Need Computer Advice

[JONTHEBOMB]

I'm helping my uncle and aunt purchase a new computer. They want the computer to last five years. The computer will be used for internet, music, movies and there kids will use it for school work. A few questions:

1. Is there an easy to use program that can transfer files from an old computer to a new computer?

2. Will a dell computer with the specs listed below last five years or is it overkill?

Specs for Dell Inspiron 537s

PROCESSOR
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor E8400 (6MB L2, 3GHz, 1333FSB)

OPERATING SYSTEM
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit

MEMORY
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2 DIMMs

HARD DRIVE
640GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™

OPTICAL DRIVE
16X DVD+/-RW Drive

VIDEO CARD
ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB

[saint]

I'm helping my uncle and aunt purchase a new computer. They want the computer to last five years. The computer will be used for internet, music, movies and there kids will use it for school work. A few questions:

1. Is there an easy to use program that can transfer files from an old computer to a new computer?

From Windows-XP help: Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (assuming you're using Windows XP or higher)...

Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard helps you move your data files and personal settings from your old computer to your new one, without having to go through much of the same configuration you did with your old computer. For example, you can take your personal display properties, folder and taskbar options, and Internet browser and e-mail settings from your old computer and place them on the new one. The wizard will also move specific files or entire folders, such as My Documents, My Pictures, and Favorites. Passwords are not moved with program settings when you use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. This is a feature of the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard that helps to keep your passwords confidential.

We recommend that you install a virus detection program on the new computer before transferring files over from the old computer. This can help protect your new computer from viruses that may be contained in the files transferred over from your old computer.

Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

 Notes

To open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
For more information, click Related Topics.

[King Nerd]

Vista wont last 5 years.
I suspect Windows 7 will kill it out of the door. (I still wont use Vista on any of my machines, but I have a dedicated Win7)
Besides that, I see no mention of games, but a 512MB video card?
Are they going to download music and movies? What about television shows? 640GB might be a little small.
I've easily gone through over 1TB in just Movies and Television, but I suspect I'm not "average" by any stretch of the word.

[saint]

Vista wont last 5 years.
I suspect Windows 7 will kill it out of the door. (I still wont use Vista on any of my machines, but I have a dedicated Win7)
Besides that, I see no mention of games, but a 512MB video card?
Are they going to download music and movies? What about television shows? 640GB might be a little small.
I've easily gone through over 1TB in just Movies and Television, but I suspect I'm not "average" by any stretch of the word.

At that point you're into "home media server" territory and not "personal computer" territory methinks. I have 4.5 terabytes of media on my home server, but only several hundred gigs of stuff on my actual workstation.

[King Nerd]

At that point you're into "home media server" territory and not "personal computer" territory methinks. I have 4.5 terabytes of media on my home server, but only several hundred gigs of stuff on my actual workstation.

Like I said, I doubt I'm average by any stretch of the word.

I'd say it's a good setup, although I still don't think Vista will be even thought about in 5 years, except as joke much like WinME was in it's time.
Windows 7 isn't out yet and Windows XP wont have much of a market share in 5 years either.
Sorta stuck in an OS lull right now.
If you wanna get 'em Vista, expect to upgrade 'em to Win7 in the next 2-3 years.

[saint]

At that point you're into "home media server" territory and not "personal computer" territory methinks. I have 4.5 terabytes of media on my home server, but only several hundred gigs of stuff on my actual workstation.

Like I said, I doubt I'm average by any stretch of the word.

I'd say it's a good setup, although I still don't think Vista will be even thought about in 5 years, except as joke much like WinME was in it's time.
Windows 7 isn't out yet and Windows XP wont have much of a market share in 5 years either.
Sorta stuck in an OS lull right now.
If you wanna get 'em Vista, expect to upgrade 'em to Win7 in the next 2-3 years.

Good point. I would make sure the CPU is compatible with the XP-Compatibility mode (runs a virtual-machine) so that you are in good shape for Windows 7. You can run Windows 7 without it, but don't get the XP Compatibility mode VM without it.

