I will be using the Internet via Verizon Wireless, doing word processing, basic web-surfing, on-line legal research, and listening to live-streaming music at relatively low fidelity, and no video streaming (Verizon wireless rules). I don't play computer games. I may want to download music or videos occasionally, but it's not a priority by any means.

Do I really *need* a Pentium 4 with 40gb and 1024 RAM, as a computer expert friend tells me ("Don't sell yourself short, Dan," he says)? For my purposes would I even notice the difference between those specs and, say, a Pentium III 20gb and 256ram? The price difference is enormous.

Thanks,
Dan

Well if you want to do those things quick and easy I say yes, but if you want to do those things one by one, I would say no. P3 are pretty much difficult when trying to multitask.

Jim R

"I will be using the Internet via Verizon Wireless, doing word processing, basic web-surfing, on-line legal research, and listening to live-streaming music at relatively low fidelity"

All of those do not require a high end system. However, doing 2-3 of them at the same time might bog down a WinXP system with only 256mb of RAM.

Do yourself a favor BACKUP!

Thanks for the quick replies. What about a Pentium III with 512mb? The price difference really comes with the III vs. 4.

Also, and this is going to really sound ignorant, but can I even be on two web sites at one time with a standard home computer and a Verizon connection? My entire experience comes from my work computer, which is one of 25 or so hooked through one big server with a DSL connection. I can sit at my computer and "connect" to the Internet repeatedly and simultaneously from the same computer almost as many times as I want. That *can't* be possible at home, can it?

How fast is the PIII?

256MB is not much RAM but you might get away with it.

I perform those tasks that you describe with this computer: Athlon 1.4GHz but I have 1GB RAM.

Your friend said don't sell yourself short. I agree. Just because this is all you see your needs as now doesn't mean your needs will remain the same forever.

My advice is when buying a tool, and a computer is a tool, always get more than you think you'll need. That way you can grow into it, not out of it. By spending more now, you'll likely be saving money later.

Are you dead set on an Intel CPU? If so, why not look into something with a Celeron processor (like a stripped-down P4, but with less cache). Also, have you considered something with an AMD CPU? They are generally more affordable, and may be able to outperform their Intel counterparts.

-- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

My feeling is that 512mb would work pretty well. But of course it depends on which programs you have running and how much memory they require.

You should be able to run run multiple open browser windows at home pretty similar to the way you do at work. But it probably would not respond as quickly, it would depend upon your DSL speed on your home machine. Also, if you have a very fast PC at work, that would affect the time it takes for the display to refresh and the work machine would react more quickly.

Do yourself a favor BACKUP!

>> That *can't* be possible at home, can it? <<

Of course it can. It is the speed of your Internet connection that is the deciding factor and how many other people might be wanting to use it at the same time. A PIII is more than adequate providing you have enough memory.

I can do all these things and more, even host a web site, on a Athlon 1.4GHz and 512 Mbs running Windows XP without any noticable slow downs or hang ups. But then I have an 8Mbs Internet connection.

Stuart

This won't be DSL; it is Verizon's wireless connection, supposedly like a cell phone. Verizon tells me this is about halfway between dial-up speed (which I did have, very briefly, and two web sites simultaneously was impractical) and DSL. I suspect that Verizon will set the outer limit on my speed no matter what computer I get, which is another factor to consider. Of course, as Hawk's advice implied, we could get DSL out here (in my dreams), or I could move.

I'm not dead set on Intel, but I'm familiar with it. I'm also somewhat familiar with Celeron. What is AMD?

Thanks again.

>> What is AMD? <<

Advanced Micro Devices is another CPU manufacture. For many years they were chasing Intel in terms of speed and functionality, however they are now as good as Intel and some say, even better.

Their big advantage with AMD is that they are cheaper than Intel. Celeron is another type of CPU made by Intel.

It was AMD that forced Intel to abondon its numbering system for CPUs. From the 8086, 80286, 80386, 80486 AMD brought out copies and called them by the same number. When Intel discovered they couldnt copyright a number and were losing sales to AMD becasue people couldnt tell the difference between and Intel 80486 and an AMD 80486 they abandoned the numbers and what should have been the 80586 became the Pentium. (Penta = 5 as in Pentagon). AMD followed suit shortly afterwards and renamed their CPUs Athlon and Duron. Duron being the AMD equivelant of the Celeron - a cut down version of the main CPU.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Stuart

why not get best of both worlds celeron cpu about 2.6-3.0ghz and 512mb ram and 40gb hdd and built in sound and vga on mobo should be pretty cheap
good luck
Damian

Pentium 4 3.2ghz @ 3.5ghz
Nvdia4 Mx4000 OC@ 350/500

From what it sounds like you want to do, a P3 with 512mb of RAM would perform fine.

You're not going to be doing hyper CPU intensive stuff. Then again, Celerons are so cheap nowadays why not get a cheap Celeron, 512mb of ram, a cheapo 40gb HDD and have the sound and video chips onboard.

Never buy from Savastore or Watford Electronics!!!

In your case Id say a new Celeron with 512 would be fine. But like others have said, you never know when your needs will change and it might be better to go a little higher.

Keepsakes for Keeps
http://www.pctec.ca/