Topic: New Computer Recommendations

[thegreatgumbino]

Did some looking and didn't find much related to computer recommendations.  I'm looking to get a new desktop system in the less than $1,000-1,200 range in the next couple of weeks.  Anybody got any recommendations on manufacturers/models?  I don't play many games, so the bulk of its use will be for music transfers & burning (DVD burner & firewire connections are a plus), internet, general home use, and some introductory digital photo work which the wife is trying to get into.  I am hoping to get a 17" LCD and a decent sound system as well.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[jpschust]

id personally go with the new imac g5.

[nic]

yeah, if you're budget is up to $2000, definitely get the new iMac

[thoman8r]

Did some looking and didn't find much related to computer recommendations.  I'm looking to get a new desktop system in the less than $1,000-1,200 range in the next couple of weeks.  Anybody got any recommendations on manufacturers/models?  I don't play many games, so the bulk of its use will be for music transfers & burning (DVD burner & firewire connections are a plus), internet, general home use, and some introductory digital photo work which the wife is trying to get into.  I am hoping to get a 17" LCD and a decent sound system as well.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Dude, get a dell.

If you don't need to play games, you'll be able to get everything you want for well under $1200.

[jpschust]

the low end new g5 imac is way cheaper than 2

[gewwang]

Even though Mac hardware is more expensive, it's worth it because it runs Mac's OS which means you don't have to deal with Microsoft nonsense.

[dnsacks]

Let us know if you're set on a windoze-based or mac.

If you're going the windoze route, let us know if you're comfortable "opening the hood" on the pc or want everything pre-configured.

For those comfortable installing an os and opening the hood, I just picked up a dell poweredge server for $300 (after rebates) from dell through a deal I found on slickdeals.net (thanks to whoever posted this site).  It's a bare-bones setup (2.8ghz p4, 800mhz fsb w/ 512mb ram, 40gb harddrive, integrated network, soundcard, etc but no moniter, OS, etc), but is fast and quiet.   Throw in from other sources 200gb hdd (can be had for under $100), a nice lcd moniter ($300ish?), a 16x dual layer dvd burner ($80ish) and a decent set of computer speakers and you'd have a real nice pc for well under $1k.

[thegreatgumbino]

I am running a PC right now.  I haven't used a Mac in years!  My dad still swears by them.  The new G5 looks sweet!, but I am apprehensive due to the fact that I haven't used on in so long.  I guess I have concerns with trying to find software for my JB3 and music stuff that Mac supports.  I am sure it wouldn't be difficult, but just one more thing to occupy my time.

As for opening up myself, I wouldn't be against it, but it would be a trial and error experience.  The only experience I've had with this is installing an aftermarket cd burner about 4 years ago.  I know I could build one for cheap, but I don't want to spend a great amount of time trying to figure it out.

[dnsacks]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe a jb3 will interface well with a mac. 

If you had no problem installing the cd burner 4 years ago, you'd have no problem adding the necessary parts to the dell I described -- adding a new burner is no different than before and adding a new hard drive is real easy too. (ditto with installing windoze xp corporate)  The one issue with the dell I described is that it comes without software.  Unless you have/can get the software you need, you might be better off buying a more "traditional" system that includes the necessary software and licenses.

[thegreatgumbino]

I don't have any of the software, so I would be buying everything.

[dnsacks]

In that case, probably best to buy one more fully-configured.  If you go the PC route, I personally have had great luck with Dell. 

[jpschust]

you are wrong, there are drivers out there now for the jb3 and mac

[dnsacks]

cool -- I'd heard something about partial integration via itunes, but thought I'd also heard it wasn't fully functional.  Can you now transfer new material to and from a jb3 via a mac?  Using itunes or some other interface?

[jpschust]

yep, look in the computer forum i believe- the drivers are in the jb3 yahoo group

[thegreatgumbino]

what audio management programs are you using for the Mac?  Is there a compatible soundforge/shntool/cdwave/flac type program?