Vista - How much to spend on Vista?

I'm considering buying a new PC which I will probably want to get or end up
getting with Vista on it.
My current PC is about 5 years old.
I will probably want to get a 64 bit machine, ie AM2 MB.
I will surely use it to play a variety of games, and possibly movies, and I
want to fit it in a budget. I don't have much money at the moment so the
more I decide to spend the longer I may have to wait.

I need to decide:
Should I try to fit a system under $500? $1000? $1500?
Is it worth it to get Vista Premium, or just stick with Home Basic? Is
Ultimate really worth the money?
Should I get the 64 bit OS, or run the 32 bit OS on 64 bit hardware? Does
the 64 bit OS run 16 bit apps? Does it have issues running 32 bit apps?
Does it rely on a compatibility flag like XP did, which a lot of people
complained didn't work for their apps? Should I just set up a dual boot?
Is it worth it to get a new flat panel monitor, or just use my bulky old
17"?
Should I look into square flat panel monitors, or the widescreen variety?
Should I get the latest video card, the cheapest one with 512+ MB RAM, or
just the cheapest 256+?
Do I stick with IDE HD, or switch to SCSI? SATA? something better?
Do I just get 1 GB RAM, or do I need 2? 4?
How much do I add for MS Office, or should I try out the Open Office app?
What is the minimum power supply I need?
Should I get a DVDRW drive or just use the DVDR and CDRW drives I have?

Eric wrote:
> I'm considering buying a new PC which I will probably want to get or
> end up getting with Vista on it.
> My current PC is about 5 years old.
> I will probably want to get a 64 bit machine, ie AM2 MB.
> I will surely use it to play a variety of games, and possibly movies,
> and I want to fit it in a budget. I don't have much money at the
> moment so the more I decide to spend the longer I may have to wait.
>
> I need to decide:
> Should I try to fit a system under $500? $1000? $1500?
> Is it worth it to get Vista Premium, or just stick with Home Basic? Is
> Ultimate really worth the money?
> Should I get the 64 bit OS, or run the 32 bit OS on 64 bit hardware? Does
> the 64 bit OS run 16 bit apps? Does it have issues running 32
> bit apps? Does it rely on a compatibility flag like XP did, which a
> lot of people complained didn't work for their apps? Should I just
> set up a dual boot? Is it worth it to get a new flat panel monitor,
> or just use my bulky old 17"?
> Should I look into square flat panel monitors, or the widescreen
> variety? Should I get the latest video card, the cheapest one with
> 512+ MB RAM, or just the cheapest 256+?
> Do I stick with IDE HD, or switch to SCSI? SATA? something better?
> Do I just get 1 GB RAM, or do I need 2? 4?
> How much do I add for MS Office, or should I try out the Open Office
> app? What is the minimum power supply I need?
> Should I get a DVDRW drive or just use the DVDR and CDRW drives I
> have?

Prabably.

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:12:54 -0500, Eric wrote:

> I'm considering buying a new PC which I will probably want to get or end up
> getting with Vista on it.

It's difficult to find one withou.

> My current PC is about 5 years old.
> I will probably want to get a 64 bit machine, ie AM2 MB.
> I will surely use it to play a variety of games, and possibly movies, and I
> want to fit it in a budget. I don't have much money at the moment so the
> more I decide to spend the longer I may have to wait.
>
> I need to decide:
> Should I try to fit a system under $500? $1000? $1500?
> Is it worth it to get Vista Premium, or just stick with Home Basic? Is
> Ultimate really worth the money?
> Should I get the 64 bit OS, or run the 32 bit OS on 64 bit hardware? Does
> the 64 bit OS run 16 bit apps? Does it have issues running 32 bit apps?
> Does it rely on a compatibility flag like XP did, which a lot of people
> complained didn't work for their apps? Should I just set up a dual boot?
> Is it worth it to get a new flat panel monitor, or just use my bulky old
> 17"?
> Should I look into square flat panel monitors, or the widescreen variety?
> Should I get the latest video card, the cheapest one with 512+ MB RAM, or
> just the cheapest 256+?
> Do I stick with IDE HD, or switch to SCSI? SATA? something better?
> Do I just get 1 GB RAM, or do I need 2? 4?
> How much do I add for MS Office, or should I try out the Open Office app?
> What is the minimum power supply I need?
> Should I get a DVDRW drive or just use the DVDR and CDRW drives I have?

These are mostly questions that only you can answer. For anyone else to
give advise, we'd need to know, at a minimum, what you want to do with it.
A summary of your financial situation would help as well. For example - it
would be pretty stupid to go into debt for something like this if all you
do is surf the net and play games.

