76 replies to this topic

[boblabontefan]

I want to replace my desktop - I purchased it in 2000 and am still using it. However I do feel that I need to get caught up with the times and get updated. What are the chances of getting in on the Desktop deals on BF? Am I going to need to spend the entire night in line waiting for Best Buy or Circuit City to hand out their tickets to only then have to wait in line for them to open? Are the other sales that weekend just as good? Is it worth it?

[wx4svr]

Of course there will be good deals on desktops. I truly think there will be more notebooks than desktops because notebooks are becoming more powerful and often desktop-replacements. I would personally watch the ads closely and see. I still think, however, that this will be the year of the notebooks and HDTV's... along with the usual suspects. As far as waiting in line.. you may have to. If you watch the ads VERY closely, you may find a good deal before BF. Check clearance deals online too. You never know what you will find on the big ole' interweb.

[noehlp]

I think it is possible to find a good deal online before or even after BF. However if you are wanting a $150 (apprx) desktop, then you'll probably have to go out on BF, and do the lines and the waiting. But for the savings, imo, it would be worth it.

[bigjimslade]

If you camp out be prepared to camp in line for 24-36 hours.

[jenesparza]

I think it is possible to find a good deal online before or even after BF. However if you are wanting a $150 (apprx) desktop, then you'll probably have to go out on BF, and do the lines and the waiting. But for the savings, imo, it would be worth it.

I agree, lines are worth it when you come home with a deal that you could never get any other time of the year. I would also try online too. Sometimes they post deals before bf and let you get them early.

[boblabontefan]

My budget goes up to $800, but I want to get the best deal possible. I would like to get an $800 computer for around $500.... Is that possible without being in line on BF?

[wx4svr]

My budget goes up to $800, but I want to get the best deal possible. I would like to get an $800 computer for around $500.... Is that possible without being in line on BF?

YES
YES
YES!
Right Now... Apple.com GET A MAC MINI! Trust me.. once you go Mac... you'll never go back! It's all I use, and its all my biz. that I own uses. ITS 10X better than windows! Do it... NOW!. lol. I love Espresso! =))

[bigjimslade]

YES
YES
YES!
Right Now... Apple.com GET A MAC MINI! Trust me.. once you go Mac... you'll never go back! It's all I use, and its all my biz. that I own uses. ITS 10X better than windows! Do it... NOW!. lol. I love Espresso! =))

I would second that. You can get a Mac Mini and then get a copy of XP so you can have two computers in one. My dad has one with XP and that is all he will need for the next 8 years since Macs do age well and you dont have to upgrade as often.

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

[boblabontefan]

what about monitors with Macmini? I was checking out the web site and the $599 pricing is only for the CPU. The monitor runs another $599.

It appears that I can get a better system right now at SAM's club that includes a monitor:
Dell Inspiron 530S Desktop 1.8GHz, 250GB, 19" LCD #359499
Model: 530S
Intel DC E2160 1.8GHz
3GB DDR2
250GB hard drive
19" LCD
Vista Home


The hard drive on this is huge compared to the Macmini and the Ram is much larger.

I am an idiot when it comes to Mac's. Why are they so much better than the others?

[Marcster]

My budget goes up to $800, but I want to get the best deal possible. I would like to get an $800 computer for around $500.... Is that possible without being in line on BF?

Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot will all have deals like that, nicely outfitted computers at very attractive prices.

The $150 deals from Best Buy and Circuit City are typically the lowest-performance computer currently offered (around $350-$400 on any other day). But they'll require 24-36 hours of camping out. And if you are only upgrading your computer every 8 years, I'd go with something that will last that long, not something built to be a "doorbuster" at $150.

YES
YES
YES!
Right Now... Apple.com GET A MAC MINI! Trust me.. once you go Mac... you'll never go back! It's all I use, and its all my biz. that I own uses. ITS 10X better than windows! Do it... NOW!. lol. I love Espresso! =))

Now, the Mac Mini is just the computer for $599.
boblabontefan will need a new monitor for about $200 (because who wants to use a VGA-only 8-year-old 15" monitor?)
Don't forget the Apple Keyboard & Mighty Mouse for $98
And don't forget that you need to buy the copy of Windows Vista, another $100.

