I desperately need a new computer as my laptop is about a week from just completely dying on me. So this time around I was thinking I'd go for a desktop computer for at home use and buy a netbook later on if I find I really need a portable computer (which i doubt I will as I have one year of school left a droid to keep me occupied should i NEED to get on the internet)

I've been looking at computers and those all-in-one's look like they'd save me space on my desk and the touch screen ones look kinda cool but idk anyone who owns one and can tell me if they really are good computers or if they are just pretty pieces of shit that will give me more headaches than they are worth. and is buying refurbised a horrible idea? best buy has some on the cheap and mostly has good reviews but i'm still iffy about buying a refurbished computer even though i bought a refurbished dvd player that works and looks like new.

i basically use my computer for internet surfing/chatting, writing papers/spreadsheets/powerpoints for classes, itunes and occasionally i mess around on paintshoppro.

so who's got info on these things for me. touch screen or no touch screen? refurbished or new? don't waste my time and just go with the usual tower and moniter setup?

/words

ps - i'm not buying a mac so don't bother telling me about those. i'm not a fan of them and i don't have $texas to drop on one anyway

7/27/2010 11:41:47 AM

first off, please write in complete sentences

secondly, why do you need the all in ones? you can put the tower on the ground, and if you use an LCD the desk space shouldn't be an issue.

an all in one will probably be more expensive and give you less.

7/27/2010 11:46:34 AM

^

7/27/2010 11:50:51 AM

Why do you want a touchscreen other than coolness? Its not very practical except for a few things. And they are expensive normally as well.

Probably for you just get some name brand something or other like an HP.

7/27/2010 11:52:02 AM

If you want to something with a small footprint for for browsing, something that you don't put on the ground, I've been eying the Dell Zino for awhile.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/inspiron-zino-hd/pd.aspx?refid=inspiron-zino-hd&cs=19&s=dhs

You'd have to hook it up to a monitor, keyboard, etc, but it's small enough to fit in the corner of the desk or something

7/27/2010 11:54:10 AM

^^I just thought the touch screen was cool but it's not necessary. I just saw the refurbished ones on the website for around the same cost as a regular desktop and thought if they worked the same I'd try it out.

^oh that's great! I was trying to avoid putting a tower on the floor as I tend to be clutzy and break stuff. I can just see me kicking it or knocking it over or something if I put it on the floor :/

7/27/2010 11:55:51 AM

Yeah, it basically seems like a Mac Mini but in PC form.

It's really designed for use as a home theater PC, considering you can get it with a blu-ray and HDMI out, but if you got the lower end version of it you'd only end up spending like $250 for something that would do everything you listed in the OP.

7/27/2010 12:01:03 PM

yea it's perfect thanks God any recommendations on moniters?

7/27/2010 12:03:42 PM

*shrug* not sure!

This one has the best rating and is very popular on newegg, usually means a good thing:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

7/27/2010 12:08:26 PM

so if i buy just the cheapest one and later on decide i want a faster processer, more memory etc I can just buy the individual pieces and get it upgraded right? I don't have to go out and buy a whole new computer.

sorry I'm a computer n00b

7/27/2010 12:17:59 PM

Usually on the tiny form factor PCs, upgrading any components will not be feasible. The RAM, maybe, but anything else and you're not going to be able to do it easily nor cheaply.

7/27/2010 12:31:15 PM

^^

^is right, upgrading will be difficult on a small form factor. and if you're a total computer noob, why would you be doing such a task as upgrading the processor?

[Edited on July 27, 2010 at 12:33 PM. Reason : ]

7/27/2010 12:33:20 PM

ummm because isn't that the thing that makes it go fast?

7/27/2010 12:50:15 PM

ha, but computer noobs probably shouldn't be tinkering.

7/27/2010 12:56:21 PM

^^ That depends, sort of.

If you buy a Zino with a dual core processor, I can almost guarantee you that you won't need to upgrade it for years. There's really nothing that you, personally, are going to do on a computer that will require the mathematical calculations that anything faster than a dual core processor could do. Even mid level gaming machines come with dual core processors.

The way most computers get "slow," most of the time these days is due to, unfortunately, the user. Lots of programs, lots of spyware, and lots of bloat. A computer is like a vehicle or a body. If you keep it running well, it will be fast.

7/27/2010 1:04:06 PM

so i really only need the basics and to keep my norton up to date and i should be good?

i can do that

7/27/2010 1:07:41 PM

Not sure what you mean by "the basics," but basically yes. Smart computer usage tends to keep you out of trouble.

With all of the dangers of computers these days like identity theft, spyware, and whatnot they should really offer courses on stuff like this.

7/27/2010 1:13:58 PM

^^Even better would be vigilance combined with a non-resident security solution; resident scanners like Norton will per se slow down your computer.

7/27/2010 2:19:17 PM

I usually just pair Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and I've been reasonably good so far.

Just don't hit up any questionable sites, and don't click on any popups.

7/27/2010 2:27:08 PM