Need New PC recommendations/info

I'm looking for a PC w/at least a 3.4Mhz processor, 1
Gig RAM, 128 Meg Vid. RAM and 80 gig hard drive. A 2nd 10k RPM 80 gig
HD would be nice but I think it'd be cheaper to by that on aftermarket
& install it. I'd also want a 17 or 18" LCD. I'm looking to spend
$1400ish.

The machine will be used for surfing, VHS video capture to transfer to
DVDR w/some light video editing and maybe some gaming. My main concern
is that I'm disabled and want to use Dragon Dictate to
navigate/control windows as well as dictate. On my current 1Mhz Dell
w/360k RAM Dragon isn't very fast when using it to navigate Win 2k.
Its pretty good but I'd want something faster if I were to use DD all
the time. Based on my usage, do the specs I'm looking for sound
appropriate? Any idea if Dragon would work better w/less RAM but a
faster processor or vise-versa? I ask because of tradeoffs I may have
to make due to lo budget.

Also, what's the best chipset to look for or is it very important? And
is XP Home
or XP Pro the better OS?
At Dell.com I can get a system w/
3.40GHz, 800FSB,
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (4x256M)
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
17 in 1704FPT Ultrasharp™ Digital Flat Panel Display
128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon™ X300 SE
for $1408.00 w/free shipping. I've shopped around a lot and it seems
like
a good deal. I'd love to be able to build my own at sites like
sysbuilder.com
or cpusolutions.com but they seem a bit pricey.

Sorry for rambling. Thanks for your help!


Dan

Remove NOSPAM from address when replying

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:40:19 -0500, Dan
wrote:

I'm looking for a PC w/at least a 3.4Mhz processor, 1
Gig RAM, 128 Meg Vid. RAM and 80 gig hard drive. A 2nd 10k RPM 80 gig
HD would be nice but I think it'd be cheaper to by that on aftermarket
& install it. I'd also want a 17 or 18" LCD. I'm looking to spend
$1400ish.

The machine will be used for surfing, VHS video capture to transfer to
DVDR w/some light video editing and maybe some gaming. My main concern
is that I'm disabled and want to use Dragon Dictate to
navigate/control windows as well as dictate. On my current 1Mhz Dell
w/360k RAM Dragon isn't very fast when using it to navigate Win 2k.
Its pretty good but I'd want something faster if I were to use DD all
the time. Based on my usage, do the specs I'm looking for sound
appropriate? Any idea if Dragon would work better w/less RAM but a
faster processor or vise-versa? I ask because of tradeoffs I may have
to make due to lo budget.

Id say AMD since Im an AMD booster like most here but since you are
disable I think you should go for a DELL package. Someone else asked
about it and when I looked it up last week or so there were deals at
DELL with rebates and discounts - a $1700 system down to 1400 which
had a 17 LCD , 6800 (excellent card - I have it) for gaming and 1 gig
of ram. Obviously with dells you can change the options a lot -
forget what the size of the HD was 120-160 gig or so in that price
range.

OF course Im not even sure that deal is going on since they change all
the time.

Also, what's the best chipset to look for or is it very important? And
is XP Home
or XP Pro the better OS?

At Dell.com I can get a system w/
3.40GHz, 800FSB,
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (4x256M)
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
17 in 1704FPT Ultrasharp™ Digital Flat Panel Display
128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon™ X300 SE
for $1408.00 w/free shipping. I've shopped around a lot and it seems
like
a good deal. I'd love to be able to build my own at sites like
sysbuilder.com
or cpusolutions.com but they seem a bit pricey.

Well unless they stopped the 15% discount and rebates you should be
able to get the 6800. Ill take a look. If not you might want to wait a
bit.

As for Dragon - always been meaning to try it out but never have so I
have no idea if memory makes a big difference. I think a better CPU
would have a big impact.

Im not sure about video editing either. I tried several programs but
havent really formed a definite preference yet. Im going to do that
again and experiment with raid configs , different HDs etc and see
what the optimal solution is at the lowest cost. I noticed some
editing systems sold are dual CPU systems. For me -- Pinnacle was
super easy to use but crash prone and horrendously slow at some tasks.
I briefly tried Vegas and others but didnt like the interfaces. Im
going to try them again including Final Cut Pro which I hope combines
ease of use and power.

Dan:
is XP Home or XP Pro the better OS?

