getting new computer, need advice

okay, so first thing's first, i don't really know too much about technology. but i'm getting a new computer, so confusion has been abound in my little world. any way, i've narrowed it down to either a new
mac mini or a basic dell. here's the run down of what i'm really looking for.
-basic word processing, downloading, and all that jazz.
-i'll need something that i can burn my records to cd with. i've been told i'll need an audio line in jack for this, which i might have to get something seperate.
-something that won't be outdated or broken in a few years unless i do something like set fire to it.
that's pretty much the basics. any help and advice is apprieciated.

Deciding weather to get a mac or a PC is the main decision here. I personally am a longtime PC user, having built my own for last 10 years or so. I've just purchased a mac laptop this year, and am getting more familear with it. That being said...

If you're not accustomed to computers in general, I absolutely have to record a macintosh. OSX tiger, (the mac version of windows) is vastly superior in stability and ease of use. Mac mini's are a pretty good buy for what's in the box, remember you'll need a monitor as well. The only actual problem with a mac mini is its complete lack of upgradability, memory nonwithstanding.

However, neither the dell or mini will allow you to capture audio out of the box, luckily a simple device such as this one can solve that problem.

There are pleanty of programs avalable to do all the basic stuff you'll want, Open Office will do all the word processing you'll need for free! Programs such as limewire, Shareaza, and nullBearshare let you download all you can handle.

PCs can be slightly more versitile, espceially in the realm of gaming. Problem is, you'll likely not want to spend the money (upwards of $1000s) in order to play them, unless you're a serious gamer.

Personally, I've got to recamend a mac to anyone unfarmilear with computers simply for the ease of use. All that crap you hear about viruses, malware, patching, upgrading etc... not likely to be a problem on a mac. The vast majority of internet security issues stem from exploiting flaws withing Microsoft Internet Explorer, also not a problem on a mac.

Hope it helps, but let me know if you've got other questions!

buy a MAC and never look back

*nods solemnly *Do the Mac. Trust us.

Dont listen to them.

They have satan in their voices.

I've been using a PC since I was 10 or so and I bought a Mac Mini when they first came out and now I rarely use my PC. It's easier to use and maintain and overall just a more enjoyable experience. (Widgets Rock!) I should really be in one of those switch ads.

get the PC. No good ever came from Macintosh. There's evil imprinted on every motherboard. (I am a certified technician, I've worked on both. Macs are maintanence hell and based on the premise that not only are you not bright enough to utilize a PC, but you never will be.) As for outdating, the fact is that the technology is constantly going forward and any machine bought now will likely be obsolete in a few years. However, if you purchase a newer model PC now, there should be room for upgrades, resulting in occasionally replacing a processor, a harddrive, your audio/video package or installing more RAM instead of just buying a new machine(and with just a lil bit of learning,-or a PC for Dummies manual- you could easily do the upgrades yourself.). Sometimes cheaper, sometimes not, but you can spread out the cost.

HP is the devil.

Get the Mac but wait until the end of January when the Intel based Mac's will be out.
Apple are dropping the Power PC processor.
No this doesn't mean that Mac's will be on the same footing as PC's.
There is a lot more to the Mac than just the processor.

One of the best things about the Mac is the software bundle you get with it.
iLife includes iDVD, iMovie, iTunes, iPhoto and Garageband- oh and the operating system is free with your computer too.

I have both Mac's and PC's for my job but simply not interested in PC's for day to day usage.

this is probably the most helpful advice you would be getting from this thread.
good luck!

Linux is free with a PC....

I would suggest the mac, My dad has bought three dells in a year and none of them work properly. The problem with Dell is that they install a LOT of useless software and uninstalling it requires a lot of time and often a lot of headaches because it is often connected in some way to a microsoft product. They have gotten better in the past six months or so, but My friend just bought one that had Windows Media Center Edition on it and he returned it under the receipt. Make sure, if you get the PC, that you are exactly sure what you are getting and make sure you keep all the documentation.

A PC doesn't necesserily mean windows. If you are reasonably computer proficient, get a distro of Suse linux and use that instead (I run dual boot for the sake of compatibility). If you learn to use linux properly, you get a system far faster than any windows PC or mac and stability easily on par with a mac. The only barrier is ease of use, but if you commit a little time, it's an utterly brilliant product

ms_n_thrope did mention that he/she is somewhat of a noob, which is why i had to reccamend the mac. I definately agree with ya on the linux tip, but for noobs...not so much

octatonic has a good point about waiting until the end of januray, Macintosh is going to be replacing their entire line's processors (the 'brain' of a computer) with intel hardware, which will mean 2 things:

1) the new macs will be faster and neater
2) the old macs (which are still awesome) will be cheaper, while they're still around.

and darke is correct in that PCs are much easier to upgrade, problem is, many 'budget' pcs from dell, gateway etc. lack extra PCI slots for hardware, limited avalable 'space' for ram (all computers have a limit as to how much they support), and power supplies that can't support extra devices (you'd have to buy a new one).

MOST companies offer some sort of extended warrenty, I know Dell's is very nice, as is Applecare.

i'm probably going for the mac. now i just have to decide about waiting until january. it would be nice to have a newer, faster mac, but the only thing i'd be worried about is that they also up the price a bit more than i would like to spend.
my friends who DO know a lot about computers use linux. i myself never have, so i'm a bit iffy about learning an entirely new os, even if it is remarkably easy to use.
upgrading i'm not as concerned with. i just need something that works and is pretty reliable. if push comes to shove, i can get a new computer a few years down the line.
thanks again for all the advice

get a dell desk computer with a kick ass video card cause you WILL want one!

I put over 500$ into mine after i discovered ho kik azz vid games are ona pc!

mac. mac is so much better. my friend in seattle _wrote_ the microsoft OS back in the day and he loves using a mac mini now.

[Edited on Dec 06, 2005 by papawheelie]

i found a pretty good deal on a mac mini (about $415) and this issue is the only thing stopping me from picking it up. what exactly does this mean? if this change is going to just make the machine a little faster, then i really don't care and will just spend the money to bump up the ram a little later. however, if this change will basically make the thing obsolete, then i'll wait.

They are switching the CPU that they use, but all of the software out there right now is written for the current (pre-Intel) CPU, and developers are going to keep supporting it for quite a while because they know that the majority of their users will still be using the older CPUs. The current systems are being phased out, but it isn't like you will suddenly have an unsupported system on your hands as soon as the Intel-based Macs come out.

i did some sneaking and it looks like the new mini mac is going to be more of a home theater hub to hook up to your tv, ipod, idvd player, icoffee maker... um, yeah, just over media center. don't really think i will be needing this. and for as inexpensive as they are, even if they do become obsolete in a few years and need to get a new one, it's not like i'll still be making payments on my old one.