So that "GET A MAC MINI!" quickly becomes $1,000.00.... No discounts.

I still say that boblabontefan would be better off buying another Windows-based computer from Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot.

Oh, and boblabontefan, no matter what you do, you might need a new printer. Your current printer's manufacturer (HP, Brother, Canon, etc.) may not have drivers for Vista (or Mac OS, if you do go that route).

[siczlo]

Check out you local Aldi
http://www.aldifoods...m?WT.z_src=main

$399
-AMD Phenom™ X3 8450 Triple Core Processor
-ATI HD3450 Graphics Card with 256 MB graphic memory and DirectX® 10 support
-huge 3 GB RAM
-massive 640 GB hard disk drive
-extensive connectivity including eSATA interface
-multistandard DVD/CD burner
-huge software package including Microsoft Vista Home Premium and Microsoft Works 9.0

[Marcster]

Check out you local Aldi
http://www.aldifoods...m?WT.z_src=main

$399
-AMD Phenom™ X3 8450 Triple Core Processor
-ATI HD3450 Graphics Card with 256 MB graphic memory and DirectX® 10 support
-huge 3 GB RAM
-massive 640 GB hard disk drive
-extensive connectivity including eSATA interface
-multistandard DVD/CD burner
-huge software package including Microsoft Vista Home Premium and Microsoft Works 9.0

Not to shoot your suggestion down, but $399 is pricey for a no-name computer with no monitor, no keyboard, no mouse, no speakers and a dated video card.

And it shows as $499 for me.

[boblabontefan]

So I am back to the question.... What are the odds of me getting a good computer around BF? I really don't want to hang out all night, but I am willing to get to a store when they open to get a good deal on a more expensive computer.

[Marcster]

So I am back to the question....

What are the odds of me getting a good computer around BF? I really don't want to hang out all night, but I am willing to get to a store when they open to get a good deal on a more expensive computer.

Oh, shoot... Sorry, I forgot to answer that portion of your question.

If you go to Staples , OfficeMax or Office Depot about 60-90 minutes before they open you should score one of the $400-$500 desktop deals -- no problem. If you live in a remote area, you could probably just show up 30 minutes prior to opening.

They do tickets for items like desktops, laptops and digital cameras.

I've been doing this for years -- I just go to the office stores. I won't step foot in a Best Buy or Circuit City, it's not worth the stress and headaches, but that's just me.

[amberrn]

nevermind.

[siczlo]

Not to shoot your suggestion down, but $399 is pricey for a no-name computer with no monitor, no keyboard, no mouse, no speakers and a dated video card.

And it shows as $499 for me.

It is weird that it shows $499 online, I didn't catch that before when I posted the link. I'm looking at my local flyer and it says $399. I didn't think it was bad for a triple core processor, but then again, I'm not that techno savy.

[wx4svr]

See... here is what I see. I am a videographer.. I own a videography firm in Louisville, KY. I have several Mac Pro's.. quad 30" Cinema Displays, the best of the best..... what did all this start by... a Mac Mini. Most people have a computer. You could use that monitor, and likely the keyboard. You don't have to use a Mac keyboard. Nor a Mighty Mouse. And I agree with the post above.. A boot camp partition of XP would do it. Trust me though..... STAY AWAY FROM VISTA. Seriously. There are just too many bugs still out there... and think of it this way, there are over 140K known viruses for PC's (Windows) ..... 2 Known for the Mac, and the Mac already knows that, and will delete any signs of them. =) I'm a geek... tell me something I don't know. lol. So.... Seriously, just use what you have now, that will get you a new computer. Then, as you have cash... get additional things like monitors or Apple Keyboards or mice. =) Hope that helps.

[dancglady]

Didn't newegg have deals last year? Then you won't have to go out! And don't forget cyber monday

Edited by dancglady, Sep 29, 2008 - 6:05 pm.
add more

[Rockfordmom]

So I am back to the question....

