My wife has switched me from a PC to a laptop plugged into a TV screen. I now have the same everything as before with a 32 inch screen. Cost less than a thousand with much, much bigger numbers for memory, harddrive etc.

My SIL switched from a PC to a notepad of some sort with a TV screen. Her keyboard is too small for my liking. I am still using my old standard 101 keyboard and cordless mouse with the laptop and the TV screen.

Personally, for the uses you mention, I think the size of the hard drive and maybe even the RAM are overkill. Unless you are into photo and/or video editing, you really don't need that much computer. Do you download and save movies? That would be the only reason I could see for a hard drive that large. Media Center as such does not exist but in Windows 7, all the Windows Live applications do what MC did and more.

Dell should be able to tell you if your present monitor is compatible, but they probably would like to sell you a new one, so maybe wait and see for yourself how it works.

Agree with grandms, significant overkill. For the uses you describe, you can spend half as much and you'll not notice a performance difference. Or, buy the Ferrari-like equipment if you want, there's no harm done by doing so, it's just probably unnecessary.

Monitors don't know or care what they're connected to, the PC makes the connection work. It's safe to assume your old monitor will simply plug in to a new PC and work with no effort on your part. Plug/socket types have been unchanged for many years. I came upon a PC a few years ago that had an odd video plug, but I easily found an adapter for a few bucks.

Except if a user wishes portability, in my eyes a desktop is the way to go.

Admittedly, I have no desire to be tethered to a system when I leave the house. Nor am I emotionally attached to one that I can't live without it.

As I posted before, my future laptop with Win8 will be a "toy".

As always personal choice reigns supreme.

DA

I have a laptop for travel, but after all these years of typing at a desk, I can't/won't get use to typing on something in my lap or using it daily. I prefer my desktop, my desk, the chair and the view from the window.

Thanks for the feedback, it helps make this decision. I know I worry about future needs way too much. Guess I just figure why worry, the extra cost is not big. If I get the XPS 8500, it's only +$200.00 for my upgrades.

Do you think I'd be wiser to pre order the same computer with Win8?

Nancy

I would advise anyone considering ordering a computer with windows 8 to look around the internet and read several reviews and opinions of the new OS first. If you don't mind radical change and adapt to it pretty easily it may be the thing to do. If you use a tablet (ipad or an android tablet) then it won't be such a drastic change for you.

At that price point, I'd be thinking about an iMac.

Thats a huge hard drive.
Think I'd rather have 2 matching 1tb and raid them to work at same time.. sort of twice as fast :) Then add a 3rd maybe 2gb drive if still needed more hdd space. Gonna have overkill, might as well do it up right.

You are all being so nice. Reading this makes me feel like I am over doing it..

iMac? Really? I've only used Windows...

Mikie, I'm afraid you lost me at "raid them to work at the same time"... I do things the easy way, at least for me.

Ordering 'something' tomorrow morning. I hate typing on a laptop and the 17" screen seems so small... I am glad to have it for backup though.

Nancy

Plug your keyboard and monitor and mouse, from your old desktop,, into the laptop.

It's totally a personal decision, but I agree you can easily drop down to a 1tb hard drive and be good unless you are storing large video files.
I just bought a new desktop mine has 10 gb ram and 1tb drive with a quad core AMD processor, is an HP and I paid under $500 for it from Staples com. I love it, it came with windows 7 but I qualified for the $14 upgrade to 8 if I want to. I am not planning on it.
I plan on adding a second hard drive into the case that I have my Linux on.
I know there's still several very good sales at staples if you would consider other than Dell.

What ever you do enjoy it. And the monitor should work just fine on any pc. Most do come with wireless built in but I would certainly check out the specs information on any of them. If it mentions b/g/n that pertains to the wireless feature.

I like HP because I can order the reformatting CDs. Then if I have a problem I can make it like new again. You can make a recovery CD, but the tech told me to use my reformatting CDs instead of doing it with the ones I made.

Thanks for the info Raven, I'll look at staples. Not sure where there is a store as I live in NW Lower Michigan.
I have had good service from Dell and there is a Dell tech for my area that is really nice. I usually try to get extra service thrown in. That's why I call rather than ordering online.

I have a Dell account already, this would be my 4th Dell. I'll check on the specks for the wireless. I just got a new router last spring. I want everything wireless that can be.

Emma, good advice on the reformatting CD's....I'll ask.

Nancy

As Mikie notes at Oct 14, 12 at 20:36 one can plug a keyboard, mouse and monitor (Or as I did, a TV) into a laptop and perhaps save a lot of money.

Also, don't forget that WalMart has a remarkable return policy. If you don't like it just take it back.

I am fascinated about using the TV as a computer screen. How in the world do you do that, please.

wizardnm, my newish computer for the first time is not a Dell. I got such a good buy on it, I decided to go with it rather than another Dell. I have not been sorry. I guess I am just saying be open to other good brands of computers.

I've owned a couple of Dell XPS computers and they have been very good computers. I'm not sure the same thing holds for their cheaper lines. If you're like me and need to look for savings here's an example of one that looks like it would meet your needs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103380&name=Desktop-PCs
Newegg is a reputable company.

I meant to make that a live link and forgot. Here's a live link.