Best (Japanese) brand for a new PC

[kyo28]

A friend of mine will be getting a new desktop PC and he asked me which brand would be best. Japan isn't very 'big' on PC gaming so the choices are rather limited for him. Here's what he would like to do:
- MS Office
- Multimedia: record TV shows, playback DivX and DVD's, write DVD's, make his own DVD's (with DVDLab)
- Internet: P2P, e-mails, web browsing
- Gaming: online MMORPGS (Guild Wars, Matrix Online, WoW, Stargate Worlds) and FPS (UT2004, F.E.A.R., Far Cry, UT2007)

The available brands inlcude:
- Sony Viao
- Fujitsu
- NEC
- Ozzio
- Dell
- HP

The minimum config I have recommended him so far are:
- Intel Pentium D (dual core) processor at 3.0 Ghz
- 1 GB RAM
- Nvidia 7xxx graphics card with 256 MB RAM
- 250 GB hard disk

So what matters is that he gets good value for his money (decent components) and a good aftersale service. He's looking to spend about 1.300 USD, monitor not included.

Any ideas or suggestions are welcome!

 

[Sentairanger]

HOLY SHITE!!!

Ozzio = my name only change the o with an e! (i'm a dork)

 

[Kyusaku]

It's too bad he can't build his own. That's what I tend to do. I really haven't had any personal experience with PC brands in years. I'd figure maybe Dell or Sony.

 

[VengeanceGOD]

If Dell in Japan is the same as Dell here, then it's a relatively safe bet. They're not amazing, and they're not customizable in any way shape or form, but mine has lasted a LOT longer than it should have and only just this year stopped being able to play the latest high-graphics games.

 

[kyo28]

Thanks for the replies. Dell offers indeed the same kind of machines and service as they do in other parts of the world.

Just one question. When you say "Non customizable",does that mean that for example the graphics card can't be changed for another when needed over time?

Building his own is unfortunately not an option, as he doesn't have the necessary skills and all shops in his vicinity only sell prebuild models with optional components he can choose from (biggest shop is PC Depot)

 

[Xarin]

Dells ARE customizable, in fact thats one of the good things about them. While not made for heavy customizing like say the Alienware stuff, but its good for beginning customizers. At least the build I got. It's easy open, with a few extra slots for etc.

I say the best for a LAPTOP would of been a Sony, with their exploding batteries!

Desktop : Dell's a safe bet fo-sho

 

[Kyusaku]

I say the best for a LAPTOP would of been a Sony, with their exploding batteries!

Sony is not the only one with those batteries, Dell and a few other vendors use the same battery with the same defect.

 

[MaraJade]

Dells ARE customizable, in fact thats one of the good things about them. While not made for heavy customizing like say the Alienware stuff, but its good for beginning customizers. At least the build I got. It's easy open, with a few extra slots for etc.

I say the best for a LAPTOP would of been a Sony, with their exploding batteries!

Desktop : Dell's a safe bet fo-sho

Exploding batteries? I've had dying HDD. Like my Toshiba...Which was a POS. Died twice replaced twice within a year. Of course, I do use the **** outta my laptop, but in general, I've sworn off laptops alone without a desktop.

As for customizables...couldn't you just buy a tower separately, or does he want to customize in the future? Dells are ok, but the problem with them when it comes to customizing is that compatibility can be a problem. I personally prefer HP's despite whatever anyone says, because they are durable as heck (I've had mine for 7 years) and is compatible with almost anything you wanna put into it with some tweaking. The comp that I'm running now started out as a 98 platform - 7 years ago - it was the top of the line, but now it's a would be obsolete POS, but it still runs everything I could ask of it.

Of course, I upgraded its graphicscard - left the mobo, runs XP Pro, and has 512 RAM, with CPU speed of 1.6 Ghz with two CD/DVD-RW drives, 40 Gig HDD. It allows all the gaming and audio/multimedia I ask of it.

There is one drawback to HP's. Their towers are a bitch to open - they're built like tanks with screws and push-button handles. Dell does have one up on that their slots are usually easy access/easy to open and manuever when you do customization.

And of course, the drawback to almost all customization - you can only take old hardware so far before it just doesn't run. 512 RAM was the most I could upgrade it; any higher and the CPU wouldn't recognize it.

 

[I_Legend]

I believe Intel's latest Core 2 Duo is already available by now, I believe that will a better option than Intel Pentium D since just last night, I read a news regarding Intel's plan of stop producing Intel Pentium D soon.

250 GB of HDD .... willing to pay more for some more space? I believe 250 GB will just barely enough to surf the purpose of your friend buying a new PC. I'm not sure about this tho ...

For NVIDIA 7xxx series, I have no objection for this. Just make sure your friend does not get a 'lite' version (if there's any ...) of the card for cheaper price 'cos trust me, he'll be dissapointed.

Brandwise: you have the budget, go for Fujitsu. Budget just "ok" ... NEC will be a good choice :anime:

 

[kyo28]

Thanks for the info guys. The main idea is that he would like a desktop PC that can handle anything in the next 2 years and when necessary he can add some RAM or change his graphics card to a newer version.

When it comes to HDD space, I agree that 250 is just barely enough but he still has two external HDD drives (250GB + 300GB) that he is using with his old comp so that should be enough, at least I thought so :sweat:

I personally have a HP in Europe and am pretty happy with it, but I wanted to ask around before giving any advice to him.
Fujitsu is a trustworthy brand but I'm not sure how their desktop PC's handle. I've seen that most models tend to be build like a widescreen TV with the comp built into the screen ... it's an ... odd ... design.

Oh yeah, I'll do some research on those Core 2 Duo processors. I have a Pentium D (so double core processor) which does wonders for multithreading.

Anyway, thanks for all the feedback. I'm sure he'll be happy with it