Well you can tell when the tracks are closed. Time to jump in I guess. I'm by no means a guy-in-glasses computer geek, but for some reason I seem to be the computer guru for the entire building I work in. No extra money, just smiles.

I'm typing on a Gateway laptop PIII 600mhz, 160meg, 15" screen with all the goodies. I like Dell too. Both are very good companies. I personally like Gateway's willingness to help you with any problem. Dell is good too, but I've had better luck with Gateway. Over the last 12 years dealing with Gateway for work, the only failures have been old monitors, a motherboard, and a couple of mice. Replaced by me, of course.

Gateway and Dell are also inexpensive for what you get. I've built several machines and it seems I can't build them cheaper (with new parts) than I can buy them for. Then, you have to buy the VERY expensive software. It's just not worth it IMHO. I get these machines new from Gateway and immediately format the drive to get rid of the crap and reprogram it with what is needed. They run great and fast.

To answer your question better, the Athalon is a very good processor, and I'd have no problem at all buying one. Oh yeah, get at least 128 megs of ram and the 7,200 rpm hard drives really make a difference. Just my .02

------------------
Jim
Black '00
#1,757 built 3/30/00
Clear corners
J.L. Single program
J.L. Stage II ram-air


[This message has been edited by gforce (edited 01-14-2001).]

 

Definately go with Dell. I got a P 3 1 gig, with 32 gig hard drive. They gave me credit, overbilled me on the first bill, I complained and have never been billed again. What a great company, and the computer ain't bad either.
noelvm

 

It isn't as much the manufacturer of the machine as it is the memory ----- AND BUS SPEED!!!! It really doesn't matter how fast the CPU is if you can't get information in and out of the processor. Most CPU's in excess of 550Mhz will be faster than we are -- but a slow bus will kill you!! Go for at least 256 meg of memory, and a 7200 RPM drive

------------------
~2001 F-250, White, crew cab,PowerStroke, 4-speed Auto,3.73 Limited Slip,6 CD changer
1997 Camaro Z-28, 6-speed, 30th anniversary convertible -- my fun car

 

I confess that I hotrod my computers like I hotrod my L.

I'm running a 600e coppermine PIII @ 852 Mhz with a 142 Mhz bus and ATA66 7200 rpm drive. When I built this Intel didn't offer a chip that ran as fast.

My daughter has my old system. It's a Celeron
366 running @ 567 Mhz with a 104 Mhz bus. When I built it Intel's fastest was a 500 PIII.

I think you should be OK with Intel or AMD.

Your best system would be a custom built system if you can get with BLoGGY. If not Dell or Gateway would be your best bet. Beware of those internet service provider rebates because you have to stay with them the full length of time or you pay all or some of the money back.

Good Luck!

------------------
Later,
Chuck
Black 00
Chuck's Lightning Page

 

I bought a brand new HP computer 9 months ago. Pentium 3 processor , and whatever else it came with. (I'm FARRRRR from a Computer Guru). Don't buy HP. Either I work far too quick for the computer, or my computer just can't take 3 screen opening up at the same time. I don't know. It always ends up crashing, fatal execustion erros, and blah blah blah. The way I see it, a cutom built machine would be great. OH well, we live and learn right? Good luck on the choices.

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-Marcus M.
Email-SnakEyez60@aol.com
Black 2001 ordered and impatiently waiting.
Moderator:BLackBoLT01 <A HREF="Http://www.SVTperformance.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>

 

I have an HP. I love it. Actullay I have 2. One for a backup. old 233MMX. SLow. I have never had anyproblems. Although my next one will be custom built. Its a p3 700 256MB RAM. Nvidia DDR 32mb vid card

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Jason Beard 2000 SVT LIGHTNING Silver Frost Metallic

 

I would say if you're not technically inclined enough to build you own (and support it yourself afterwards), go with Dell. Like OfZSeries said, Dell is good enough to tell you what is inside their PC's which will be important if you ever need any support from them.

