Dollie, I suggest that you look at the last year's issues of PC 
Magazine, PC World, and Consumer Reports to educate yourself on what is 
available at what cost and to help you decide what exactly it is you 
need and how much any given feature is worth to you.  These magazines 
are usually available at a library.  Trips to the Dell, Gateway, HP, 
Circuit City, Best Buy, etc web sites or visits to their stores will 
help you see what the features cost.

Given a choice between a laptop and a desktop, I would ALWAYS choose the 
desktop.  The laptop is good for one - and only one - thing: it is 
portable.  The desktop is better in all other regards: initial cost, 
reliability, upgradability, cost to repair (and no overpriced battery to 
replace!), and so on.  In addition to my desktop, I own a very nice 
laptop, but it runs hot on my lap.  I have to use a piece of wood 
between it and my legs.  (Not all laptops run that hot, but mine is a 
high-performance one.)  For desktops, reliability is not usually an 
issue.  Once they get through the first three months of use, they will 
usually last for years with an occasional part failing, provided they 
are kept cool.  But it is hard to keep the inside of a laptop cool, 
since it is so small.  So, unless you actually need your computer to be 
portable (such as a college student who needs to take the computer to 
class and lab; or a businessperson who needs to work on the plane or 
train), don't even consider one.

One thing that I strongly urge you to do if you can: visit a small, 
independent shop that will build you a computer out of generic parts. 
It may cost you a bit more in the short run, but, when you need to 
repair it, you are likely to save a good deal of money.  Upgrades are 
almost impossible on the name brand computers as they usually use 
proprietary parts - nothing else will fit.  Furthermore, you can have 
the shop-built computer custom-built to your needs.  And repaired right 
there, locally, if need be.  Of course, not all small towns have such a 
shop convenient to its denizens.


HTH

Dean Kukral


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dollie Scercy" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Recommendations


Sorry bout that, I should have been more specific.  The budget is not
unlimited, but we could spend up to $1500, maybe more.  A good value at 
less
money is welcome as well.  She likes to surf the Internet and my 7 year 
old
grandson likes to play some computer games.  But I don't believe they 
are
highly graphic.  He has to use the game CD to play them.  From what I 
have
heard about Vista, I think we would like to stay with XP, which she is 
also
more familiar with.  She watches movies with her TV & DVD player so 
that's
not a issue.  She prefers the laptop but I have been trying to persuade 
her
to change to a desktop.  I would like for her to have a system that is a
good value for the money spent.  Thanks! Dollie

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 8:50 PM
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Recommendations

Dollie wrote:
>Does anyone have any recommendations of a good "right-out-of-the-box"
setup>>


Depends entirely on what she wants to do with it. Gaming computers, 
video,
watching HD movies, etc all have entirely different requirements.

Even the choice of operating systems is highly significant. Vista in all
its glory requires about double the processing and memory power than XP, 
so
that bumps up the price.

It would help if you indicated what sort of budget she has. Laptops have
severe limitations compared with desktops.
But, of course, they also have some obvious advantages.

"Good" is in the eye of the beholder.

Don Penlington

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