Poll: New Computer Vs Coin

LincolnCentMan · May 31, 2004 1:01PM

Strait forward... I have a five year old computer... total jaloppy. It's slow. It crashes. The keyboard locks up right in the middle of what I'm typing and the only way I can fix it is to get down and pull the plug out of the back of the computer, then plug it back in. My monitor is the standard 250 lb type of the era five years ago... well, ok, 15 lbs... big box. I just went to dell.com and to hook myself up with a sweet one complete with a nice new LCD monitor, it'd run about $1600. I could get a couple of really nice coins for my cent set for that. I know the pros and cons of the finances of the issues. The coins are a much better financial investment. The computer isnt an investment at all... total depriciation. However, it would be a "quality of life" upgrade. So... I'm gonna poll and will probably do what the majority rules... give it your best vote!

David

tjkillian · May 31, 2004 1:06PM

I don't know what "Dude, you're getting a Dell!" means, but I would seriously consider getting a new computer. With it you will avoid the frustration of an older system. They are not that expensive these days. I like coins at least as much as the next collector here, but computers can help you get more coins.

Tom

JrGMan2004 · May 31, 2004 1:10PM

Dude, don't get a Dell!!! Find a computer geek to build you a computer from parts!!! I built my own computer for $500 (Though that was without a lot of extras, and without stuff I already had) I was just pricing a computer for Cameron Kiefer and it was about $1,000 and better customized to fit his need. If all you do is surf the Internet and maybe watch movies on your computer, you don't need a super uber fast machine, IMHO. I'm pretty sure I could put together a pretty decent computer for maybe a little more than half what you'd pay to get a Dell... you just wouldn't have the warrantys and 24-hour help lines...........

kamehameha00 · May 31, 2004 1:11PM

I would get the computer if I were you.Make sure to make a backup disk of whatever you want to save if you buy the computer.And you may want to download Ad-Aware to get rid of spyware to make the computer less buggy and slow.

numobri · May 31, 2004 1:15PM

I would scale back by 40% on the PC and buy a coin with whats left.

JrGMan2004 · May 31, 2004 1:15PM

Oh, and I would definately go with a computer upgrade, over more coins for the set.... just not a Dell...

BurritoGrande · May 31, 2004 1:22PM

I would usually suggest more coins over just about anything, but the computer will be such a huge improvement. You really need to upgrade your system. If you spend any time at all on the computer, it's a definite quality of life thing. And building your own computer isn't for everyone. I know plenty of people with Dells, and they're just fine, pricewise and qualitywise, although I'd go with Gateway

ccex · May 31, 2004 1:23PM

I vote for spending $1600 on coins. If all you ned the computer to do is go online and run normal business applications, just format the hard drive, reinstall an older version of Windows (98SE or 2000) and put back only the essential applications. You might also want to add a simple RAM upgrade. Routine housecleaning is much cheaper than buying a new box which will also get bogged down. Five-year-old computers needn't go to the third world, if you have the software to make them meaninful and can ignore the software that makes them slow. You can get a flatscreen LCD monitor for $300-$400 if you have not exhausted your coin budget.

Unless new computer hardware is fun for you, or unless you need to run newer games and CAD applications, why not let your PC run as intended, until it develops hardware failures? Making a new computer meaningful to you (with your favorite applications) will consume almost as much time as making your old one faster and more stable after wiping out years of accumulated installations.

JrGMan2004 · May 31, 2004 1:24PM

NO! Gateway's even WORSE! If you're gonna get a factory made... then yes, go with Dell... if you can find a computer geek

to build a computer for you, even if you pay them some money to do it, it'll save you money...

airplanenut · May 31, 2004 1:24PM

Get a new computer... but a $1600 one seems excessive... there are good computers for only a few hundred... personally, I don't even think flat screens are all that nice...

Jeremy

nOoBiEeE · May 31, 2004 1:25PM

Get a computer but DO NOT GET A DELL!!! JRG is correct, get someone that knows how to build a computer and have them put it together for you. I built a bunch for $500-$600 that Dell or any other major retailer would sell for $1,800-$2,500.

