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So my current machine is a 2003 Dell tower set up. As of late it has been slow, most likely due to the massive amount of writing and photos and art and music stored on it. I've backed up all my writings and art and photos on flash drives and am now making further backup CDs just in case. Thankfully I only have a few music CDs to burn after, most everything on my computer song wise is already on a CD.

Why am I doing all this? To be able to remove all my old files from 2003-2008 off of my hard drive. That should get my machine back up to speed. But I also want to upgrade my machine and need some advice.

I'm going to wait a few more months or so before I buy a new machine, but I am trying to decide if I want to go with a laptop rather than a tower set up. I'm eying a laptop with a 500gb hard drive and 4gm memory (think I got that right)...that's already way better than any desktop I've ever owned. I did see a few desktop set ups with up to a 750gb hard drive, but I doubt I need that much since I can save my art and such on flash drives and it's always easy to transfer files as the technology changes.

My question is, do any of you have any advice? I refuse to get a Mac as I do not like the layout of their system/software, it just isn't for me. I'm looking at a Toshiba or an HP set up currently as they look most like what I need for my uses. I like Windows, I've never had problems with it, but I've had little experience with Vista. I figured I'd start looking around now, but I only know so much about the hardware, so any advice would be greatly appreciated by me!

*cough*the correct term is "desktop computer" not "tower", as not all desktops have system units that stand on end like a tower...

Okay now that that's out of my system... Hard drive space generally has very little to do with computer speed unless you are getting a disk space error every time you go to do anything. That being said, it is good to back up your information from your hard drive periodically in case your house gets struck by lightning or something and your computer suddenly and unexpectedly dies.

The two things that make the most impact on speed are the RAM and the CPU. The hard drive is only relevant if you intend to store a great deal of media locally. 4gb of memory is only useful if you have a 64-bit processor and are running a 64-bit operating system, as the standard 32-bit setup can't recognise more than 3 gigs of RAM. Regarding the CPU: generally, if you're getting a system with a dual-core processor, 1.8 to 2.0 ghz is a decent speed for most people's needs, particularly if you have adequate RAM.

Summary:
- Hard drive space has almost zero impact on speed, so just buy the size that suits your storage needs.
- 4gb of RAM is a waste of money unless you're running 64-bit Windows, which is sometimes buggy but usually works okay.
- 64-bit Windows requires a 64-bit processor.
- Your system speed is really determined by the processor speed. Google the processor (CPU) from any model you're considering buying to read reviews.

If you're looking for an economy computer, eMachines has both portables and desktops for pretty much as cheap as you'll ever get a computer, and I haven't had any problems with my eMachines laptop.

Regarding the desktop vs. laptop debate, you can get a faster, more powerful desktop at the same price as a slower, less powerful notebook. Laptops are always more expensive. The major reason one should consider buying a notebook computer is for the portability factor. Want to lounge in bed playing WoW or have your computer travel with you to school, work, or on vacation? That's why you get a laptop. If you want power and speed, and you're unlikely to want to use a computer away from your desk, a desktop configuration will be more economical AND suit your needs better. Particularly, desktop computers tend to have more powerful CPUs simply because a laptop is not capable of cooling the more powerful processors adequately. If a desktop's case has ample cooling systems (IE fans) and a good airflow design, it can handle a really awesome processor without dying in three days from overheatedness. There just isn't room in a notebook's architecture for that kind of cooling.

Actually, battery technology has improved a lot over the past ten years, and it's okay to plug in even when you're not on empty. It is, however a good idea to unplug during a storm or if you're moving around a lot. Notebooks can be damaged by static electricity and power surges just like desktops can.

If you are always using your notebook at your desk (then why did you buy one and not a desktop? xd ) then you can actually just operate on AC power and remove the battery and store that until you need it. Just make sure to pop it in to charge at least 8-12 hours before you unplug to ensure a full charge, as if it were a brand new battery.

Also: PC stands for Personal Computer. Macs ARE PCs.

Tell that to my four year old Dell, which was a promotion gift.
EDIT: plus once said battery is fried what you suggested doesn't work anymore ><
and not going to bother buying a new one. Because we though they'd be great to carry around when we go places, but turns out we hardly ever need to.

I was raised on a Mac so I will forever be prejudice to anything that's not, I'm sorry any non-Mac PC is just a PC in my eyes.

Thal then set up the old computer for storage purposes with its nice monitor and carry around a laptop for all your actually needs. And set up a network between them for ease of transferring things.

Cookies and things clutter up your computer and slow it down in a major way after a while. There are programs to deal with this: I like window washer and privacy eraser. Ad-aware is free, but only deals with cookies and not temporary files, cache, and I forget what else.

I used to only run those programs every couple weeks--or months, depending on when I got around to it--and the difference in speed was obvious.

Vista sucks. Majorly. And requires a lot more memory to run than xp.

Toshibas are fairly reliable in my experience. (I really don't like my toshiba, but that's because it has a small hard drive, slow processor and half the minimum amount of memory that is required to run vista, which it came preloaded with. And it's only upgradable to the minimum. But it still works, and it can connect to a network when computers worth 3x as much can't.) A friend of mine has gone through about three defective hps in the last year, so I would avoid those.

I didn't think portability would be a big issue, but once I got a laptop I realized what a convenience it was.

Depending on how much money you have, you may want to get an external hard drive to back stuff up on. It sounds like it would be really annoying to have to use flash drives and cds for backup. Something could get lost.