Advice, please - new computer

Okay. I've got my bonus, and my computer's hard drive seems to be getting unreliable. Plus the sound card and DVD-ROM are shot, and the CD burner is getting quite iffy. So it would seem that it's time to get a new computer, while I can.

I could use some advice and suggestions, though.

Here's what I want in a system:

1. able to convert videos into DVDs.
2. able to convert cassette tapes and LPs into CDs
3. able to play modern games such as Fable and Oblivion.
4. The usual other capabilities.

Now, I'm thinking of going to PCs for Everyone. I got the system before the last one from there, and possibly the one before that. They had a great reputation for years, and their systems were reasonably priced and used high-quality parts.

But a few years ago they closed their brick-and-mortar location and became a net-only company. They're still in business, but I'm not in touch with any of the people I used to know who used them. So it's possible that they've gone downhill; I don't know.

Looking at their website, I see two options: a system built on a AMD Sempron processor, or one built on a AMD Athalon 64 x2 Dual-Core processor. They're the AMD 1000 and AMD 2000 series, both of which can be viewed here.

I'd customize them a bit, of course. But I'm not an expert on hardware, so I could use some advice. And if anyone has suggestions on somewhere else to buy the system, or on processors other than the ones I've suggested here - heck, on ANYTHING to do with the system - please let me know! That includes software. I'm assuming that I'll go with Windows XP, since by all accounts Vista sucks, but if you think that's a mistake do tell me.

Just one thing: I'm not going with a Mac. I hate Macs!

Advice, please - new computer

Okay. I've got my bonus, and my computer's hard drive seems to be getting unreliable. Plus the sound card and DVD-ROM are shot, and the CD burner is getting quite iffy. So it would seem that it's time to get a new computer, while I can.

I could use some advice and suggestions, though.

Here's what I want in a system:

1. able to convert videos into DVDs.
2. able to convert cassette tapes and LPs into CDs
3. able to play modern games such as Fable and Oblivion.
4. The usual other capabilities.

Now, I'm thinking of going to PCs for Everyone. I got the system before the last one from there, and possibly the one before that. They had a great reputation for years, and their systems were reasonably priced and used high-quality parts.

But a few years ago they closed their brick-and-mortar location and became a net-only company. They're still in business, but I'm not in touch with any of the people I used to know who used them. So it's possible that they've gone downhill; I don't know.

Looking at their website, I see two options: a system built on a AMD Sempron processor, or one built on a AMD Athalon 64 x2 Dual-Core processor. They're the AMD 1000 and AMD 2000 series, both of which can be viewed here.

I'd customize them a bit, of course. But I'm not an expert on hardware, so I could use some advice. And if anyone has suggestions on somewhere else to buy the system, or on processors other than the ones I've suggested here - heck, on ANYTHING to do with the system - please let me know! That includes software. I'm assuming that I'll go with Windows XP, since by all accounts Vista sucks, but if you think that's a mistake do tell me.

Just one thing: I'm not going with a Mac. I hate Macs!

Day

All in all, it was a nice birthday. I got to sleep in a little (I took the day off), Sebastian sang "Happy Birthday" to me many times, and I spent the day relaxing and doing a little shopping with Teri.

I've already lost a bit of weight; no pain, and my clothes feel loser. I'm happy about that. I've found that when I find myself thinking that I'd like to have "X" - for "X", read ice cream, Coke, french fries, etc. - I can remember what they taste like in great detail, and that satisfies much of the craving. Instead of coffee and a muffin in the morning when I get to work, I have a few slices of apple much earlier in the morning, before leaving home.

It really seems to work. I'm not doing any particular diet, I'm just trying hard to eat less - and I'm succeeding. Of course, it probably helps that if I overeat at all I get a sharp reminder in the form of pain in my stomach.

Anyway, 44 isn't a bad age. I'm no different from how I was yesterday, after all, except that I'm slightly smaller - I hope.

Time for me to get some sleep!

Day

All in all, it was a nice birthday. I got to sleep in a little (I took the day off), Sebastian sang "Happy Birthday" to me many times, and I spent the day relaxing and doing a little shopping with Teri.

I've already lost a bit of weight; no pain, and my clothes feel loser. I'm happy about that. I've found that when I find myself thinking that I'd like to have "X" - for "X", read ice cream, Coke, french fries, etc. - I can remember what they taste like in great detail, and that satisfies much of the craving. Instead of coffee and a muffin in the morning when I get to work, I have a few slices of apple much earlier in the morning, before leaving home.

It really seems to work. I'm not doing any particular diet, I'm just trying hard to eat less - and I'm succeeding. Of course, it probably helps that if I overeat at all I get a sharp reminder in the form of pain in my stomach.

Anyway, 44 isn't a bad age. I'm no different from how I was yesterday, after all, except that I'm slightly smaller - I hope.

Time for me to get some sleep!