BAJJERFAN · May 31, 2004 1:31PM

You can order a purty nice computer off the Best Buy website for half a that $1600 and have a nice puter and a nice coin.

haletj · May 31, 2004 1:35PM

I don't think you should base your decision on a coin forum vote!

p.s. I don't even have my own computer (there just happens to be one that I can use where I live).

NumisMe · May 31, 2004 1:35PM

David, get the computer, BUT, DON't get the DELL...

I build, sell and integrate computers for a living, and I have to advise you to get a new computer, but stay away from the Dell's and Gateways.
Their customer service has fallen off to near nonexistance, and I have picked up a lot of ex-Dell, and ex-Gateway customers.
I can sell you a system custom tailored to your needs, for less money, or you could look for someone in your local area to do the same.
Either way, you will be better off.
JMHO.

Ernie

JrGMan2004 · May 31, 2004 1:36PM

I just priced a computer at $1260 plus shipping, which would be about $7 each way shipped FedEx ground. And that was with WindowsXP, Office2003 and the Flatscreen Monitor. Between those 3 things is $700. A Regular monitor will cut the cost down by $200, and also if you don't need everything from MSOffice, there is a basic package for $200 less that is just Word, Excel and Outlook.

Changing out to the Basic MSOffice and to a cheap regular monitor, I dropped the price down to $874 plus shipping.

LincolnCentMan · May 31, 2004 1:38PM

Well, the computer would only be around a K. There's nothing wrong with my monitor. It's just big, bulky, and I think that the flat screen dells I've seen have much better picture qualty.

As far as the computer geek thing goes. I concider myself a computer geek, but know very little about putting internal hardware together. I dont know anyone that I'd trust to do it. I have a computer programer buddy that tried building his own computer. It was clear that hardware was not his strong point. It ended up costing him more than a factory built one would cost.... and it didnt even work. Not a scenario I want to risk. I'd rather pay the few hundred bucks extra for a factory built one. I know I'm not getting an HP. The last one I bought worked for a year, crashed a bunch of times. I took it in for work four times. Forget that, they lost my buisness forever. I havent delt with gateway, but know several people that have. None have been pleased with the product. Dell and Sony have the best consumer report ratings. Sony is more, so I figured I'd go with dell.

If I were going the cheap route, I'd probably just go get a cheap eMachine and hook it to my current monitor.... $400. Heck, even if it broke at the end of the year, I could go buy another one.... and then another one a year later.... and still be cheaper than the Dell with Monitor.

David

JrGMan2004 · May 31, 2004 1:41PM

Actually, most Flatscreen monitors are more or less Laptop monitors, and don't have near the quality of a regular CRT monitor, unless you go to the very high-end Flatscreen's now that are over $1,000

nOoBiEeE · May 31, 2004 1:49PM

<< I have a computer programer buddy that tried building his own computer. It was clear that hardware was not his strong point. It ended up costing him more than a factory built one would cost.... and it didnt even work.

If I were going the cheap route, I'd probably just go get a cheap eMachine and hook it to my current monitor.... $400. Heck, even if it broke at the end of the year, I could go buy another one.... and then another one a year later.... and still be cheaper than the Dell with Monitor.

David >>

Lol, a computer programmer building their own computer. I have yet to see a computer programmer build a computer that worked...

As for a eMachine, good luck with that. You would be better off with the one that you already have.

Do this,
Buy an ATX Case(comes with power supply in most cases), buy a Motherboard with built in: video, sound, ethernet, buy memory, buy a processor(comes with fan in most cases) and you are good to go. Thta's only 4 items you need to buy. CDRW/DVD drive and hard drive can be used from your old computer, assuming you have a CDRW/DVD drive and a decent size hard drive.

Sequitur · May 31, 2004 1:51PM

Don't go about purchasing your computer in this way.

First, go here, monitor the deal discussions, and wait for a firesale on a Dell desktop system -- you can really clean up for $500 bucks, if not less (excluding monitor). And make sure you get one of the Dell online coupons -- I get them emailed to me all the damn time and would be happy to email you the code; they get traded around on the site I just linked every day. You can save 5, 10, even 15 percent right off the top.

