Help with buying a new computer (it's kind of urgent)

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

Hi, all! Seasons greetings and a happy new year!

I was hoping some of you could help me with something. I got a Nintendo Wii for my birthday this previous November, and I love it! The only thing is, it's just sitting on top of my dresser by the TV, with a bunch of unaccessible Channels that I would love to use!

The thing is, there is only one computer with Internet access at my house, and the entire family uses it. I've complained about that computer before. It's slow, and there's always something wrong with it. It's been scanned, cleaned, and fixed several times now, and it's still not letting me connect my DS to it. This computer also has some kind of feud with Quicktime going on, as it's still refusing to show or play any images/music. This gets very annoying when I can't view anything on YouTube, Google Video, MySpace, or images on websites in general. The other problem I have with the computer I'm currently using is that when I get online to play Age of Empires III, I keep getting notices that the computer cannot show the graphics on the game adequately, and the notices hold true to what they say; it looks like crap. My dad also has all of his stuff set up on the family one, and he'd rather me not download/install stuff like NetBattle or Limewire.

While most of these problems could probably be solved somehow (even though we've done everything we know to do with it), I am trying to get my parents to help me buy a new computer. However, there are so many different models to choose from, and a bunch of them specialize in certain aspects, like gaming and media. I've also heard from some of my friends that companies like Dell and Gateway are "junk", so I'm not sure what to get! Here is where I need some help to put me down the right path to the computer I've always wanted!

I would use this computer for:

~Accessing Wii Channels.

~High-speed Internet access so that I can get on BMGf and other forums I registered on more often, and to access MySpace and Limewire easier.

~Playing games online.

~Downloading music, videos, and pictures to my iPod and phone, and the photo-album like Channel on the Wii.

So can you guys help me out here? I'm mainly concerned about what computer would be most compatible with the Wii and my DS, as I am planning to be online a lot with Diamond and Pearl, as well as Battle Revolution when they all come out. I will of course be playing the many future awesome online multi-player games on the Wii, too!

With all of that said I just have one more small question. See, the TV I have in my room is pretty old, and it just sits on top of my dresser and attracts clutter around it. I heard there was something that is supposed to be a computer monitor and a TV all-in-one. I think those are called LCD screens, but I'm not sure. If there is such a thing, the armoire (spell-check isn't recognizing the word, but I'm sure that's how you spell it; anyway, an armoire is like a cabinet or wardrobe used for storing stuff) in my room is built to store a desktop, and has a decent amount of space for a screen like that. If I could watch TV and surf the Internet on the same screen, that would be a huge space-saver! If there is a really good one you know about, please let me know!

I was hoping to see what I can afford at this point would be discounted after Christmas, so that's when we will be looking for one. I know a lot of you probably know more about computers than I do, so if anyone can help me, I would very much appreciate it!

Thank you all so very much!

-pkmn Trainer Zach

 

[Habunake]

Accessing Wii Channels? 0.o

The Wii does that.

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

Accessing Wii Channels? 0.o

The Wii does that.

I know you can access the Game Channel, the Mii Channel, and the Photo Channel without Internet, but don't you have to have Internet to access the Forecast Channel and the News Channel, as well as play online?

 

[Swifty]

What type of games are you playing? World of Warcraft? Bejeweled?

Or more graphics intensive games like FEAR, Battlefield 2, Half-Life 2, etc? You mentioned Age of Empires III which is pretty hefty on the system requirements. Plus I'm assuming you have the Windows version of AoEIII so getting a Mac is out unless you want to deal with Boot Camp.

Honestly, I think any desktop currently out by the big name computer manufacturers can play Half-Life 2, which in turn, can also play AoEIII. Though I really don't know because I build my own computers and don't bother with prebuilt unless I'm looking for a laptop.

 

[Trip]

Well, most tech people don't like the major brands since they're usually of lower quality than a custom build. I'm one of them.

That said, Dell's desktops don't seem too bad to me. I'd avoid HP/Compaq and Gateway/eMachines though.

If you're trying to use your Wii online, perhaps you're going about this the wrong way. Are you on high-speed internet that is directly connected from a high-speed modem to the computer? You may want to look into getting a wireless router to put in between the two (avoid D-Link products at all costs). You can still wire the computer to the router, but that will get your DS and Wii online. Make sure you replace the network cable linking the modem to the computer though, as it's likely a crossover cable and won't work if you try to use it to connect the modem to the router.

But as far as the computer is concerned, I can only give you some simple advice. Look for as much RAM as possible. Nothing is more important to your computers performance than the amount of RAM. I wouldn't go under 1GB.

