New Computer

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It was decision time again for a new computer.

It takes me a month of gut wrenching decision making.

I once again compared Apple to Dell to having a computer custom built.

I am sick of reboots and a slowing computer.

Apple was once again just out of my comfortable price range.

Pugetsystems.com, although the most helpful of any computer company I have ever seen, and obviously knowledgeable was just too expensive. They really could not explain away why they were $1500 more for the same (near identical) computer I could get at DELL. I WANTED to go custom built, but I could not swallow the $1500 difference. I would have been willing to pay a tad more JUST to try something different.

I ended up having DELL put together a system for me.

I dealt with Joseph at 800 999 3355 ext 2169258

He was very helpful and gave me a much better deal than I could have gotten online. So, if you are buying a computer from DELL, call Joe!

Historically, I always bought a “just barely good enough” DELL computer. How cheap could I get away with.

This time, I went with a different strategy. I wanted to get the RIGHT computer. I knew I was probably going to spend $2500ish. An APPLE upgrade would have been nearly $5K for a Mac Pro and buying PS for the Mac.

Getting the RIGHT computer to ME meant… getting a 64bit system (this means Vista), the latest processor (instead of a the last generation which I usually do to save money), and putting in lots of RAM. Many of the new programs out and that are coming out require the 64 bit system.

I am hoping a few things

1. This system will last me 3+ years instead of my usual 2 with a DELL
2. It speeds up my processing time. The less time in PS & LR the better.
3. Will prove that a better computer is BETTER and worth the cash!

I am going to start a savings account for my next upgrade cycle. I am planning on replacing the system in two years. If I get another $2500 system, that is $200 a month I need to save. If I start NOT liking the system, I will go to $400 a month know I am switching to Apple the next cycle.

Do you put money away for equipment upgrades? If you buy a new camera every three years (just to keep up with technology) and that camera is $2500, you need to save $70 a month. If its an $8000 like mine, thats $222 a month. If course, I bought my camera for $5500 used about 6 months after it was released so that would mean I need to save $140 a month to be able to purchase the next pro grade camera in three years. All of that needs to go into a savings account so you can for it with your savings, not your cash flow! ALSO, remember seminars! Save for that too. This way, you can afford what you want/need.

Here is what I got.

Studio XPS 435MT

Intel Core i7-940 2.93 Ghz

12GB Ram (yes, 12 GB!!!!)

No Monitor (I have a dual monitor set up already)

512MB ATi Radeon HD 4850 Video Card

Vista Ultimate (knowing I might get Windows 7)

Two DVD/CD drives

Office 2007

$2498 with tax & free delivery