EggXpert

I have a 10 year old desktop and 8 year old laptop, both Dells.  The laptop died a couple of months ago and the desktop is almost dead.  Time for new!  I have been reading as much as I can online, but am not otherwise tech savvy.  Just a smart mom with time on her hands. 

My main wish is for speed, reliability, and lots of memory.  I will be using home design software (Chief Architect's Home Designer Pro version 8 or 9).  I also run QuickBooks Pro (accounting software), do lots of surfing, email, photo storage, financial recordkeeping and number crunching and will be going back to college via an online program for broadcast captioning and court reporting.  The laptop will be mine for school and all the rest.  The kids and rest of family are starting to use the desktop for games, photos, email and schoolwork. 

 Can anyone recommend reputable companies or important specs for fast machines.  Or can you point me to any blogs or past threads?  I have a budget of $700 for the desktop and $1500 for the laptop.  I need a minimum of 2.5 Ghz to run the home design software.  I prefer to do this on the laptop but could do this on the desktop instead.  What are the most important specs and/or things to consider?  Is blue-ray really important if we don't own any?  Should I wait until the upcoming holidays to purchase even if I'm buying higher end computers?  I'm also not opposed to refurbished computers. 

Here is what I have been looking at in laptops as a wish list:

Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad or i7, 2.5 GHz min. (higher preferred), 15-17" screen (16" preferred), high resolution screen, matte prererred, 4GB min (higher perferred), DDR3, 320GB min., 7200rpm, NVIDIA GeForce ?? Dedicated card, Energy Star rated, probably Windows 7

I know that I can get more bang for the buck in desktops, so would want at least the same specs or better in a desktop.  Thanks so much.  I'm glad to have found this forum and appreciate any expert help!

Any of these would probably work well in laptops.  Understand that high end desktop replacement laptops generally have very short battery lifes (< 60 min.).  They often run hot.  These have 4 - 6 Gb RAM; either dual core over 2.5GHz or quad core CPUs, dedicated video with RAM, Win7, HDDs >250Gb.  They will also weigh a bit, but probably the same as your Dell.  Also Dell, Lenovo, HP all make great laptops as well. 

I don't like the desktops on Newegg as they seem to have slimline non-ATX form factor PSUs.   Look for 4Gb RAM, dual or quad core, Win7 HP 64-bit.  I frankly would want a 400W or greater PSU.  Because adding a video card down the line would be a desire on a computer I keep for many years.  If you go with onboard graphics try to stick with an nVidia 9300 or 9400, Intel 4500, or ATI (AMD) 3200, 3300 or 4200.  For $500 it will be hard to go with dedicted graphics.   Dell, HP, Lenovo, Gateway all have some nice models.

As of desktop, why not build your own one? Some eggs in this forum will be of great help.

If you really wanna a desktop and wanna avoid efforts and time in building from scratch, here are some options

 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227183

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227181

 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227180

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229135

 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229061

Some comes with better CPUs and some with better GPUs. The last one is a  balanced combination.

considering your budget on desktop PC and the specs you wanted, this is the best I could find on newegg. great graphics card and fast processor.

iBUYPOWER Gamer Power 512D3 Phenom II X2 550(3.1GHz) 4GB DDR3 750GB ATI Radeon HD 4870 Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - Retail

and the best bang for the buck latop, namely, u get all the best parts, check it out

ASUS G Series G71Gx-X2 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8700(2.53GHz) 17.0" Wide UXGA 6GB Memory 640GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M - Retail

6GB memory + NVIDIA GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 + Windows 7 experience