New PC

[Kalah]

It depends on how many slots you have available, of course... I think the norm is 4, and that leaves you 2 free slots and a reasonable potential of upgrading to 3Gb. The dual channel RAM is actually quite an advantage; the reason I cautioned against it is the likelyhood you'll need to upgrade very soon, and not in a couple of years.

[Caradoc]

Happy new year and thanks Kalah, Paulus, Angelspit for your good advice.

My motherboard has two sets of memory sockets, so I will be able to upgrade later if need be. And I have a drawer full of mice, so I'm just taking the default. I would save only 2 dollars to delete it, and there's still room in the drawer. The keyboard (8 dollars) goes in there too. I have a nice backlit board that I'll keep using.

The one redeeming feature of MS Works is that I can install a Word 7.0 update on top of that horrible word processor. I can't use my original Word 2.0 media since it's on 5.25 inch floppies!

Anyway, I got in my order before the free shipping offer expired and managed to qualify for a 5% discount, so the total was $1140 -- a pretty good deal, I think.

[Kalah]

The one redeeming feature of MS Works is that I can install a Word 7.0 update on top of that horrible word processor.

STOP! Do not do that! Do not under any circumstances install Office software on your PC while Works is still there. You see, that's what I did with my old PC, and I ran into all sorts of trouble. I talked to this über-expert friend of mine, and he said there was some conflicting code between Works and MS Word. In short, installing Office with Works still on my system, and then uninstalling Works, caused Word to malfunction. I never managed to rid myself of the problem completely.

What you should do is uninstall Works first. And then install Office software if you like. Don't put them om top of each other.

[Paulus1]

The one redeeming feature of MS Works is that I can install a Word 7.0 update on top of that horrible word processor. I can't use my original Word 2.0 media since it's on 5.25 inch floppies!

There's also the choice to install Open Office, which happens to be completely free and quite good.

[Caradoc]

The one redeeming feature of MS Works is that I can install a Word 7.0 update on top of that horrible word processor.

STOP! Do not do that! Do not under any circumstances install Office software on your PC while Works is still there. You see, that's what I did with my old PC, and I ran into all sorts of trouble. I talked to this über-expert friend of mine, and he said there was some conflicting code between Works and MS Word. In short, installing Office with Works still on my system, and then uninstalling Works, caused Word to malfunction. I never managed to rid myself of the problem completely.

What you should do is uninstall Works first. And then install Office software if you like. Don't put them om top of each other.

That's odd. I've done this before without any ill effects. But I'll heed your warning.

Meanwhile, I've found a company on the web http://otkritogon.net/ that offers deeply discounted downloads. Have you ever heard of them? ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY APPEAR TO BE SPAMMERS.

[Paulus1]

Meanwhile, I've found a company on the web http://otkritogon.net/ that offers deeply discounted downloads. Have you ever heard of them? ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY APPEAR TO BE SPAMMERS.

It certainly doesn't look legit. Just a small part of their terms of business give that away:

2.3. You cannot register the software with the manufacturer and updates are available not for all the products;
2.4. You do not receive printed license documentation;

[asandir]

sounds dodgy, but like the system Caradoc, not exactly how I woulda done it, but it is a nice setup for a good price, can't ask for mush more then that

[Pol]

Of course, a new HD doesn't have to be integrated; it can just as easily be connected to the machine via USB. You can't do that with RAM chips..

You can. - If you have Asus board you are able to use usb keys as additional RAM. Hence not perfect it's quite usable.

Personally I'm waiting. I have two requests on the PC, first is dual core and second to be absolutely silent, maybe with one backup cooler. Right now here is no chance to build it, though AMD has acceptable temperature but no performance. Finally it should be workstation.

What about an OpenOffice.org suite, instead of Works?

[Caradoc]

Of course, a new HD doesn't have to be integrated; it can just as easily be connected to the machine via USB. You can't do that with RAM chips..

You can. - If you have Asus board you are able to use usb keys as additional RAM. Hence not perfect it's quite usable.

Personally I'm waiting. I have two requests on the PC, first is dual core and second to be absolutely silent, maybe with one backup cooler. Right now here is no chance to build it, though AMD has acceptable temperature but no performance. Finally it should be workstation.

