please, any advice on a computer purchase

[schultzed]

I'm about to purchase this Dell . . . any suggestions? I know I should build my own machine with AMD and run Linux -- just to screw the monopolies :-)

I was going to get a E510 (value code 07610-D50308K) but tweaks were going to push it up to $900 after rebate.

Does it make sense to bump up to the next processor? Pentium® D Processor 830 with Dual Core Technology (3GHz, 800FSB) [add $100]

Is XP pro much better than the media edition? (I have a license for a copy from school . . . so I could install it)

I will get 10% off from the Fatwallet coupon and free shipping.

XPS 400 Pentium® D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB)
Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition
Memory Featured Upgrade a $60 value! 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
Keyboard Dell USB Keyboard
Monitors FEATURED UPGRADE!! 19 inch E196FP Analog Flat Panel
Video Cards 256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory
Hard Drives 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Floppy Drive and Media Reader 13 in 1 Media Card Reader
CD or DVD Drive Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability
Sound Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Optional Ports IEEE 1394 Adapter
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack -Basic digital Music, Photo, and Casual Gaming

TOTAL:$1,169.00


I don't really care about games . . . so I don't need to push the envelope . . . mostly want a faster machine for photo editing . . . to try video editing . . . burn DVDs . . .

[Swingman]

Well it looks like you're upgrading both computers about the same from looking at price.

The E510 starts at 750 and you push it up to $900
The XPS 400 starts at $999 and you push it to $1169.00

Just need to ask yourself if the difference between the 2 setups is worth $269. Also. deals change each week so you might get a different total if you wait. Although, if you want a free 19 inch monitor upgrade and 1 GB memory then current one might be the best.

Unless you're a Dell person, you could also check to see how much similar systems cost on hp.com and gateway.com.

[schultzed]

Well it looks like you're upgrading both computers about the same from looking at price.

The E510 starts at 750 and you push it up to $900
The XPS 400 starts at $999 and you push it to $1169.00

Just need to ask yourself if the difference between the 2 setups is worth $269. Also. deals change each week so you might get a different total if you wait. Although, if you want a free 19 inch monitor upgrade and 1 GB memory then current one might be the best.

Unless you're a Dell person, you could also check to see how much similar systems cost on hp.com and gateway.com.

Thanks for the comments:

I have been a Dell person and gateway looks higher right now (same setup $200 more).

Also, the 10% off coupon only applies to the XPS . . . so the gap is more like $169. It seems like I couldn't add a firewire port to the E510.

[Lice]

You know people have been giving the Xps systems decent reviews, And with the XP pro you can do the same stuff with media edition but might need a few more programs. But if your doing photo and video editing im sure you already have your own programs so i dont think that the ones MS gives you will be of much benifit.

My vote is towards the XPS and the $169 will be worth it in the long run.

Good luck

[schultzed]

You know people have been giving the Xps systems decent reviews,

Good luck


Thanks, I didn't know this.

No one seems to be putting up any red flags

[cletus]

If you do go with the XPS, make sure you format it after making sure the computer works but before you start putting stuff on it. That's really the only negatives I've heard about those systems. They come with a bunch of crap preinstall and it could interfere with anything you yourself install.