[fiiona]

hi ! im parents are buying me a new computer, because my sister and i compete with each other to do our homework.

What i plan to use the new computer for is to :

- Internet
- Homwork
- Download Dramas
- Watch Dramas
- Listen to music.

My parents are concidering buying this computer from dell.
DELL 3100

What do you guys think?

[NASRI22]

hi ! im parents are buying me a new computer, because my sister and i compete with each other to do our homework.

What i plan to use the new computer for is to :

- Internet
- Homwork
- Download Dramas
- Watch Dramas
- Listen to music.

My parents are concidering buying this computer from dell.
DELL 3100

What do you guys think?

i think you should jsut go to a small computer shop and get them to build you a basic computer.. you'll prob save a bit on $$..

[boa808]

umm im not sure about computer prices in australia, but here in the US, i've seen the dimension 3000 go for $400USD, ~$550AUD

the dimension 3000 had specs similar to the dimension 3100 you're looking at with these main differences:

processor:
3100- p4 2.8 with HT
3000- p4 2.8 (no HT)

hard drive:
3100- 80gb sata
3000- 40bg sata

video card:
3100- Integrated Intel® Media Accelerator 900™ Graphics
3000- radeon x300

the dimension 3000 im talking about also comes with a 17" lcd
so heres what i think.. the dimension 3100 will do exactly what u need it to do, except if u want to dl dramas, id suggest getting a bigger hard drive (at least 160gb).. however it is really not worth it for $1000AUD.. the thing is, dell usually has a lot of 'deals' which u may not know about.. best way to find those 'deals' is to find a deals website.. for example check out bensbargains.net or fatwallet.com.. those are US based sites, dont know any australian ones

[xkrndreamer]

sounds like a good computer for your everyday needs.

i dont like going to small computer shops because they charge for labor, and they can cheat you.

[fiiona]

thanks alot for the advice.

[aznfishyfart]

if thats USD id say thats way much....but i really dont know since i never bought a pre-made computer, always built my own xP

[aaandy]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...9&Sku=G153-1138

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...8&Sku=S278-RB53

[SoupSandwich]

Falcon Northwest

If you get a computer from there I'd gladly date you.

[Hiroshi]

you should get more then 256mb, i would settle for 1gb, but 512mb should be enough for you

[KAME]

damn. a grand for that? @@"
Im so glad i built mine =3

[lufia]

get it. i wouldnt go to a small computer shop cause its unreliable. things start to stuff up then u have to keep coming back + they install copied software to ur com so u won't be getting any support and back up.

[xkrndreamer]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...9&Sku=G153-1138

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...8&Sku=S278-RB53

i like the second deal.

[awdark]

Falcon Northwest

If you get a computer from there I'd gladly date you.

There is (I think) a girl in the troubleshooting section with an Alienware notebook

The gateway is a refurb tho... but I say those deals would be better than the dell... dell is good when you visit techbargains.com a lot and get it with a bunch of coupons.

[Dachink]

get a cheaper HP computer with better specs http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1130986103379

[artofmagic]

based on the things you want, you dont need a top notch computer(falcon northwest,alienware, dual core cpu)

probably the best is to get the tigerdirect deal provided by the earlier post or find a lower spec/ price.

[beaver4ever]

yeah based on ur needs that u listed..i'd say the one ur considering is ok....but a little pricey. I agree with the other soompiers..with the 2nd deal....at Tigerdirect. They are generally reliable..as i shop....there pretty often for parts. Haven't ever bought a whole system there before..but i'm pretty sure they have manufacturer's warranty on the computer systems. So..in all....if u or ur parents..are the "best bang for the buck" type.....then i'd shop around to try and get the best deal for your price range (like tigerdirect one mentioned above). If u just wanna a get a computer..that handles...ur needs..then i don't see anything wrong with dell. I hear they do have decent support. Good Luck!

[NASRI22]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you're located in australia!!!

ok i'll help you then.. i honeslty dont find any point in giving AUS prices to US people haaha.. they think i'd be overpricing.

that dell pc is crapppppppp
their' LCD's are poor build (apart from the high end ones)
256MB DDR2 ram is horrible.. 512 has been a standard for pcs for over 2 years now!
intergrated graphics isnt really a problem for you.. so you dont need to worry.. it's jsut if you're planning to play any hardcore games..

well if you dont want teh hassle of going around town to find a good pc shop.. and a good deal.. then just buy the dell one..

