Computer Purchasing Guide

Hello computer shoppers!
The question "Which one should I get?" is understandably popular here on the forums. We want to encourage you to continue gathering insights from fellow forum friends and empower you with some research tools below. We may update this post from time to time.
Whether you are a Home User, Student, Frequent Flier, Business Power User, or a Multimedia author or Gamer, we have some useful advice as you search for the laptop or desktop that best fits your needs.
Best Buy has partnered with CNet Computing Resource Center buying guides for Laptop and Desktop suggestions.
Unsure which type of Laptop is best for your needs? Laptop Discovery Tool is here to help!
Curious about Netbooks? Video: Finding the perfect Netbook
Which Windows Operating System will be pre-installed? Vista 101
Concerned about how to maintain and protect your computer?
PC protection 101
Geek Squad Black Tie Protection
Stay tuned for more...
What specifications do you look for? What have you learned about purchasing a computer?
(Please avoid discussing brands, positive responses are more helpful)
Message Edited by Matthew-GS on 03-12-2009 12:30 PM
Matthew|Community Advocate | Best Buy® Corporate
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Hi Matthew. Excellent post! This needs to be at the top of the page and not getting buried as new people post new questions. It sure would help alot of folks if they would take the time to research your post alittle before posting.
Bob

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HT1386 My computer was stolen with all my iTunes on it. However, my iPod was not stolen. How do I transfer all files from my iPod to my new computer (purchased files and files I copied from CDs)?

My computer was stolen with all my iTunes on it. However, my iPod was not stolen. How do I transfer all files from my iPod to my new computer (purchased files and files I copied from CDs)?

http://www.wideanglesoftware.com/touchcopy/index.php

The trial version of Acrobat Pro is already on my computer; purchased it today; instructions say access through cloud.acrobat but the system keeps telling me to download. I just want to work. Do I really need to download again?

The trial version of Acrobat Pro is already on my computer; purchased it today; instructions say access through cloud.acrobat but the system keeps telling me to download. I just want to work. Do I really need to download again?

Hi lynnb,
If you already have Acrobat installed, there's no need to download it again. When you launch Acrobat, you should be given an option to "License this Software." Click that option, and then log in with your Adobe ID and password, and you should be all set!
Please let us know how it goes.
Best,
Sara

My windows computer died,it now has linux mint 9.I installed itunes on a new windows computer.Purchased new songs but it wont let me download or dispaly my old music.But it did transfer 3 movies over to new itunes account.

My windows computer died installed linux mint 9.(will not use for itunes)
Purchsed another windows computer and installed itunes.
Purchased songs howeverwould not let me sync with new computer or transfer old library.
However it did transfer 3 movies.
I authorized new computer and home sharing.
Do not want to lose old library and keep mgetting warning.
Help.
thanks Dave

Hello hallefrompa,
Thanks for the question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
The following article provides an answer to your question:
Using iPhone, iPad, or iPod with multiple computers
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202
iPod shuffle and iPhone are intended for use with a single computer. You cannot load music from multiple computers or iTunes libraries onto iPod shuffle and iPhone like you can with other devices.
You'll need to setup your iPod to sync to this new iTunes library:
iOS: Syncing with iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386
Thanks,
Matt M.

Moving Ipod and Itunes to another computer - purchased items will not load

I recently moved my music and video from one computer to another. All music that I loaded from CD moved fine. The items that I purchase from the iTunes store, was erased from my iPod but remains in my library. Additionaly, when I purchased more music on the new computer, it goes into the library, but not onto the iPod. I have not deauthorized the first computer, but I need to somehow "authorize" the new computer, but I don't know how.
Please help
Dave

Hello Dave,
See if this article helps: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation

Pending New Computer Purchase

Hello, I presently have a Toshiba, SatelliteL505-S6946. It has been having problems for which I've been working with techs in the Toshiba Forums. Rather than spending money to fix it - if it is fixable - I've decided to purchase a new laptop.
1. I have gone to the Toshiba website and found I can order a custom built one. (Hopefully that would avoid having a lot of programs, etc loaded that I don't need).
MY QUESTION IS - If I send you a list of type of work/activities that I use the computer for, could you give me the range of the specs that I should have included in the hardware if I have one built? For example, how much GB should I get for memory and storage?
I'm looking at the Satellite C850-BT2N12 Laptop as it has Windows 7 Home Premium 64 -bit. I prefer to stay away from Windows 8. I don't know if the specs of the C850 will meet my needs, so I'd appreciate it if someone could help me with that determination. Thank you. Judy

The newest IMacs do not allow you to use any but Apple drives. They customized the iMac drives to add a temperature sensor, and if you install a non-Apple drive, the case fans roar at full speed.
Mac Pro (tower) is a lot more flexible anyway.

