The computer I have now ( Compaq) is old and on its last legs. I am looking into a new one. Nothing too expensive ( around $700). The one I have now has works which isn't compatible with the schools microsoft word, so I have alot of problems. I also will need to get a powerpoint program.

What cpu do you have or do you suggest?? Thanks!

Dude, I have a Dell.

We have had it for almost 2 years and have had no problems what so ever. We did have to add extra memory to get some of my husband's meteorology programs to run properly, but we were able to buy it at Bestbuy for pretty cheap. I believe we paid $750 for ours, and then got a $100 mail in rebate. At the time, Dell had a special where we could upgrade to a flat panel monitor and CD burner for free (it was around Christmas when we bought it). The flat monitor is great, we have so much extra desk space now and the picture really is better. It has a Pentium 4 and came w/ 128 megs of RAM I believe. It has WordPerfect loaded on it, but I believe you can upgrade to MS Office, which would give you Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Hope this helps. If you are really on a budget, you can check out http://www.overstock.com They have all sorts of desktop and laptops that are great deals and shipping is only $2.95.

A

I would look into getting something like a Pentium 4, 256 or 512 m/ram, and at least 30G hard drive the most you would ever need is 60G especially if you are just going to save spreadsheets and word documents. If you have that you won't need another computer for a very long while.

If I were going to (or able to) go out and buy a new desktop today, without a doubt I'd get a Dell. They run specials/rebates that you can get a decent machine for a very reasonable price, and often many colleges will have programs affiliated with them where you can get a special price as a student.

Happy shopping! :)

also, http://www.efollett.com has special pricing for Microsoft Office for students & teachers...here's the link but I believe your school may need to use E-follett as their bookstore.

http://www3.journeyed.com/itemDetail.asp?UID=6328082421584164&GEN0=01&GEN1=05&GEN2=EF738&GEN3=efollett&GEN4=&GEN5=efollett&GEN6=&GEN7=&GEN8=f&GEN9=&T1=44301723N&DID=&VID=microsoft

I highly recommend anything from Dell.

also, www.efollett.com has special pricing for Microsoft Office for students & teachers...here's the link but I believe your school may need to use E-follett as their bookstore.

http://www3.journeyed.com/itemDetail.asp?UID=6328082421584164&GEN0=01&GEN1=05&GEN2=EF738&GEN3=efollett&GEN4=&GEN5=efollett&GEN6=&GEN7=&GEN8=f&GEN9=&T1=44301723N&DID=&VID=microsoft

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for posting that! Wow, that is a great deal given that it is the professional version instead of just the student/teacher version!

do you guys think a Laptop is worth the money, i know an IT executive who say they are really not worth the price, hard to fix and basically are what u buy is what u get not much room for upgrade etc, I have been looking for some on overstock and i plan on getting the 2 year warranty too. But my thing with the desk top is bulkness, i have one and i am tired of it, i want this desk out my room. i figure the laptop would be smaller, but to be honest i could get a brand new dell desktop for cheaper than i can get the laptop on overstock.com SO I DUNNO WHAT TO DOOOOOOO

Thanks all! Any opinions on Gateway or E machines??

I have been wanting a laptop forever and will probably get one one day. As far as upgrading, etc, I don't really know. If space is a premium, see if you can get a flat panel monitor from Dell, it really does make a difference.

Achoo! E-Machines are giant pieces of crap, IMO. That is what we had before we got the Dell, and we had to replace the fan box in it twice, it wouldn't run some internet games and was always restarting in the middle of some thing really important (think term paper!) I wouldn't buy another E-Machine if my life depended on it! Well, maybe thats an exageration, but I dunno. I haven't ever had a Gateway so I can't comment on them. Good luck in your shopping!

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I hate gateway, it junk to me good thing i had a warranty because i had problems with it graphic card went out before a year had pass etc. i think a i dell would and should be my next investment

I have three Dell computers in my home one is a laptop. I haven't had any major problems with them yet.

Dell is the best and the most affordable! I had HP in the past and it was the worst purchase and waste of money. Same thing applies to Compaq, since they are part of HP now. Dell.com always have great deals. You can get Dimension 2400 for $449 its the most basic model or go with Dimension 4600 for $709 get a free shipping and a free printer. I would recommend 4600 model, it has Pentium 4 processor and 40 gb harddrive. Check their website, their deals change often. Somedays instead of free printer they give free flat screen monitor or dvd drive..etc. And also dell computers are really easy to upgrade. Great 24 hr. support also a plus. Good luck with your purchase!:)