What are the odds of me getting a good computer around BF? I really don't want to hang out all night, but I am willing to get to a store when they open to get a good deal on a more expensive computer.

Can you build one or do you know someone that can for you? You can get the individual parts for under $500 and build it yourself from newegg.com. And like Marc said, if Office Max or Office Depot or Staples have one in their ad paper there aren't as many people there as there are at Target or Kohls or Best Buy so it would be easier to get.

[Marcster]

Trust me though..... STAY AWAY FROM VISTA. Seriously. There are just too many bugs still out there...

I am guessing that you tried Vista prior to the release of Service Pack 1?

We have 3 computers running Vista -- two 32-bit and one 64-bit. I have no problems with any of them and I chose Vista for the computer I built back in July (the 64-bit one).

The sidebar functionality and the built-in ability to work as a DVR (just add a TV-tuner) are nice improvements over Windows XP.

[arci122]

I got a great 550 dell desktop with nice extras on TG day via online. Then they sent me a 50 gift card to use on anything at Dell this year.

[msl94]

Honestly, I think you will have a better chance scoring a deal on a desktop, moreso than a laptop on BF. Although I was in need of a laptop last year and was not going to wait in Best Buy's line (which started around 8am on T-day), I managed to get a deal online from CompUSA. There were several retailers that had online deals leading up to BF, so you should be in good shape. Hope this helps!

[boblabontefan]

Thanks everyone! Definitely a lot of food for thought here. It looks like the way to go is to hit the "office" stores. I am more of a "hands on" type buyer. I either really have to trust the company or see what I am getting. Which will put me in the stores on BF - just hopefully not waiting in line too long. However, will I need a larger memory/ram for a computer to run Vista Business or Ultimate?

[bigjimslade]

Thanks everyone! Definitely a lot of food for thought here. It looks like the way to go is to hit the "office" stores.

I am more of a "hands on" type buyer. I either really have to trust the company or see what I am getting. Which will put me in the stores on BF - just hopefully not waiting in line too long.

However, will I need a larger memory/ram for a computer to run Vista Business or Ultimate?

Yes you will. I run a computer with Vista Business and I have 4gigs of RAM

If you do hit the stores on BF expect to be in line for 24-36 hours. If you do stand in line and get a ticket for the computer when the doors open I would run and get RAM and other stuff you might need. With the ticket your item is your until 11am or so. Monitors, RAM, printers, hard drives, etc fly off the shelf within the first 3 minutes of when the doors will open. Grab that stuff first if you need/want it and then go to the counter they tell you to go to so you can pick up your computer.

[boblabontefan]

bigjimslade, I really don't want to have to wait in line longer than an hour or so. I thought that by going to the "office" stores I would have a better shot (although pay a little more) at getting a computer system for a good price without having to fight the crowd. I am finding computers out there (without monitors) that have 4 gigs of RAM running about $550.... Usually Dells with a Intel processor. What are the predictions that these type of computers will be even cheaper on BF?

[Marcster]

What are the predictions that these type of computers will be even cheaper on BF?

Prediction? At office stores -- Office stores will have the equivalent computer to what you are seeing for just $500, but with a 19" LCD widescreen monitor and an inkjet printer.

Walmart, Best Buy and Circuit City will have doorbuster computers that are built for a price (not performance) that would retail for around $350-$400 on any other day marked to $150. But, they are slower, less capable and/or built of lower-quality components to make that price point.

[mysticmage]

Just go to an Office Depot, you can get one for that price easily there with an LCD and a Printer. I do however I like the Mac Mini suggestion the best. I recently bought a MacBook and love the thing.

[wx4svr]

Just go to an Office Depot, you can get one for that price easily there with an LCD and a Printer.

I do however I like the Mac Mini suggestion the best. I recently bought a MacBook and love the thing.

