devyanks90: ahcollins3: If you're not looking to make a big investment, you could speed things up a little bit if you add more RAM. Its one of the easiest upgrades to do and one of the cheapest also. It won't make your computer blazing fast, but it should make it more bearable. You could probably boost it up to 2gb and see a difference. After you polish a turd, it's still a turd. (if the mods don't like that then: After you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig)
ahcollins3: If you're not looking to make a big investment, you could speed things up a little bit if you add more RAM. Its one of the easiest upgrades to do and one of the cheapest also. It won't make your computer blazing fast, but it should make it more bearable. You could probably boost it up to 2gb and see a difference.
If you're not looking to make a big investment, you could speed things up a little bit if you add more RAM. Its one of the easiest upgrades to do and one of the cheapest also. It won't make your computer blazing fast, but it should make it more bearable. You could probably boost it up to 2gb and see a difference.
After you polish a turd, it's still a turd.
(if the mods don't like that then: After you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig)
YEAH! Don't spit on my cupcake and call it frosting!
I'm looking to upgrade my current laptop to a Toshiba Qosmio. :D If you've got the money to spend, they are very good for gaming and even their lowest end model at least sports an Intel Core i5.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=toshiba+qosmio
I object to the use of the word "maybe" in the thread title.
Also, in my experience, Geek Squad are a bunch of hacks...
Goozex Forum Moderator
Granted the computer is old but if your holding off you could try a couple things.
Buy more RAM.
or
Format and reload the OS.
Run these two FREE apps: CCleaner then run JK Defrag.
Of course none of those options can fix old but it's worth a try if your trying to get more life out of the machine.
Cheers,
ReclusE
My laptops slow also, ima get a new one in about a year.
cowboyupinblue: That laptop linked above isn't even necessary. If you've been getting by on a Dimension 8300, even this $500 laptop would blow you away: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+Laptop+with+AMD+Athlon%26%23153%3B+II+Dual-Core+Processor+-+NightSky+Black/9732722.p?id=1218162980323&skuId=9732722 Gateway has always served me well. And also, here is a breakdown of all those confusing specs: Hard drive space: The bigger the better, obviously. 250GB is more than enough for an average user; only get more if you really plan on stockpiling music/videos. RAM: This controls how fast programs will open, how responsive they are once opened (if your computer is slow, this is the first thing you should upgrade), and basically how well your computer will run in general. For Windows Vista you should have 2GB, Windows 7 you should have 4GB, for gaming you'll want 4-6GB, but really, RAM is cheap to upgrade and you should always treat your computer to as much as you can afford. Processor: This determines how many different things your computer can do at the same time, or how many programs you can run at once. Without getting too detailed, anything "Dual Core" or "Core 2 Duo" is going to serve the average user just fine. Graphics Card: This is kind of tricky, since different companies (ATI Radeon, Nvidia) have different values for their specs, so it's hard to compare one to another. And to top it off, graphics cards are constantly getting better, sometimes several times per year, so you never know quite which is right. If you don't play PC games then you'll probably be fine with whatever comes with your computer, but beyond that I just go by price point: whatever costs $200-250 is usually more than enough for most games out right now (you could also just look at the recommended card for your favorite new PC game and get that one, and you'll be able to handle it well along with any lesser/older games). Beyond that, it basically comes down to screen size and whether or not you have a DVD disc drive or a Blu Ray drive. Almost all laptops nowadays have built in webcams, ethernet/wireless internet, 2-4 USB ports, and capable speakers. But trust me; that $500 Gateway is slick. I'm saving up for it already.
That laptop linked above isn't even necessary. If you've been getting by on a Dimension 8300, even this $500 laptop would blow you away:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+Laptop+with+AMD+Athlon%26%23153%3B+II+Dual-Core+Processor+-+NightSky+Black/9732722.p?id=1218162980323&skuId=9732722
Gateway has always served me well. And also, here is a breakdown of all those confusing specs:
Hard drive space: The bigger the better, obviously. 250GB is more than enough for an average user; only get more if you really plan on stockpiling music/videos.
RAM: This controls how fast programs will open, how responsive they are once opened (if your computer is slow, this is the first thing you should upgrade), and basically how well your computer will run in general. For Windows Vista you should have 2GB, Windows 7 you should have 4GB, for gaming you'll want 4-6GB, but really, RAM is cheap to upgrade and you should always treat your computer to as much as you can afford.
