HELP !! I am looking at new computers because mine is OLD, SLOW, and does not have the space I need for upcoming projects. Any recommendations or guidelines you would like to offer? Money IS an object so I cannot get into the thousands of dollars on this purchase! What about Windows 8? Is anyone using that? Do you like it? For some reason, I thought I heard that there were problems with Windows 8 but maybe it was something else. Any input would be most appreciated !

Greetings... here's my input... but first a little background. I built my 1st computer in 1965, and 2 years ago left the corporate computer (as an IT Director) after 40 years. Having said that, (IMHO) most computer are 95% all the same, when talking about the same "model" as far a processor speed and memory. My big thing is service! I need to be able, if I have a problem at 3:00 am on a Sunday morning, to get someone on the phone to help... that is why I (personally and with the company I was IT Director with) use Dell Computers. You should be able to get a good unit, 1 TB drive - 6 GB ram and a decent monitor for $500-600. If you want to talk (personally) about this, send me an email - patlogan100@aol.com

Hello there. I have a few suggestions. 1. Decide if you need a desktop, notebook, netbook or just a tablet 2. Win8 is currently suitable for touch-screen devices, other wise I don't recommend it. Also, the market hasn't got much software. 3. If you choose a desktop I recommend at least 8GB RAM + small SSD (solid state disk, as small as 128GB) device (for operating system) + 1TB hard disk 4. As operating systems I would recommend: MacOS, Ubuntu o Win 7 Feel free to ask!

Thanks, guys! I should have said that I am considering a desk top. Fab, are you saying that you prefer Windows 7 over Windows 8? What is an "SSD"?

For a desktop I prefer by far Win7 over Win8. An SSD is an internal storage, but using a technology not based on magnetism, like traditional hard disks do. In particular an SSD has no mechanical parts in movement, is faster and makes the boot 2-3 times quicker. Big SSD are still expensive. This is why I suggest to take a small one, just for storing Win7, and also take a (more traditional) hard disk (for your data)

I absolutely agree I have removed Windows 8 and gone back to 7

See? Thanks to both of you for your comments on Windows 8 !! That is why I am asking questions now. I would hate to go through everything to get a new computer and find out about something like that after the fact. Is there anything else that you can think of that I might steer away from? Is a Hewlett Packard acceptable? Or some other make? Or does it matter? Fab, is the SSD "expensive"?

Just curious . . . what is the problem with Windows 8? Thanks

Pat, someone told me that Dell is going out of business or is being sold . . . ? Do you know anything about that?

Susan, I just recently bought a computer from Tigerdirect.com. A lenovo computer with windows 7. No problems and only $400. They could help you choose the right one for you. Windows 8 seems to be ok for touch screens and the reviews have been not good so far.

Hi Feral Cats: I love your name. You have a great sense of humor. Believe it or not I have an Acer. I got it for around $400.00 at Walmart four years ago and it is still ticking. I teach for the school I work for on-line and it has managed to be reliable for that which is some credit for it I think.

Hello. I confirm, win8 is better suited for touch screens; also it is still buggy for many applications. An SSD memory is more expensive,, this is why I suggest to get a small one (just for the operating system). Also, keep in mind that costs of SSD are decreasing, so you may decide to wait a few months.