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Ninjam wrote on 2011-05-16 00:19
Im getting tired of laptops, sure they can be used everywhere, but mine constantly overheats and my sister tore out the d key because her facebook wasnt working.
I decided to get a desktop because of these reasons and more, but im not sure if the 500$ in high school graduation money will get me a nice gaming computer or not.
So far, im thinking no, and planning on getting a job to get another 500$ or so to make sure i can get a nice computer. After looking around for a bit, the nicest one i could find was a refurbished one with 8gb ram, quad core cpu one that looks really nice for the amount its going for.
Are refurbished computers a good deal, or should i save some more and buy something new? The seller is a store my computer technologies teacher trusts greatly but im going to ask her anyway. There is also a 3 month warranty for parts and labor so im starting to think this one is nice, but theres not much information shown about the motherboard.
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Cucurbita wrote on 2011-05-16 00:21
Sounds like a good deal for 500 dollars, but I suggest saving up a bit more.
Well, the good thing about desktops is that you can always buy new parts for it as you go. But anyways, it really is better to get a desktop rather than a laptop for most things you do.
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Ninjam wrote on 2011-05-16 00:26
The laptops are so nice for sitting in bed while playing games though, but im thinking ill get this computer if my teacher says its good.
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Cucurbita wrote on 2011-05-16 00:33
You really shouldn't get a laptop with any gaming in mind. I used to want a laptop for bed gaming but I really avoid that now.
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Yoorah wrote on 2011-05-16 00:33
I'd rather get new. 1~2 years warranty > 3 months. :| I also suggest you save up first.
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Ninjam wrote on 2011-05-16 00:35
Ah, the one im planning on getting if my teacher says its nice isnt a laptop. I think i can get a link.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364909
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Osayidan wrote on 2011-05-16 00:38
If you want to buy it now instead of saving up, make sure it has a good processor from the start, I'd say a good i7.
The rest can be crap for now. You can upgrade graphics/ram/storage later as you save up very easily.
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TA wrote on 2011-05-16 03:56
To tell you whether that's a "good deal" or not, you'd need to be more specific with the specs. Overall though, I'd say 1) don't buy a refurbished PC, and 2) wait till you have the extra $500. You'll be a lot happier with the result.
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Yoorah wrote on 2011-05-16 05:14
That's a pretty bad deal. Outdated CPU/platform, weaksauce graphics card. Don't let the 8GB of RAM number fool you--RAM is pretty cheap, this doesn't make it high end by any means.
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Ampersand wrote on 2011-05-16 06:35
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Ninjam wrote on 2011-05-16 17:09
Ahh, i though the cpu wasn't that outdated. I blame my classroom and its outdated equipment. Ive been practicing on 10+ year old motherboards. Time for more research lol.
I think it was vista, i had sorta just thought to throw a windows 7 version onto it, i mean after the problems i had with vista on this computer i think Microsoft owes me at least a free copy of windows 7. I mean, it was freaking a preinstalled copy of vista on this laptop, how can it not be a valid copy after using this computer for over 2 years fine. Ask me for the cd key to validate it? there is none, the cd is nonexistant.
Anyway, thanks for the advice, ima save up some more.
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ugonna100 wrote on 2011-05-16 17:09
i would suggest if you want a very good computer, 1000$ can easily get you that if you buy the parts and attach them yourself.
Basically build it, overall much cheaper and much more high quality because you choose your parts
Although you wotn get a warranty on your computer if you build it. and you'd have to do a lot of research before you bother trying
if you dont want to go through that, look for a good processor and powersource in a computer.
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Ninjam wrote on 2011-05-16 21:38
My original goal was to build one myself, ive recently completed a 2 year course at a vocational school on computer technologies, where i learned how to build and take apart computers and a bunch about networking basics. Im trying to find the best deal so i wanted to consider prebuilt too, though i know its usually cheaper to build it yourself.
Quick question, im looking at graphics cards now, what should i be looking for in one? Are there any good ones in the 90-100$ range? It seems my budget is increasing by the day, some of my aunts and uncles have been spending small graduation gifts of 20-50$ or so to my mom to give to me.
And i have 15 aunts and uncles.
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Yoorah wrote on 2011-05-16 21:42
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Osayidan wrote on 2011-05-18 01:11
newegg is your friend for good parts prices, but buy lots of parts at once or you may get raped on shipping. 10$ shipping on a 3$ cable, but if you have tons of items shipping out the ridiculous per-item shipping fees go away.