Computer question

[ellid]

I am seriously considering replacing my eight year old eMachines desktop. I will have about $600 to spend for a new desktop and monitor tops. Does anyone have suggestions on something reliable? I would use the computer primarily for word processing and Web surfing.

One note: I cannot afford anything Apple makes except the iPad, and I have no interest in a tablet since I already have carpal tunnel in both wrists and do not wish to exacerbate it typing on a screen instead of a keyboard. So as much as I hear about them being sexy and wonder and ultra cool, it ain't happening. :)

Thanks in advance!

Comments

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

have you considered a laptop?
I got an HP with everything i needed or wanted for about 500.
It has 3 USB slots and an SD slot, wifi and a wall-input cable.

and look at "tiger direct" for refurbs, they are inspected and warranteed.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I want something a bit more powerful for a home machine - I have a laptop at my writing office, but it hasn't been very reliable.

[embermwe.livejournal.com]

I would recommend shopping at NewEgg.com. $600.00 would buy you a pretty awesome machine there.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=10&name=Desktop-PCs
If you are just using it for WP and surfing, you won't really even need to spend that much for a good machine.

[fianaclare.livejournal.com]

If you belong to a warehouse club store, like Costco's or Sam's Club, take a look at their selection. They may not be the best, top of the line, computers, but rather the discontinued models. But unless you're playing computer games, that should be fine.

I also suggest looking at Amazon.com. I got my laptop on Amazon.com. It wasn't top of the line when I bought it--maybe second or third to the top--and Amazon.com had the lowest price for the model I was interested in.

If you need office software, you can try OpenOffice, which is produced by the same company as Java, and it's free to download.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Amazon - hadn't thought of that, but it's worth a look. OpenOffice sounds great - thanks!

[fianaclare.livejournal.com]

Another thing: get the fastest processor and most RAM that you can afford. They make a huge difference.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

That's what my friend Todd said, too. Thanks!

[alphasarah.livejournal.com]

Seconded on most processor and especially RAM that you can get. Is your monitor in decent shape / are you happy with it? Might be worth hanging on to that and just replacing the CPU... although at 8 years, maybe not. :^)

[ellid.livejournal.com]

The monitor is a CRT. If nothing else, I definitely want a flatscreen!