Funny how last week I was thinking it was time for a new desktop. The one I have is 7+ years old. It's a Dell and I've no major issues with it. This morning it locked up on me and I went to reboot and I opened the door and thought ooooo something smells hot. Opened it up and well you know how the dust bunnies collect I suspected that it was the fan,so I blew out the bunnies and let it cool off and checked to make sure the fan wasn't locked. Then I crossed my fingers and booted up. The BIOS gave me a message that it was the fan but it booted and so far the fan is working as it should but who knows for how long.
Anyway.......it's time. I thought about trying to build my own for the 1st time but now have decided to not go with that option, so I've been checking online and if you have recently made a purchase and have some recommendations, please share.
My budget....$600-800, including the monitor. I don't need any other software than the OS and I'm not sure what to go with on that one. Vista I guess, but which one? From what little I know just Vista basic is not a great option, is that correct?
Here are some of my other requirements. 1 Yr warranty on parts. 500 Gig Harddrive, at least 2 gigs of ram, more would be nice. Definitely a separate 7.1 soundcard other than integrated sound from the motherboard. A separate video card is preferable although I'm not a gamer so nothing too fancy there. DVD RW/CD RW. Slot for another Harddrive. Case that allows for upgrades if needed in the future. The monitor, flatscreen...best I can get for the bucks.
Also can someone tell me....please that MS Office XP works with Vista?
I checked online at Dell.......Gateway and a few other places but the problem I'm having is that in my price range the soundcard and video cards are integrated into the motherboard.
Anyone offer any suggestions?
Thank you!
Anyway.......it's time. I thought about trying to build my own for the 1st time but now have decided to not go with that option, so I've been checking online and if you have recently made a purchase and have some recommendations, please share.
My budget....$600-800, including the monitor. I don't need any other software than the OS and I'm not sure what to go with on that one. Vista I guess, but which one? From what little I know just Vista basic is not a great option, is that correct?
Here are some of my other requirements. 1 Yr warranty on parts. 500 Gig Harddrive, at least 2 gigs of ram, more would be nice. Definitely a separate 7.1 soundcard other than integrated sound from the motherboard. A separate video card is preferable although I'm not a gamer so nothing too fancy there. DVD RW/CD RW. Slot for another Harddrive. Case that allows for upgrades if needed in the future. The monitor, flatscreen...best I can get for the bucks.
Also can someone tell me....please that MS Office XP works with Vista?
I checked online at Dell.......Gateway and a few other places but the problem I'm having is that in my price range the soundcard and video cards are integrated into the motherboard.
Anyone offer any suggestions?
Thank you!
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