Need a new computerRecomendations please

[mike7mm08]

Computer is going on five years old. Starting to act stupid. Have been able to work through most issues. But the latest issue I cannot live with. I am a big music guy. I like to burn cds to play in the truck. Well the computer has decided to burn cds only when it feels like it and it is going to pick and choose what it actually burns. I have tried everything and anything. All the checks I can do on the software say it is the drive. All the checks on the drive say it is a software issue. Since I am ready to take the 45 to the damn thing I figure it is time to start shopping.

Need nothing fancy. Surfing the web storing pictures and music burning cds. Thinking under 500. Just need the tower. Appreciate any recommendations on current products. Thanks.

 

[Kevin]

Dell, without a doubt. You can easily get just the tower for less than $500.

This summer, my computer was 4 years old, a Dell, and still chugging along, but I wanted something faster. I bought a Lenovo laptop. I know they make desktops too, but not sure how expensive. I'm very pleased with Lenovo so far.

I know you said $500 which is possible, but it won't be the fastest. RAM still seems to cost a lot. Or the newer style hard drives, they are incredibly fast, but more expensive. They are also still pretty small compared to the older "regular" hard drives. Sorry, the acronym escapes me right now.

 

[sncup]

go shopping here at the Newegg sight. You can look around for what you want to spend and see others feedback on their experience with the items.

https://www.newegg.com/Desktop-Computers/Category/ID-228

 

[Fox Mike]

I too recommend a Dell. Have had both Dell and HP and it is Dell hands down.

 

[blume357]

Well your first problem is CD's are now old school and will be gone in a few years... but in the mean time why not just buy a new CD/DVD burner and see if that solves the problem... they cost about $25.

 

[GunnyGene]

Ditto on Dell. Been using Dell since nearly the first one they made, both for home and for business.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I agree on Dell.

One question:
Does your truck have the ability to play from a USB source?

My Outback does and that has been a real revelation. I have one of the
tiny Micro-USB "adaptors" and it is amazing how many tunes you can get
on one of those (32G Micro).

If it does, you can easily get things done with just copy.

But new computers are mostly fun. :wink:

 

[The Blackhawk Kid]

Apple I-Mac desktop. Apple MacBook Pro. Toast Titanium software. Works for me. I also have a Dell laptop that I use for my shooting programs on. Load software etc. I also have a Target Cam that shows the bullet impact on your target and it send the pic back to my Dell laptop. There is even a spotting scope that is WiFi enabled! fwiw

 

[powder smoke]

Dell! I'm running a refurbished Dell for 8 years now! ps

 

[SR1911SHOOTER]

Computer is going on five years old. Starting to act stupid. Have been able to work through most issues. But the latest issue I cannot live with. I am a big music guy. I like to burn cds to play in the truck. Well the computer has decided to burn cds only when it feels like it and it is going to pick and choose what it actually burns. I have tried everything and anything. All the checks I can do on the software say it is the drive. All the checks on the drive say it is a software issue. Since I am ready to take the 45 to the damn thing I figure it is time to start shopping.

Need nothing fancy. Surfing the web storing pictures and music burning cds. Thinking under 500. Just need the tower. Appreciate any recommendations on current products. Thanks.

Mike,
Gateway makes a pretty good rig. I have one of the "Compact" towers. Still on WIndows 7 too.
Blackie

 

[mike7mm08]

I agree on Dell.

One question:
Does your truck have the ability to play from a USB source?

My Outback does and that has been a real revelation. I have one of the
tiny Micro-USB "adaptors" and it is amazing how many tunes you can get
on one of those (32G Micro).

If it does, you can easily get things done with just copy.

But new computers are mostly fun. :wink:

No USB about a year too old. I do have a plug in that I can hook my MP3 player to. It is like a headphone jack. Sound quality sucks though.

 

[GunnyGene]

I agree on Dell.

One question:
Does your truck have the ability to play from a USB source?

My Outback does and that has been a real revelation. I have one of the
tiny Micro-USB "adaptors" and it is amazing how many tunes you can get
on one of those (32G Micro).

If it does, you can easily get things done with just copy.

But new computers are mostly fun. :wink:

No USB about a year too old. I do have a plug in that I can hook my MP3 player to. It is like a headphone jack. Sound quality sucks though.

Dell will build your pc to your specs. Whatever you want.

 

[ronto]

I've had good luck with Dell also. :)

 

[eric conrad]

Computer is going on five years old. Starting to act stupid. Have been able to work through most issues. But the latest issue I cannot live with. I am a big music guy. I like to burn cds to play in the truck. Well the computer has decided to burn cds only when it feels like it and it is going to pick and choose what it actually burns. I have tried everything and anything. All the checks I can do on the software say it is the drive. All the checks on the drive say it is a software issue. Since I am ready to take the 45 to the damn thing I figure it is time to start shopping.

Need nothing fancy. Surfing the web storing pictures and music burning cds. Thinking under 500. Just need the tower. Appreciate any recommendations on current products. Thanks.

Mike,
Gateway makes a pretty good rig. I have one of the "Compact" towers. Still on WIndows 7 too.
Blackie

If it means anything. Gateway was bought out by Acer back in 2007
I've had good luck with Dell. Go online and build it the way you want.
Apple is expensive but they are the best out there. Eric

 

[redhawker]

Many years ago my computer was having "issues". I went into our IT office to ask the gear-heads what type of computer they would recommend I buy. As I walked in the 5 IT guys were working on yet another IBM laptop that was having "issues" of its own. The quintet looked up from the laptop they were toiling over and I asked, "I need a new computer. What should I get?" In unison, they all said, "Get a Mac." I did and have never looked back. That was about 12 years ago.

 

[tech4064]

Have you checked to see if there is a firmware update available for your drive? You can get the make and model info. from Device Manager, then go to the vendor's website and look for driver and firmware updates under there support menu.

 

[mike7mm08]

I have gone through every update I can find. Everything is updated supposedly. Figure five years old at least 90 bucks to have it just looked at I had a cd drive replaced in another computer once and it was around 80 bucks. If I am going to spend a third or more of replacement price,on anything electronic I have learned I am better off buying new.Based on the advice here I will be looking at dell. Thanks.

 

[wizofwas]

The first thing I'd do is to save everything I wanted to a CD and then reformat the hard drive and reload the software. If that doesn't work, then think about a new tower. Personally, I'd rather build one to my spec's than buy one. And as someone said, the CD/DVD drive may be bad and need replacing.