need new computer ??? ** NEW QUESTION

[Sweetness4713]

Well the memory is going to depend on how many files you plan on saving..LOL.. I bought myself a 640 GB external harddrive at Walmart for 50 bucks... but previously bought a 320 gb for 60 bucks at futureshop for my files.. More than plenty of space.. and that way my computer is free of files....As for the size of the hardrive that would depend on how much software you want to install...

[pennsylvaniakate]

Hard drive is more important. That's what everything runs off off, so you want it to be able to run smoothly no matter how much you put on your comp. Like Jo-Anne said, you can always buy more external memory if you need it. But, in my experience, the bigger the hard drive, the more storage included on the computer.

[jeepers94]

Hard drives are cheap nowdays. If you go for a laptop,most hard drives will bw 250 or 320 gig.Some will have 500 gig,but will
operate at lower rpms,so will be slower. Desktops are even cheaper to add storage. You can keep the drive it comes with and
add a 1 tb (1000 gig) drive for about $90.
As for the reference that the Toshibas have better hard drives, almost all of the makes of computers use the same 3 or 4
hard drives.In the lower priced computers the drives will be pretty much equal.When you get to the high performance specs
then that is where the drive makes a difference.
As for Acer, I agree they make a decent cheaper laptop. I would include Dell and HP in that catagory.IBM is ok, but is a couple
of hundred more for a machine of equal build.At a under $500 price point, Acer would be my choice.Acer owns Gateway and the
E machine brands. They are the number 2 computer manufacturer in the world. HP is number 1 and Dell number 3.
In a laptop neither the hard drive nor memory are most important, these can be upgrade cheap and easy. The cpu is important,
but the VIDEO CARD is the most important thing. Most can NOT be upgraded after purchase. Go for the best video card with its
own memory, not shared with the system. In a desktop the cpu IS the most important part. Although most can be upgraded, it
may not be as simple as the other hardware to upgrade.
One last thing, don't be afraid to go with AMD over INTEL. AMD is every bit as good nowdays.You will find many of the lower
priced laptops use AMD.

[TheresaTT]

wow - a wealth of info. Thanks. this helps tremendously.

[jendryden]

We just got a new Gateway PC that you don't need a mouse for....you touch the screen with what you want. The touch pad feature is similar to the apple ipad. My husband, 6 year old daughter and I all love our new computer. And it came with Windows 7.