What computer would you buy

[cryhelp]

I am looking at new computers.  I trade stock, so what I need is speed,  not a lot of memory, any thing 512 mb or better.  I don't won't  games, music or any other of the many additions.   Any advice appreciated.

[michaewlewis]

what kind of computer do you have now? what programs?
In my opinion, any new computer should have at least 2gb of ram, a 250gb hard drive, a 2.6ghz dual core processor, and a 256mb video card. Check out dell or hp for a prebuilt pc, or newegg for parts to build your own.

[cryhelp]

The one i will replace is a Compaq, running windows xp-sp2, intel celeran processer 797 MHz, 512 mb

[Aegis]

What are your plans for the computer?  General tasks, and Internet access?  Gaming?  (Gaming, especially, will drive you toward the higher end hardware.)

The minimums stated in the previous post a a good guideline.

[michaewlewis]

Also for trading stocks, I've heard that a lot of traders use 2 or more monitors.... just a thought.

[cryhelp]

No gaming, no video, no music, etc,  Yes I use two moniters now and actually also a standby computer just in case I lose one trying to execute a trade.

[Aegis]

Nice call, Mich!  I'd not considered trading at all, and that's what the original poster does.  I'd go a bit higher-end on the specs, just to facilitate that.

[homer]

cryhelp, you have not specified if you wish to purchase your own components or purchase a prebuilt.

[cryhelp]

Buy Pre built.  A susposedly tech guy at one store was pushing a refurbished, but have a lot of doubts about that.

[Aegis]

It depends, I suppose, upon how it was refurbished, and then what kind of price they were offering.  For some of the basic systems out there, the price difference isn't all that great for buying a new system.

[patio]

cryhelp, you have not specified if you wish to purchase your own components or purchase a prebuilt.

Or a budget number...
Right now it's pretty nebelous.

[cryhelp]

I am cheap.    I would like to keep it under $1500  All I have looked at so far are loaded down with stuff to play games, watch movies etc.

[brett74]

I bought a refurbished one from microcenter about 3 years ago and of course I upgraded the video ram and power supply plus added a sound card to it. If I had the money and the knowlege to do so I would have built my own. But I'm happy with it since I really don't do alot of gaming with it.

[patio]

I am cheap.    I would like to keep it under $1500  All I have looked at so far are loaded down with stuff to play games, watch movies etc.

For $1500 Bucks you can build a pretty decent machine you won't outgrow for quite sometime...
Now we're getting somewhere here...

[cryhelp]

I don't feel I am computer literate enough to try and build one or I would go that way.  Don't want to invest a lot of time and money into something I totally screw up.  I really appreciate you guys trying to help me.  If you know of a good simple instruction guide ( I emphasize simple) pass it on.