I've had bad luck with Gateway's, so I can't recommend them. They also switch internal compenents fairly often, so likely can't tell you exactly what's in your box just by the model #.

Just my .02

James

 

I'm pretty much in agreement with the rest in that Dell would be ideal with Gateway second. As for HP, Home Shopping Network, and retail stores, NEVER.

Athlon processors are good. I don't have any personal experience with them but have yet to hear negative comments either. Go for it!

I'm far from a "taped glasses and pocket protector" personality but enjoy "techy" stuff and saved myself money that will ultimately end up being spent on my L.

Supporting a machine yourself is a double-edged weapon. Depends on your experience, patients, and number of "geek" friends.

I built "Frankenstein" last month.

P3 850 MHz coppermine
Asus CUV4X Motherboard w/ 133MmHz FSB
256 Meg Ram
Maxtor 40 GB 7200 RPM drive
Maxtor 30 GB 7200 RPM drive (already had it)
Kenwood True 62X CD-Rom
HP 9200 SCSI 8X CD burner
ATI Rage 128 64meg Video
3Com NIC (NO dial-up allowed)


[This message has been edited by Speedin Bob (edited 01-15-2001).]

 

I work for SCI Systems Inc, largest electronic contract manufacturer in the world. We build most of the electronic gizmos you contact on a daily basis, but you will never see our name on it.

For PCs we build all but the Gateway, including Dell, IBM, HP, Compaq. Personally have a Dell, a HP, and a "build your own".
All of those are at the house or the biz that I have on the side. At work I have an HP Vectra.

Of all of them, I have had less trouble from the Dell, but none of them have been bad.
My first PC was a Gateway 286 in 1987. "more computer than you will ever need", with 2 meg of ram, a 286/16 processor, and a 10 meg hard drive, a 5.25 and a 3.5 floppy drives. 256K of video memory. Paid over $2300 for it, upgraded it many times, and finally gave it away 5 years ago.
Get all the PC you can afford (or lease with upgrade options) as by next month, the latest and greatest will be toast.

Rex

 

If you are reasonably computer savvy then you can build it yourself, the advantage being you know exactly what goes in it. Installing an operating system and applications and configuring everything can be a bear though.

If you just want to pull it out of the box, plug it up and go then Gateway is a good choice (Dell 2nd). The tech support from either is good, the systems are well put together and well documented.

Athlon vs Intel is a subjective debate. Athlons are as fast and cheaper clock for clock but have been known to have compatibility problems (mostly fixed). Intel is more expensive but more compatible (usually).

If you get an Athlon from Gateway it's been configured and tested so it should work fine (just ordered the wife a 950 Athlon), but if you build your own Athlon (or Intel for that matter) do some research when picking the parts (especially motherboard & video card).

 

If you're not gonna build it yourself, get a Dell. They build quality machines, but even better, they stand behind their product like nobody else in the industry. Superior customer service and support.

 

Caka:

Build your own(Intel).

I think you've got enough experience here to get you through the process and support beyond...
Sounds like trucks aren't our only forte'.

Rich

 

Tampa,

I concur

 

Not a Macintosh user in the any of the listings.

Hey, I do graphics, 3d,etc. IF that's what you do then the Mac is for you.

Get one of the new G4's 733 with 133bus and the super drive which reads and burns bot cr and DVD.

Blows away a 1.5 Ghz Pentium by half as much. Power to burn.
Power to burn cds
Power to bur dvds
Power to burn Pentiums

 

My first computer was a IBM 8086 XT it ran at about 3MHZ. I have been buying Dells for about 12 years and they have always had first rate service. They are not as flexible as they use to be. You use to be able to call out all the components and they would put it together for you. They still have a fair selection of hardware and the components are of a fairly good quality. The tip on lot of RAM is good, go for 256 meg. One more thing, I am a Dell shareholder so buy lots of them.