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Sr. Guapo
Swordmaster
USA
272 Posts |
 Posted - May 18 2004 : 7:10:03 PM
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Help me out. I am trying to expand my computer knowledge beyond Dell/Pentium/Windows. I know other alternatives exist, I just want to know about them.
I have never used anything besides Windows, so I know nothing of Linux or Mac OS. I don't plan on switching, but I was curious about the pros and cons of each alternative.
I have also never used anything but a pentium chip (excluding my Gateway 486 and Commodore 64...). What is the difference between a Pentium and say, an AMD chip. I think AMD started out just offering cheap copies of pentiums, but I don't know what they do now.
Last, what alternatives are there to Dell PCs nowadays? Gateway's bankrupt, so IBM? Compact? I do not think either of those can compete.
I was just a little curious and wanted to drag the blinders off my eyes... |
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sdw
Warrior
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2004 : 7:38:16 PM
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I'm sure you could find pros and cons of Windows vs Linux on many forums and sites. But in my opinion, Linux is more for business (any kinds of servers and stuff) and Windows is for gaming (because majority of games are DirectX windows only). You'll hear it over and over that Linux is far more stable than Windows and an over all better OS than Windows. I don't know anything about MACS except they're simple and stable (because of unix based stuff).
Pentiums can have a greater clock speed than AMD and they also have hyperthreading technology (or something like that). AMD is cheaper, keeps cooler, and is better suited for graphics and games. The majority of gamers will use AMD.
You can always build your own computer. But if the thought of that scares you then you can be like me and get a HP/Compaq. I've had good experiences with HP so i continue to use them.
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Edited by - sdw on May 18 2004 7:40:05 PM |
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EACam
Warrior
154 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2004 : 9:07:02 PM
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| i've got a dell...their service is really great...but I'm not too impressed with the computer itself...then again, I got it as a BIG Christmas deal...so i'm not surprised. |
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masterbooda
Swordmaster
277 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 01:25:13 AM
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I prefer putting my own together, because when you buy it as a full package, you usually get stuck with some real crappy parts... also you can find deals on individual pieces and save yourself alot of money... Of course I'm a computer repair technician part time so I'm always in the loop of what is new and improved...
As far as chips go... If you want compatibility, Pentium is your best bet... but if you want to fool people into thinking you know what your talking about... get an amd... because speedwise there isn't enough difference to even tell unless you have built in precision timing in your head... For example I was in a pc repair class with a guy who kept saying only amd for him... I asked him why and he said that is what the expert's say... I then asked who are the experts, and he stared at me blankly... Bottom line, Pentium = compatibility.... pay the extra buck for a better chip... plain and simple... of course this is just my opinion....
And as far as operating systems go... the majority of people I have met who run linux... have some sort of disturbing grudge against M$.... You can go with linux, and you will hardly be able to find any software you need or any games that run on it... let linux stay where it belongs, out of homes and in businesses... and Windows does crash and burn alot... but If you regularly maintain your system... ie. defrag, frequent virus scans(use avg), and other little necessities... you will run fine...
Sorry for my little rant... of course this is just my opinion on matters.. DaBooda out...
P.S. And the best thing anyone can do for themselves is do alot of research online, before making and investment into a computer... trust me.. I learned 90% of everything I know online...(Even though this doesn't mean much)... |
DaBooda Team is back: http://dabooda.789mb.com/ |
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cjb0087
Knave
Australia
76 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 02:47:23 AM
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linux is the best for servers (apache + php + mysql, all free and good) cause its stable. windows xp is strictly gaming only, because it crashes bad (disk needs formatting) so dont put work on it. best OS for work is 2000pro, cause its stable, ive used it for a couple of years and not one crash
p.s. dont go to my site (u wern't anyway) cause it got "hax0r3d" |
www.bugsplat.tk |
Edited by - cjb0087 on May 19 2004 02:48:32 AM |
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Lachlan87
Moderator
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 07:02:23 AM
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quote:
windows xp is strictly gaming only, because it crashes bad (disk needs formatting) so dont put work on it.
I never heard of that before. Is it something that just happened to you once, or is it a known re-occuring bug? I've been generally pretty impressed with windows XP proffesional as far as stability goes.
More on topic, you might be surprised how many games will work on Linux. Alot of them will need something like winE to work, but some ( Unreal Tournament 2004, Dominions II, etc.) will work without any extra stuff.
Not that I'm recommending Linux, but I think it has come a lot further than most people suspect. |
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VBBR
Moderator
Brazil
617 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 10:53:33 AM
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"mounted" PCs like Dell's, Compaq's and HP's are bad because usually they have all the graphics, sound, network, etc. on-board the mainboard so if you want to change something you will lose money, sometimes lose the support, and some (very) incompatibilities may show up.
