Computer Remendations

[Babbler]

I like to get an new computer for university. I thinking of a mid range level laptop, although I be fine with a cheaper desktop (I got an extra monitor I could use). Should go for the name brands (HP, Compaq, Dell, etc.) or go for cheaper no name brands. It should have 512+ MB of RAM and a fairly fast processor (I cannot keep up with the new processors). I am willing to take a hit on the Hard Drive space.

Any advice?

 

[Maniacal]

From the recent recalls on Dell laptop batteries I'd avoid the Dells, and a no name brand computer? I'd never trust em.

But let's hear from the experts.

 

[Padma]

I always build my own. That way I know exactly what I have.

But I realize that route isn't for everybody.

You should be able to trust the major manufacturors, and probably the no-names, as well. Dell's problem was just the laptop batteries. Technically, that was the battery maker's fault. Apple got bit by the same thing, for some of its laptops.

 

[taper]

I bought a Compaq laptop last year, and it's working fine for me. Quality on laptops changes fairly quick, so I'm not sure if they're still good. In general, HP/Compaq make decent, cheap laptops, Dell has nicer ones for a little more money, and IBM/Lenova have some of the best, but you pay for it. Toshiba and Acer might be worth looking into also. The battery problem was Sony's fault, not Dell's, and I wouldn't completely rule them out for that.

What do you plan on using it for? Schoolwork to mild gaming to serious gaming will make a big difference on what to buy. If you're a student check if you can get a discount through your school, I got mine for about 2/3rds the list price.

 

[rockinroger]

@ babbler, i agree with padma. i build my own computers. now im just a carpenter, so if i can do it, im POSITIVE others can. lol. I upgraded my computer about 1 month ago, new motherboard is a asus a8n5x (socket939) upgraded to amd athlon 64 3500+. Installed 2 gb of memory instead of 1 gb. Upgraded to pci express card, just a generic one. Its a e-geforce with 256 mb. I have several mods for both vanilla civ and warlords. I also play huge maps. prior to this some mods would take forever to load (ie total realism). I actually feel asleep waiting for mods to load. since ive upgraded i have been very pleased with the mod load times, mod turn times, and havent experiencedany game caused crashes. next thing im looking to up grade is to go with larger hard drive then my current 80 gb, probably time to move to sata hard drives also. So i say again im just a dumb carpenter, no computer genious. i have made mistakes in upgrading and building computers, but eventually i get the bugs worked out.

 

[rockinroger]

@ padma. what do you run in your computer. im thinking of building a civ only computer. My brother lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. Hes deaf so the only way to communicate is through TDY, or online. Well i play about 50 hours a week. To talk to him, i alt tab out. Thereby not playing for a while. So im thinking of building a new computer just for civ 3 and civ 4. I also have to build a new computer for my brother. I promised id build him one if he went back to school. Any thoughts?

 

[Padma]

My current computer is rather old: Athlon XP 2100+, 512M RAM, Radeon 9000Pro 128M graphics card, etc. It does Civ3 fine, but chokes a bit (a LOT) on Civ4. I run Linux (Mandriva 2006.0), not Windows, and it works great. So I can't justify "upgrading", even to play Civ.

 

[History_Buff]

I just bought an Acer Aspire with 2 Gigs of RAM and a Radeon X1600, and it plays Civ IV beautifully. It cost me $1400.00 CAD