Time for a new confuser

[cuffs054]

My decade old XP unit is getting very shakey. I ran the MS program that checks to see if the unit can be upgraded and it can't without added memory and other stuff. The monitor is still great even though it's a CRT.
So, I think I want to start looking for mid line tower. My knowledge of this is very limited. My current E machine has a dvd/disc burner/player which is handy. I do very little amounts of "computing". I use it mainly for web search, music, and low end games.
Any suggestions as to what to look at will be greatfully accepted.
tom

 

[wayupnorth]

I bought a Dell desktop for $300 at Best Buy. Never had a computer run this fast. Only drawback is Windows 8.1 that is the must UNuser friendly thing I have ever experienced.

 

[warmsecondrinse]

CDW.com

I've bought most of my computers there for years. Excellent lifetime tech support 24/7.
Click on "deals" to the right and click "refurb", or something like that.

I'd look for a Lenovo; I've always had good luck with them. I'd definitely pick something with Windows 7 or "Windows 7 downgrade available" and at least 4GB of RAM with expansion to 16GB possible.

Once I got it home and running just the way you want it. I'd download Ubuntu 14.04 LTS from Ubuntu.com. It's largely self installing; just follow the bouncing ball. MAKE SURE you select the option to install Ubuntu ALONG SIDE Windows so you always have the option to use Windows 7 just as you tweaked it.

Ubuntu is one of the distribution (or "flavors") of Linux, a different operating system. Google "best linux os to replace XP" and you'll find many articles written for non-techies like you and me.

Jim

 

[DADoES]

 
Last three desktops I bought (two for work, one for a friend) were reburbished machines via storefront sellers on Rakuten.com (formerly Buy.com).  I look for 4 GB of RAM, at least 250 GB hard drive, and Win 7 Professional.  They've have CD/DVD readers instead of burners but I can change that easily enough for a reasonable cost.

 

[kb0nes]

I generally recommend a Dell too, the last 6 I have bought for work and friends have all been solid and decent deals. Even though I generally build my own from scratch, when you consider you have to buy the operating system its hard to beat the Dell price and at least you have some sort of a warranty.

Pretty much any machine today with an i3 (or better) processor will be more then the average person needs for any typical uses. I have an i3 desktop at work that I use for moderate CAD work and it does just fine.

Personally I'd probably seek out Win 7 also, but that is largely because I am familiar with that OS. Since you are leaving XP (something I heartily recommend!) you will have to relearn anyhow. Win 8.1 is a good bit better then Win 8 with some semblance of a start menu returning. I don't like the look of it myself, but it is better then XP in my opinion.

 

[cuffs054]

KB, thanks for the suggestions. This AM the Emachine couldn't find it's hard drive. I did get it going again but it's clear it time to go. WallyWorld has a HP 19-2113W with celeron J1800 Proc, 4 GB mem, 500 GB mem hard drive running 8.1 for $350.00. Your thoughts, please?

 

[cuffs054]

I understand that I have to have a "web provider" in my case ATT and I'm stuck with if. But what about "browsers"? I'm using Firefox, but I'm having real issues with it. Is there something like a plain-jane browser for people who just surf?

 

[wayupnorth]

I have used and still use plain old AOL since the late 90's. As long as you have internet access like yours, its FREE. I can surf, add sites to favorite places and never had to change e/mail adresses.

 

[cuffs054]

Wayup, Im sorry to be so obtuse, but I would keep ATT and dump FireFox, yes?

 

[kb0nes]

That HP machine is an interesting beast, I had to look into that processor a little. The Celeron J1800 is a super low power consumption "aii-in-one" processor/video unit in one chip. It is designed for small form factor fanless PC's so there most likely isn't a cooling fan needed on the CPU itself. This would be handy for physically small computers and ones that people use for their home theater where noise is objectionable. The drawback is that it is much less powerful then even the lowest i3 Pentium processor. But on the other hand I'm sure its FAR more powerful then your old E-Machines computer so perhaps for your needs it would be fine. I have trouble recommending it just due to its limitations, not to mention the retailer that is selling it...

You subsequent posts on the browser is correct, you can use whatever browser you want to view the world wide web provided you have an active Internet connection. For years I was a Firefox fan too, but I abandoned it about 6 years ago for Google Chrome. Perhaps a newer more powerful computer would run Firefox better then what you are experiencing now.

 

[wayupnorth]

You can do whatever cuffs. But my old school way still works just fine for me. I have high speed internet thru the phone line, no cable available here. And I sign into AOL and do or go wherever. I feel you paid once for internet access, I am not paying more to go anywhere else. I have used AOL since day 1 so I cant be bothered to switch and learn another new system.

 

[stricklybojack]

Keep an eye on this web page

They find all the deals out there. Window 8.1 is designed to work with a touch screen like the
$300 lenovo all-in-one listed currently mid-page.

http://dealnews.com/c48/Computers/Desktops/

 

[stricklybojack]

Ooops!

Just realized that Lenovo is running Google's Chrome OS.
Fry's usually has really good deals on Thanksgiving/Black Friday/Cyber Monday especially on tower PC's like your looking for. You probably could find one running Windows 7.