Home is a lite version of Pro. The MS website is the best resource for
deciding which version you want.

At Dell.com I can get a system w/
3.40GHz, 800FSB,
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (4x256M)
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
17 in 1704FPT UltrasharpT Digital Flat Panel Display
128MB PCI ExpressT x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI RadeonT X300 SE
for $1408.00 w/free shipping. I've shopped around a lot and it seems
like a good deal. I'd love to be able to build my own at sites like
sysbuilder.com or cpusolutions.com but they seem a bit pricey.

It's unlikely you will find a cheaper price than Dell.
--
Mac Cool

I'm no expert but I don't think it makes any difference which you use for a
home system. I've been using xp home on this laptop for 3 years and haven't
run into anything i wanted to do that it couldn't do, so I'd say go with
home just to save money.

Dell computers are reliable and cheap, a winning combination. I bought one
from them, and their support was excellent. I doubt the few bucks you may
save elsewhere dealing with lessor outfits would off set the secuity you get
from Dell. Also, if you do go with Dell, I'd get the longest warranty they
sell. When the hard drive failed they sent a replacement that was larger
than the one that broke. I called about it and they told me to just install
it because they no longer stocked the smaller ones.

Avery

some posts have said Dell's tech support is now crap. So with that
benefit out the window(if it really is that bad), you may as well get
one build.
Loads of ppl now know how to build computers. People in the street!

Loads of ppl now know how to build computers. People in the street!

Dell computers are reliable and cheap, a winning combination. I bought
one
from them, and their support was excellent.

Somewhere a solution that falls between these extreme posts exists.

I too am disabled and although at this time I am able to use a keyboard, the
future may be different. I also have built many custom systems for the
disabled. The most important thing here is your control, then everything
else. For voice recognition its your MIC and soundcard. Not that your have
to invest tons of money in them, but a little concern with clock stability
is in order. Some mainboards with integrated sound don't measure up. Mic and
headsets are rated for dictation and voice recognition. The dragon site has
some requirement pages and product recommendations.

HTH



"Dan" wrote in message
...
I'm looking for a PC w/at least a 3.4Mhz processor, 1
Gig RAM, 128 Meg Vid. RAM and 80 gig hard drive. A 2nd 10k RPM 80 gig
HD would be nice but I think it'd be cheaper to by that on aftermarket
& install it. I'd also want a 17 or 18" LCD. I'm looking to spend
$1400ish.

The machine will be used for surfing, VHS video capture to transfer to
DVDR w/some light video editing and maybe some gaming. My main concern
is that I'm disabled and want to use Dragon Dictate to
navigate/control windows as well as dictate. On my current 1Mhz Dell
w/360k RAM Dragon isn't very fast when using it to navigate Win 2k.
Its pretty good but I'd want something faster if I were to use DD all
the time. Based on my usage, do the specs I'm looking for sound
appropriate? Any idea if Dragon would work better w/less RAM but a
faster processor or vise-versa? I ask because of tradeoffs I may have
to make due to lo budget.

Also, what's the best chipset to look for or is it very important? And
is XP Home
or XP Pro the better OS?
At Dell.com I can get a system w/
3.40GHz, 800FSB,
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (4x256M)
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
17 in 1704FPT UltrasharpT Digital Flat Panel Display
128MB PCI ExpressT x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI RadeonT X300 SE
for $1408.00 w/free shipping. I've shopped around a lot and it seems
like
a good deal. I'd love to be able to build my own at sites like
sysbuilder.com
or cpusolutions.com but they seem a bit pricey.

Sorry for rambling. Thanks for your help!


Dan

Remove NOSPAM from address when replying

some posts have said Dell's tech support is now crap. So with that
benefit out the window(if it really is that bad), you may as well get

I used their tech support a few months ago, it was an Indian who spoke
clearer English than many Americans I meet. The phone was answered in a
timely manner, never kept me on hold for more than 30 seconds and I didn't
have to navigate hellish phone menus. He was polite, helpful and as
knowledgable as you could reasonably expect. I'm sure they have bad apples
like any company but my experience was positive.

--
Mac Cool

-Avery Anderson:

I'm no expert but I don't think it makes any difference which you use
for a home system. I've been using xp home on this laptop for 3
years and haven't run into anything i wanted to do that it couldn't
do, so I'd say go with home just to save money.