After that, look for a decent video card if you're looking to deal with games. I prefer Nvidia, but that's your call. Intel's integrated graphics are no good for higher-end gaming but are good for most anything else.

By the time you get past that stuff, the computer(s) you're looking at should all have decent processors in them. If you do a lot of downloading you'll want a bigger hard drive (bigger than 80GB) but otherwise I think you could get by with 80GB. (If you do end up filling it, you can always buy an external drive and move all of your data onto that)

If you want to look around, find some systems that are in your price range, then post the specs for me or anyone else here to look at, I'll be glad to help you out.

- Trip

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

What type of games are you playing? World of Warcraft? Bejeweled?

Or more graphics intensive games like FEAR, Battlefield 2, Half-Life 2, etc? You mentioned Age of Empires III which is pretty hefty on the system requirements. Plus I'm assuming you have the Windows version of AoEIII so getting a Mac is out unless you want to deal with Boot Camp.

Honestly, I think any desktop currently out by the big name computer manufacturers can play Half-Life 2, which in turn, can also play AoEIII. Though I really don't know because I build my own computers and don't bother with prebuilt unless I'm looking for a laptop.

Really I just play AoE III now, when I want to play online. A lot of my friends play. They also play Warcraft, which I want, but my dad won't let me install it on the family computer.

Yes, I do have the Windows version of AoE III. I guess a Mac is out, then...

I've heard that Dell (which I have) and Gateway and some others are junk. I've heard of PC's just for gaming, if those could work...

And I'll admit I might not be informed about everything on how the Wii works (I went straight to Zelda), so if any of you know if it has specific requirements to access the Internet, play online, etc. that would be cool to know.

But really, the main thing is just figuring out what would be the best computer to get for what I want, and currently I have know idea what that would be. What I want to do with it is listed above in my first post.

If there is a certain type of computer that handles online play well, be it from consoles or PC games like AoE, that might be good...plus I have a lot of music and stuff I want to download, and I have a lot of pictures I want to store, too.

I don't know, it seems kind of overwhelming. I'm just trying to get one when they go on sale in a few days. Any help would be appreciated. I'm going to bed now, but by all means keep posting if you know anything about this stuff.

Thank you all again...sorry.

EDIT: Trip, that was very helpful, thank you. I will ask some more questions tomorrow related to your post, as I don't know a lot about computers, if that's OK.

 

[Swifty]

I should've asked this the first time, but what's your budget?

 

[Trip]

Nothing for you to be sorry about! This forum exists for the purpose of helping people in your situation.

Well, normally I wouldn't refer someone to Dell. I personally would refer you to Apple, but Apples tend to be rather expensive. Plus, if you're planning to do Windows gaming, I doubt you want to spend the $90+ on a Windows license on top of the money spent on the computer in the first place.

But I know people with Dells and the desktops don't seem too bad, though I wouldn't touch the laptops with a 10-foot pole. It is cheap hardware, but I'm not exactly sure where you'd want to go for a good desktop at a decent price. I know exactly where to direct people for laptops, but desktops... I'm less certain. (I work at a shop where we build them, so I'm used to referring local people to that shop.)

- Trip

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

If you're trying to use your Wii online, perhaps you're going about this the wrong way. Are you on high-speed internet that is directly connected from a high-speed modem to the computer? You may want to look into getting a wireless router to put in between the two (avoid D-Link products at all costs). You can still wire the computer to the router, but that will get your DS and Wii online. Make sure you replace the network cable linking the modem to the computer though, as it's likely a crossover cable and won't work if you try to use it to connect the modem to the router.

So if my Wii and my DS just have access to a high-speed modem (which I guess is a device for connecting to the Internet?), I can surf the Internet on my Wii and get my DS online, also, without a computer (I was always under the impression that you had to have a computer for this to work)?

But as far as the computer is concerned, I can only give you some simple advice. Look for as much RAM as possible. Nothing is more important to your computers performance than the amount of RAM. I wouldn't go under 1GB.

This sounds really stupid of me, but what does RAM do?

After that, look for a decent video card if you're looking to deal with games. I prefer Nvidia, but that's your call. Intel's integrated graphics are no good for higher-end gaming but are good for most anything else.

Do the video cards come with the computers, or do you buy them separately? I'm assuming the Intel stuff is already in the system.

By the time you get past that stuff, the computer(s) you're looking at should all have decent processors in them. If you do a lot of downloading you'll want a bigger hard drive (bigger than 80GB) but otherwise I think you could get by with 80GB. (If you do end up filling it, you can always buy an external drive and move all of your data onto that)

I would be mainly downloading songs and videos for my iPod. I don't see myself downloading a whole bunch other than that, so I guess that might be OK.

