Computer geek opinions needed: Best small desktop deal for hubby

[MichiganVote]

who is not computer savvy. Simple, sleek, ease of use and least expensive deal around. Like to surprise him for Christmas. He likes to net cruise, watch his ski DVD's, email some. Your opinions if you please.

[Evoman]

1. If he's a real computer nerd, then he would probably like

to pick his own computer. You could always give him a gift certificate with the restriction that it must be used to buy a computer. Other than that, I don't know if I have an answer for you. Every computer I want would be over 2000 dollars, lol.

[MichiganVote]

2. Me too. The more power the better. But he is not in need of that.

I was checking out the deal at Hp for 250.00 or so. We have a monitor but its all so confusing to me. Thanks!

[Deja Q]

3. Avoid the Celeron processor.

AMD is the best middle-of-the-road price/performance solution...

though Intel's dual- and quad-core CPUs are actually faster than AMD's dual-core offerings. :(

[MichiganVote]

8. Where should I look for the AMD thing or the Intel dual/quad CPU's?

[MrCoffee]

10. forget the dual/quad core configuration...

they're fairly pricey right now, and from your description, it's overkill.

you can get a perfectly acceptable, useable and fast computer with only one processor for much less money.

On edit: The brand of CPU (AMD or Intel) will be pretty visible on the box, and on the computer case. Most stores will have both. I agree with billyskank, for your needs, either one is going to be just fine.

Although I prefer AMD, it's mostly because i'm kind of weird that way.

[MichiganVote]

11. Ok. Good. I'm think I'm getting the hang of this.

[billyskank]

9. I disagree strongly

A Celeron is not a powerful processor it is true, but if you do not care about that then actually it is very good value for money. It gives much better performance per buck than the expensive processors.

The question is, what does he want to use the computer for? If it's word processing, web browsing, email, listening to MP3s and watching videos, then you don't need a powerful processor. Any new computer can perform all those tasks with ease.

Really the only people who need powerful processors in desktop PCs are gamers.

[MichiganVote]

12. He pretty much just uses it for internet browsing, a DVD or two...

He just wants something that works without too much a problem.

[billyskank]

14. A celeron-powered computer will satisfy that need quite adequately.

[Giant Robot]

20. I'm not much of a computer geek

But I agree with HT. I had a comp with a Celeron processor, and it was...erratic at best. I've heard that Intel has reworked it so that it is not nearly as useless, but I figure why bother. If I am spending what is to me a great amount of money for a comp, then they had better get it right the first time. My comp now has an AMD and it works great for all my needs, which are about the same as yours. Really it does not sound like you need top of the line processor, and AMD, to me anyway, is very respectable for the price.

[MrCoffee]

4. go with whatever Best Buy has on sale that week.

if you're watching DVD's, surfing the net, and other "basic" stuff like that, whatever out of the box special your local computer store has should be just fine.

[MichiganVote]

7. I did look them over but thought I'd better check with my DU 'experts' :) Thanks

[aePrime]

5. I'll be the first to put Apple out there

The Mac minis are pretty sexy. Macs are very easy to use. You'll have to buy a monitor for the mini, as it doesn't come with one. This may be a bonus if you have one sitting around.

Now that I've given my pick, here are my qualifications: I have a B.S. and M.S. in computer science. I have two Linux workstations at home, two Mac laptops and home, and I write Windows software for a living. I have experience in the "big three" operating systems, and I pick the Mac.

[MichiganVote]

6. Thanks ae, I appreciate the pick. I like Mac's too.

[Madrone]

18. Heh. You are my kind of guy!

I have a Tosh laptop and a MacBook Pro, a Windows MCE workstation, linux, FreeBSD - at work I'm running (and sloooowly configuring) a Trixbox server in addition to my regular workstations.... I get the "how many computers do you NEED???" question a lot. LOL

I'm REALLY liking OS X myself. It helps that I'm a bit of a BSD geek to begin with probably... but it's very nice.

[billyskank]

13. For the applications you have listed, any PC on the market is capable

More than capable, in fact. No need to worry about that. So the things to consider are: price, looks, reliability and vendor service level (if the reliability is a problem).

Macs are very sexy and have a wonderful operating system, but are extremely poor value in terms of hardware capability.

I would avoid Linux like the plague if you hubby is not computer-savvy, and I speak as a Linux user myself. Besides, if you buy a PC it is all but guaranteed to have Windows included, so you're going to pay for it anyway.

One thing to consider is that Microsoft have a new version of Windows coming out very soon, but not before Christmas. If you buy a new machine for Christmas, its operating system will be 'obsolete' very soon. I'm not saying this should kill the idea, but it is something to bear in mind.

[MrCoffee]

15. are we into the free Vista upgrade window yet?

Microsoft Windows XP will work just fine for a very long time. Well, it'll work as well as any MS OS does.

[billyskank]

16. Free upgrade window...?

They actually do that?

Microsoft? :o

[MrCoffee]

19. someone did when Microsoft went from Me to XP...

of course, i bought my computer with the piece of steaming shit that was Me about 2 months before they started the upgrade thing.

now that i'm thinking about it, it might have been the manufacturer, rather than Microsoft, that was offering the free upgrade.

[MichiganVote]

17. I looked into an Hp that is advertised as being "vista capable"

no monitor but I have a big Dell monitor and a couple of keyboards around so that's not a problem.

HP Pavilion a1410y seriesChoices:
Intel(R) Celeron(R) D 352 (3.2GHz, 533MHz FSB)
Intel(R) Celeron(R) D 356 (3.33GHz, 533MHz FSB)
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 HT Technology enabled 3.0GHz

Memory
Use more programs at once and make them run faster with more memory
Choices:
256MB DDR-533MHz SDRAM (1x256)
512MB DDR-533MHz SDRAM (1x512)
1GB DDR-533MHz SDRAM (1x1024)

Hard Drive
Store your applications, data, digital music and digital photos on your hard disk drive
Choices:
80GB 7200 rpm Ultra DMA Hard Drive
160GB 7200 rpm Ultra DMA Hard Drive

Windows Vista Capable
All the PCs in this series will be able to run Windows Vista Basic when properly configured. However, not all Windows Vista features are available for use on all Windows Vista Capable PCs. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run the core experiences of Windows Vista, such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. Some features available in premium editions of Windows Vista—like the new Windows Aero user interface—require advanced or additional hardware. Check www.windowsvista.com/getready for details.

[GoneOffShore]

21. Go for the MacMini

The new ones have the Intel chips so, if you need to, you can run Windooze as well.

And if you have a USB keyboard and mouse kicking around, all you'll need is the CPU and a monitor.

The new iLife suite is sweet. And it comes bundled.

[mondo joe]

22. Definitely the Mac Mini. And he'd never guess what it is based on the package!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

23. Mac Mini.

Once you go Mac, you never go back!