not looking for the top (in computers and cars, it's rather pointless unless you need it for work), I'm glad to hear this is a decent brand.

I've heard mixed things about the 64-bit Windows 7, but I figure that I can always upgrade to Professional if I find that essential programs aren't working anymore.

Yes, the dreaded infant mortality. Computers and cars are very much alike. They need to be maintained and parts replaced for functionality every few years. Expensive, but pretty much necessary. (In the US, anyway, cars are essential if you don't live in a city with public transport.) :-(

Thank you!

[kribu.livejournal.com]

I didn't even notice the part about it being 64-bit. Hmm. I could see problems there if you have an older printer (or other external device). You'd need to make sure you can get a proper driver. (And I don't think upgrading would help with that issue.) Otherwise it shouldn't be a problem, hopefully.

I don't know much about 64 bit platforms to be honest - I've been avoiding them as I've always been a bit worried that nothing else at home (printer, scanner, external hard drive) won't work with it.

They need to be maintained and parts replaced for functionality every few years.

Sadly, yes. Although with computers, the problem tends to be worse, in the sense that if something's more than two years old, unless we're talking about a new hard drive or DVD drive, replacing might just not be possible - say you want/need to replace (or add) either memory or the processor, and this might well mean having to replace the motherboard, all memory and the processor as you just can't get compatible parts any longer.

Which pretty much means that you can keep the hard drive (maybe) and the case and replace everything else .. at which point it would be easier and possibly cheaper to just get a whole new computer. :-S

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

The upgrade to Professional means that you can use the old things through WIndows XP-mode. Or something. I'm not very clear on this, nor am I very computer literate.

And yeah, I know about the difficulty of replacing or adding stuff. The machine we're currently using is so old that even the adapters to replace things are few and far between. Granted, this is a dinosaur at about 10 years of age. The reason we aren't getting new parts for our newer computer shell (it's only four or five years old)is because it's cheaper to get a whole new computer. :-P

All part and parcel of our disposable lifestyle we Americans coveted for so long.

[kribu.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the upgrade should help with any general software issues. Not with drivers though, as that's a bit more to do with hardware, and the difference between 32 and 64 bit platforms is quite on another level than the difference between Windows XP and 7.

It's why I wouldn't look at a 64 bit system if it should turn out that I will, in fact, need to get mum a new computer - our printer's a few years old and will need to work through her computer (I've got no place where to put it), and I really doubt it would work with a 64 bit system.

All part and parcel of our disposable lifestyle we Americans coveted for so long.

Indeed. :-/ And what with the computer industry being what it is, the rest of the world doesn't exactly have any choice but to be just as disposable with this particular issue.

(It's also why I'm not really considering seeing if mum's can get fixed - if I can't figure it out on my own, it would be (a) far too much hassle to get it to the repair place, as it's in the other end of town, and dragging a computer by bus, there and back again, is rather hard if one isn't a strong man, and (b) it's a good three years old if not more and would really need a bit more power anyway, which, once again, would mean replacing pretty much everything inside. Hence, easier to get a new computer. :-S)