Computer Shopping Need Some Help.

[rockchalk06]

I've been out of the computer game for awhile. We got a couple best buy gift cards as early wedding gifts and we have decided to get a desktop.

I've got a few requirements:

Intel Processer

Will be using it for some games, use with the new go pro.

Needs a SD card reader, DVD drive

Thanks in advance.

[Scott F]

Get an iMac. Apples just work properly. No need for anti-virus software and they come with several good programs including a great video editing program iMovie. You can also run a Windows operating system on it. I don't know why you would, but you can.

[Brian Needham]

shop on dealnews.com........ always great deals listed and many times some are available at bestbuy.

[rockchalk06]

Are all Internet programs comparable with apple now? My ipad is so limited on what it can do.

[flyfisher]

I'll second the apple suggestion.  I just bought a MacBook Air about a month or so ago and i am kicking myself for not doing it sooner.  Next on my list is the iMac.  I will also concur that the video editing software is pretty good.

[retiredbosn]

I've been out of the computer game for awhile. We got a couple best buy gift cards as early wedding gifts and we have decided to get a desktop.

I've got a few requirements:

Intel Processer

Will be using it for some games, use with the new go pro.

Needs a SD card reader, DVD drive

Thanks in advance.

A desktop? Do they still make those? As far as your requirements go you would have to special order a computer not to be able to handle what u want. The old Mac vs PC thing is a mater of preference. However if you do work at home that you will later take to the office get whatever system you have at work. Mac ppl crack me up with no antivirus needed, its not that Mac's are immune to viruses, but seeing how PC's out sell Mac by 50 to 1 or 20 to 1 if you count the I pad as a computer, hackers play the odds and attack PC's. As a matter of practicality PC's dominate, so no worries about whether having internet sites being compatable. Bottom line get what u want and are comfortable with.

[Root beer]

Mac are prone to viruses. It's harder to hack Mac than PC, but it still susceptible to attacks. We had an iMac few weeks ago to come across the tech desk that had quite a few viruses. I've had my Macbook since May and still haven't gotten a virus.. I visit the same websites as PC users too. I could still get one, although. Virus creators are getting more creative.

 

I would recommend a Mac Mini, but since you mentioned games, what games are we talking about? Like Steam games? Games you buy at the store? You can buy games from the iTune store.  Some games still haven't quite developed for Mac uses vs. PC. But internet, Office, etc., are all starting become cross compatible long as you export files for platform compatibility.  I've created resume with Pages (The Microsoft Word equivalent.) on my Macbook then exported the files to Word format and sent it to an employer, I got an interview. There is still some slight formatting problems when doing this, but I discovered there are fonts and formats that will work on both programs. Long as you know which ones can cross there isn't an issue. There are a lot of external hard drives out there that works for both platforms. Your iPad limitation is likely due to the fact it's a tablet, not a computer. Tablets are still limited in what they can do in terms of productivity. That why I bought a Macbook instead of an iPad or other tablets.

 

 

If you do go the Apple route, I encourage getting Apple Care. I work for a computer company that has Apple Techs, trust me it would be worth it.... We have guys that can code, fix computers blind folded, etc., I've heard this PC vs. Apple debate in incredible depth. It all boils down to matter of which operating systems you prefer. I really like the simplicity of Mac and ease of uses versus PC. 

 

Edit: I missed the DVD drive part. I'm little sleepy, it has been a long day. I guess iMac is next option if you want go Apple route. You can still get a Mac Mini you just have to buy the DVD drive separate. 

[Fishing Rhino]

My wife has a laptop, and I hate it.  Cannot use my desktop when we are away from home.

 

Why do I hate it?  I like the much larger 26 inch monitor.  Much easier on my 72 year old eyes.  I hate the touchpad just below the spacebar.  Every time I inadvertently contact the touchpad while typing I have to go back a step or two to undo what I have done.

 

I'm used to having the number pad to the right side of the keyboard, so it's an aggravation to go to the right and then remember her keyboard does not have numbers there. 

 

It's even worse when I have to use it on my lap, rather than a desk or table.

 

Other than saving space, and portability, I see no advantage for the laptop.

 

Yeah, I know.  I'm just an old fogey, or is that fogie?

[rockchalk06]

Well after a few hours at best buy shopping around we decided on the iMac. 

Get an iMac. Apples just work properly. No need for anti-virus software and they come with several good programs including a great video editing program iMovie. You can also run a Windows operating system on it. I don't know why you would, but you can.

 

When I talked to the tech today about using it for the Go Pro he mentioned that the iMac had some good software all ready installed. Thanks for the heads up.

A desktop? Do they still make those? As far as your requirements go you would have to special order a computer not to be able to handle what u want. The old Mac vs PC thing is a mater of preference. However if you do work at home that you will later take to the office get whatever system you have at work. Mac ppl crack me up with no antivirus needed, its not that Mac's are immune to viruses, but seeing how PC's out sell Mac by 50 to 1 or 20 to 1 if you count the I pad as a computer, hackers play the odds and attack PC's. As a matter of practicality PC's dominate, so no worries about whether having internet sites being compatable. Bottom line get what u want and are comfortable with.

 

I have had my share of laptops, but we wanted a base computer in the house for us and my son. My last laptop bit the dust when my son decided to (help daddy) and carry it to the bedroom. Seems the don't like to be dropped. We wanted to be able to insure that it lasted. We both have iPads for quick internet use and for travel so we wanted something more stable. Plus no batteries to go to crap in a year or so. 

