Sometimes you need to take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

That's what I'm gonna do..

You won't be happy after the new is gone.

Learn to use what you have.

splain...

I have used both for years.

Go to a local shop and have a machine built. You can get a lot of bang for your buck. You will be alot happier in the long run.

Avoid the brand name machines. Dell, HP and so on.

I can't speak to specifics; but I had a machine built for my mother from a local jobber.

It was one of those instances where she had "no idea" what to get from the website of the big guys (Dell, Etc).

When I was asked to help, it seemed like a lot of those machines on the Dell site, while somewhat configurable, also had some stuff that she didn't need or want.

At the time, a basic PC from Dell was maybe.....$800.

The local dudes put together a machine to my exact specs........really no better or worse than a Dell, except for a few notable exceptions.........like I got to pick a really durable but simple to access case, I got to stick card readers, USBs, etc in better access points, etc.

It rang in at around $750.

I shipped it to FL for my mother.

There WAS one issue. She shipped it back to me at my request, and those guys fixed it for free. I think it was a bad DVD ROM or something.

I guess it was a slightly better experience than buying from the shelf.

One other thing though.....if you don't "own" software.....like MS Office, etc........sometimes it is better to get a boxed PC with all of that crap bundled.

Really though.....there are open source alternatives that will save you bookoo cash.

I switched to Apples about 6 or 7 years ago, best thing I ever did. I still have my gen 1 Mac Mini NEVER had an issue with it other than having to replace the harddrive last year. Just upgraded to a 27" iMac Love the thing. Installed VM Ware Fusion to run my windows business apps and it's seamless.

Problems? News to me. At least when compared to a PC There was some screen issues when the 27" came out. Bit we have to Mac deaktops and one MacBook. Yep, yet are more pricy than a PC, but worth it (At least In my opinion). Never a virus problem, etc.

Anyway just my 2 cents.

Strong rumor is when the next upgrade to the operating system comes out late this spring, they utilize "multi touch" like the iPhone and iPad

Another plus us when Apple upgrades the OS they charge $29. Not the $100+ Microsoft does. Plus its open and you can install it multiple computers I'd you have them.

Did you ever try to use a waranty at a big box store?

Atleast at a local shop you don't have far to go and usually don't have a hassle.

If you have a Mac and haven't had a problem, thats great. Has anyone here try to use Apples waranty?

I build my own machines and I am the family's "IT guy". But I don't do this for a living like some folks here, so take this for what you will. What I'm about to tell you works for me.

AVG and Malwarebytes are both good (I use Malwarebytes, too). But they don't do much for "tuning up" the system.

1 - Depends on the age of your machine and what you're trying to run. Could be you're light on RAM.

2 - I run CCleaner (free) on a weekly basis. CCleaner does pretty much everything those PC Tune-up programs do, and it's always been free. Also has free updates. This will clean the hard drive of junk and the registry of orphaned DLLs, etc.

3. On folks' machines where I don't know what kind of junkware they've installed, I also run PCDecrapifier (free). PCDecrapifier is really good to run if you've just bought a new machine from some big box joint, because they're loaded with bloatware.

4. For firewall and antivirus, I run Comodo firewall and Avast! antivirus. Both are also free. I say this only because older versions of Norton and some other anti-virus programs were huge resource hogs and all their background activity could slow a machine to a crawl.

5. When I download stuff (especially "free" programs), I am careful about going through the screens prior to the start of installation. I do not allow these programs to install their various "helpful" toolbars and search bars, because they're all spyware. It's easy to find and remove toolbar/searchbar programs with CCleaner.

5. Make sure there isn't too much loading upon start-up, or chugging away down in the system tray when you don't really need it. CCleaner lets you fine tune that, too.

6. Keep Windows, Adobe, and Java updated all the time. Adobe Flash and Java plug-ins are notorious entryways for trojans, viruses, etc.

Finally, as another poster mentioned, when all else fails, sometimes you need to wipe the disk and do a clean reinstall of your OS, drivers and apps. Make sure to back up your document, picture, music and video files first. Over time, no matter how hard your try, the original Windows installation (especially the registry) gets buggy from multiple installs and deletes of various items.

Donutboy - When you build your own, you can RMA most pieces (drives, video card, PSUs, burners, etc) for the same kind of warranty time you get off any big box store for those components. You don't get an "extended warranty" if you build your own. But you don't from them, either, without paying for it. Usually needlessly.

Rfenst..... you are KILLING ME here!

There are SO many joke opportunities here. Just look at the raw material, I just can't put it together

So, a Jewish Defense Lawyer in Florida is looking to save $30...

I need a Joke Doctor to put it all together.

This thing on?

While that WAS a shot across the bow... you were using a BB gun.

Should have gone double barrel. Prolly would have been funnier.

Possibly outa line, but funny is funny.

Me? I played it safe and had a nice warm cup of STFU.