Building a computer

[Verivus]

That's a nice laptop, but I want a desktop. I just like having the option to customize without having to replace the entire setup. If I could build a laptop I totally would go for that instead. I'm going to use my current laptop for work once I have the desktop setup.

[jocoyn]

I am trying to be open minded about the win 8. Just now setting up the computer. I know a lot of folks hate it but i remember how much I hated the office ribbon and now (eeeeek) I kind of like it. [Honestly, I remember HATING when our office went from wordperfect (the old version with the key strokes) to MS Word when windows 3.0 came out!

I think the big thing will be knowing about compatibility, though I have been told it is built on the same platform; really the fundamental difference is with the human interface.

Of course I still remember working in MS DOS and DR DOS and talking to computers in program language.

[Syaoransbear]

Originally Posted by Verivus

That's a nice laptop, but I want a desktop. I just like having the option to customize without having to replace the entire setup. If I could build a laptop I totally would go for that instead. I'm going to use my current laptop for work once I have the desktop setup.

Yeah laptops aren't really customizable for the most part. Plus if you are seriously into gaming you'll drain the battery life so quickly that it basically will be a desktop since you'll be sitting by an outlet most of the time .

Where are you going to have your desktop located? I just wonder because I have mine in my bedroom, and I wish I would have got a case without any lights. I don't usually turn off my computer at night because I'm usually downloading or installing something, or watching shows on it to help me sleep, and most of the time there's a towel or a sweater over it because it makes the whole room bright blue. I guess I could disconnect the lights, but that seems annoying .

[Verivus]

Originally Posted by Syaoransbear

Yeah laptops aren't really customizable for the most part. Plus if you are seriously into gaming you'll drain the battery life so quickly that it basically will be a desktop since you'll be sitting by an outlet most of the time .

Where are you going to have your desktop located?

That's actually what I'm doing with my laptop now, lol. It's more or less always plugged into the outlet and almost never moves from the living room. Figure might as well get a desktop!

It will be either in my bedroom or the living room. Haven't decided that part yet. I was actually just thinking about that light issue earlier! I usually leave my computer on for one reason or another, so I may just put it in the living room. Or I'll just not use much lighting. But when I setup my WC I might put in lights...

[Liesje]

I've been using Windows 8 Pro for a little over a month now. It has some things I like, some things I don't care about, and some things I think are ridiculous. There were a few compatibility problems I've run into (I cannot print at work, "Metro" IE does not do Silverlight so it will not run the web UI of our main database, two of the freeware programs I used on a daily basis don't work). If you aren't really into getting it I would just get Windows 7 and avoid compatibility issues.

[machop]

I think syaoyansbear has excellent point.

Being building computer since 1998, I found going mid range gives you best bang of buck.

You budget doesn't include OS cost and good quality of mouse and keyboard (they are as important as good gpu). They total can add another 1 or 2 hundred.

Personally I would go for a cheaper vid card ( radeon 7870), and get a 256g ssd.

[Verivus]

I am still undecided on the OS, but I already have a good mouse and keyboard so no worries there. I know I can just nab a 7950 and overclock it to get the same specs as a 7970, but for now I'm still leaning towards the 7970. Maybe that will change. Making an alternate build right now with different parts to compare.

[jocoyn]

Well, I am RETURNING the Win 8 computer. There was a problem with the activation code on the OS (even though this was major retailer, brand new computer) and 3 hours of tech support at three different places (nobody owned my problem) left them telling me to take it back as the install must have been corrupted and they could not do a restore. (Hmmmm QC -- does that happen anymore?). Retailer said they did not touch it after it had been built by the manufacturer and I believe it.

My own impression was maybe this would be better than sliced bread for someone with a touchscreen or doing one thing at a time but I am always multitasking and going back and forth between programs and I felt the interface to be clunky in that regard-there are some tabs within programs but to go between it seems you have to go back to the main screen.

Shame to me because win 8 builds seem deeply discounted.

[wolfstraum]

I just got a new laptop - and wanted it prior to Win 8 - maybe after it has been out a year and they find the bugs and make patches......but until then I will stick with Win 7 - and wish for XP back....

Lee

[Liesje]

Nancy there are ways around that but that is I would suggest just sticking with Windows 7. I don't use Windows 8 any differently than Windows 7 (start menu, normal desktop, third party "dock", etc). It's a really nice OS and has several important improvements but other than the fact that I work in IT and like to know my way around an OS before students are bringing it to me, my workflow hasn't changed.