If you want to look around, find some systems that are in your price range, then post the specs for me or anyone else here to look at, I'll be glad to help you out.

I'm going to be looking around today for some, and I'll post my findings here, if that's OK.

Thanks!

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

Well, normally I wouldn't refer someone to Dell. I personally would refer you to Apple, but Apples tend to be rather expensive. Plus, if you're planning to do Windows gaming, I doubt you want to spend the $90+ on a Windows license on top of the money spent on the computer in the first place.

Yeah, I heard Apples are good computers. Sorry for another stupid question, but all Apples are Mac's, right (I think so, I was just making sure if a Mac was a certain type of Apple, or they are both same thing)? If Apples are the best computers in terms of quality, then I guess I'll try to look at one of these first.

In response to what is my budget, I will be paying for about half of the computer I want (or what my parents are willing to get). I think I'm OK with going beyond the bare minimum a little bit. I do know that if I wanted to play AoE III and get the Windows license, I would have to pay for that myself. My parents just told me to find a reasonable one and they'll see about helping me buy it (paying them back/helping pay for it is no problem for me, fortunately; I make good money babysitting, and as long as my grades are good, they'll be fine).

Thanks again!

 

[Trip]

So if my Wii and my DS just have access to a high-speed modem (which I guess is a device for connecting to the Internet?), I can surf the Internet on my Wii and get my DS online, also, without a computer (I was always under the impression that you had to have a computer for this to work)?

Right. The computer is unnecessary if you have a wireless router in the system. It simply splits the connection up so multiple devices can use it at the same time.

This sounds really stupid of me, but what does RAM do?

Don't worry! Everyone has to learn some time.

RAM is Random Access Memory. Hard drives and CDs are very slow. If all of our computer work had to be done with them, we'd be sitting around forever waiting. RAM is a very fast kind of memory. The system copies whatever it needs from the hard drive or CD to the RAM, which allows for quick access while it's in use.

The issue arises when the system runs out of RAM--it falls back to using the hard drive again. And that's why after a bit of time, the system will slow down.

RAM only stores data copied to it as long as it is receiving power.

Do the video cards come with the computers, or do you buy them separately? I'm assuming the Intel stuff is already in the system.

It depends. You can buy them with decent video cards pre-installed (if you're looking at the Apples, that's definitely the case) or you can get one separately.

I would be mainly downloading songs and videos for my iPod. I don't see myself downloading a whole bunch other than that, so I guess that might be OK.

Right; sounds good.

I'm going to be looking around today for some, and I'll post my findings here, if that's OK.

Thanks!

Fine with me!

Yeah, I heard Apples are good computers. Sorry for another stupid question, but all Apples are Mac's, right (I think so, I was just making sure if a Mac was a certain type of Apple, or they are both same thing)? If Apples are the best computers in terms of quality, then I guess I'll try to look at one of these first.

Yes. Like I said, they tend to be rather pricy. BUT, if you're going to be completely tossing your old computer, if you want to hang onto your old monitor/keyboard/mouse, you could look into a Mac Mini. It doesn't come with those things, so it's cheaper, but it's still got all the hardware that makes it a good machine. Just make sure that you get 1GB or more of RAM, as I think they come with 512MB standard.

Otherwise, you'll probably be looking at the iMac, which is a whole computer integrated into an LCD screen. And those aren't cheap ($999 at the low end).

Let me know what you turn up.

- Trip

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

Otherwise, you'll probably be looking at the iMac, which is a whole computer integrated into an LCD screen. And those aren't cheap ($999 at the low end).

Let me know what you turn up.

- Trip

I have a question about the LCD screen. I heard that you can use it as both a computer screen and a TV screen (if this is true, that would be a huge space-saver). If I can do that, how exactly does that work, and will it work on an iMac?

The iMac comes in four different models:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=3CD2857E&nclm=iMac

The last three all have 1GB of RAM, so that's good. The only difference between these three is the sheer size of them, and the hard drive. I think I know what hard drive is, but how much do you think I would need?

The last difference between the four is the last one, the 24", and that is the graphics card in it (I think it's actually the one you mentioned). It has the same amount of hard drive as the 20", though. Do you think I could get by playing AoE III and possibly other games I might get on the 20", or would I need the 24" to be able to play it more efficiently?

But, of course, there is that little problem with price...ugh.

 

[Trip]

Well, if you had a separate LCD screen, you certainly could, but if you got the iMac, you would have to look into a TV tuner for it. I have two myself, not that either one would work on a Mac. Do you have cable? That would play a factor in what kind of tuner you would need. I know they make them for the Mac, I'd just have to do a bit of research on it.