It really depends. I went from XP Pro to Home when I changed systems. Pro
was just better for multiple users. Home is OK, but I have to give
everyone administrator access or else some programs will not run. My
daughter cannot even play her Dr. Suess games or use her drawing tablet
without administrator access.
--
Mac Cool

Mac Cool wrote in message ...
Dan:
is XP Home or XP Pro the better OS?

Home is a lite version of Pro. The MS website is the best resource for
deciding which version you want.

Linux is $0.00!!!
[ the CDs will cost you $15.us ]



At Dell.com I can get a system w/
3.40GHz, 800FSB,

Pentium 4 with motherboard - $200.us

1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (4x256M)

$150.us approx. (2x512M. (depends on stinkin' rebates))

80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

$50.us (Seagate or WD (rebates again))

16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write

$50.us

17 in 1704FPT UltrasharpT Digital Flat Panel Display

$40.us (CRT) ($130.us - 19")

128MB PCI ExpressT x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI RadeonT X300 SE

Non-Leading edge cards, approx $75.us

for $1408.00 w/free shipping. I've shopped around a lot and it seems
like a good deal. I'd love to be able to build my own at sites like
sysbuilder.com or cpusolutions.com but they seem a bit pricey.

It's unlikely you will find a cheaper price than Dell.
--
Mac Cool

Tower case with 350watt power(atx) $40.us

total - $605.us
+ $100.us ($50.us per hour x 2 hours to put it all together.)(pay yourself!)
+ $15.us for Debian GNU/Linux OS (comes with 8000+ free software packages)

== $720.us
[ prices from Fry's, CyberGuys, CyberGeeks, etc.]

That's cheaper than Dell! G
If the OP can't use a screwdriver, the Dell is a good deal!

Fry's has/had some 'weaker' machines for $200.us! (Lindows OS)

[ sorry, I couldn't resist! "the devil made me do it". ]
Bob R
POVrookie
--
MinGW (GNU compiler): http://www.mingw.org/
Dev-C++ IDE: http://www.bloodshed.net/
POVray: http://www.povray.org/
alt.comp.lang.learn.c-c++: ftp://snurse-l.org/pub/acllc-c++/faq

"BobR" wrote in message
...

Mac Cool wrote in message ...
Dan:
is XP Home or XP Pro the better OS?

Home is a lite version of Pro. The MS website is the best resource for
deciding which version you want.

Linux is $0.00!!!
[ the CDs will cost you $15.us ]



At Dell.com I can get a system w/
3.40GHz, 800FSB,

Pentium 4 with motherboard - $200.us

1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (4x256M)

$150.us approx. (2x512M. (depends on stinkin' rebates))

80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

$50.us (Seagate or WD (rebates again))

16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write

$50.us

17 in 1704FPT UltrasharpT Digital Flat Panel Display

$40.us (CRT) ($130.us - 19")

128MB PCI ExpressT x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI RadeonT X300 SE

Non-Leading edge cards, approx $75.us

for $1408.00 w/free shipping. I've shopped around a lot and it seems
like a good deal. I'd love to be able to build my own at sites like
sysbuilder.com or cpusolutions.com but they seem a bit pricey.

It's unlikely you will find a cheaper price than Dell.
--
Mac Cool

Tower case with 350watt power(atx) $40.us

total - $605.us
+ $100.us ($50.us per hour x 2 hours to put it all together.)(pay
yourself!)
+ $15.us for Debian GNU/Linux OS (comes with 8000+ free software packages)

== $720.us
[ prices from Fry's, CyberGuys, CyberGeeks, etc.]

That's cheaper than Dell! G
If the OP can't use a screwdriver, the Dell is a good deal!

Fry's has/had some 'weaker' machines for $200.us! (Lindows OS)

[ sorry, I couldn't resist! "the devil made me do it". ]
Bob R
POVrookie
--
MinGW (GNU compiler): http://www.mingw.org/
Dev-C++ IDE: http://www.bloodshed.net/
POVray: http://www.povray.org/
alt.comp.lang.learn.c-c++: ftp://snurse-l.org/pub/acllc-c++/faq



Cheaper than Dell when you replace the LCD with a CRT, replace the PCI-e
video card with a $75 generic, etc. etc.

A Toyota Echo is cheaper than a Mercedes S500, but so ?

Tom