Need Opinions On Computer Purchase

[Anthony1]

Hi,

Time to get a new home PC and the first thing that seemed to pop up when I typed "computers" in Google was the PC below. All I really need to do is some-what basic stuff: Internet browsing, burning CD's, running certain programs (Adobe photoshop, etc). My question is this: For the money, would you guys consider this a good deal:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9249495&type=product&id=1218068107386

I'm not real big on specs. and what not, but 6GB Ram with dual core and 640 GB worth of space sounds good to me. I'm asking for opinions though "just in case." Perhaps the brand is no good? Or possibly something else that lacks? Or maybe that I can get more machine for less money? Or even a comparable or better machine for the same amount of money?

Any thoughts/opinions/comments on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Anthony1]

Oh, two more questions, please:

1.) If I wanted to format and install Windows XP, can I?

2.) If the above answer is "yes," would the computer run any differently (slower, faster, whatever..er) with Windows XP than it would with Vista?

Thanks!!!

[pangea33]

I currently have a fairly negative opinion about HP computers. That was initially based on my experience with their laptops, but their merger with Compaq didn't help either.

Having said that I am pretty impressed with that machine's specs for the price, but you can compete with that especially when building your own with the intention of also getting a copy of Win XP to put on it. Extended warranties have their upsides though, and Best Buy obviously offers them.

That machine will work with XP, and you'll likely experience faster performance, but a 32 bit version of XP can't properly manage more than 4 gb of ram. According to Microsoft's site (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx) only Enterprise Server 2003 can, and it's lowest available license fees are more than that whole machine.

If you're going to go with a Microsoft machine and want to minimize headaches with respect to DIY and support, the elephant in the room is Vista.