actually, HP was great support as i just went to HP Korea when my cat sent my laptop crashing to the ground, it was really nice of them to fix it.

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So...I went ahead and did it. I bought a Dell. Part of me feels like I got a good deal and I'm happy with it :-) The other part that is a complete computer geek feels ashamed :-( It goes along pretty well with my split personality though, so my chi is balanced :-|

Honestly, moonsite swayed me the most, I think. I'm pretty much the same way when it comes to computers. I buy what I want at the time, use it up, and get a new one in a few years when I'm ready for a new one. I built my last one and it lasted me about 5 years. It caught on fire the other day, though, so it had to go. And yes, I do mean to say that it actually caught on fire! Power supply just said to hell with it and POOF! Good thing I was home at the time. So, yeah. Dude, I'm getting a Dell.

Thanks for all the inputs though from the rest of you! I truly read and listened to each of you. I swayed back and forth several times like a palm in the winter Hawaiian winds. Sorry...got nostalgic there for a second...won't happen again. I think Taichan was just trying to sell me one of hers...hehehehe. Just kidding Taichan!

Thanks again and I'll see you later this week with my shiney new box!

Joe

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Joeninpo

The tyrant custom, most grave Senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down

I have always bought a Compaq/HP. My PC and Laptop are both HPs. I guess that is what happens when you buy from the BX.

Mike

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Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

Good it worked out for you, don't feel ashamed for buying a Dell. I'm buying one right now from Taichan. No big deal to me and here is why. First I'm not a gammer, I don't do alot on my comptuter except check email, backup my DVD's and that is about it not much else. So why would I need a computer that will hand you a drink when you ask for it? Not needed.

Now if I was a gammer and so on or did alot of graphics work or anything like that then Taichan would be my first pick, tell her what I want and here is $1200 call me when it's done or if you need more money.

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CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

I hope you got a good deal. I think today they have a Dell E510 with 19" ultrasharp monitor for about $500 after $150 rebate. Here is a link if you want to find out more. http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/631533/

If you think you spend too much, you can always cancel and re-order. 35% off coupon code is available on ebay. Pretty cheap.

Again, I defer to Taichan on assembly and prices. I go all over the Yongsan Market looking for lowest prices, and can get slightly used or removed parts for less, but I avoid that. I know that Chinese made boards are cheaper, I just feel better knowing that I personally can deal with the shops here and have a good feeling about getting a board swapped out if it dies within a year. I have a friend who ordered cheap computers from Ebay, and ended up with cheap computers. And high shipping bills. So check around, and good luck. After I go to China I may write more.
I don't think anything is "Beyond the Scope" of this forum, but I certainly don't pretend to be an expert in the PC area. Reading other forums (and there are hundreds of them) may give you a broader view for sure!

Mr. Joe, all motherboards are made in China :P

DFI which are some of the most expensive (and best) motherboards on the market are chinese. there made in Taiwan but well thats kinda.

i stay away from Ebay unless i spotted a good deal and those are rare and far between. shipping isn't bad though as long as you have an APO.

I will not buy another korean keyboard though as they are just too hard for my lto type on because of where i keep my thumb. instead of being on the space bar it ends up on the change typeface keys....

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Out of curiosity what type of power supply was it? This is one area that is often overlooked. The sad irony is when they fail they can take the Mb and CPU out also. My personal prefernce has been with Antec PSU's. They cost a little more; however, they are like an old Timex. There are others of comparable value; however, I have always been partial to Antec.

Taichan is correct on the computer parts in the Yongsan shopping district being a little high. There is a caveat as there is anywhere when shopping for the best deal. Buyer beware. You should already know what you want and an average price, if you COULD order it online. The problem is with the employees in Oakland airport and the track record for shipping via US Postal. Several companies refuse to ship or charge a premium to ship to an APO.

On several occasions on the same trip been quoted prices for the same item with a 75% variance in the price. The majority of the places have similiar prices. Once you establish the rapport with the business you will see the prices fall as is customary.

Yes the majority of the Mb are made in Taiwan.

Joe;

The comment on "Beyond The Scope" of this forum was not intended to slight anyone. There are hundreds of web sites and NG's where you have people who live and breathe the technology. If you are a gamer then you should lean towards the NG's for gamers. If it is photography then you would want to seek "ideas" from a PS NG. Again first find your primary purposes for the sys and buy what you can afford. Information gathering is very important and there is no reason why anyone should rely on one source when it is your money. Only the customer can decide what their needs are.

It is good that Taichan can make a little money on the side, since she appears to be a very concerned person who would hopefully convey the same business ethics as she has shown in her posts.

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Chill

Hiker,
I'll have to take a look later to see what type of power supply I had in it. I guarantee that it was a cheap one, though. I didn't spend a whole lot of money on that thing to begin with, and it was around 5 years old. Guess I should feel lucky that it lasted that long. I'll let you know later this week when I finally pull it all apart to see what is salvageable.

As for the rest of your post...I couldn't agree more. That's pretty short and to the point, but no use in expounding when you've said it all.

Oh, and by the way...Taichan is the best! I just have to pick her every now and then just to keep her on her toes. She's always going to be cool in my books just 'cause she's a techno savvy computer fixin' anime watchin' geek. Can't go wrong there!

Joe

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Joeninpo

The tyrant custom, most grave Senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down

I've payed a few dollars for my powersupplies.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103940 << thats in my main system

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103457

thats in my spare system.

slight overkill for both my systems but if you go under bad things can happen


what are the system specs of the system you got?

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