Unless Dell has a great package deal, purchase the monitor separately, again waiting for a spectacular flat panel deal -- it probably will cost more than the computer, but a nice monitor is worth it. Good flatpanel deals come along from time to time, and you've got to pounce when one is available. Same thing with RAM -- Staples or Best Buy, several times a year, will have great memory deals -- just max out your motherboard on RAM when one comes along. (If you don't know how to install it, well then buy it from Dell, but you will be paying an unnecessary premium.)

prooflike · May 31, 2004 1:51PM

I'm being a hypocrit here because my computer is 7 years old, but get the 'puter!

JrGMan2004 · May 31, 2004 1:52PM

<< Do this,
Buy an ATX Case(comes with power supply in most cases), buy a Motherboard with built in: video, sound, ethernet, buy memory, buy a processor(comes with fan in most cases) and you are good to go. Thta's only 4 items you need to buy. >>

Not quite...

Biggest thing in my estimate is the price of software... and even monitor... drop that, and I can easilly go $500... my computer cost me $550... $50 I didn't actually need to spend, was just an upgrade later on to play a game, $150 of that was also a piece that I bought a couple years ago, a CD-RW/DVD-Rom Combo drive... and I didn't need a monitor or software, so the computer itself only cost me about $300-$350 and I could have easilly gone cheaper...

Bochiman · May 31, 2004 1:52PM

Ok, here's my $0.02 worth....

I have built computers for myself, and others, for over 12+ years now (back when RAM cost more than a new PC these days). Go this route IF you have someone you can trust for quality parts, are willing to pay a little more, and can get quick/quality help when needed.
Don't go this way if you think it will save you money. If you don't know what you are doing, you will likely not save money doing this. You could get a crappy motherboard or ram and be troubleshooting it more than it is worth.

If you don't go around upgrading parts of your PC and you just "use" it...then a dell is fine. Out of the OEMs (and, I have worked with a lot of them in the last 8+ years), dell does make better quality parts (well, they don't exactly make them....very few OEMs actually make their own, but that is a different story).

For my uncle, I recommended a dell because I didn't want to support him....still had to help a bit but he was able to call dell and get help when needed.
When my mother's monitor (bought from dell) went out (so we though...long distance troubleshooting with a computer neophyte of a 57 year old woman), I called dell, conferenced in mom, and even though it was a little out of warranty, they gave $200+ credit for a new monitor (we made it a 15" LCD going for $415 those days). Later found out that it was the PS acting up (was a home built system so dell couldn't have helped) and the 19" monitor is still good.

Local places wanted to charge her an arm and a leg to troubleshoot it (little town 60+ miles out of Las Vegas.....where Binion hoard was). That's how they make money....they really don't make much off the PCs they build/sell....those are super low margins or loss leaders...they make it off the service.

Also, I wouldn't spend that much on a dell......unless I had to have those stats/components. They have deals offered all the time, so much so that they sell PCs for under $400->$1000 for really good ones (again, depends on the specs you need....HDD space, CPU, etc).
If you are interested, PM me for links to deal sites that have links/breakdowns on dell deals.....some out there every week.

Good luck with whatever you do, but only go for the homebuilt type if you are competent at troubleshooting, don't mind it that often, and/or can get assistance easily (phone or taking your PC in to someone else for help and being without it).

Bochiman · May 31, 2004 2:02PM

<< Don't go about purchasing your computer in this way.

First, go here, monitor the deal discussions, and wait for a firesale on a Dell desktop system -- you can really clean up for $500 bucks, if not less (excluding monitor). And make sure you get one of the Dell online coupons -- I get them emailed to me all the damn time and would be happy to email you the code; they get traded around on the site I just linked every day. You can save 5, 10, even 15 percent right off the top.