[Aisingiorio Nuerhachi]

get a gateway gt5034 for only a grant,it has an AMD Athlon 64 x2 dual core CPU, 2gbs of RAM and 320Gbs of HardDrive, 17 inch LCD monitor, Dvd burners, integrated 9-in-1 digital media manager






http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Pr...feed.GTW+GT5034






Gateway Media Center Desktop with AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Processor 4200+

Model: GT5034



If entertainment is your passion, you'll go head over heels for this desktop. It allows you to watch, pause and record live TV with its built-in TV tuner and burn CDs or DVDs with the DVD burning drive, while the dual-core processor and 2GB of memory provide plenty of power for games and multimedia.
Watch and record live TV! Learn more about Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 dual-core processor 4200+* for increased multitasking performance; improved security with Enhanced Virus Protection**; Cool'n'Quiet™ Technology to minimize heat and noise


2GB PC3200 DDR memory for multitasking power, expandable to 4GB


Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R DL media; 16x maximum speed DVD-ROM drive


Product Features








AMD dual-core technology enables you to work or play with multiple programs without impacting performance




512KB + 512KB L2 cache for efficient system processing




320GB hard drive with 2MB cache (7200 rpm)




NVIDIA GeForce 6100 graphics with PCI Express x16 expansion slot and up to 128MB shared video memory; 5.1-channel audio support (6-channel sound)




ATI Theater 550 Pro TV tuner with 3D comb technology and Media Center remote




7 total USB 2.0 ports, including one in the integrated 9-in-1 digital media manager; also supports CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD-Picture Card and Microdrive




3 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interfaces, front and rear accessible, for fast digital data transfer and easy peripheral connectivity




Built-in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet networking interface with RJ-45 connector; V.92 high-speed data/fax modem




Multimedia keyboard, USB optical 2-button wheel mouse and amplified stereo speakers




Micro-BTX cooling technology for improved reliability and quieter operation




Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2 operating system preinstalled; software package included with Microsoft Digital Image Starter Edition 2006, Nero 6 Suite, CyberLink PowerDVD with 5.1 audio support and more




AMD, AMD Arrow logo, AMD Athlon, Cool'n'Quiet, HyperTransport and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

*This model number indicates relative software performance among this AMD processor family.




**AMD's Enhanced Virus Protection provides additional protection against buffer overflow viruses. AMD and its partners strongly recommend you continue to use third-party anti-virus software as part of your total security solution.










Product Details









Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year








Warranty Terms - Labor 1 year








Product Height 15.4"








Product Width 7.3"








Product Weight 23.5 lbs.








Product Depth 17.9"








Processor Brand AMD Athlon 64 X2








Processor Speed 2.2GHz








System Bus 2000MHz








Cache Memory 512KB + 512MB on die Level 2








System Memory (RAM) 2GB








System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 4GB








Type of Memory (RAM) PC3200 DDR








Hard Drive Size 320GB








Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 6100








Video Memory Up to 128MB (shared)








Personal Video Recorder (PVR) Yes








TV Tuner Yes








MPEG Yes








Audio AC '97; 5.1-channel support (6-channel sound)








Speakers External amplified stereo








Modem 56 Kbps* ITU V.92 *Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.








Network Card Built-in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet networking interface (RJ-45 connector)








Wireless Networking None








DVD-ROM Drive Yes








Maximum DVD-ROM Drive Speed 16x








Recordable DVD Drive Yes, double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW








Recordable DVD Drive Speeds 4x DVD+R DL; 16x8x16 DVD+RW; 16x6x16 DVD-RW; 40x24x40 CD-RW








LightScribe Compatibility No








Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader








Total Expansion Bays 4 (3.5"); 2 (5.25")








Available Expansion Bays 2 (3.5")








Total Expansion Slots 2 PCI, 1 PCI-E, 1 PCI-E x16








Available Expansion Slots 1 PCI-E, 1 PCI-E x16








USB 2.0 Ports 7 (3 front, 4 rear)








IEEE 1394 Ports 3 (2 front, 1 rear)








S-Video Outputs None








Additional Audio/Video Connectors 5 audio ports (2 front, 3 rear)








Serial Ports None








Parallel Ports 1








Game Ports None








Keyboard Description Multimedia








Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.) USB optical 2-button wheel mouse, Media Center remote








Operating System Windows XP Media Center 2005








Software Included Microsoft Works 8.0, Money 2005, Digital Image Starter Edition 2006, Windows Media Player 10; Adobe Acrobat Reader 7; Nero 6 Suite; CyberLink PowerDVD with 5.1 audio support; RealNetworks RealPlayer; QuickTime; Gateway BigFix and more

[NASRI22]

^ nice way to time out those 56k'ers trying to open this thread.

i think it's a little too EXpensive.. come on.. the cheapest Athlon X2 you can get is going for $400 aus!

[TrainDriver]

buy the parts separately, will save u a load of money. if u have a specific budget, i can help.