I just go with "choose everything you want and mount your own PC, and if you don't know how to do it, certainly you do know anyone that knows or you do know someone that knows someone that knows" if it's not very confusing.
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Whatever. Who knows... |
Edited by - VBBR on May 19 2004 10:56:08 AM |
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Sr. Guapo
Swordmaster
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 11:34:52 AM
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I ahven't had too many problems with Win XP either... I just do not like how the "home edition" makes everything so idiot friendly (Hiding the contents of the WINDOWS folder, asking five times if I'm sure I want to delete a file, etc.). That is why I prefer Pro.
Also, I was more interested in a laptop for college. I am pretty sure you can't buy a laptop frame and build yourself though, so I'm at a loss... And a custom designed one would be even more expensive than the best ones I can find.
I was mainly curious because, like daBooda said, most linux/Mac users have a grudge against M$, and it is a similar story with AMD. |
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sdw
Warrior
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 2:26:09 PM
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quote:
You can go with linux, and you will hardly be able to find any software you need or any games that run on it... let linux stay where it belongs, out of homes and in businesses...
I disagree with this. There are loads of games and software which run on Linux. Chances are that anything you find on Windows is available for Linux, with the exception of some commercial games. Also Linux is based on open source, so it's probably better for a programmer to use. Not to mention Linux comes in many flavors and is free to download.
I think the grudge against MS comes from that fact that they're closed source, they make everythig their own, and they charge you money for everything. I run a dual boot myself because I like Linux but I also need my games from Windows :) |
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VBBR
Moderator
Brazil
617 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 3:43:55 PM
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Same here  |
Whatever. Who knows... |
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Sr. Guapo
Swordmaster
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 10:32:50 PM
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My only real adventure outside of Windows was taking CS 1 at a nearby university. I had to learn java for a Unix system (yuck). not fun...
Anyway, I could never understand why people say Windows crashes all the time. I have never had a seemingly random crash (that wasn't caused by a game of mine)... My only problem with Windows is the size! Win XP is huge (The folder itself is > 2 GB). I had to buy a new hard drive to fit in on while I replaced my good old (obsolete, another problem) 98. I realize most of that is all the cute graphics and help files for the computer challenged crowd (politically correct), but why doesn't M$ sell a stripped down version? |
Edited by - Sr. Guapo on May 19 2004 10:34:13 PM |
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masterbooda
Swordmaster
277 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 10:41:29 PM
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ok....ok.... I am biased here, because the last time I messed with linux was in 94' when it was in its infancy... and if you liked to play MUD, that was your only real choice in the game department... I've been reading up on linux, and it has come a long way... but I was just pointing out alot of people seem to bash window's when to me window's does everything I need it to do... so why would I look for anyother OS... Window's does not crash on me, I keep the viruses out, and the harddrive defragged and everything runs ok....
DaBooda Out...
P.S. There is one problem with window's that I do have.... It does not utilize your memory as well as linux does.... there is alot of win programs that don't clean up after themselves, by realeasing the memory back..... but maybe linux has this problem.... I think programmers should be put in jail for writing programs that don't clean up... |
DaBooda Team is back: http://dabooda.789mb.com/ |
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cjb0087
Knave
Australia
76 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2004 : 02:03:08 AM
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| yeah they should, i think windows xp developer does something like catch memory leaks for you, but with others versions, the programmers should be shot |
www.bugsplat.tk |
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Almar
Moderator
Netherlands
192 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2004 : 03:46:52 AM
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I prefer Win2k for development. I can't just live with the fact thast the Intertoys look is build in Win XP and taking up my valuable HD space.  |
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CodeImp
Neophyte
Netherlands
2 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2004 : 08:22:59 AM
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No to mention system memory and render time required. Those are relatively much worse than several extra MB's at your HD. But XP was never meant to be fast or effecient, it is built for userfriendlyness to those people that do not have much experience in computers. For professionals, its just frustrating, thats what 2000 is for (btw: XP has the same kernel as 2000, it doesnt even have a new major version number because the kernel is so much the same)
Linux is a complete different area. It is meant for servers and is not a good choice for a workstation at all since it doesnt work as easy as Windows. Take a diskette for example... to use it you first have to 'mount' it in Linux after you inserted the disk, and when you are done you have to 'unmount' it again or your new data will be lost. Now we dont use diskettes today anymore really, but its just an example which shows what Linux was meant for. Its a good choice for a box or server that you never touch and has to be stable, but for a workstation I would even prefer XP over Linux.
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Pascal vd Heiden | www.codeimp.com | www.doombuilder.com | www.doomconnector.com
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Sr. Guapo
Swordmaster
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2004 : 11:25:20 PM
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| The problem is, the massive user-friendly beast is going to become the minimum requirement for all new programs one day. So even if your favorite version is 2000, eventually it won't run the "brand new" programs(games mainly). |
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