technology Help!

[Hot dog]

I am planning on purchasing a computer soon. Could be for Christmas. Is this a good time to get good deals? Should I wait till after Christmas? Also I don't really know much about computers. What should I look for? Brand? Features? I think I might like a printer and burner with it. At least the kids will want that. I don't know anything and then how to get internet and whatever else comes along with it. I was also thinking of purchasing a camera. don't know much about that either but thought there might be good deals on the dreaded black friday. Is it that the higher mega pixals?? the better the camera? The last one I owned was a 110 camera and now just use the throwaways.

[poundwise]

Re: technology Help!


Here is a link to good quality, low-priced, and simple to operate camera. It is a refurbished model but I've never had a problem with Tiger Direct's refurbished offers.

Fuji Finepix 5.0 - $99

That is just a single suggestion. Of course, there are other options depending on what you want and what you'd like to spend, however, based on your post, I doubt that you would be unhappy with this product and price.

As for a PC, you may want to wait. While there will be some good deals during the holiday season, PCs will not come with the new operating system from Microsoft, Windows Vista, until the first part of next year. I'd advise most people to wait until then for a new PC.

[Broken Arrow]

Re: technology Help!

I am planning on purchasing a computer soon. Could be for Christmas. Is this a good time to get good deals?

Actually, yes! The holiday seasons is a time when many vendors are willing put out coupons and deals to rake in the numbers. If you can find a good holiday deal that will fit into a budget, then I don't see why not.

In that same vein, I don't recommend buying after Christmas because the deals will be gone by then.

Also I don't really know much about computers. What should I look for? Brand? Features?

I think the most important question is what would you like to accomplish? For example, it sounds like you want to be able to take pictures with a digital camera and then print out your own copies.

Also, you mentioned that you would like to get a burner, but what will it be used for? Storage? It should be fine, unless you plan to master your own music... in which case, you may need more software and hardware to do that well... depending on your needs.

The bottom line is, I believe it is indeed possible to find what you're looking for without having to break the piggy bank. $500 should be adequate in fact. (However, if future-proofing is something you would like to do, then I would budget more for a better computer, or build your own.)

That also means you don't need a bleeding edge machine, or even Vista for that matter. These are things that were done as far back as Windows 95. However, it's all up to you. Adopting Vista now would put your into the "early-adopter" category, and the minor headaches that are usually associated with it. Otherwise, I think a PC with XP should be enough.

Accessing the internet won't be a problem either, in terms of PC requirements. You'll want to shop around for what's available to you in your area and how much speed you are willing to pay for each month.

For printers, the average photo inkjets are all very capable nowadays. I recommend focusing on ones that will save you money per print. I like Canon's Pixma myself, but it's really up to you.

For entry level digital cameras, there are lots of decent choices out there for consumers now. Even printing full pages is no longer an issue since the average megapixels start at 5. Beyond that, megapixels aren't that important... because they do not affect image quality. Only a good lens and a good sensor will do that. The trick then is to research for ones that have these characteristics at an affordable price. Speaking for myself, if I was going out to buy a digital camera right now, I would get a Canon Powershot... but I have also been shocked at the quality of Kodaks. Kodaks are extremely user-friendly (but not good for power users/camera snobs ) and their quality is surprisingly good for their price.

Hope that helps as a good starting point.

[tinapbeana]

Re: technology Help!

just my 2 cents when it comes to printing your photos: i've found i cannot print my own for cheaper than what i can buy at http://www.yorkphoto.com. i've been pleased with their quality, their turnaround time is great, and they usually offer deals for new users. i had a photo quality printer, and the replacement ink for it was prohibitively expensive (not to mention the paper!).

as an example: i printed 303 4x6s for my sister's wedding gift. that, plus all the images burned on a CD by york, plus shipping was less than $50. the photos were $0.12 each before shipping, and after shipping were still less expensive than having a local store print them at $0.19 each

[poundwise]

Re: technology Help!

In that same vein, I don't recommend buying after Christmas because the deals will be gone by then.

BA, I like your post, but this just isn't true. Though this year you will see more incentives to buy during the holidays (to encourage people not to wait for Vista) in the past several years the prices for PCs in February, on average, are no greater the pricing offered in the previous November. Last year, after holiday sales for PCs (1st Quarter 2006) were strong and deals were plentiful. Among other things, you have to bear in mind that retailers (a) will be unloading unsold holiday stock, (b) will be getting ready for inventory, (c) are aware that people spend 'Christmas money' on purchases during after-Christmas sales, and (d) will be offering promotions in conjunction with the retail availability of Vista.

To address another point: I too, tend to agree, that Vista is nothing vital to the decision. However, IF someone wants to get Vista when it comes out, or soon thereafter, they might as well wait and get it with their PC. IF that's not a concern, then by all means, shop now and get a new PC for the holidays if you'd like.

[poundwise]

Re: technology Help!


Here is a current good deal that I found with a quick browse:

HP Slimline PC Package @ Circuit City

[Hot dog]

Re: technology Help!

I am embarassed to admit I have no idea what vista is. I really know nothing about computers. It will be used to access the internet and for the kids to do reports on. I don't know anything about hooking up a digital camera to the computer or printer but I think my 16 year old son may. I feel so technologically slow. That is why I was thinking maybe a Kodak because it has a docking station. Maybe I could figure it out? I would think Fuji or canon are better brands though. Then I have a sony TV that has a place for a memory card from the sony camera then it plays a slide show from your memory card so that seems interesting. In the walmart add the camera with the higher megapixals was cheaper and that confused me worse (kodak)