What software and hard drives do you recommend?

[Ricky1]

Hello Forum

I'm registering for fall classes at a local university. I'm going for a 2 year associates degree in web design. Then data base management. I'm looking at a system by Hewlett Packard. The HP Pavillion Slim Line s3710t series. I'm customizing it through there web site. My question is. What software and hard drives do you recommend?

Thanks

[jamiemac2005]

OS: Just get the Vista home version. You may want to get the 64-bit OS rather than 32 bit if you're thinking of doing a lot of work in Flash/Photoshop (because it gives you access to full use of more memory).

Processor: This one is really up to you, Quad Core processing is a blessing but un-necessary. Dual core will do you fine but this still depends on what software you intend to use.

Memory: If you go for the 64-bit OS then get 4GB memory minimum. Then upgrade as soon as possible to as large as possible to get the full effects of the 64-Bit OS.

Hard-Drive: you don't need an amazing write speed for what you intend to do, it would be nice (especially when you get to DB management) but it's really down to size choice for you.

Graphics card: Just go with the bog-standard one, because it's good enough to fulfill your needs.

If you intend to buy a monitor at the same time think about the space you're going to put it in and how big you can get/afford, remember when designing websites that you should be designing for all resolutions not just your own. =]

I suggest the bog standard CD/DVD drive (or none) depending on what you wish to do with it.

for the network card i'd suggest something simple aswell because Uni networking is never fast enough to need a high speed network card. Wireless though.

sound-wize you're not going to need anything amazing

Get a decent wireless optical mouse... lazer rather than IR because you'll notice the difference (they're amazing for productivity and accuracy).

The software they offer is dire, don't get any of it. Don't shell out on MS office it's not worth it. Instead go Open source, you'll save yourself a lot of money and trauma (tryingt to keep up with MS' new interface). OpenOffice is a brilliant substitite.

The same with the security part, don't buy nortons, etc... Go open source/freeware and download Spybot S&D or an alternative (google, i'm sure other users of this site will have their own personal fave).

Don't get any of the photography software they suggest, instead get Adobe's suite, if you have the money and find it necessary.
Actually i've just clicked through all their junky software, don't buy any of it.

If you need decent software for your courses:
- Adobe Suite.
- Open Office
- Open Project.
Etc. basically google "Open source alternative + [Software name]" and you'll find a tonne of decent software.

Cheers,
Jamey

p.s. hope it helped at all. HP's customize feature is dire.

[Ricky1]

Hi Jamey

Thanks for all the input. This is going through a third party payment processor. I did not want to be to conservative. I'll take your suggestions to heart.

Thanks Again
Ricky

[jamiemac2005]

Brilliant, cheers.

Hope it turns out a nice pc for you. Definately listen when i talk about software (i wholeheartedly believe that MS Office is so unneccessary with the work that others have done on similar programs).

Cheers,
Jamey

[maretard]

Jamey, I don't know, the Word '07 equation editor is pretty sick. :)
I haven't tried OpenOffice since my Dapper Drake days, have they implemented that yet?

[jamiemac2005]

Brand new program for it. "Open Office Math"... Does the same sort of thing. And of course you can just insert Equations into OO Word docs aswell.

Word 07 was too much about changing the interface and not enough about actually making the program useful.

[maretard]

Whoa... Open Office Math... I'll try it out, the sooner I can get away from Office 07 the better, I've got the glitch where Office tries to configure itself every time I launch an app. -_-"

Yeah, Word 07 didn't really add anything, although to its credit, it looks a hell of a lot sweeter. :)