Can you help me make a $$ decision...

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Can you help me make a $$ decision...
16
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 5:29pm

Here's the situation. I have gone back to school and am taking an online course. Here's the problem. My computer is too slow for the program. Here are my choices:


1. Do nothing, and hope my computer doesn't crash, although, it takes long to do (software is HUGE, computer is slow) and I have dial-up, which means even more time. Now granted, I could just take my time, but I have two lessons a week to complete, and it's not like I have all day to sit at my puter at home. I have, at most, 4 hours a night for 3 nights. Not including weekends. Okay, that's the main issue. Time and having my computer crash cuz the hamster died.


2. Buy a new computer to replace my old one, which will push my budget back about 2-3 months depending on what I buy. I would spend about $1,000 on a new computer, but it will last me another 5+ years.


3. Build a computer and hope for the best. I was thinking of building a computer, but only putting on it my stuff to dial into the internet and that one program for my online class. And running BOTH my computers side-by-side. One old computer with all my old stuff. One cheapy new one with just ONE program. lol. FAST BABY!


4. Go thru this local company, buy a computer with what I need for $800, but not ALL that I want on it.





my pet!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 6:01pm
Do you have computer access at work? I use my work computer . I can get in anytime of the day with my badge. Not sure if you have that access though. Can you go over to a relative or friend's home to do that?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 6:06pm

Work, can't do.




my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 6:36pm
In that case i would build a new one . That will be cheaper than buying right?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 7:31pm

I'm not sure to be honest, and I"ve never built one, so it'll be all new to me. Although I have some friends who could help. =)


I have to find out.

~Cher




my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 09-14-2004 - 10:30am
I strongly recommend buying used. Lots of people upgrade their computers every year or two, and put perfectly good, powerful, but year-old computers out there for sale. They go for super cheap, and you can probably get better quality, more power, and lots of programs (because most of the used computers come with operating system and sometimes Office already installed), for less money.

We buy nearly everything used, and we get much, much better quality for much, much less money. The exceptions are things that are very difficult to find used (children's wagons are a noted example! lol), things that would be unsafe (children's car seats, for instance), and things that we need right away or whose shelf life doesn't make buying used economical--car batteries and tires, for instance.

We also try to plan ahead so that we don't get caught needing something suddenly and therefore having to pay retail prices for it. For instance, as soon as I notice that a piece of equipment is showing its age, I put it on my mental list of things to look for bargains on. I shop for clothing at the end of the season to take advantage of sales (we buy dh's work clothes new because he requires a certain image in his management position) and of people clearing out their wardrobes at yard sales. I begin planning for seasonal purchases, like gardening supplies, about six months in advance. Same goes for birthdays, Christmas, etc.

We rarely pay more than 10% of retail value for anything, except the things on our "exceptions" list, and even those we rarely pay full retail (probably closer to 60 or 80 percent) on because we take advantage of sales, rebates, clearance, etc.

Good luck with your computer situation. I hope you're able to find a good deal on something that will serve you well. Look in your newspaper classifieds, on ebay, and on community bulletin boards for good deals.

Blessings,

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 09-14-2004 - 11:48am

I thought about that too. Thanks. Acutually, I don't need any software, as I have everything I need =). I'd probably clean off the hard drive anyways. Never know what is lurking. I think I'll look around. Thanks for the idea.





my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Tue, 09-14-2004 - 12:39pm

Check with refurbished computers - or the base of what you need now - then add on as you can allow it with your budget?


Does your work or school offer any discount programs for buying? Many times there are discounts for businesses/schools that you wouldn't find out about without ASKING.


Also - you might want to ask your professor about what type of machine he'd suggest - he might even know of a deal ;)

Corrine, Sr Community Moderator
money

iVillage

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 09-14-2004 - 2:01pm

Good advice. lol. I was actually looking into my work. But I have to be hear a year before I can get a loan, (which isn't until February). Which may work, just deal with what I have until then.


As for school, not sure, gonna go check.


Thanks for the ideas.

~Cher




my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Wed, 09-15-2004 - 12:57am
What about last year's models. Many retail places have great sales on say a 2004 model when the 2005s come out. My DH and I always buy at least a year behind on computers. Just a word of warning, if you buy refurbished or used, make sure it comes with all of the peripherials and software. A computer can look like a great deal, but if it doesn't have the software or the cables with it, it does you no good. DH and I almost got caught that way once. Also make sure it is a good name brand. DH and I bought a laptop once that was an off brand. We didn't touch it for a month because he was travelling for work. It sat unopened in it's box the whole time. He took it out to use it and noticed that the case was beginning to crack, less than a week after he started to really use it. We took it back to the store where we purchased it, they offered to sell us another computer, then changed their minds and said we damaged it. It finally took me yelling in front of about ten people waiting for customer service for them to agree to let us swap it for a more expensive name brand model but of course we paid the cost difference.

Good luck. I know how hard the decision can be. It is always a struggle for me to come to terms with the fact, it isn't something I really want, but is it something I really need? It sounds to me like you may need to upgrade just to keep up with your school work in a timely manner.

Kellie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Wed, 09-15-2004 - 1:24pm
We 'build' ours at a place online. They are in CA (http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/). We've done 5 computers from them over the years. We tell them what exactly we want, they build it and send it to us. And we always get a great computer for about $600. I had a friend just buy an emachine for about that price at Circuit City for about that price too. LOTS of memory and hard drive space and speed. I also agree with looking locally for used computers. Our family is one of those that upgrades every couple of years.

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