Unless Dell has a great package deal, purchase the monitor separately, again waiting for a spectacular flat panel deal -- it probably will cost more than the computer, but a nice monitor is worth it. Good flatpanel deals come along from time to time, and you've got to pounce when one is available. Same thing with RAM -- Staples or Best Buy, several times a year, will have great memory deals -- just max out your motherboard on RAM when one comes along. (If you don't know how to install it, well then buy it from Dell, but you will be paying an unnecessary premium.) >>

No offense to some of the other guys, but Sequitor is one of the few making sense. IMHO (and, PCs software/hardware is something I do know about

....unlike coins

)

First off, on the monitor....do what Sequitor suggests...I got my 20" Dell LCD for $850 1 1/2 years ago (that included tax...there was no shipping charge). My friend just got one last month, newer model, better, around the same price. I have 2 of the 17" Dell LCDs as well. Very nice. They are even cheaper now than when I got a screaming deal on them.

I believe that if you buy a dell anyway, you will get a $100 gift check, or something to that effect, in the box and can use that on the monitor.

Fatwallet is good, but has a lot of misc junk as well. try www.gotapex.com as well. They always have dell deals mentioned...every week.
Currently (and, depending on the person, this may not be good enough...for my mother, it would be if I added a little more RAM):
2.8Ghz P4, 256MB DDR SDRAM, 40GB HD, CD-Rom and CD-RW for $474 with FREE Shipping, plus FREE PDA, Digicam, or Printer!
(add in the monitor you want.....you can always switch out the HDD later, or add DVD burner or more ram...etc)

I know I can't build one that meets those specs for under $500 but I also know that I want/need more from my PC...so it wouldn't work for me anyway. But, for my mother or my uncle who use the browser, email, and MSOffice functionality as well as some others things (no game playing), it would work better than fine.

Shamika · May 31, 2004 2:03PM

Buy a Mac and say "good bye" to crashes, viruses, trojen horses, internet worms, etc. etc.

I have a 5 year old Mac and a 9 year old Mac and they both run flawlessly.

Sequitur · May 31, 2004 2:07PM

Currently (and, depending on the person, this may not be good enough...for my mother, it would be if I added a little more RAM): 2.8Ghz P4, 256MB DDR SDRAM, 40GB HD, CD-Rom and CD-RW for $474 with FREE Shipping, plus FREE PDA, Digicam, or Printer!

Bochiman, exactly. Just buy that box with decent components as cheaply as you can, and this is the type of deal that is available with minimal legwork. Get a very good monitor separately when there's a sale/rebate, and then upgrade the RAM to 1 gig when another deal is available.

Bochiman · May 31, 2004 2:11PM

Heh,

Yeah...buy a mac and say goodbye to a wider choice of software/harder and you will pay more $$$.
The benefits to it are that since Apple makes everyone do it their way or no way, the items do work very well out of the box. You just pay for the privilege. (they can do it since their marketshare is so low it isn't close to monopoly).

There are viruses out there though, don't kid yourself.....just not many virus writers want to write them for an audience of 3

solid · May 31, 2004 2:12PM

One little piece of advice - only buy the flat-screen if space is an issue!

If you have a deep desk, or don't part of it hanging off the back, you can
get a much bigger, better quality monitor for your money.

I purchased an NEC FE2111SB about six months ago and love it! It has
a 22" inch completely flat screen (20" viewable) for about the same price
as a 17" LCD.

I run mine in 1600x1200 resolution, which means less scrolling of web
pages, documents, spreadsheets, etc. It works out to something like
2.5 times more information on your screen than 1024x768 resolution.

Ken

clw54 · May 31, 2004 2:12PM

Don't spend $1600 on a computer. Build it or buy one prebuilt from a smaller store. Then you'll have money left over for coins.

nOoBiEeE · May 31, 2004 2:19PM

<< Not quite...

Biggest thing in my estimate is the price of software... >>

Buying software? Sorry that's new to me...

I haven't bought software of ANY kind since Window 98 came out. Kazaa and CD Key generators are my friends..

Oh yeah, best place to buy stuff is at MWAVE.com

66Tbird · May 31, 2004 2:30PM

I have been building comp sys's for a few years and doing clean installs for more the that. Most of time it is to speed up a Dell that is so loaded with stuff running in the background its doing about %10 of the speed it should. Dell's can be made to move, but like its been said find a geek to clean it up.