Processor: This determines how many different things your computer can do at the same time, or how many programs you can run at once. Without getting too detailed, anything "Dual Core" or "Core 2 Duo" is going to serve the average user just fine.
Graphics Card: This is kind of tricky, since different companies (ATI Radeon, Nvidia) have different values for their specs, so it's hard to compare one to another. And to top it off, graphics cards are constantly getting better, sometimes several times per year, so you never know quite which is right. If you don't play PC games then you'll probably be fine with whatever comes with your computer, but beyond that I just go by price point: whatever costs $200-250 is usually more than enough for most games out right now (you could also just look at the recommended card for your favorite new PC game and get that one, and you'll be able to handle it well along with any lesser/older games).
Beyond that, it basically comes down to screen size and whether or not you have a DVD disc drive or a Blu Ray drive. Almost all laptops nowadays have built in webcams, ethernet/wireless internet, 2-4 USB ports, and capable speakers.
But trust me; that $500 Gateway is slick. I'm saving up for it already.
OMG i like this one :D
its so neat. im probably not gonna need a graphics card though. im not a PC gamer
Mechazawa005: I object to the use of the word "maybe" in the thread title. Also, in my experience, Geek Squad are a bunch of hacks...
i dont know about them being a bunch of hacks =\ its not really my place to say
and its obvious NOW that the use of the word "maybe" is unnecessary. i just wasnt sure what people knew is all.
killmak: As much as I like laptops I would rather spend my money and build a monster of a PC than spend the same money and pick up a half decent laptop.
As much as I like laptops I would rather spend my money and build a monster of a PC than spend the same money and pick up a half decent laptop.
but monster PCs are expensive, and dont they consume more power than a laptop. one of the reasons im getting a laptop is since its a space saver.
enigmagirl414: killmak: As much as I like laptops I would rather spend my money and build a monster of a PC than spend the same money and pick up a half decent laptop. but monster PCs are expensive, and dont they consume more power than a laptop. one of the reasons im getting a laptop is since its a space saver.
pending the laptops you are looking at, you are actually going to spend less on a comparable PC
as far as a space saver goes, towers don't really take up that much space and unless you REQUIRE the portability, you're going to find that the PC is going to function much better than the laptop (now this may not necessarily be true pending which laptop you purchase, but if you are citing expense it probably is)
enigmagirl414:one of the reasons im getting a laptop is since its a space saver.
If you're not a PC gamer you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on a PC or laptop. If you're buying a newer laptop to surf the web, do some word processing, etc. you'll be fine with pretty much anything you buy, just keep cowboyupinblue's post in mind.
Forum Moderator
Mechazawa005: Also, in my experience, Geek Squad are a bunch of hacks...
working at Best Buy, I can verify this.
I know in Canada as long you have A+ certification Best Buy will hire you regardless of what else you know.
Check out my travel blog (I'm in New Zealand currently) - www.lakerr.com
Computers shouldn't get slower with age, but over time your windows install gets bloated with a bunch of crap, so basically you are asking it to perform way more tasks (even if these tasks are unknown to you).
A windows re-install every 6 months may get you another couple of years out of the machine.
Laptops (this is an extremely general statement) tend to cost a little more for similar performance. Also, laptops that are good for gaming tend to be not very good at being a laptop because the added cooling and fans required for games makes them large. Laptops also tend to offer the least in terms of upgradability (with a custom built PC offering the most).
It has gotten very easy to build you own PC, and hardware is very cheap these days. You can put together a very decent gaming machine for 500 bucks. If you have a buddy to help or don't mind putting in a little time and adventure in learning, this is a very cost effective way to go.
Last but not least, it is rare that you will find current computer hardware at a good price at Best Buy. Order online.. try TigerDirect and NewEgg.
devyanks90: Mechazawa005: Also, in my experience, Geek Squad are a bunch of hacks... working at Best Buy, I can verify this.
Nothing personal intended, Dev. The couple of times i've had to deal with Geek Squad on defective items that were under warranty , I felt like I was guiding them through the troubleshooting process.
Then there's always awesomeness like this which always gives me a LOL:
To be fair, the last time I saw one of these, I think the price was down to $40 or $50.
killmak: Wow, that is a really old computer. There is no making that thing run fast. It is best to get yourself a new computer rather than try to salvage such an old one.
Wow, that is a really old computer. There is no making that thing run fast. It is best to get yourself a new computer rather than try to salvage such an old one.
Actually a clean wipe and fresh install of XP would probably make it run fine for "normal" use. For gaming, forgeddaboudid