Wooooo Hoooooo!  (If you have a Mac... you could see the sign I just posted. )

[kren]

I realize this probably isn't helping the original questioner, who just wants to get a serviceable computer at the best price, but we Mac converts can't help ourselves. I don't mean to belabor the point either, but I'm a PC geek from the 80s, built my own computers, loved tinkering in the innards, and absolutely looked down my nose at Mac people all that time. When things go wrong on a Mac, I used to tell them, all you get is a frowny face or the infamous bomb. No way to do anything about it. I liked getting into the system files, writing my own batch files, etc etc (this is well before the days of the Windows registry). I also have stayed overnight to get the cheapie PC laptops at BF -- my last one was 2006. It's not that anything horrible went wrong with anything I ever owned, but I gotta tell y'all - I am SICK TO DEATH of being the IT department at my house. Sick of struggling to kill viruses, keep software updated, remove spyware, and on and on. Sick of incomprehensible dialog boxes, and unexplained crashes. Sick of bloated software that eats up the hard drive every six months unless you add/remove programs. You get the idea. Last Christmas I swallowed hard and spent $1800 on a MacbookPro. It was the first time I'd ever used one for longer than two minutes. I will NEVER go back!!! It's October, and the computer has not crashed. I have never seen any kind of virus warning. Whenever there are software updates, the computer asks once if I want to install them, and then does it in the background and I never hear about it again. The commercials are right: It just works. If you're also sick of Windows but hesitant because of the cost and the unfamiliarity and want to go slowly, buy the Mini, use your old monitor, keyboard and mouse (I use a MSoft mouse), and spend the $600. I have the dual-boot option with Leopard (that's the operating system name), but I have never seen the need to go over to Windows. It's a nice safety net and psychologically, it helps a Windows user, but jeez, why go back? It's awful over there! I know, because I have to use Windows at work every night, where it's back to the crashes, the screen freeze-ups, the updates and the warning notices. Sorry to go on and on. I realize it's OT. But seriously, the time you spend waiting in line on BF to buy a low-end laptop could be better used enjoying your Mac!

[len_mullen]

I want to replace my desktop - I purchased it in 2000 and am still using it. However I do feel that I need to get caught up with the times and get updated.

What are the chances of getting in on the Desktop deals on BF? Am I going to need to spend the entire night in line waiting for Best Buy or Circuit City to hand out their tickets to only then have to wait in line for them to open? Are the other sales that weekend just as good?


Is it worth it?

Eight years is a pretty good ride for a computer. If you are using a computer for email, surfing, and light applications, I'm sure you will find any BF computer will get the job done. If you are going to be playing games or editing video, you need to be more careful. You will probably not find computers well suited for these tasks among the door busters.

If you are capable of replacing a video card and a power supply, you can get an inexpensive computer and upgrade as needed. It's not difficult and represents a great value over the long haul.

IMHO, you want to shop for a PC with a PCIex16 slot (for a video card upgrade), a standard case (not slim), and a standard power supply/system board. It should have a 2g+ cpu (dual core), at least 2G of RAM, and 160g+ disk. Get Vista Premium rather than Basic.

This computer will serve you well as a basic system. Upgrade the power supply and add a good video card and it's a great game machine. Over the years, you will be able to add/upgrade components (disks, video cards) to keep your system fresh.

You can buy a computer like this most weeks for $300 (see the deal sites or frys.com).

My kids play games on two machines like these with 8600gt video cards. I use one out of the box with a usb drive for editing video.

So, I don't think it's worth the hassle of BF to save a couple bucks on a throwaway computer. That said, if a throwaway computer is all you need, and you are going to be in line for a TV anyway, then have at it. Do your homework first -- check the ads, run the specs, and read the reviews. If you can, get into the stores and touch the computers.

One feature of Vista that may help you is the Windows Experience Index. Run this applet (Start|Control Panel|System and Maintenance|System) to determine the performance of a computer. Most computers have a WEI of 3.0 to 3.3 -- bottle necked by the integrated video. Adding a power supply ($50) and 8600gt ($50) will boost this close to 5.0.

Good luck.