Which computer to buy????

[Bemis Pownall]

one problem with an old slow computer is that the new software takes space and ram, the digital cameras are happier with the newer boxes and OS's, one will spend hours and $ trying to keep an oldie up and running(been there done that). I am constant moving stuff around on my boxes to make more room. As cheap as computers are now buy all you can afford. When I started I spent $400 for a 400meg hard drive to hold more files. Now one can get the whole thing top of the line for $400. If you dont get a mentor you can play solitar. By spending towards your profession it shows commitment and you will be more motivated to earn enough to pay for it at least.

 

[wyecoyote]

Colin,

I agree with graindart and Dee Dee. If you are just starting out in the bizz and have not found a mentor then don't buy a PC yet. I waited until after 6 months to buy one. That was when I sorta understood enough to take files home and type them there. Any mentor should be able to provide you with a PC at the office and all the software. It will probably take some time before you can take files home with enough understanding that you don't constantly ask questions.

Like graindart stated disregard this post if you have money to burn. Myself and my partner just spent alot of money on new dells with the flat screen monitors. They are great and would recomend them. The biggest problem that I see is that if you're starting out money will be sssoooo tight, so pinch everything you can right now and save. The money you spend on a new computer if you buy outright even if it is $600 just to get a bottom of the system or as they state on the websites only $20 a month will and can go a long way in the first year or so before you start making ends meet or as some say stop the bleeding.

Ryan

P.S.

Have fun and don't get to discouraged vist this website often if you have questions or just lurk and read some of the postings.

 

[Head Surfer]

Buy middle of the road. The latest bleeding edge technology will be middle of the road in 6 months (and be priced like the middle of the road system is today) . And the very bottom of the line may not get the job done for you.

Plan to upgrade about every 3 years. It is cheaper to just upgrade the whole box than to upgrade parts. When you upgrade parts your system is only as strong as the weakest link. You can get a new box for $500 to $700 and use your existing monitor, printer, scanner, etc. Just buy a new box every 3 years and forget the upgrading in pieces. It is much easier and cheaper and the new box and the matched parts will work together much better than when you upgrade in pieces. Also you won't have to upgrade the operating system as the new system will have the latest operating system as well as other updated software.

Hope this helps. Since I like to be mobile I only use laptops.

Wayne McKerley
Current system: Compaq 2800T lap top, P4, 1.6ghz, 30GB HD, 256MB Ram, 15 inch screen, 4 hr battery, DVD-CD-RW, Windows XP, Wireless DSL internet system.