Desktop PC for editing « Videomaker Community Forums

gloryman
Member

Hi Guys,
We just bought a Sony PD170 in my church and we need a good PC and editing software that is easy for a novice to use.
Can you recommend any reputable online outfit can build a PC to specification without breaking the bank?
Thanks.
Abe.

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

If there's ever anything you're going to buy that is going to need "maintenance" from time to time, it's a computer! Why would you want to deal with an outfit hundreds or even thousands of miles away?

Your profile doesn't show what part of the country you're in (why don't people fill out their forum profiles???), but I imagine there are some "mom-and-pop" computer shops within driving distance.

Talk to friends and family for recommendations, then go out and meet the people running these shops. You'll get a good feel for one of them. Check their prices against places like Dell and if they're within a hundred bucks or so, go with the local guys. If they're more expensive than that, print out the Dell (or other online system) you're comparing with and ask them about it.

This way, when a problem comes up (I GUARANTEE that it will), you have a local guy - someone you've met - to call and discuss it with. You can even pick up your computer and take it to them and show them what is happening.

When I owned my computer shops, we offerred "on the spot" warranty work. If you brought your PC in under warranty, a technician came up to the work bench to meet you and he worked on your computer right there in front of you, fixed it and you took it back home with you. Maybe you can find someone who does business like that.

Posted 5 years ago #
gloryman
Member

I live in Baltimore, MD. I'll appreciate any local referrals.
Thanks.
Abe.

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Umm, if you'll check my profile info (left column) you'll see that I'm in Oklahoma. While I admit having to drive hours to get to a computer shop, usually Tulsa or Dallas will do. I haven't had to drive as far as Baltimore for computer stuff yet. :)

The last time I was in Baltimore, they still had horse-drawn carriages loaded with vegetables, going down brick-paved streets, and a "computer" was a nerd with a slide-rule.

Like I said above,
Talk to friends and family for recommendations, then go out and meet the people running these shops. You'll get a good feel for one of them.

Good luck to you! Let us know how things turn out.

Posted 5 years ago #
gloryman
Member

Thanks.
abe.

Posted 5 years ago #
On a Roll
Member

I would definitely echo what Hank said. A local computer shop will make your life a lot easier. Plus, you're helping a small business by giving them your business. Big stores and mega websites are great for options, but really, at the end of the day, if you don't spend $1000 at the big guys store, it's not a big deal, but a $1000 trip to a local small business will substantially help real people in your community.

I have to admit, I bought a boxed computer from a store for my recent machine. I did go to the computer store down th road, and we looked over what it would cost, and he just couldn't get close enough to what I had in the budget. I wanted to go with his PC, but I literally had nothing more in my budget I could spend. However, despite this, I buy all my parts off him, and he will service my machine for me, so for him, it's not a total loss.

Next time I hope to have him build my computer. I almost just let him do it anyway, but that would have been more than a couple hundred dollars I didn't have in the expansion budget at the time.

Posted 5 years ago #
gloryman
Member

Thanks guys.
I'll start looking around my community.

Abe.

Posted 5 years ago #