"Eric" <someone@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:uHX65DcWHHA.4188@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> I need to decide:
> Should I try to fit a system under $500? $1000? $1500?
> Is it worth it to get Vista Premium, or just stick with Home Basic? Is
> Ultimate really worth the money?
> Should I get the 64 bit OS, or run the 32 bit OS on 64 bit hardware? Does
> the 64 bit OS run 16 bit apps? Does it have issues running 32 bit apps?
> Does it rely on a compatibility flag like XP did, which a lot of people
> complained didn't work for their apps? Should I just set up a dual boot?
> Is it worth it to get a new flat panel monitor, or just use my bulky old
> 17"?
> Should I look into square flat panel monitors, or the widescreen variety?
> Should I get the latest video card, the cheapest one with 512+ MB RAM, or
> just the cheapest 256+?
> Do I stick with IDE HD, or switch to SCSI? SATA? something better?
> Do I just get 1 GB RAM, or do I need 2? 4?
> How much do I add for MS Office, or should I try out the Open Office app?
> What is the minimum power supply I need?
> Should I get a DVDRW drive or just use the DVDR and CDRW drives I have?

Choose Home Premium over Basic. Basic is very basic.
Get 64bit, it will give you an amount of future proofing
If you want to play games and movies get the best graphics card you can
Go for widescreen monitor unless you are happy with your monitor at the
moment.
Get as much memory as you can for your money.
Try out Open Office, its free so you have nothing to lose
The power supply depends on the motherboard used.

Obviously the more you spend, the better specced machine you are going to
get. You need to look at what your needs are and work from there. If its
just for internet and email then go for a low end machine. For gaming or
business apps, then go for mid range or higher.

Get some advice on which companies in your country are the best with good
after sales service and reputation and see what they have on offer. Don't
go for the first one you like but shop around. If you see two similar
specced machines you like, try a bit of pricematching on the companies and
see if you can squeeze a better deal out of them.

On the other hand if you really want to personalise your machine you could
try a company who build to order then you can specify for yourself what your
machine will be like. Don't be afraid to get quotes and don't be afraid to
ask them for recommendations. Not all companies will try and sell you the
most expensive machine.

Finally, once you have decided on a budget, stick to it and don;t let anyone
to convince you to spend more than you need to. If you have a tech savvy
friend, take them shopping with you to check out what is on offer and take
their advice.

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:35:38 -0500, ray wrote:

> On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:12:54 -0500, Eric wrote:
>
>> I'm considering buying a new PC which I will probably want to get or end up
>> getting with Vista on it.
>
> It's difficult to find one withou.

Right now Dell offers, in the Small Business Dept., Optiplex desktops with an
option for XP or Vista. I don't know if the option exists elsewhere; I don't
see it on any of their home/home business machines.

I just grabbed a new Optiplex with XP before they disappear entirely.

--
Joey DoWop Dee
Remember: It is To Laugh

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:12:54 -0500, "Eric" <someone@microsoft.com>
wrote:

>I'm considering buying a new PC which I will probably want to get or end up
>getting with Vista on it.
>My current PC is about 5 years old.
>I will probably want to get a 64 bit machine, ie AM2 MB.
>I will surely use it to play a variety of games, and possibly movies, and I
>want to fit it in a budget. I don't have much money at the moment so the
>more I decide to spend the longer I may have to wait.
>
>I need to decide:
>Should I try to fit a system under $500? $1000? $1500?
>Is it worth it to get Vista Premium, or just stick with Home Basic? Is
>Ultimate really worth the money?
>Should I get the 64 bit OS, or run the 32 bit OS on 64 bit hardware? Does
>the 64 bit OS run 16 bit apps? Does it have issues running 32 bit apps?
>Does it rely on a compatibility flag like XP did, which a lot of people
>complained didn't work for their apps? Should I just set up a dual boot?
>Is it worth it to get a new flat panel monitor, or just use my bulky old
>17"?
>Should I look into square flat panel monitors, or the widescreen variety?
>Should I get the latest video card, the cheapest one with 512+ MB RAM, or
>just the cheapest 256+?
>Do I stick with IDE HD, or switch to SCSI? SATA? something better?
>Do I just get 1 GB RAM, or do I need 2? 4?
>How much do I add for MS Office, or should I try out the Open Office app?
>What is the minimum power supply I need?
>Should I get a DVDRW drive or just use the DVDR and CDRW drives I have?
>
You'll get far more responses if you limit each post to one or two
questions. Asking twenty questions in one post often means you'll get
ignored. There is no "best" configuration for everybody. You seem to
want all the top flight features, yet not be willing to budget for all
the goodies you'd like to have.

