- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
*cracks knuckles outwards* Let's get started.
Dell. In my mind, Dell still reeks strongly of cheapness and cut corners. Like others have said, you'll find missing expansion ports and slots, so there'll be no upgradeablility for the future. I mean, they're the guys who started the whole "PCs are ugly-as-sin, cream-colored boxes" thing.
Vista capable. NEVER trust those "Vista Capable" stickers on new computers. THEY ARE VERY MISLEADING. Vista will come in a grand total of seven different, distinct flavors. The most basic one will be no different from a reskinned Windows XP, without any eyecandy or features. When a computer says Vista Capable, it means that the computer can run at least that very basic version of Windows. If you want things like DVD ripping, or perhaps the Aero Glass stuff they offer, you need to check the specs. [rul=http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/h ardware/entpguid.mspx#EHC]here's a list[/url] of processors and GPUs that will be Vista compatible...and that will run the flashiest, most graphically intensive versions of Vista, such as Ultimate.
However, I strongly suggest, this late into the year, to hold off on your computer purchase. When the new Vista comes in December, you can be certain that it will run Vista Ultimate...because you'll be able to see it on the demo computer at the store. Also, you'll be saving yourself the cost of buying two Operating Systems. If you buy now, you'll be paying for Windows XP on the computer. When you go and buy Vista, it'll be another 300 bucks for the new OS. That, and factor in the fact that when you buy a computer later, it'll almost definitely have far better specs than the one you have right now. All in all, it'd be a good choice to suck it up and wait till Vista comes out.