Comparison Shopping

[Vladimir]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....d=abcat0501002

Greetings .orgahns!

I'm looking for a new CPU and think I will decide between the two models listed above. The Dell looks like a better system but the HP looks more upgrade friendly. The only thing the Dell has that I really want for the HP is the TV tuner.

Of the two desktops, which would you choose and why?

Thank you.

[Xiahou]

What do you want it for? I'm not up to date on the video card market, but I don't think either of the ones included on those systems is going to set the world on fire if you're heavily into gaming. If the video cards are replaceable, that may not be a deal breaker though.

Otherwise, glancing at the specs- I think the Dell looks better, but I welcome someone else to explain how I'm wrong.

[Lemur]

Yup, the Dell is marginally better on specs. The HP has firewire ports and an HDMI port, so if that matters take it into consideration. Otherwise, as Xiahou said, what's it for? With those viddy cards these aren't really gaming machines ...

[Vladimir]

Thanks guys.

I'm looking for something in the medium-high range to serve as a multimedia entertainment center. My gaming isn't too graphically intense (mostly strategy and the like) and I'm looking for expandability. The Dell is a better computer but the HP looks more flexible. I went to Best Buy to ask around and the person I spoke with discovered the HP model is discontinued. I went to the HP site and custom built a good computer for $1,071. It has everything I think I need but I thought to open it up to others first.

For example: A similar Gateway computer at Best Buy looked good but upon further review, was prone to shutdowns from overheating. My default position is to buy the Dell, as I'm familiar with it, but the HP has more of what I want.

[Tellos Athenaios]

Assuming you don't need dial up networking you are probably happier with an ABGN Wireless card than with a 56Kb/s-limited-to-53Kb/s modem. I don't know where your router is but for me it is 2 floors away from my machine: so obviously I am biased towards wireless.