[MoonStar]

So my computer is really old, and I have a feeling it's about to croak soon.

I want to buy either a desktop or laptop but desktops are usually cheaper (I have a new monitor already) so that'll do. I want MS Word and Powerpoint and the cheapest one on Dell comes up to $500 with those programs, does anyone know of better deals?

[Caribbean_Pirate]

don't you already have those programs on your old computer? no need to purchase another copy. as far as dell computers check websites like slickdeals or edealinfo.com for coupon codes.

(btw, people often get their computer programs the same way they get their music)

[MoonStar]

I have MS Works. I got my computer when I was in hs or junior high, can't remember. It sounds like a lawnmower and has gotten really slow, I ran antivirus programs but it didn't help. I can't open ms word files on it so it's inconvenient but the slowness is even more annoying.

I'll check out those sites, thanks.

[skamed]

Originally Posted by MoonStar

I have MS Works. I got my computer when I was in hs or junior high, can't remember. It sounds like a lawnmower and has gotten really slow, I ran antivirus programs but it didn't help. I can't open ms word files on it so it's inconvenient but the slowness is even more annoying.

I'll check out those sites, thanks.

what r the specs on ur old comp

[MoonStar]

Originally Posted by skamed

what r the specs on ur old comp

96 MB ram, it says 78% is free
500 MHz processor
windows 98

[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by MoonStar

96 MB ram, it says 78% is free
500 MHz processor
windows 98

Yeah, you need a new one. If you're in a university town, see if you can't buy one from someone else. I know at my old university, people used to sell their year old computers for like $500 with everything installed, printer, monitor, scanner etc. Some of those systems were pretty nice too.

You can get a copy of MS office student addition for like $130 if you want your own copy.

[MoonStar]

the cheapest desktop without monitor on Dell costs $350, but it's coming out to $698 somehow if I add on $150 Office/Student and $50 for a 4 year warranty I guess that extra $150+ is shipping/tax.

Also it comes with Windows Vista, how is that different from XP?

[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by MoonStar

the cheapest desktop without monitor on Dell costs $350, but it's coming out to $698 somehow if I add on $150 Office/Student and $50 for a 4 year warranty I guess that extra $150+ is shipping/tax.

Also it comes with Windows Vista, how is that different from XP?

it's quite different. Comming from '98 you're going to have a lot to get used to.

You don't have to buy office from them if it's giving you a headache. You can get your own copy from Staples or Costco. It's not that hard to install.

[Aryan_]

Originally Posted by ChotooMotoo

You don't have to buy office from them if it's giving you a headache. You can get your own copy from Staples or Costco

Or from your local Chinaman, for very cheap poice.

[IbnMardhiyah]

Originally Posted by MoonStar

the cheapest desktop without monitor on Dell costs $350, but it's coming out to $698 somehow if I add on $150 Office/Student and $50 for a 4 year warranty I guess that extra $150+ is shipping/tax.

Also it comes with Windows Vista, how is that different from XP?

You can choose to pay it all at once, or on a monthly plan to make it easier on your wallet.

The 4-yr warranty is useless, if you want, go for two years at most. You can also try looking around and picking up a Dell unit from a retail shop if you don't want to pay the shipping fees.

[BrightBroom]

Originally Posted by MoonStar

96 MB ram, it says 78% is free
500 MHz processor
windows 98

that made me laugh. sorry.

I'll post deals whenever I find one, inshallah. Hopefully, there'll be some one day sales or something soon. You should be able to get a brand new computer with latest stuff for within five hundred dollars easily.

[YOUSUFofSD]

Here is a desktop for like 329 at officedepot, it'll have everything you want.


Compaq Presario SR5350F Desktop with Free Epson Stylus CX7400 All-in-One for 329.99+Tax AR at Office Depot - SlickDeals.net Forums

[MoonStar]

yousuf that looks like a great deal but I missed it by a day.

So here are my options. Remember my new computer will inshallah last me another decade so it has to be good.

Option A: Vostro 200 Slim Tower
Dell Vostro 200 Slimtower
$380, dual core processor, 1 gb, 80 gb hard drive, windows XP.
pros: windows XP, small size
con: buying MS Office will cost $130 more (from Staples), only 80 gb (is that bad? I probably won't use much though, right?)

Option B: Staples.com®. that was easy®.

Compaq Presario SR5310F
$380. dual core processor, 1 gb, 250 gb hard drive, windows Vista.

pros: more hard drive stuff, and buying MS Office will cost only $100 when you buy a new computer from Staples so I save $30.

cons: windows Vista.

Option C:
Keep my old computer until it explodes (maybe it can go another 3 years, I cleared out some cookies or whatever and it's not freezing up as much now) and buy a labtop instead.

pros: portable
cons: more expensive. and I know nothing about what other parts I would need to buy, battery issues etc. Staples has some Acers coming on sale next week, I could get one for $470ish plus another $100 for Word/Powerpoint. I dunno how much the extra gadgets would cost though. Also I have puny arms and don't want to carry around a big heavy laptop, maybe I should wait til I'm rich and buy a little lightweight one and stick with a desktop for now.

Help me islamicans or else I'l be stuck in 1998! you guys were a big help btw, when I went to Staples and talked to the computer guy I actually knew what he was talking about with some of the terms thanks to what you guys wrote.

[IbnMardhiyah]

Moonstar wow, that's gotta be one of the longest posts I've ever seen you write on Islamica

For the Dell PC - if all you'll be doing is surfing the net or using Office, then yeah the 1 GB memory and 80 GB HDD will suit you fine for several years even though that's at the low end. If you want you can go for the Compaq although I think they absolutely suck. IN either case, try looking into also getting a USB key to save all your important files on because the avg. life of a HDD is about three years now before it'll start getting unreliable. You don't wanna lose important info.

Regarding your other question of the monthly payments:

Islamically speaking its completely legitimate for a vendor to charge you a higher price if you're taking possession of the product now but not paying in full at the same time, intending to pay later in full or have it broken up into monthly payments. So, its not interest in the Islamic definition of the term.

[nidoboy]

There are many free alternatives to MS word, most of which can read and write .doc files. They all have the same basic features but are different when it comes to more advanced features.

Also, many colleges and work places give out Microsoft products for free, but you have to ask around because they dont always advertise it.