Gloating here,,,,,,,, I'm helping build a 64 bit sys for a graffic artist. It took 4 days to render a BIG picture on a brand new Dell 4600. He needed something faster. $1400 later we did it in 27hrs. We haven't even started to over clock it. After he picked his jaw up off the floor he admited he should of come to me first.

You will have tech support though and if your not into computers that alone will make it worth it.

Congratulations on the new rig.

JrGMan2004 · May 31, 2004 2:32PM

<< 

<< Not quite...

Biggest thing in my estimate is the price of software... >>

Buying software? Sorry that's new to me...

I haven't bought software of ANY kind since Window 98 came out. Kazaa and CD Key generators are my friends..

Oh yeah, best place to buy stuff is at MWAVE.com >>

Yeah...

But, if I'm going to build a computer for someone, and especially if I'm gonna get paid for it, I'm gonna do it completely legal.......

Bochiman · May 31, 2004 2:33PM

<< 

<< Not quite...

Biggest thing in my estimate is the price of software... >>

Buying software? Sorry that's new to me...

I haven't bought software of ANY kind since Window 98 came out. Kazaa and CD Key generators are my friends..

>>

Well Noobieee, that is one way to publicly state that you are all about pirating software.

Hope no one does that to the business you are in...kind of uncool if you do it for anything more than just eval (and even that is illegal). I am sure you justify it to yourself somehow.

For most people, there are legal ways to save money on software...depending on what you get. Usually doesn't save you to buy it from Compusa or bestbuy though.

The Dell (and other OEM) machines come with the operating system built-in to the price. Possibly other software as well.

100proof1957 · May 31, 2004 2:57PM

just imho
i have a 3yr old Emachine pentium 550
its a little cranky but i can live with it
no big problems
Gateway just bought E machines
My local Staples just had a nice E Machine w/ a flat panel for 400 bucks after rebates.
looked like a great deal to me.
I would go with the E-Machine or the local computer geek

Proof

Sequitur · May 31, 2004 3:36PM

Gateway just bought E machines

That's Ted Waitt's story. Truth is the guppy swallowed the whale in this "merger" -- that's why Gateway abandoned its current headquarters to move to Irvine, which just happens to be E-machines' corporate campus.

Craton · May 31, 2004 3:49PM

Dude, I just got a new Dell a few months ago and I am a much happier coin collector. My new system handles my internet coin surfing much better and it handles my coin imaging much better.
Dude, I just got another new Dell laptop last week as a credit card reward. I transfered some higher interest credit cards over to a new lower interest rate credit card. I have it hooked up to wireless and was actually able to take it all the way over to my neighbors house (two houses away) and surf the net ........ looking at coins of course

New computers made my coin collecting hobby much better.

TheDon · May 31, 2004 6:00PM

It depends on how you find the coins you want. If you have connections, go with the coin, but if you use the net to chase deals and auctions, definitely do yourself a favor and enter the new millenium of laptop mobility. I've got a Satellite and it makes the pursuit of great coins a lot easier and much more enjoyable.

Sphinx357 · May 31, 2004 6:54PM

Go with the computer. Not much I can really add, obviously the option is there to build one yourself or have a friend in the know do it for ya. I'll tell ya though you don't need to spend $1600. Unless you're a gamer, you can pretty much cut out a big videocard and soundcard purchase. If you do decide to go the build your own route, I recommend www.newegg.com. Check out the user "reviews" before buying blindly.

SPEEDracer · May 31, 2004 6:59PM

Go for a less expensive computer and buy coins with the rest.

What do you plan on doing with the Computer? If you are going to just surf the net and do basic word documents and such, you don't need a power house machine. If you are going to do a lot of gaming or heavy-duty graphics programs, then you will need a heavier system. Plus, don't be fooled into buying the top-of-the-line computer at Dell if you don't need everything. Remember that you can always go to Best Buy or somewhere and upgrade your system with larger harddrives or memory.

My 2 Cents.

Gonfunko · May 31, 2004 7:38PM

My computer is 6 months old, so I'll probably need to get a new one soon. For the time being, though, I'm buying coins. and, dude, I'm not gettin a Dell - Gateway RULES!