For most people a 64bit system is a mistake right now, especially if
you're going to install Vista. The main reason is a lot of hardware
vendors haven't released drivers yet and I'd wager 64 bit versions for
Vists will follow 32 bit versions.

ray wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:12:54 -0500, Eric wrote:
>
>> I'm considering buying a new PC which I will probably want to get or end up
>> getting with Vista on it.
>
> It's difficult to find one withou.
>
Dell sells them..... Gaming machines with XP cause they have no Vista
drivers for them.

Matt

$500 is not going to get a good (or even decent) gaming machine, look at
close to $1000

--

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_________________________________________________________________________________


"Eric" <someone@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:uHX65DcWHHA.4188@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> I'm considering buying a new PC which I will probably want to get or end
> up getting with Vista on it.
> My current PC is about 5 years old.
> I will probably want to get a 64 bit machine, ie AM2 MB.
> I will surely use it to play a variety of games, and possibly movies, and
> I want to fit it in a budget. I don't have much money at the moment so
> the more I decide to spend the longer I may have to wait.
>
> I need to decide:
> Should I try to fit a system under $500? $1000? $1500?
> Is it worth it to get Vista Premium, or just stick with Home Basic? Is
> Ultimate really worth the money?
> Should I get the 64 bit OS, or run the 32 bit OS on 64 bit hardware? Does
> the 64 bit OS run 16 bit apps? Does it have issues running 32 bit apps?
> Does it rely on a compatibility flag like XP did, which a lot of people
> complained didn't work for their apps? Should I just set up a dual boot?
> Is it worth it to get a new flat panel monitor, or just use my bulky old
> 17"?
> Should I look into square flat panel monitors, or the widescreen variety?
> Should I get the latest video card, the cheapest one with 512+ MB RAM, or
> just the cheapest 256+?
> Do I stick with IDE HD, or switch to SCSI? SATA? something better?
> Do I just get 1 GB RAM, or do I need 2? 4?
> How much do I add for MS Office, or should I try out the Open Office app?
> What is the minimum power supply I need?
> Should I get a DVDRW drive or just use the DVDR and CDRW drives I have?
>
>

"Adam Albright" <AA@ABC.net> wrote in message
news:kh46u21kq55hsnmt188348hutgivsv9uvf@4ax.com...
> You'll get far more responses if you limit each post to one or two
> questions. Asking twenty questions in one post often means you'll get
> ignored. There is no "best" configuration for everybody. You seem to
> want all the top flight features, yet not be willing to budget for all
> the goodies you'd like to have.
>
> For most people a 64bit system is a mistake right now, especially if
> you're going to install Vista. The main reason is a lot of hardware
> vendors haven't released drivers yet and I'd wager 64 bit versions for
> Vists will follow 32 bit versions.
>
I did get a good response or two. I am looking to build a gaming machine
and I can wait for the drivers. I just don't want to get a 32 bit CPU and
have to replace it in a year or two with a 64 bit one, or get a 64 bit OS
that will have too many issues running my 32 bit apps if there's nothing
great that requires 64 bit anytime soon. I already have one machine I can
run at the same time if I have to wait a bit for everything to run perfect
on the new machine. I want another machine that is going to be solid for at
least another 5 years, and I would hope a lot of new apps are going to be
heading to 64 bit. If some new great games are coming for 64 bit I'd like
to be ready to run them.

I spent about $1000 each on my last 2 PCs about 5 years ago. One of them
died. I think the CPU fan failed and killed the CPU. I tried swapping
every part but the CPU with the good machine and couldn't get it to work.
So now I want a new gaming machine at the best price I can find, but with
enough hardware that I shouldn't have to upgrade it for another 5 years or
so. I think it will be closer to $1500 if I get everything I want in it. I
can't decide if it's better to find $1500 in the budget for a PC that will
be good for 5 years, or spend $500 now and have to spend another couple
hundred each year upgrading it. If the cheapest thing I can find is good
enough for now, and I can swap out the same parts or better for the same
price or better over those next few years I may just go that route. The
cheapest thing on the market right now should be better than my 1 GHz
machine with 512 MB RAM and a 64 MB GeForce2...

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:56:30 +0000, Joey DoWop Dee wrote:

> On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:35:38 -0500, ray wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:12:54 -0500, Eric wrote:
>>
>>> I'm considering buying a new PC which I will probably want to get or end up
>>> getting with Vista on it.
>>
>> It's difficult to find one withou.
>
> Right now Dell offers, in the Small Business Dept., Optiplex desktops with an
> option for XP or Vista. I don't know if the option exists elsewhere; I don't
> see it on any of their home/home business machines.
>
> I just grabbed a new Optiplex with XP before they disappear entirely.

I didn't say it was impossible - merely difficult. IMHO it would be a good
option for sellers to offer without vista until sp1 at least.