Thoughts on my next computer

Source: C|Net

Every 3 years or so I find myself needing to buy a new computer. Mostly to ensure I keep up-to-date with the latest version of Windows, but also because generally speaking 3 years is about what you should expect from a computer in terms of speed and reliability. At least when we're talking about a primary work machine, of course - I am not someone to chuck out a perfectly functioning PC just because it's more than 3 years old. No, I tend to re-use my old primary machines in secondary machine ways. An example of this is my 5 year old Dell work laptop, which is now on its last legs as a media centre PC. The thing is still on its original Windows XP installation, which in itself is a marvel of sheer luck!

It also happens to be that I aim to get my new PC around election time every 3 years, which means this month I am looking at getting a new PC, a Windows 7 PC, to replace my current HP Windows Vista laptop. The aim is quite simple - get something that is fairly cutting edge, offers decent value for money, and is enough of an improvement over the previous machine to ensure it has a certain "wow" factor.

But in any discussion about what to buy, I need to be able to articulate what it is that I want to do with the PC I buy. Well, here's my rough list of what I want to be able to do with it, based on what I do with my current PC:

• Surf the World Wide Web (including watching Flashed-based web content at HD resolution without hitting resource issues)
• Use the Windows Live Essentials suite of applications (e-mail, instant messaging, photo & video editing)
• Accomplish some basic Office work, such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote et al
• Access Twitter (using the gorgeous MetroTwit client - check it out if you're looking for a great Windows Twitter client!)
• Download audio and video podcasts (using Microsoft's excellent Zune desktop client)
• Download the latest TV shows from Channel BT (and leave the client open to seed the downloaded files)
• Play some occasional PC gaming (via Valve's Steam application)

So, all in all, not a hugely demanding list of requirements. All of these I can do right now with my current PC, but sadly it is quite the sluggish process, and as time passes I am finding myself becoming more and more frustrated by performance issues. This is particularly so as I run a heavy multi-tasked environment, with most of the above applications all running 24/7, at the same time. So I think more than anything I need a decent CPU, and lots of RAM under the hood. The 2gb of RAM I have right now sadly just ain't cutting the mustard like it used to.

And there's another factor to consider, and that is PC gaming. While I am not what you would call a hard-core gamer, I do enjoy playing RTS and 3D shoot-em-ups when I can, and yet this year I am planning on making the switch to the Xbox 360 as my primary gaming platform. The reason for this is simple - I am wanting to have a full Microsoft ecosystem existing here by the time Windows Phone 7 comes out at Christmas, to ensure I get the best value out of my various purchases. So this means having a Windows 7 PC, and an Xbox 360 with Xbox Live account. Which means I am not necessarily going to need a high-end gaming PC, which is certainly good news for the bottom line.

The other factor I have to consider is do I get another laptop, or get a desktop PC? My current PC is a laptop, a high-end 17" desktop replacement. Which was a good idea at the time, since it meant I could easily transport my computer wherever I went. But since then the netbook revolution has happened, and these days I carry an Eee PC around with me wherever I go, and the once-portable laptop has been chained to my desk for at least 2 years now. Add into the mix the fact that you tend to pay more for laptops with equivalent specs to a desktop PC, and there's one thing I definitely want to do this time around, and that is not spend a huge amount of money.

So, as far as I can see it, I have 3 options ahead of me:

1. Buy a desktop PC and a new netbook, both running Windows 7, to cover me for power when at home, and portability when out and about.
2. Buy a 17" desktop replacement laptop and a new netbook, both running Windows 7, to cover me for power when at home, and portability when out and about.
3. Buy a 13" mini-laptop, and a big arsed monitor with keyboard / mouse, so that I can use the same machine for both home and travel duties - a half-way compromise

Now, as I see it I can basically rule out Option 2, since that will be the most expensive. 17" high-end laptops tend to cost somewhere close to $3k, so a $500 netbook on top of that is likely to break the bank. It also seems pointless to buy two laptops, one of which will never really be used for its real purpose in life. Option 1 is probably the best one for getting the rawest power out of the desktop machine, although the question has to be asked - if I am making the switch to an Xbox 360 for gaming, do I really need a high-end desktop machine?

Something that does appeal to me, however, is Option 3 - getting a mid-range 13" laptop, which I can use at home and when out and about, but with the added bonus of having a decent 24" monitor to plug it into when I am using it here. This would probably work out to be the cheapest option, and saves me having to buy yet another netbook. At this stage, I think I have enough of a glut of PCs in my house to avoid buying 2 of them right now.

Basically, my plan is to order the new machine next week sometime (probably through Dell, who seem to have the best prices right now - that, and I use Dells at work, and know how reliable they are), to ensure I have it in time for the election on August 21. I have a lot of thinking to do, but if you have any extra thoughts, please feel free to sound off in the Comments section!

PS: Before anyone suggests I get an Apple Macintosh computer, let me just say that I am a PC, and not a Mac... :)