Sphinx357 · May 31, 2004 9:07PM

IMO buying a computer from Gateway, Dell, E-Machine, IBM etc. is equivalent to buying a coin from Coin Vault.

kranky · May 31, 2004 9:08PM

Oh, my - $1600! Buy a $700 PC and save yourself $900 instead. Regardless of where you get it.

And I'm one of those people who people ask "Would you build me a PC?" and I won't do it any more. The last two I built brought me a constant stream of phone calls asking for help with things that were self-inflicted problems. I cheerfully refer everyone to Dell because none of the people I dealt with could understand that I was not their support desk.

I only mention that in case you are thinking of asking someone to build you one. You might be proactive and mention that you won't be using them for support.

razorface1027 · May 31, 2004 9:10PM

I just sold a bunch of coins in order to get a computer to buy more coins.

Neptune · May 31, 2004 9:21PM

I will tell you off the bat - customer service for Gateway is MUCH better than Dell customer service - go with a Gateway - and skip the fancy monitor for now - you can always get one later if you need to. You mite also check your local computer shops. My computer geek guy here in the sticks has lots of nice reworked modern units for a great price.

Barry · May 31, 2004 9:54PM

If you value your time, buy a Dell, but one cheaper than $1600. Maybe support isn't what it used to be, but it's better than a no-name system with cheap parts, underpowered power supply, noisy fans, etc. that will crap out in no time, put together by a dealer that won't be there in 6 months.

UncleJoe · May 31, 2004 10:13PM

As most have pointed out get a computer but you can get one for a lot less money and still have $$$ for some coins.

The best of BOTH worlds.

Joe.

puff · May 31, 2004 10:17PM

Don't pay any attention to any of these guys...... Buy a Dell get a daughterinlaw like mine that's a computer wizzard and let her to show you how to do simple maintenance on it and let her do all the complicated stuff...

I have had my Dell for 5 years and have never had a problem with it whatsoever, and as is obvious I know doodlysquat about puters!

IrishMike · May 31, 2004 10:19PM

Some of these replies make me chuckle. Most systems I have seen put together by local suppliers are crap and they come and go. I have built machines in the past, the last two I purchased were Dell. Go with your first instinct. Pay extra for the in home warranty.

nwcs · May 31, 2004 10:21PM

Get a cheaper computer and then get the coin!

nwcs · May 31, 2004 10:26PM

<< Get a computer but DO NOT GET A DELL!!! JRG is correct, get someone that knows how to build a computer and have them put it together for you. I built a bunch for $500-$600 that Dell or any other major retailer would sell for $1,800-$2,500. >>

BTW, most of us don't want to do that for free for people anymore.

CoinGuy42 · June 1, 2004 9:57AM

David,

I'll weigh in....I think you've got to get a new CPU. I was in your shoes in January....my cpu was slow, outdated, and crashed all the time, very frustrating. If you use your cpu like I do, you've got to have a machine that meets your needs. I use mine for investing, banking, communicating with family far away and my favorite hobby....coins. Since I bought my new cpu, I am a very happy guy. Now...some here say its better to buy a made machine. Although you might save money, I prefer the tech support and warranty that comes with a new cpu. Dude, I did buy a Dell :-).....yes, perhaps I could have saved some money but a few years from now, when I need tech support to help with the inevitable problems that cpu's have....I am covered (lifetime tech support for free). If you have one built, without tech support and a warranty....it could get costly. I have been happy with my Dell and I think I got a fair deal. I am not endorsing Dell....find your best deal, but consider the warranty, tech support, etc. Good luck. Art

Lakesammman · June 1, 2004 10:03AM

Just bought a new Sony VAIO and kept my flat screen, printer, speakers, etc. Cost less than $1000 with 160Gb harddrive, 1gb Ram, DVD, etc.. I'd go with the new computer.

My monitor has 2 cords, one analog that I keep plugged into the old computer, the digital to the new computer. Makes it convenient to transition to the new computer as there are always surprises. Good luck

Edited to say, I just replaced my Dell laptop and PC with Sony and am very happy............

Poll: New Computer Vs Coin

Comments

Leave a Comment