Anyone have computer-buying advice?
Oct. 20th, 2007 02:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ghost2My computer died last night. She was over nine years old and still on her original mousepad, keyboard, and monitor. She was vastly outdated years ago, but I kept plugging along with her. Today I am using a computer at the local college to get online, though that I can't do that all the time. It just isn't feasible. Anyway, maybe I can squeeze together around $500 and buy a low-end replacement from Best Buy. A new computer in the cheapest price range would probably be capable of much more than my ancient girl was. But I need advice!
On starting my computer last night, I got the message "Disk I/O error. Replace the disk, and then press any key." I tried rebooting several times, both last night and this morning, with the same results. The hard drive is probably gone, yes? And in a computer of this age, I figure it's not worth replacing. I'm lucky she lasted nine years! And she picked a good time to die on me. At least it's not winter. And hmm, my birthday is next month. Maybe a relative will take pity and contribute to my effort to buy a replacement. (But not the clueless jerk who said, upon learning of this disaster, "Those things are supposed to last 20 years!" Thanks for the sympathy, jackass!)
As for what I need, I use my computer almost exclusively for going online. My old one could not write DVDs or CDs; I definitely want the new one to be able to do that! I don't care about graphics or gaming or word processing. I neither need nor want a huge monitor (my current one of 15 inches suits me just fine).
Does it seem feasible that I could get a decent computer for $500 or less? Anything I should know before going shopping? Any stupid mistakes to avoid? Advice in general?
On starting my computer last night, I got the message "Disk I/O error. Replace the disk, and then press any key." I tried rebooting several times, both last night and this morning, with the same results. The hard drive is probably gone, yes? And in a computer of this age, I figure it's not worth replacing. I'm lucky she lasted nine years! And she picked a good time to die on me. At least it's not winter. And hmm, my birthday is next month. Maybe a relative will take pity and contribute to my effort to buy a replacement. (But not the clueless jerk who said, upon learning of this disaster, "Those things are supposed to last 20 years!" Thanks for the sympathy, jackass!)
As for what I need, I use my computer almost exclusively for going online. My old one could not write DVDs or CDs; I definitely want the new one to be able to do that! I don't care about graphics or gaming or word processing. I neither need nor want a huge monitor (my current one of 15 inches suits me just fine).
Does it seem feasible that I could get a decent computer for $500 or less? Anything I should know before going shopping? Any stupid mistakes to avoid? Advice in general?
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no subject
Date: 2007-10-20 07:49 pm (UTC)Most computers come with a DVD burner standard these day. Looking at Best Buy's basic computers, all of them are below that price. Just make sure you get a setup with a monitor because monitor connections have changed and your old monitor isn't likely to work without an adaptor...if you can even find one.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-20 08:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-25 06:24 pm (UTC)Tiger Direct is great. If you don't have one in your area maybe you can find a new
TARDIScomputer on their web site.no subject
Date: 2007-10-26 08:59 pm (UTC)And yeah, I guess it does kind of feel like the death of a TARDIS. I had that computer for so long, and I loved her even though she was so outdated. But I'll love the new computer, too. :)