Desktop or Laptop under $1000

[Operation Ivy]

Hey everyone im looking to get a new desktop or laptop because my current computer is just old and falling apart.
All im really looking for is a desktop or laptop that can run games well, only games i play are hl2mods and WoW if that means anything. Other then that i just use the computer for internet and stuff. Im willing to spend $1000 and im not that smart about computers so i thought id come and ask you guys if you could suggest some good computers in that price range.

Thank you

 

[Parlez]

I'm not to sure about under 1000 dollars but you can get a nice Alienware laptop for around in the thousands. Just a suggestion.

 

[Barney Fife]

 

[Asus]

Building from parts or buying complete (Best Buy, Compusa)?

If you are buying from a retail store just remember to check that it has room to expand. Empty memory slots, harddrive and CD drive bays...PCI slots. And that it has a dedicated GFX slot AGP or PCI Express (perfered). A lot of PCs in Retail only have enough slots and bays for what they give you in the machine.

HP is probably one of the better buys. Compaqs are not as pretty but they actually have more room for adding in cards etc and they cost less for what you get.

Gateways are cheaper. Not sure on quality. Emachines are OK.
You will pay more for Sonys.
Dells wouldn't be bad...except they are all intel (which are oven roasters) at this point. :x
At least until Intel's new CPU comes out (probably august before they are in machines) and then they will run cool.

I would recommend staying away from Intel's graphic chip if you do not plan on buying an add-in GFX card. ATI has the better built-in GFX chip. Most desktops do not come with a good GFX card btw.
Most of the desktops around 700-900$ have 1GB memory, +200GB harddrive, at least a 3500+ or 3.6GHz CPU which is fine. If you want to play games well then I'd recommend saving some money to buy a 7600GT and make sure it has the right slot for it.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

Also waiting for a good deal is a good idea, I got an acer that costs about $1000 for only $499, then I had room to upgrade, try getting a dual core cpu like an AMD 3800+ or higher, it's better for multitasking and future games are planning to take advantage of it.

 

[NJspeed]

Keep an eye on Ebay. I got my PC last August for $910 on Ebay, shipped. Used my existing monitor so I didn't need to buy one, but then I even sold that and bought this 21" Sony G500 for $100, and it retails for $1500. (my friend got a $2500 CRT for $250 - great deals on CRTs out there)

It's a 3.0ghz P4 that came with 1 gig ram, internal sound, and an X800XL. Great deal at the time.

Then every month, I'd buy a new upgrade. First I got an X-Fi for $130 so I could stop using oboard sound. Then another gig of ram for $130. Waited 6 months and replaced my X800XL with the 7800 GT and now I have a great computer for an extremely low price. Lets see, total cost looks like $1550 approx but that's not counting my existing pieces that I sold to cover part of the cost (x800, monitor, old PC)

My next steps near the end of '06 will be to upgrade the CPU and swap the 7800GT out with a DX10 card.

Anyway, look for someone selling an OEM, upgradable, computer with a decent graphics card in it. You can always upgrade the little things over time.

 

[Tyguy]

id go with a sony, they are a little more expensive, but much more sturdy and reliable......and make sure u check out the specs,,, like asus suggested....def. wanna make sure it will run vista when it comes out.....and i worked at comp usa for a little, DONT BUY THE PLATINUM PLAN! haha, what a rip off.......