OK, I've found a machine that fits my needs. Now, for the final stupid question.....can I completely reformat this machine and put install Windows2000 on as easily as I can reformat a Mac? Or are PCs more finnicky when it comes to this?
Installation of Win2000, provided that your hardware isn't finicky, shouldn't be very hard.
However, plan to spend about 2 hours downloading security patches after the initial update (I'm not kidding, I just put together 2 Win2000 machines this weekend).
Windows 2000 sucks a lot less than other versions of Windows. You picked the right OS!
<strong>How good are Hewlett Packard boxes?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Inexpensive branded PCs are almost all interchangeable, but HPs are at least well-assembled. The advice I'd give is the same that I'd give for any PC: Do any installations you need right off the bat, and as long as you don't install or change anything afterward you'll be OK until your system performance degrades to the point where you have to reinstall the OS.
The fancier you try to get, the wobblier it'll become. But as long as you don't push it too hard, it should be a solid enough machine.
I'd still go to a local shop if I needed a PC for some reason. One reason: As part of some poorly conceived and executed effort to "brand" the boxes, and make them somehow friendlier, the big OEMs tend to ship Windows with various always-on utilities and helpers that bog down the system and offer nothing of particular value. HP has been particularly bad about this in my experience. Obviously, the local PC shop will put in exactly what you tell them too, and Windows runs a lot better clean.
Comments
Thanks again for everyones help!
However, plan to spend about 2 hours downloading security patches after the initial update (I'm not kidding, I just put together 2 Win2000 machines this weekend).
Windows 2000 sucks a lot less than other versions of Windows. You picked the right OS!
<strong>How good are Hewlett Packard boxes?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Inexpensive branded PCs are almost all interchangeable, but HPs are at least well-assembled. The advice I'd give is the same that I'd give for any PC: Do any installations you need right off the bat, and as long as you don't install or change anything afterward you'll be OK until your system performance degrades to the point where you have to reinstall the OS.
The fancier you try to get, the wobblier it'll become. But as long as you don't push it too hard, it should be a solid enough machine.
I'd still go to a local shop if I needed a PC for some reason. One reason: As part of some poorly conceived and executed effort to "brand" the boxes, and make them somehow friendlier, the big OEMs tend to ship Windows with various always-on utilities and helpers that bog down the system and offer nothing of particular value. HP has been particularly bad about this in my experience. Obviously, the local PC shop will put in exactly what you tell them too, and Windows runs a lot better clean.
[ 03-11-2003: Message edited by: Amorph ]</p>