Pentium, AMD or Celeron?

[fightingquaker13]

I need a new computer. In the past I have always bought pentiums because they were "better". Is this true, or can I save a few bucks? Honestly I just don't know enough to come up with an informed opinion by just reading specs and reviews. My eyes glaze over. Here's the the deal. I have about $700 in my pocket ($800 if I really stretch it). What should I buy? I am am tempted by Dell Inspirions, but if anyone who has knowledge of the "dread machines" can help me pick a particular model or brand I woud be grateful. All I need is something lightning quick on the web and that can support Adobe and Office. I've asked this before, but now I am looking for models, brands and personal experiences. I'm probably going to have to buy in the next few days as my current machine is on its last legs. Help a brother out. What do I buy?
FQ13

[Texas_Bryan]

Oi...

You got it all wrong right off the bat.  Your thinking Intel or AMD, then you break it down to Pentium, almost non existent, or Athlon/Turion.  You need to look at other factors too.  I'll do your shopping for ya.

[Texas_Bryan]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157533

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157429

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157466

Buy it from these guys.  In order of features/performance, top being most basic, these are pretty good values.  I've spent thousands with the Newegg.com and have never had a problem.

[Pathfinder]

For a self-professed low-end user, FQ can go with a Pentium dual core, which should habdle his email and surfing chores using modern software (i.e., bloated). Do not go with any single cores, nor with the Celeron which is even more low-end than FQ.

AMD has had quality and performance problems in the past, so I'd stay away from those. The Core I3 is nice and more modern than the Pentium, put probably is more money than he wants to spend.

[Timothy]

Thank God!  I'm officially "Low Tech"....my Dell has a Celeron, 2.2Ghz, 3GB Ramm...220GB Hard Drive

It does what it needs to do, nothing more.  If I had more at home, I'd get stuck working from home and I won't do that for less than 100 bucks an hour. 

To do what I do for a living, I'd be out a few grand for a less than adequate machine and another grand for a decent graphics card.

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

I'm not a tech-geek when it comes to the internal workings of a computer.......I don't know if what I have is considered 'OK' or not, but I bought a new machine in October '09 (I think the same month Win7 debuted) after a 5 year-old Compaq went the way of the dinosaur....... and, according to the paperwork, it has duel AMD Athlon II drives...and 750 gig of memory..............and after 16 months or so, it has done well.

It might crap out tomorrow, but for slightly less than $400 out the door, I can't complain. I back up my data on a separate 500 gig external hard drive in case of a catastrophe.

YMMV, of course.

[Timothy]

Yea, I have a whole 450 bucks invested in mine.  

I looked at the MAC too but I can't see spending that kind of cash so I can email my buddies, store a few pictures, write a few recipes, research things, buy a few things and conversate with you rabble rousing miscreants on a daily basis.  It's more like a cell phone to me and I don't invest much in those either.

I fell into all that geeky crap years ago and all I found myself doing was fixing other peoples problems so I dumbed myself back down to redneck northerner status.

 

[fullautovalmet76]

For a self-professed low-end user, FQ can go with a Pentium dual core, which should habdle his email and surfing chores using modern software (i.e., bloated). Do not go with any single cores, nor with the Celeron which is even more low-end than FQ.

AMD has had quality and performance problems in the past, so I'd stay away from those. The Core I3 is nice and more modern than the Pentium, put probably is more money than he wants to spend.

FQ,
In general terms, let price be your guide. Computer makers are making some good stuff for not much dinero these days.

Before I moved onto being an analyst, I installed/supported desktop/notebooks. I pretty much line up with Path here. And I would also add that if you can upgrade the RAM (4GB on the HP notebooks) to something more, that will help. The hard drive capacities these days are just ridiculous unless you're storing alot of video, hi-res photos, working with large databases, etc; so the HD capacity is usually more than adequate.

And I know you like to support your local gun shop, so consider supporting your local computer vendor. The key thing there is getting a feel from them about their support in case something fails on your computer. And consider getting some training on how to use the operating system too....Best of luck!

[fightingquaker13]

How important are the RPMS on the hardrive? Say, 5400 vs 7200? Is faster better, or does it decrease life expectancy?
Thanks
FQ13

[fullautovalmet76]

How important are the RPMS on the hardrive? Say, 5400 vs 7200? Is faster better, or does it decrease life expectancy?
Thanks
FQ13

For typical stuff for which most people use a PC, not much if any difference. But if you can get a 7200 rpm drive for the same price, go for it.