[Old Professer]

This computer is 6 years old, was not much good to begin with and now the thing is slowing to a crawl.

Dell has a promotion good until 11/23 on a 2400 desktop with a 2.2 ghz processor, 40 gb hd, 256 ram, and a 920a printer.

It comes with a wireless keyboard, rw cd, and an optical mouse.

What I don't know is if it comes with a 3.5 floppy.

The data on my present hd can only be copied to floppy because this computer's cd has been broken for 3 years.

I am currently using a Packard Bell Multimedia C115 (quit laughing)and we have been holding on to it for so long because it has Winfax for W95 and we have been using that program a lot while my wife was submitting resumes; now that she has a full-time job we leave it on but we only get the occassional solicitation call.

It would be nice if my copy of Winfax would work with XP but I doubt that, anyone know for sure?

My daughter has a one-year old E-Machine that has a 3.5 so we could always copy to that and then to cd and then load to the new Dell, is that practical or is it difficult?

There is some question right now whether I can get Comcast broadband so I may be stuck with MSN but they will move me up to MSN 8 or 9, if that is the current "rage".

Dell's price is $399 ($499 before mail-in rebate), so I don't think I can get hurt by the price.

[Old Professer]

Occasionally, I put the occasional extra "s" in occasional, sorry.

[ClancyJ]

We got a Dell last year, Dimension 4550. We love it.

[zencat]

I just won't buy one until they quit showing those dumb intern commericials.

[Semper Paratus]

I suggest finding a good Indian resteraunt and go there frequently to get used to the accent so you'll be prepared when you call customer support.

[Wait4Truth]

I have a Dell 4500. I love it! Plus, Dell is a big Bush supporter.

[Porterville]

I just bought a Gate Way($700):
2.6GHZ Celleron
40 GB harddrive
258 RAM
CDRW DVD
15" LCD flat screen monitor

Anything comparble at Dell is 100 dollars more... and Gate Way doesn't require shipping if you buy it at the store and supports the local employees.

[oceanview]

www.techbargains.com, they always have a Dell "deal of the day", don't buy without checking their coupons first.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

I think XP has faxing software built into it. Also check E-Bay for cheap software.

[byrony]

In general, Dell is a well engineered and well supported product. Of course, I'd suggest getting 512RAM because Windows XP will run better. You probably want to get a new monitor also - I can't imagine using one that's 6 years old.

The last dell I got had a floppy but I never use it. The best way is to transfer the data to the eMachines and then network the two together.

I'm not a big fan of MSN - I believe the new Dell's will give you earthlink for 6 months.

Get broadband. It's definitely worth it and then you can get rid of MSN

[Squawk 8888]

Forget the floppy drive- save yourself a lot of trouble, by a network card for the old PC and you can copy your data over in a fraction of the time it takes to burn CDs or swap diskettes. LAN cards are dirt cheap- you can get one these days for the price of a box of CD-Rs.

[The Grim Freeper]

I'm sort of crashing your party here, but I'm looking for a printer (laser quality) or a really good black/color printer in the $300.00 range (is there such a thing?). Also, can anyone recommend a good digital camera in the $250.00 - $350.00 range?

[cinFLA]

The data on my present hd can only be copied to floppy because this computer's cd has been broken for 3 years.

You can probably move the old HD to your new PC and use as a second HD. Clean it all the old software and move what you want to your main HD.

[JoeSixPack1]

This computer is 6 years old,...

Anything, and I mean anything, you buy to replace it will seem like a rocket ship on steriods.

Don't go crazy trying to buy the perfect computer, it's not out there. Buy one that does what you want, not just what it used to do or what you hope it will do.

List all the programs you use on a daily basis. Then list all the programs you use, but infrequently. Then make a list that tells you what you would like to do.

Explain these lists to whoever you are purchasing your new computer from and you will have a much easier old-to-new transition. Good Luck OP.

[Lokibob]

You might watch here for some pretty good deals.  It is compusa's auction site for their demo models.

 

 

[Hank Rearden]

I believe (but am not absolutely sure) that Dell has dropped standard floppy drives on many or most of their machines for cost reasons. I imagine the low-end machines you're talking about do not include a floppy drive, where every penny counts.

You should be able to add one back in as an option - that might be the cheapest route. Or you can buy (I think) external USB floppy drives that would do the trick. I would never sacrifice having a floppy drive; they're still very useful now and then.

My Dad buys 2-3 Dells a year (yep) because he loves fooling with the latest and greatest, then sells or hands down the machines. He buys *only* from the Dell Refurbished site (there's a link from their main page - look for it) and saves big money.

The refurbs are fully warranted, but usually don't include monitor, speakers and other peripherals. Sometimes they're brand new, just built to the wrong specs or something and never shipped. Include just mouse and keyboard as I recall, plus whatever is in the main box.

Good deals.

I switched to Dell from Gateway in '98. No regrets.


Suggestion: unless you really, really don't use a computer much, spend a few more dollars for one that you can keep and use for several more years. For $399, you'd be getting a servicable, but stripped down, machine. Check out the refurbs.

[TomServo]

The data on my present hd can only be copied to floppy because this computer's cd has been broken for 3 years.

Don't worry about it. The new machine will support the HD. Just add it as a second drive. I did it with my Mom's new Dell. She got one just like you're getting.

[KellyAdmirer]

Dells don't usually come with floppies as standard equipment any more, you have to add them (they overcharge, I think they want about $20, you can buy them yourself for $10). If you know what you are doing, getting your old files to your new computer can be done any number of ways:

You could set up a wireless network. You could do this for $50-75 or so these days if you look around for deals. The advantage of this is that you get to still use your old machine on the Internet.

You could do a direct cable connection between the computers. All this takes is a cable between them. Windows Help will tell you how to do this. Cable costs about $15.

The most direct solution would simply be to take the hard drive out of your old machine and put it in as a second hard drive in your new machine. This can be done in about half an hour even if you don't have experience, it is basically a matter of turning a few screws.

You could get both machines hooked up to the Internet separately on separate lines and do direct file transfers between them on IRC.

Lots of possibilities, others I don't personally use, too (such as just getting a USB jump drive).

[TroutStalker]

I bought a Dell Dimension 8300 ($2500 total) last year and had problems with it right out of the box. After probably forty hours on the phone with India, six components replaced, and a letter from my attorney, they sent me a new machine. Of course, it may be the same with any other brand too.

If your old machine has USB ports, you can get a memory stick for about forty dollars and use it to transfer files.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

I just purchased a new Dell system. They don't come with the floppy so you have to add it. I also recommend upgrading the memory to 512. Everything you add now is cheaper than if you add it afterwards.

You can follow the building of your unit online. It's really great.

Also... Windows XP RULES!

[Astronaut]

Dell sells computers cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Have you looked at Apple? Using a Macintosh means no virus problems, no product activation codes, fewer privacy worries, and a much better user experience. Apple offers seamless integration between the OS and hardware. OS X is muchb easier and more pleasant to use. Compare OS X and win XP and see which you prefer.