But yes, in the iMac department, I think you could get away with that low-end 17" one with the 1GB of RAM. I think as long as you're not downloading massive amounts of video, you should be just fine with a 160GB hard drive.

- Trip

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

Well, if you had a separate LCD screen, you certainly could, but if you got the iMac, you would have to look into a TV tuner for it. I have two myself, not that either one would work on a Mac. Do you have cable? That would play a factor in what kind of tuner you would need. I know they make them for the Mac, I'd just have to do a bit of research on it.

So, either way, you would have to get two LCD screens in order to watch TV? Or you can just use one, with the TV tuner, and be able to watch TV from that one? I have a Dish, so I'd have to get a TV tuner for that, right?

But yes, in the iMac department, I think you could get away with that low-end 17" one with the 1GB of RAM. I think as long as you're not downloading massive amounts of video, you should be just fine with a 160GB hard drive.

No, no, I don't plan on downloading a bunch of video. Just something I can download songs and stuff on, storing some pics, etc.

Here's where it gets difficult. I selected the lower-end 17" one (the second one). Now it's asking me more specific things, most of which I know nothing about. And now I'm starting to get what you mean by expensive, they have options on there that jack up the price really fast. So, based on what I'd use it for (stated earlier, but I'll say it again; downloading songs, storing pics, playing online, using the Internet connection on my Wii and DS, and hopefully being able to also watch TV on it also), what options do you think would be best suited for what I would use the computer for?

Here's the link:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...1054001/wo/wo2uhd2LyneE2DMMFoPDdKO3rri/2.?p=0

 

[Trip]

First things first, I don't think you need to worry about any of those customization options, as I think the system is just what you need as is. Unless you want an Apple Care warranty on it (at the very bottom), I think you're okay there. More memory (RAM) wouldn't hurt, but I don't think that it'll be too big of a deal for you, especially given how much it'll jack up the price.

You could get away with using the iMac as a TV to watch things on, but with the Dish, you'll definitely need to hook your converter box to it. There are no satellite TV receivers that are specifically made for the computer. You'll have to use your RCA outputs and get a TV tuner that has those ports on it. I can look that up for you (not right at the moment, but in a while) if you are interested.

But, of course, you won't be able to watch TV full screen and use the computer at the same time; that's the drawback.

- Trip

 

[Murgatroyd]

The only one of those options I'd recommend is the AppleCare Protection Plan. Extended warranties can be very useful if anything goes wrong. Otherwise, the cheapest options should be adequate to your needs.

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

You could get away with using the iMac as a TV to watch things on, but with the Dish, you'll definitely need to hook your converter box to it. There are no satellite TV receivers that are specifically made for the computer. You'll have to use your RCA outputs and get a TV tuner that has those ports on it. I can look that up for you (not right at the moment, but in a while) if you are interested.

That would really be great, when you have the time! Now, the only thing about the 17" screen, exactly how big is that? I mean, I know it's 17", but do you think it's too small to have four people over playing Wii on it (if it can do that)? If it is too small, I'll see about something else I can use to play it/watch TV on. I should have enough room for the 17" iMac and another decent-sized LCD screen. The reason I want a computer that I can watch TV/play Wii on is because of space, and with my really old TV gone, that will definitely clear things up in my room. Having a nice screen that I could use as both a computer/TV screen that can be easily hidden in the amiore would be a dream come true. Plus, that iMac is so thin, I could easily fit one behind it, anyway, then be able to use the computer and play Wii at the same time (although I don't know how that would work out for me, I'm not much for multi-tasking ).

But, of course, you won't be able to watch TV full screen and use the computer at the same time; that's the drawback.

I figured, but I don't think it'll matter; I'll either be doing one of the two at a time.

 

[Trip]

Well, get yourself a ruler. 17" is the diagonal measurement from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. I believe the iMacs are widescreen, too, so factor that into your measurement. It may not be big enough for you; my TV is 19" and not widescreen and I feel that it would be pushing it to try and play a four-player game on it.

- Trip

 

[pkmn Trainer Zach]

Oh, so that's how you measure it. OK, cool. With the warranty, and the wireless mouse and keyboard ($60), my total comes to $1,428 for the iMac. Now, only one problem remains, and that's another screen. What kind of LCD screen would you recommend (price is an issue)? I'm really sorry if I'm troubling you with all of this.

 

[Trip]

No trouble at all.

Why are you looking at another LCD? I thought you were going to use just the one integrated into the iMac for TV, computer, and Wii.

But as far as another one, I really have no preference. Just look for something inexpensive with good reviews. There's a lot of good deals this time of year.

- Trip