Buying a new computer

[Ab_Normal]

My apologies if I missed any existing threads on this issue...

My sister-in-law, noticing my daughter's fascination with her digital camera, bought the Spawn a digital camera for her birthday, followed by Easy Media Creator 7.0 for Xmas (so the kiddo can do things with her pics and movies). Unfortunately, the family system won't run Easy Media Creator, so we're looking at buying a new computer to support the software. That, and the family system (fondly called The Boat Anchor), is showing it's age at a whopping four years old. (Damn entropy and the Wintel conspiracy. :P )

Even more unfortunately, I haven't kept up with hardware developments (damn it, Jim, I'm a programmer, not a network administrator) so I haven't a clue as to what kind of hardware (especially video card) we should look for. Also, we've been bitten by Gateway and Dell machines that are chock full of proprietary parts that make it difficult to upgrade. On the gripping hand, the network administrator at work highly recommends Dell...

And, I have built systems in the past, but I don't really enjoy it, and would really rather be able to purchase something with a warranty.

So, our criteria are:
* Able to run Easy Media Creator (here's the system requirements (http://www.roxio.com/en/products/ecdc/system_requirements.jhtml) as near as I can tell)
* Supporting the latest PC games would be good, as well, though we don't buy as many as we used to (that's that the Xbox is for) :cool:
* Manufactured from standard, expandable components, all the way up to being able to slap in a new motherboard if I have to
* At least a one year warranty
* Under $1000 w/o monitor

How delusional am I? And thanks in advance!

[Ab_Normal]

Yow, what a mess. More coffee for me. :)

Erm, I guess I also need specific recommendations for:
* Motherboard and processor
* type and amount of RAM

Yeesh, I'm turning into a friggin' end user. :doh:

[wade-w]

Gateway and Dell will both still have the proprietary parts problem. If you don't want to build it yourself, I recommend that you find a reputable local computer parts store that builds custom systems. Most provide this type of service. I'd do it for you, but I'm way too far from your location. $1000 w/o monitor will buy one hell of a system these days. Prices are far lower than they were 4 years ago.

As for motherboard/processor, I like Asus mother boards, and I'd get an AMD Opteron (64 bit :) ). Get at least 512 mb of RAM, and I recommend you go ahead and get 1 gb; it'll be well within your stated budget. For video cards, look at nVidia or Radeon.

[Ab_Normal]

gracias. I've got a gamer friend researching video boards as well.... :cool:

oh and
...I recommend that you find a reputable local computer parts store that builds custom systems.
We've got one of those, but the "reputable" part may be a problem; they got sued a few years ago for distributing pirated Microsoft products. Oopsie. :D

[viscousmemories]

Well I'm an old Dell whore from way back, but I've recently heard very good things about Compaq. However, I hear you on the upgrading, so...

I've had very good luck with e-machines (http://www.e4me.com/) in the past. They've got the "whole system in a box" thing down pat like Compaq and Dell, but without all the proprietary stuff. At least such was the case a few years ago. Good luck! :)

[seebs]

I am personally more fond of ATI than nVidia, but graphics cards... My biggest advice is to get one of the ones that has just a heat sink, not a fan. It'll be slower, but quieter and more reliable. And MUCH cheaper.