Does it pay to upgrade a 4 year old Dell PC to a larger hard drive, USB2.0 ports to replace 1.0 and add a DVD recorder?
Or should I buy a new one.
Does the Mac Mini make sense here?
2007-01-18 14:37:52 · 8 answers · asked by donbrilliant 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
When dealing with your PC, you need to ask yourself some questions:
What do I use the Computer for?
While most people don't need the latest and greatest PC, how long do I want to keep it, Will you have install more uprades next year to run XXXX,
Do you need a whole new harddrive or just add another one.
$$$$$ for a whole new one, reload the whole thing..
$$$ Just to add-on another Harddrive.
$$$$ = what size you want/need
What is driving you to upgrade to USB 2.0, there are PCI cards that will give you USB 2.0 and Firewire. Do you have the slots.
Why do you need a DVD recorder....Windows Vista..Video editing. With the DVD recorder, will you need more power (CPU/RAM)..
Depending on how long you plan on keeping this Upgraded PC can be a deciding point on whether you want/need a new.
Of course all of this depends on how much $$$ you have, there hase been alot of new technology in the last few years (Duo cores, Hyperthreading) new software coming out soon, Office 2007, Vista, do you want to run them ???
Mac Mini .... do you know anything about Mac's....and friends know about Mac's, It's a matter option on whether it's better than PC based on what you know about them, or your buddy pool to help you out in a jam....
Anywho.. I hope this helps you think about it...
As with what the others said. what will be the difference in price for buyinga new HD, USB2.o and DVD compared with a whole new machine and what are your gains/losses going either way.
Good luck
2007-01-18 15:16:36 · answer #1 · answered by oneliteranight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you are really into art- graphic design, I would stay away from macs- they are great, but everything is like 2x the price. Nothing wrong with upgrading the HD since you could always move it to a new computer. Try to get a 300MB/s if you can. that way if you get a new comp that is SATA, all you will need is an adapter- . If it is in your budjet, you can get a new computer for $400 that should out preform a $2000 computer of 4 years ago. Also, no problem with getting a DVD-R since you can bring that along with the hard drive when you upgrade. Really depends on your budget and what socket(CPU) your current motherboard will support. I just sold a P4 2.8 533/512 for $49 on eBay. So you may be able to double your speed and add a few items for under $100. Are you running XP? That is a factor too.
2007-01-18 15:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by Jimmy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your utilising it just to get admission to cyber web and obtain, perchance one extra tricky tension may be superb. each and every thing fairly low value now, you could actual get a important computing gadget for some hundred. I additionally spent a fortune years in the past on my computing gadget, these days outfitted my very very own computing gadget that's thousands speedier yet costs thousands much less. you could actual get away with upgrading notwithstanding if it may purely circulate so a techniques, and in case you elect to do extra with your computing gadget then what you have defined to me so a techniques then paying for a sparkling equipment may be extra advantageous and keep in mind your contemporary equipment is previous, that's going to die at last and upgrading is constrained to the scarce products that actual experience with your equipment.
2016-10-07 09:19:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Considering how old your machine is, it would take a lot to upgrade it.
A new hard drive might be nice, but in order ot upgrade to faster USB, you would need a new mother board. Newer motherboards would require new memory, new CPU Chip etc. (Though they would probably have on board LAN, Sound and Video) In order to up grade this, you might also need to upgrade the power supply and now you're talking about the same as a new computer.
2007-01-18 14:46:59 · answer #4 · answered by Marvinator 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
IMO no Dell is worth upgrading.
To the guy above me.
You cannot upgrade a Dells' motherboard, PSU and you’re even limited to what graphic card you can install. Why? Proprietary components baby, yes… only Dell does that.
2007-01-18 15:02:10 · answer #5 · answered by INOA 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With the newest Windows in six years due out in about a month or so, I would wait and get a new pc. Why buy a new pc now with a six year old Windows?
2007-01-18 14:42:12 · answer #6 · answered by Acadia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a) Windows xp is 4 years old.
b) I would recommend you wait a while for Vista. For a family Pc, I suggest Home Premium. Ultimate for Home-Buisiness PC/Laptop.
Well, it really depends on how and what for you need it.
Please mention details.
2007-01-18 20:52:37 · answer #7 · answered by Charlemagne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually those are great upgrades. Go for it. 4yrs is nothing. My computer is about 7 yrs old. I can use an upgrade. My computer doesn't even have DDR RAM hahaha, that is sad.
2007-01-18 15:28:24 · answer #8 · answered by Satanic Panic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