[protokatie]

Not to sound out of place, but those specs are overkill for what they want. I would suggest a 4 year lifetime and buy the cheapest POS Compaq you can get your hands on, and add a second HD to it (or not).
This is the scary thing for computer makers these days, even the 400 dollar machines will be capable for "too long". Regardless, of what they want, do not pay over 600 dollars for it, as that is a major error in monetary judgement. The only people who pay premium or even sub premium for a PC are those who need major power now. Wait for a few years after and if they need it add a GFX card (an "older-by-then" card)
To justify my logic: I have a file server that is 8 years old and a "livingroom computer" (the entertainment center) that is 11 years old and both are fully capable machines. Each can handle even the most modern of video codecs. Both of these machines where "off the press" types, not home built.

[HaRuMaN]

I would suggest build your own...  I don't buy store-made PC's.

Avoid Vista if you can...  seeing as how M$ is planning on ditching it soon.

[CCM]

I would suggest build your own...  I don't buy store-made PC's.

Avoid Vista if you can...  seeing as how M$ is planning on ditching it soon.

I agree completely.  I always build my own.  You can get a better computer for much less money if you build your own.

[SirPeale]

I would suggest build your own...  I don't buy store-made PC's.

Avoid Vista if you can...  seeing as how M$ is planning on ditching it soon.

I agree completely.  I always build my own.  You can get a better computer for much less money if you build your own.

Once upon a time that might have been the case, but you can pick up an off the shelf unit for not much dough these days that works quite well, plus it's ready to just plug and play.

[HaRuMaN]

I would suggest build your own...  I don't buy store-made PC's.

Avoid Vista if you can...  seeing as how M$ is planning on ditching it soon.

I agree completely.  I always build my own.  You can get a better computer for much less money if you build your own.

Once upon a time that might have been the case, but you can pick up an off the shelf unit for not much dough these days that works quite well, plus it's ready to just plug and play.

Yeah... and it's full of subpar parts and loaded with tons of software you don't need...

[CCM]

I would suggest build your own...  I don't buy store-made PC's.

Avoid Vista if you can...  seeing as how M$ is planning on ditching it soon.

I agree completely.  I always build my own.  You can get a better computer for much less money if you build your own.

Once upon a time that might have been the case, but you can pick up an off the shelf unit for not much dough these days that works quite well, plus it's ready to just plug and play.

I just built a decent computer back in December.  The only part I kept from my old rig was the DVD burner.  I spent less than 600 for the case, motherboard, processor, ram, hard drive, and power supply.  For now I am using the onboard video, I don't do any computer gaming at this point so onboard is fine for me.  I also had my full version of XP Pro from my old computer that I was able to install on the new one.  I got all of the parts from newegg and I know they are all quality.

I bought a 1TB hard drive for $85 last month to use for movies.  So my total is just a bit over $600 at this point.

Doing it this way, you know exactly what is in there and you have total control of everything that gets installed, no bloatware...

[massive88]

Once upon a time that might have been the case, but you can pick up an off the shelf unit for not much dough these days that works quite well, plus it's ready to just plug and play.

The key here is if you are willing/able to pirate your OS, or use Linux  =D

[HaRuMaN]

Once upon a time that might have been the case, but you can pick up an off the shelf unit for not much dough these days that works quite well, plus it's ready to just plug and play.

The key here is if you are willing/able to pirate your OS, or use Linux  =D

Windows XP Pro SP3 is only $130 for system builders.

[massive88]

Once upon a time that might have been the case, but you can pick up an off the shelf unit for not much dough these days that works quite well, plus it's ready to just plug and play.

The key here is if you are willing/able to pirate your OS, or use Linux  =D

Windows XP Pro SP3 is only $130 for system builders.

"Is only" is relative, I built my entire arcade machine 15 months ago for $465, which was a pretty good computer back then (though I was using the onboard Geforce 7100 video).

Spending another $130 for an OS would have increased my price by 28%.

[JONTHEBOMB]

Vista wont last 5 years.
I suspect Windows 7 will kill it out of the door. (I still wont use Vista on any of my machines, but I have a dedicated Win7)

I should mention that the Dell Inspiron 537s is eligible for a Windows 7 upgrade.  The plan is to eventually go from Vista to Windows 7.

Thanks for everyones input.