[Obgrfbke]

I'm in need of a new desktop computer. I am struggling to update financial information so I can complete a report for social security. I'm about to give up for now, have spent over an hour entering just one month's bank information, and trying to download from my bank to match my entries and then to reconcile the bank statement. After this still have two more months to enter. I'm sure it would help if I booted this darned computer more than once a month but it's just getting so old and slow that I spend most of my computer play time using a handmedown Vista laptop. If the desktop wasn't so slow, I'd still use it for my daily needs/fun.

I've got an HP bought too many years ago, back when XP was brand new on the market. Can't remember if that was late 1990's or early 2000, but this is definitely a dinosaur compared to what's available now. This machine used to be adequate but now is just too slow. It does not have much memory and no room to upgrade, did that once but that was years ago. Not long ago had a computer techie work it over, did the best he could but it's just too slow and not much can be done to make it better.

I need something reliable and not too costly. Don't need high end bells and whistles but want good processing speed.

For my banking records, I'm still running Microsoft Money and I've got to get something new there too. I dread having to get a new software program to enter my bank records, as I'm not sure where I'm going to start. Have heard that Quicken doesn't import from Money very well, plus if I'm going to get a new PC, I might as well just start from scratch with that.

I mostly surf on the internet and like to play games but just casual stuff, I don't do a lot of digital photography or music downloading. So mostly what I need is a good, reliable desktop PC capable of running Quicken or other personal financial software quickly, and internet capable for fun & games and to get to my bank information when I need it (like now!).

If anyone has ideas of good brands, or what I need to be looking for or staying away from, I would appreciate your help. Money wise I'd like to spend no more than $500. I have a decent flat screen monitor, so I'm looking for just a tower at this time.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[mymnarorump]

For my banking records, I'm still running Microsoft Money and I've got to get something new there too. I dread having to get a new software program to enter my bank records, as I'm not sure where I'm going to start. Have heard that Quicken doesn't import from Money very well, plus if I'm going to get a new PC, I might as well just start from scratch with that.

You might have an easier time converting your Money files to Quicken than what you've heard. Here's an overview from Quicken (by Intuit) website:

Quicken 2009 and 2010 (including the Starter Edition) now allow you to easily import a Microsoft Money file directly into Quicken without having to go outside the Quicken product. (No separate converter, no extra steps in Money, and no import of XML files required.) You can now just go straight from Microsoft Money to Quicken.

Here's the link: Convert Info

[priceyicey]

I recommend contacting NLINE. Honestly. My sister bought a laptop through him and it was cheaper than my Dell, and so far beyond it in capability as to make it silly to even talk about. Everything on her CPU is better than mine (except my display is 1" wider, as if that really matters) and cost her about 50 bucks less than mine did.

He will guide you towards a build that will meet your needs.

[55TRATTERENRY]

I just got a new e-machine. It's a bare-bones computer. You even have to download the manual. So far, it has been great! I use Suddenlink instead of dial-up. (I ordered my e-machine from Best Buy on-line.)

[southernplayer99]

LOL, i have an IBM Netvista desktop system,built around 2003 that i will trade you even steven for 1 video card. Nothing special nothing new. Just a working video card.

If you take me up on the offer, you better get 2, because you will need one too, it appears.

[Karinochka]

Where PCs are concerned, I think the biggest error is people arent honest with themselves about what they want it for. Many go bare bones and are upset that its media capabilities arent competitive.

Second thing is stay away from proprietary systems. While cheap up front, upkeep, repair etc can add up real quick.

I like systems that allow me to upgrade with non-proprietary upgrades. I can start bare bones and up the memory, video card etc without asking for my first born child or having to buy a whole new system

[Clilmence]

We just go one at walmart for 398$ already had an extra monitor so I didn't get one with it....
It does everything we need it to do.... (goof around on the internet and play music)

[viagra_generic]

thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. I am proud of myself for not jumping in the car and running out to Best Buy to buy one on impulse. I managed to get the report done on the old machine. Its limitations are processor and memory, both really bog it down. If I let it do its own thing for 30 min to an hour, and wait for the little light (that tells me it's "thinking" to go off, then it will cooperate with me but still too slow.

I have researched the conversion of Money files to Quicken, and I would love to do that except that I have several years of bank info that I really don't need to move to a new program, plus I don't think my existing machine would be capable of installing & running Quicken (speed-wise, I'd wind up kicking the computer before it managed to install anything). I don't know if I can move Money to a new machine, although a tech support specialist probably could lap-link it. I'm just going to start with my July bank statement and use that starting balance and enter those transations to start fresh. My reporting year for this social security report is July through June, so that should start me off with July's info.

My favorite techie (computer whiz at work) recommended Dell brand number 1 and HP a close second. I appreciate all your thoughts, wisdom and experience.

as for emachines, I have been there and done that. Had an emachines that was brand new out of the box and the hard drive was making scratching noises already! (not the normal whirring that I would expect from hard drive). Replaced power supply per emachines, but still got that noise, was able to exchange it for the HP that I have now. Next try with emachines was a desktop for my daughter, really liked it until the motherboard fried, even plugged into a surge protector. I don't think third time would be any better, have learned lessons from my own experiences there.

Back to work for me, to a Dell machine...one bad thing about this brand is that the letters on the standard keyboard keys tend to wear off. Good thing I can touch type !

[Filling25]

thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. I am proud of myself for not jumping in the car and running out to Best Buy to buy one on impulse. I managed to get the report done on the old machine. Its limitations are processor and memory, both really bog it down. If I let it do its own thing for 30 min to an hour, and wait for the little light (that tells me it's "thinking" to go off, then it will cooperate with me but still too slow.

I have researched the conversion of Money files to Quicken, and I would love to do that except that I have several years of bank info that I really don't need to move to a new program, plus I don't think my existing machine would be capable of installing & running Quicken (speed-wise, I'd wind up kicking the computer before it managed to install anything). I don't know if I can move Money to a new machine, although a tech support specialist probably could lap-link it. I'm just going to start with my July bank statement and use that starting balance and enter those transations to start fresh. My reporting year for this social security report is July through June, so that should start me off with July's info.

My favorite techie (computer whiz at work) recommended Dell brand number 1 and HP a close second. I appreciate all your thoughts, wisdom and experience.

as for emachines, I have been there and done that. Had an emachines that was brand new out of the box and the hard drive was making scratching noises already! (not the normal whirring that I would expect from hard drive). Replaced power supply per emachines, but still got that noise, was able to exchange it for the HP that I have now. Next try with emachines was a desktop for my daughter, really liked it until the motherboard fried, even plugged into a surge protector. I don't think third time would be any better, have learned lessons from my own experiences there.

Back to work for me, to a Dell machine...one bad thing about this brand is that the letters on the standard keyboard keys tend to wear off. Good thing I can touch type !

i truly mean no insult. but i would not trust the tech guy at work. hp is POS number 1, and dell seems to be closing in rather quickly. the service agreement is nice (i have two dells, myself, plus just bought a third for sons graduation laptop). i am not in the market for desktop systems anymore. I will just buy used junk from now on that i can make work. if i buy new i buy a laptop. and the next one i get will be asus. the one NLINE did for my sister is so super swank, especially the price she paid for it.

if you are buying a desktop, get custom built. OEM is not the way to go.

Honestly, i don't know NLINE other than his forum personality. I know 2 people who have dealt with him, and both times the report i heard was that he was outstanding. being a geek, he has the geeky personality...but that is up my alley. I am just giving him a reference based on what I have heard, and my understanding that OEM machines are not what you pay for.