I have a local computer store that has expanded and now has four branches in the San Francisco Bay Area. For almost 20 years they built computers to my specifications and I was satisfied. Then I had a super computer that they built (per their specs) which I used for recording professional audio called a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Less than two years later the computer would not boot. I returned to the store and was told that the motherboard was defective and too old to be replaced. That was April of last year.

I was also told that the power supply, memory, video card etc. would not work with a new computer. The audio cards were very expensive and worked with XP Professional. So I bought a Compaq (which I swore I would never do) which includes a five year replacement guarantee and uses Vista. The company that made the audio cards still has not written drivers for Vista, so I bought an outstanding audio recording device for my computer using 1394 Fire Wire technology. That little audio box was over $1000.

I am truly fed up with the negative experience I discussed above. It turned out that the components that were used to create my DAW were build around 2000, and the technology has changed to the point that the machine was obsolete. Such is life! But at least I am a happy puppy!

Oh yes, I backed up all my audio files on the DAW and that was a good move! :) My Compaq with dual core cpu screams and I love it!





>Desktop. I would say thay are more savy than the average person, but they like things very stable.
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>Andy and I always order our laptops from Dell. However, we always have our desk top machines custom built from a local computer store - not a chain like Best Buy. Personally, I think that is the way to go. Since they are local, whenever I have had a problems with one of the machines they built for us, I just call them, stick the machine in the car, drive down to their store and they have it fixed that same day, Not that we have had a lot of problems with their machines - last year my power supply dies and they replaced it for free that same day. And the machine that I bought 2 years ago was a great price:
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>AMD Athlon 64 processor - 2.21 Ghz
>2 GB Ram
>250 GB hard disk
>2 19 inch flat panel LCD monitors
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>and it cost less than $1500.
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>Se if you can find someone local and establish a relationship with them.