How shoudl I go about purchasing a computer?

Question

My current system is going on 8 years and running Windows 98. I bought it from Dell using an e-check (they deduct the money directly from a checking account). Dell no longer has this policy and requires a CREDIT CARD, which I DO NOT HAVE. A local man that runs a computer store said he'd build me a system with Windows XP as he did not think Windows Vista was a good OS. Then someone else told me this was a bad idea. This guy might go out of business and if I have a problem with his computer, there will be no one that can or will want to repair a custom computer. All the systems in places like CompUSA, Best Buy and Circuit City all have Vista installed and no software. Please help me decide what to do. Thanks.

Answer 1

its not a bad idea to have someone custom build a system. those places usually stay in business a long time. people like the personal interaction, instead of just sometiket number. Vista is not that bad. i had to get use to it. and i actually like it now. if you want xp go for a custom, if you want vist, buy one from a chain store.

Answer 2

The "local man that runs a computer store" is trying to help you: building a computer by selecting each component is best. But you should be the one selecting each components (brand and specs). Do some homework to find what is compatible with what, starting from the motherboard, and order your parts from the "local man that runs a computer store".
Computer parts are warrantied by manufacturers / Importers. Stores do not repair spare parts; they just send them back to the manufacturer who will either fix or replace the faulty parts. You could do that yourself eventually.
In addition, computer components rarely break before the warranty expires. When they do, it means that it's time to upgrade.
So even if "local man that runs a computer store" goes belly up, I'm sure that you can get your stuff fixed or replaced one way or another.
Vista still has a long way to go before if becomes stable. If your read through the computer category in Yahoo Answer, you'll see a lot of Vista users getting stressed by all sorts of bugs. Personally, I'll stick to XP at least for another year or two.

Answer 3

Well if the man has been in business for a while(thats easy to find out), I would not worry about having him build you a system. Just make sure he uses a new full version of windows XP and not a corporate liscensed version so as you will recieve a disk.
Also make sure all devices " cd-dvd burner, keyboards and speakers are either plug n play or have disks and make sure if a warranty is offered that it is for at least one year on parts and labor.
you can check this mans standing by contacting the better business bureau they will tell you if he is on the up and up and just how many if any complaints he has had. Hope this helps you. By the way stay away from Wal-mart for a computer.
And about the credit card thing, if you have a checking account with a check caard it is the same as a credit card.

Answer 4

The guy that said vista was crappy was not lying. Its a good OS but not stable yet. Actually its better to build your own computer because if something goes wrong you know exactly what it is and what to do. I usually build one once every six months. You don't have a credit card that's not really a bad thing because most younger people run up their credit and are not able to pay it off. So try not to get one then charge a computer to it. The interest will kill you anyway. If you have any computer questions just hit me up I'm pretty good about that type of stuff.

Answer 5

I would say get a custom built system. It will be cheaper. For around $500 you can build yourself an amazing computer. I wouldn't go to that guy if he is going out of business soon. I kinda dont like Vista also because theres still some bugs in it, i would wait a while and im a gamer and its not compatible with some games.

I would just say find someone else to build you a custom built computer. Hope i helped.

Answer 6

98 is not used much anymore. You might have to invest in a XP or vista. Vista is so-so at the moment, but get XP. You also might ahve to talk to the guy (if he's still there) and see if he can direct you to a anthor repair place. Popular retailers like the ones you said might not have XP anymore. Again, you also might have to hunt far and wide for a Custom Pc store. Have you thought about getting a laptop?

Answer 7

"All the systems in places like CompUSA, Best Buy and Circuit City all have Vista installed and no software."
Isn't that the same if you buy it from local store?

If you are experince pc users that know a little how to open the pc case, replacing hard disk, cd drives, and know how to format/install OS, maybe you can buy from local store. It is usually cheaper. Otherwise, buying branded pc like dell/hp/etc usually have more reliable services and comes with a full system restore disk.

Answer 8

It in actuality relies upon on your funds and what you opt to do with it. while you're in basic terms seeking to browse the cyber web, watch some video clips, and study some eBooks then i might get an iPad. in case you opt to play some particularly video games, regularly write essays for college, and greater extensive use then i might get a working laptop or workstation. pills like the iPad are actually not workstation replacements, yet. they are very constrained in what they are able to do, and have not have been given any actual keyboard which will make it perplexing to type for long sessions of time. in case you needed a type of combination between a working laptop or workstation and a pill, i might particularly propose the ASUS top which will pop out in some days. It has the processing skill of a working laptop or workstation with its Quad middle processor (two times as many an and iPad2 or 4 situations as an iPad1), it runs the maximum recent version of Android which will make issues slightly easier while you're a student by using fact it enables you to connect data to emails, browse data like on a working laptop or workstation, and upload data like a working laptop or workstation (I even have many situations uploaded a final minute essay or homework project to my college's on line "dropbox" utilising my Android telephone which i could not do with my iPhone 4S) and right here comes the workstation combination, it has an optionally available keyboard dock which will fold up and make it look like a working laptop or workstation. The keyboard dock additionally will upload approximately 6 hours of battery existence making it approximately 18 hours finished. and because this is a pill, it is going to likely be very very mild and skinny. And, you need to do away with the keyboard in case you ever in basic terms had to apply the pill itself. i might take a glance at it in case you needed a compromise.

Answer 9

Hi. All of the above mentioned stores take cash. As to what to buy? You would be hard pressed to get ANY machine as slow as the Win 98. Hard to go wrong.

Answer 10

Why would you not have a credit card? Get one ASAP and buy online. DUH!