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If you've been thinking about, dreaming about or
even wishing for a new computer, now is the time
to buy!
Prices have never been lower and I've discovered
that it's probably cheaper to buy a new box than
to upgrade an old clunker. In fact, after a quick
search around the Internet, I've found Pentium 4
1.6 ghz and Athlon 1800 machines for less than $500
without hard drives and monitors. And, if you have
a phobia about popping the top off your computer,
you can get one of those computers, including the
hard drive, for less than $700.
Now, I'm not telling you to rush out and buy the
latest and greatest 2.2 ghz barn burner. As the
esteemed Richard Simmons clone on the right says,
you may not need all that power. But, what you should
do is sit down and analyze why you need a new computer
and then buy what fits your needs that you can afford.
Although buying "off-the-shelf" isn't
as gratifying as building it yourself and bragging
about it, it will save you big bucks in labor and
aggravation in the long run. In fact you may even
save a buck or two. In fact, even a minor upgrade
may be more expensive. Here's an example.
Let's say you have an old Pentium II machine with
128 mb of memory and you want to be able to run
the latest and greatest software. You need to upgrade
the processor ($299 for a 1 ghz Evergreen Performa),
video card ($399 for the new Nvidia 3) and memory
($28 for 128 mb of SDRAM). That's already more than
$700 -- the price of a complete 1.6 ghz Pentium
4 machine!
Do yourself a favor. Buy, buy, buy!
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To buy or not to buy, that is the question. And
you know what!?!? I have the answer!
Don't even read the knucklehead's article over
there on the left. This is the only one you need
to read. Why? Because I have more hair.
Computers nowadays are running at speeds up to
2.2 ghz. That's pretty darn fast, but the real question
is do you really need all that speed?
Maybe if you're a graphic artist or musician or
maybe even one of them hardcore gamers, but for
the rest of us, all we need is a machine that runs,
connects to the internet and allows us to access
adult oriented material.
If you want more out of your computer, I suggest
upgrading the internals of it. Buy a new graphics
card. Throw in some new speakers. Add a cable modem.
It really depends on what your needs are.
If you have a Pentium 800 like I do and you like
to play games like I do, buy an NVIDIA 3 graphics
card, add a cable modem and bingo bango you have
a system that meets your needs. Not one that exceeds
them. If you don't take advantage of the full potential
of your machine then what good is it?
Do what I do. Build the system yourself. If you'd
like advice on what to buy or how to install certain
components, visit our TechBoard*
and either the knucklehead or I will get back to
you.
It's just not worth buying the latest and greatest.
Processor speeds double every 2 years and it's too
tough to keep up with the technology. I still have
a Compaq lunchpail with 5 1/4" drives as well
as an electric typewriter. Hey, they work!
* Nobody's using the Techboard.
It might as well be you. |