What about an OpenOffice.org suite, instead of Works?

In my investigations, I discovered that water-cooling systems can be set for virtually silent running, but at max speeds are quite loud.

As to OpenOffice, I have had to use StarOffice for many years to suit my masters at Sun Microsystems. I really don't like it, so I am nervous about OpenOffice.

[Pol]

It's slow but it can be used (fe I'm using it). StarOffice, yeah I remember. I have no masters but I'm contributor. StarOffice was also bundled with some IBM products and I used it for a while under OS/2.

I don't know but most simple, for me to much, is Abiword, it is Write replacement and in this area is pretty good.

It will mostly depend on price, if you can get Works or even Office with some decent prize with the product it's good idea to do it. Here are such actions going with Fujitsu-Siemens new PCs.

I don't like water cooling such is extra level of care instead I wish to return to simplier computer systems which were normal to 2k. Alas here is also peltier and heatpipes, but only last one is usable. Must say that I like wooden cases, nor theirs prices though.

OO and Abiword are freeware so that gives them second chance to use them later whenever it will be needed after.

[asandir]

I think water cooling is fine as long as it's done by someone who knows what they are doing, and are careful!

[Caradoc]

I don't like water cooling such is extra level of care instead I wish to return to simplier computer systems which were normal to 2k. Alas here is also peltier and heatpipes, but only last one is usable. Must say that I like wooden cases, nor theirs prices though.

Perhaps you'd like one of these steam powered computers:

[asandir]

probably a tad noisy I would imagine, I'd take the nuclear power!

[Kalah]

Nuclear power is safe, incredibly fuel efficient, and has the potential of giving you super powers

[asandir]

indeed, that's why I went for it, steam is a little messy, noisy, inefficient and the only mutation or super-power you are likely to encounter is a steam-burn!

[Corribus]

I'm buying a new laptop computer. Mostly this is for work, but I'm also interested in playing some games on it as well when I get the time. I don't really want to break the bank, nor do I need to be able to run the newest first person shooters. But I would like to run some relatively modern games, particularly H5.

Will this system be capable of running H5 smoothly?

AMD 1.6 GHz dual core Turion 64 X2 or Intel T5500
~ 2 GB DDR ram

What about a system with only 1 GB ram?

It's been so long since I bought a new computer that the modern processor options are a mystery to me. Anyone care to benchmark me? Tell me what a mid-range processor these days is, and an elite example as well.

Thanks -
C

[Angelspit]

The main issue with laptops is the video card. Be very careful with that.

The processor should be fine for Heroes V, just like the memory, but 2 Gig of RAM wouldn't be a bad investment.

[Kalah]

But I would like to run some relatively modern games, particularly H5. Will this system be capable of running H5 smoothly?

AMD 1.6 GHz dual core Turion 64 X2 or Intel T5500
~ 2 GB DDR ram

Well, it looks all right, but remember that not all laptop video cards are supported. Oh, and I think my processor would kick this one's butt every time in open melee... and even my PC doesn't run H5 smoothly (my video card isn't too good, you see...)

What about a system with only 1 GB ram?

Sure, why not. Try to make sure that the PC has a free slot, though, so that you can upgrade later; doubling your RAM can add years to a laptop's usefulness.

Indeed, I would say that if your laptop is mainly for work, focus on that and don't worry about games... you'll always be able to run some fun games on it, and the "laptop for gaming" combo is very likely to break your bankroll...

[Corribus]

Indeed, I would say that if your laptop is mainly for work, focus on that and don't worry about games... you'll always be able to run some fun games on it, and the "laptop for gaming" combo is very likely to break your bankroll...

Well, for what I need for work I could probably get away with what I have now, except my current computer is showing physical wear and tear (a broken key or two, a broken USB port, etc.) I play mostly older games anyway, but it would be nice to run H5 and a few other games. But I don't want to have to spend 2000 dollars to do it.

Thanks for the advice, though.

[Caradoc]

Check out the 'gaming' laptops at iBuyPower and Cyberpower to see what goes into them. You also have severe heat issues to deal with.