I've been thinking of getting a Dell...
I currently have a 4 year old computer packed with an AMD Duron 600. For the last year, I have been getting the blue screens of death with OE errors that even Google hasn't heard of. The computer freezes every 20 minutes where I have to do a hard restart and on occasion (usually every 2 days) will auto-reboot.
Needless to say it will be making a trip to the local needy school for kids that are as developmental challenged as my computer itself.
So, I'm in the market for a new computer and I need something dependable. The computer will be used for lots of Internet browsing, Photoshop and Lori's Master thesis in Environmental Sciences.
I'm scared of the reliability of clones and piece-meal built computers.
Is buying a Dell the right move?
Some have suggested moving to a Mac?
Others think clones are best? (Though I don't mind spending $300 more for piece of mind!)
Thanks,
Todd
... and your Sony Clie...
Does the Mac support your Sony Clie, Boris?
Not directly -- I bought Miss
Not directly -- I bought Missing Sync, and now it integrates fully.
But, I don't use my Clie anymore, I use my Sony Ericsson T616 -- syncs calendars (to dos, etc.) and contacts via Bluetooth. That's all I ever needed/used regularly on the Palm anyway.
As an aside, I note that most Clie owners call them Clies as opposed to a Palm. The new devices from Sony are even more awesome.
If you want reliability and h
If you want reliability and hassle-free operation...get a Mac. There isn't going to be a new version of Windows until about 2006 or so.
As well, from the sounds of it, you and Lori aren't really doing anything Windows-specific. All that software is available for the Mac, including Microsoft Office that is fully compatible with the Windows versions. And of course, all the photos, syncing with your Clie etc. all work on the Mac as well.
The Apple Store Canada is where you can look at the offerings. The eMac is still the best deal -- $1049 for the base model, $1299 if you want to include a DVD-burner. The iMac is really just cooler looking (well, the 17" flat-panel widescreen is pretty sweet).
I'm sure Kevin will read this -- he turned his old PC into a server and is pretty happy with his new machine.
If you must get a PC, get it locally from a store you trust. Wander down to Laurier Computers and talk to Vince. Dell's may look like a deal…but they're not.