I have a new computer

[Tdarcos]

I just bought a new (to me) computer, it's a "cube", it has 512 meg of memory, 80 GB hard drive, 3.0 GHZ dual core processor running Windows XP. It cost me $68 plus $12 shipping on eBay, and I am using it right now. Only came with power cord, did not include mouse or keyboard (which was okay, I already have plenty of hardware around.)

It looks more like a homebrew, because the sides, instead of being steel, are lexan so you can see inside and there's no brand name on the front. But it's interesting this way. Surprisingly it actually has a 3 1/2" floppy drive. The case forms an X at the top so you could carry it someplace. It is tightly packed compared to most tower or deskop models. It's called a "cube". It is 12" deep, 8" wide, and 8" tall; the X handle makes it 10" tall but the handle has screws at the four points so I think you could remove it.

I have a $9.99 Tenda wireless adapter plugged into one of the USB sockets. I installed it using the included DVD drive (not sure if it's a CD writer and DVD reader, or an actual DVD writer, I've only had it a few days and I'd have to go back to the original auction to look it up.)

It has plugs on the back for PS/2 keyboard and mouse, but will support USB keyboard and mouse. I was using a PS/2 keyboard and a USB mouse but am now using the USB keyboard from my other computer (more on that later).

I had to buy another machine because Duke Nukem Forever requires a dual-core processor machine. I considered either a dual core or a quad core. This one was such a good buy I bid on it and to my surprise I won it. It supports two memory rods, 187 pin memory DDR 400. If I can find 2gb rods, I'll put 4 gb in it, otherwise I'll put 2.

I knew it didn't have enough memory but I took that into consideration when I bought it, I mean, I spent $200 to buy a refurbished single-core six months ago and still replaced the hard drive and upped the memory. It's just too bad I can't switch the memory between my Optiplex I bought 6 months ago and this new one, I'm probably going to be using it mostly as a file server the way I'm doing with my old HP Pavilion. Shame to have three gig of memory in it but it does mean I have two machines I can use simultaneously, and probably three when I go to a quad-damage machine in a few months. Err, I mean quad-core machine, my days of playing Quake 3 Arena are showing. Of course, "quad damage" could mean what it's doing to my savings account!

One rule I have is I only bid on computers where the seller has 4 figures approval. You don't get that kind of level of success unless you've been around a while and you've done what you promised. And very soon the seller will be getting yet another approval.

[Tdarcos]

This is a 32-bit machine, not a 64 so it's inadequate for Duke Nukem Forever. Oh well, for $80 it's not bad. What I think I will do is shrink the partition on this machine, (it has like 74GB of space left), and create a Linux system on it for dual-boot or put Windows/Linux as virtual machines on it. I'll save up my money and buy at least a quad-core 64-bit machine with at least 2 GB of memory. Maybe a six-core. Or maybe I'll build a computer again.

I don't know if I can build another computer again, but I'm thinking about it. Buy it a piece at a time over time and get a really nice computer for a lot less than a new one, or at least I think so. But used computers are typically very reliable and often less than the component parts when new. I did it once about fifteen years ago but I don't know if my hands will allow me to do it again. But it might be fun.

So if I have to wait a while, the advantage will be that there will be walkthroughs out for Duke Nukem Forever to allow me to get past tough spots. I mean, Portal 1 and The Orange Box were out for over a year before I bought them.

I thought Portal 2 was interesting with the new functions - the new gels and a few other things including the 1960s- 1970s-style floors, switches and lights. It was a bit expensive considering that The Orange Box included not just Portal but Half-Life 2, 2 Ep 1, 2 Ep 2, Counter-Strike and Team Fortress. But it was still a good game.

What I like most are the complete walkthroughs on YouTube, where someone plays the game. I like the fact I can play the game until I get frustrated and can't find the next way out, then see how someone got that particular piece of the puzzle solved. Sometimes it's a (strike forehead) "why didn't I think of that" and sometimes it requires finding a specific spot to aim for and it's not intuitive.

I couldn't play the ending, of course, it's a timing puzzle and the problems with my hands probably don't give me the control I'd need to make the connections, but I watched it on YouTube so it's close enough.

[pinback]

Well, here we are again. It's always such a pleasure.

[AArdvark]

Huh. No video of the new PC yet?


Well, there's always time.


Congrats, that's a pretty good price for what you got.

[Ice Cream Jonsey]

I am glad that we have started buying computer for Duke Nukem Forever. I will demand that of the rest of you.

[warez rat]

Does downloading an xbox game count?

[js]

Don't slay me. I just preordered a copy for my brother-in-law's birthday this weekend. He'll have to just be patient till the 14th =)

Best Buy has some turtle beach headset for $30 off when you preorder. Not that I need another set of phones... but it was $80.98 total for the game and the headset, minus 81 cents cashback from my credit card.

<shrug> does that count as support?

[Tdarcos]

Huh. No video of the new PC yet?

Well, there's always time.

Congrats, that's a pretty good price for what you got.

Here's pictures from the auction.





I just re-read the specs plus I've examined the box. It has a modem and Ieee1394. Tried Hyperterminal; the Modem does not respond. Probably a winmodem with no driver.