Mac are prone to viruses. It's harder to hack Mac than PC, but it still susceptible to attacks. We had an iMac few weeks ago to come across the tech desk that had quite a few viruses. I've had my Macbook since May and still haven't gotten a virus.. I visit the same websites as PC users too. I could still get one, although. Virus creators are getting more creative.

 

I would recommend a Mac Mini, but since you mentioned games, what games are we talking about? Like Steam games? Games you buy at the store? You can buy games from the iTune store.  Some games still haven't quite developed for Mac uses vs. PC. But internet, Office, etc., are all starting become cross compatible long as you export files for platform compatibility.  I've created resume with Pages (The Microsoft Word equivalent.) on my Macbook then exported the files to Word format and sent it to an employer, I got an interview. There is still some slight formatting problems when doing this, but I discovered there are fonts and formats that will work on both programs. Long as you know which ones can cross there isn't an issue. There are a lot of external hard drives out there that works for both platforms. Your iPad limitation is likely due to the fact it's a tablet, not a computer. Tablets are still limited in what they can do in terms of productivity. That why I bought a Macbook instead of an iPad or other tablets.

 

 

If you do go the Apple route, I encourage getting Apple Care. I work for a computer company that has Apple Techs, trust me it would be worth it.... We have guys that can code, fix computers blind folded, etc., I've heard this PC vs. Apple debate in incredible depth. It all boils down to matter of which operating systems you prefer. I really like the simplicity of Mac and ease of uses versus PC. 

 

Edit: I missed the DVD drive part. I'm little sleepy, it has been a long day. I guess iMac is next option if you want go Apple route. You can still get a Mac Mini you just have to buy the DVD drive separate. 

I was talking about a few different computer games with disks. More for kids games. I didn't realize that most all the games my son uses were on my iPad and everything switched over from my cloud account. I like to also burn DVD's. I make copies of my sons favorite movies and use the copies for his portable DVD player in the truck. The originals stay put in the house that way they last longer. I also burn DVD's from redbox if we want to keep the movies for future use. I have tons of firearm, tactical training, and armor dvd's that I still use so I wanted a DVD player. We just bought a portable one for it though.

 

Thanks again everyone for your help. It was much appreciated. I think we got a killer deal and a really nice computer. My son has this exact computer at school too, so homework etc will be easy for him. 

[Root beer]

Welcome to the cult. Anything you have purchased or downloaded with iTune such as games, songs, etc., can be downloaded again onto your iMac without additional purchases using your Apple ID.

[rockchalk06]

Welcome to the cult. Anything you have purchased or downloaded with iTune such as games, songs, etc., can be downloaded again onto your iMac without additional purchases using your Apple ID.

That's what I found out. Thanks. I have a bunch of games too, so it was nice not to have to re download them again or buy them again.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

My wife has a laptop, and I hate it.  Cannot use my desktop when we are away from home.

 

Why do I hate it?  I like the much larger 26 inch monitor.  Much easier on my 72 year old eyes.  I hate the touchpad just below the spacebar.  Every time I inadvertently contact the touchpad while typing I have to go back a step or two to undo what I have done.

 

I'm used to having the number pad to the right side of the keyboard, so it's an aggravation to go to the right and then remember her keyboard does not have numbers there. 

 

It's even worse when I have to use it on my lap, rather than a desk or table.

 

Other than saving space, and portability, I see no advantage for the laptop.

 

Yeah, I know.  I'm just an old fogey, or is that fogie?

My laptop has a number pad on the right side of the keyboard.

[Fishing Rhino]

My laptop has a number pad on the right side of the keyboard.

Some do, some don't.  My wife's and our daughter's don't have the number pad on the right.

 

To make matters worse, the touchpad has two "buttons" for the right and left click.  I inadvertently touch the right click while typing, and a menu opens on the screen with a list of options, then I have to left click to get rid of it.  For me, a laptop is a pain in the derriere.

 

Then, there is still the matter of a smaller screen.

[Root beer]

Some do, some don't.  My wife's and our daughter's don't have the number pad on the right.

 

To make matters worse, the touchpad has two "buttons" for the right and left click.  I inadvertently touch the right click while typing, and a menu opens on the screen with a list of options, then I have to left click to get rid of it.  For me, a laptop is a pain in the derriere.

 

Then, there is still the matter of a smaller screen.

 

You could also buy a USB keypad and mouse for laptop. I had a wireless keypad for my laptop in college to run spreadsheet. I eventually ruined it by accident.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Some do, some don't.  My wife's and our daughter's don't have the number pad on the right.

 

To make matters worse, the touchpad has two "buttons" for the right and left click.  I inadvertently touch the right click while typing, and a menu opens on the screen with a list of options, then I have to left click to get rid of it.  For me, a laptop is a pain in the derriere.

 

Then, there is still the matter of a smaller screen.

Personally I just use my cell phone.

The screen on my laptop is massive though. You could always hook it up to a nearby tv when travelling. Presto instant large screen!

[Scott F]

That's what I found out. Thanks. I have a bunch of games too, so it was nice not to have to re download them again or buy them again.

 

The iPad games won't play on the iMac. 

[rockchalk06]

The iPad games won't play on the iMac. 

All but minecraft switched over from the gaming center

[SirSnookalot]

I'm with Rhino, I do not care for laptops.  I did own a laptop many years ago strictly as a backup computer, seldom used but when I did use it a keyboard and mouse made the usage much easier.  When I'm away from home my smartphone does what ever I need it to do.  If I wasn't retired and traveled for business I certainly would own a laptop then, it would be essential.

[Bankbeater]

I have had my last three towers built by computer shops.  You get quality parts, you can customize however you want, and you don't get all of that pre-loaded garbage on the harddrive.  If I am traveling I just use my smartphone.