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Ask HN: Buying a new desktop

3 points by FraaJad 18y ago

I am planning to buy a desktop computer to supplement my macbook - which is my primary machine for nearly 10 months now. I'm primarily looking for a bigger screen, an ergonomic keyboard and better seating posture that comes with a working on a desktop. I'm new to the US. So, I'm not sure how to go about buying an economical, hacker friendly (works with Ubuntu to start with) desktop. I have done PC assembly before, so I'm open to the idea of assembling one for myself. However, I would rather have the peace of mind of a branded PC for a few more bucks. Your recommendations?

sfamiliar 18y ago
sounds like you want a mini-dvi adapter, a big standalone screen, a usb keyboard and mouse, and a steelcase chair, not a desktop computer. if you want processing power for web servers and databases, get a slice somewhere -- they're pretty affordable. don't buy an entirely new machine when you can get everything you asked for in the first paragraph for the macbook (and the sync hassles that come with two machines). you'd have to buy that stuff anyhow if you got a desktop, why not get it without the desktop? my setup: three slices, a macbook, 25" 16:9 flatscreen LG in portrait mode. i use the mac keyboard, but have a really comfy chair. there's a file server in the kitchen, but it's left over from an old desktop and is not a speed demon -- it doesn't have any inputs or outputs connected save for ethernet.
- FraaJad 18y ago
  Thanks. lot of good points. Apart from the points you mentioned, I think not having to sell a much depreciated desktop when I leave US is an advantage.
ScottWhigham 18y ago
I bought my last rig from newegg - parts and then put it together. For my newest one, I went to Frys to buy an off-the-shelf box and was pleasantly surprised that I could get a very powerful machine for $800 or so. Frys and Microcenter offer great choices in Dallas (where I am) and I'd assume elsewhere if you have 'em.
- FraaJad 18y ago
  I visited a local Best buy and did not feel their machines were a good bargain. I'll try the local Frys. Thanks!
watmough 18y ago
Buy a refurb 20" iMac. I'm working on mine right now, and it really is one of the nicest machines I've ever used.
- FraaJad 18y ago
  I was tempted to buy a imac too. but new ones are $1300 and up. How much did you pay for yours and where did you buy it?
ram1024 18y ago
if you can wait it out a bit, USB 3 yum! [edit] aww crap, now it's saying i have to wait till 2010 till USB 3 hits. that... that's longer than Longhorn 7!
strlen 18y ago
D.J. Bernstein (yes, "that" djb) has a fairly good recommendation page, albeit out dated: http://cr.yp.to/hardware/build-20071203.html http://cr.yp.to/hardware/build-20071203.html http://cr.yp.to/hardware/advice.html http://cr.yp.to/hardware/advice.html My advise is build your own: the price may actually be higher, but the upside is being able to select your own components (for better performance, Linux compatibility and an upgrade-ability route for the future - so you won't need to replace the entire computer in two years).

3 points by FraaJad 18y ago

sfamiliar 18y ago

sounds like you want a mini-dvi adapter, a big standalone screen, a usb keyboard and mouse, and a steelcase chair, not a desktop computer. if you want processing power for web servers and databases, get a slice somewhere -- they're pretty affordable. don't buy an entirely new machine when you can get everything you asked for in the first paragraph for the macbook (and the sync hassles that come with two machines). you'd have to buy that stuff anyhow if you got a desktop, why not get it without the desktop? my setup: three slices, a macbook, 25" 16:9 flatscreen LG in portrait mode. i use the mac keyboard, but have a really comfy chair. there's a file server in the kitchen, but it's left over from an old desktop and is not a speed demon -- it doesn't have any inputs or outputs connected save for ethernet.

FraaJad 18y ago
Thanks. lot of good points. Apart from the points you mentioned, I think not having to sell a much depreciated desktop when I leave US is an advantage.

ScottWhigham 18y ago

I bought my last rig from newegg - parts and then put it together. For my newest one, I went to Frys to buy an off-the-shelf box and was pleasantly surprised that I could get a very powerful machine for $800 or so. Frys and Microcenter offer great choices in Dallas (where I am) and I'd assume elsewhere if you have 'em.

FraaJad 18y ago
I visited a local Best buy and did not feel their machines were a good bargain. I'll try the local Frys. Thanks!

watmough 18y ago

Buy a refurb 20" iMac. I'm working on mine right now, and it really is one of the nicest machines I've ever used.

FraaJad 18y ago
I was tempted to buy a imac too. but new ones are $1300 and up. How much did you pay for yours and where did you buy it?

ram1024 18y ago

if you can wait it out a bit, USB 3 yum! [edit] aww crap, now it's saying i have to wait till 2010 till USB 3 hits. that... that's longer than Longhorn 7!

strlen 18y ago

D.J. Bernstein (yes, "that" djb) has a fairly good recommendation page, albeit out dated: http://cr.yp.to/hardware/build-20071203.html http://cr.yp.to/hardware/build-20071203.html http://cr.yp.to/hardware/advice.html http://cr.yp.to/hardware/advice.html My advise is build your own: the price may actually be higher, but the upside is being able to select your own components (for better performance, Linux compatibility and an upgrade-ability route for the future - so you won't need to replace the entire computer in two years).