Computer question

[oyceter]

I'm trying to decide if I should get a new computer or not. I think the mouse driver on my laptop is broken, because my mouse basically stops working every other minute, which is extraordinarily annoying. Also, since I never actually move my laptop, now that I'm out of college, it might make more sense for me to get a desktop. Plus, cheaper.

Since obviously my flist contains all the knowledge of the world, I shall beg for advice.

I am not getting a Mac. I like them, and they are gorgeous, but I am too lazy to re-figure out an operating system (yes, I know everyone says it's easy, but I used a Mac back in the bookstore and I still couldn't figure out how to do simple things that I know how to do in Windows).

I've never actually built a computer before. I suspect I would be willing to try, especially if it gets me all the functionality I want (horrors, I am using "functionality" in a non-ironic way. Businesspeak!).

Wishlist:

• Watch files from my PC on my TV (I suspect this is difficult and/or impractical though), because I am lazy and like my couch.


• Burn DVDs. Aka, I want a dual-drive DVD-RW and DVD-ROM or something.


• I want it to be wireless, because I am too lazy to buy a really long ethernet cable. If it's not, I guess this is compromisable.


• Built-in Firewire and 9-in-1 flash memory readers would be really nice


• I want enough memory or i/o or whatever it is so that I can run Photoshop, but in general I doubt speed is a problem


• Lots of hard drive space


• Really that's it. I think. Well, I figure people here probably use their computers in a way fairly similar to the way that I do, so.. yeah.

So... would it be more expensive to build a computer or to buy one? And which brands are better? I've had a laptop for 6 years now, and I am not versed in the world of desktops anymore ;). And how do you guys customize your computers? I am, alas, not much of a computer person, tech-wise, but I love my gadgets. Especially when I can make them do precisely what I want them to do.

Comments

[yhlee.livejournal.com]

Flag my sister. Seriously. She may not know all this stuff offhand, but she's very good at figuring things out and how to customize options, and she has techie friends. (She also says her next computer is going to be a Mac, bwahahaha--although I understand very much sticking to the operating system you're comfortable with! It is all about the computer that works best for you.) She should be able to help you out. Everything you mention ought to be very doable, and for cheaper on a PC, at that.

[oyceter]

Ooo, haha! More tech friends! Thanks!