Apple Stockholder discount for new computer purchase

I want to purchase a new iMac to replace an old G5.
I am a stockholder and wonder if Apple offers any discount to stockholders when ordering a new Apple computer?

You're actually mistaken. IBM's PC division was profitable at the time it was sold to Lenovo.
Additionally IBM retained it's Intel based server division as they refocused on commerical services.
It's nice that IBM chooses to continue to offer discounts on Lenovo based PC's to it's stockholders.
Dave

Same ipod new computer, purchased musin

I reset-up my ipod on my new laptop, no problem. I went in to buy more music from itunes and when I go to sync up the songs to my ipod, I get an error message that says I don't have access to download these songs.
I am unclear I just purchased them from my new laptop. Not sure what I am missing. Any help is much appreciated!

did you authorize your new computer in the music store?
To authorize a computer to play songs purchased using your Apple Account
Select a song you've purchased (in your library or the Purchased Music playlist).
Click the Play button.
If the computer is already authorized, the song plays. If the computer has not yet been authorized, iTunes asks you to enter the Apple ID and password you used to purchase the song.
Windows XP Pro

New computer, purchase new license?

I currently have LR and PSE on a PC. It is the only computer I have ever installed it on. If I purchase a Mac will I need to purchase these programs again or will I be able to load them onto it. I would no longer be using my PC.

HI Tara,
I checked your account and your Lightroom 5 is for both Mac & PC. The Photoshop Elements is Windows only. When you purchase your Mac and need to switch the platform for Photoshop.
Just contact one of our chat agents here. Contact Customer Care
Provide your Adobe ID and explain that you are switching to a Mac. They can issue you a serial for the Mac.
Thanks
Scott

Help me decide on new computer purchase

My main goal is to keep using Aperture for as long as possible or until I know more about Apple Photos. I'm still running 10.6.8 so that means I'm stuck with Aperture 3.2.4. I'd like the most current version of Aperture so of course that means a new os.
Should I update to Mavericks on my current computer? Or is there a technical reason I should get a new iMac? What do you think?

Mavericks is no longer available.
However, the current version of Yosemite runs an updated version of Aperture ( version 3.6)
Before embarking on a major OS upgrade, it would be wise, advisable and very prudent if you backup your current system to an external connected and Mac formatted Flash drive OR externally connected USB, Thunderbolt or FireWire 800, Mac formatted hard drive. Then, use either OS X Time Machine app to backup your entire system to the external drive OR purchase, install and use a data cloning app, like CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, to make an exact and bootable copy (clone) of your entire Mac's internal hard drive. This step is really needed in case something goes wrong with the install of the new OS or you simply do not like the new OS, you have a very easy way/procedure to return your Mac to its former working state.
Then, determine if your Mac meets ALL minimum system install requirements.
To install OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks (free upgrade, but currently unavailable) or OS X 10.10 Yosemite (currently available free upgrade) you need one of these Macs:
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion purchased emailed download code here.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6377Z/A/os-x-mountain-lion
iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later),
MacBook Pro (15-inch or 17-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or later)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
Xserve (Early 2009)
Your Mac also needs:
OS X Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard v10.6.8 already installed
2 GB or more of memory (I strongly advise, at least, 4 GBs of RAM or more)
8 GB or more of available space
Next,
If you run any older Mac software from the earlier PowerPC Macs, then none of this software will work with the newer OS X versions (10.7 and onward). OS X Snow Leopard had a magical and invisible PowerPC emulation application, called Rosetta, that worked seamlessly in the background that still allowed older PowerPC coded software to still operate in a Intel CPU Mac.
The use of Rosetta ended with OS X Snow Leopard as the Rosetta application was licensed to Apple, from a software company called Transitive, which got bought out, I believe, by IBM and Appe could no longer secure their rights to continue to use Rosetta in later versions of OS X.
So, you would need to check to see if you have software on your Mac that maybe older than, say, 2006 or older.
Also, check for app compatibilty here.
http://roaringapps.com/
If you have any commercial antivirus installed and/or hard drive cleaning apps installed on your Mac, like MacKeeper, CleanMyMac, TuneUpMyMac, MacCleanse, etc. now would be a good time to completely uninstall this apps by doing a Google search to learn how to properly uninstall these types of apps.
These types of apps will only cause your Mac issues later after the install of the new OS X version and you will have to completely uninstall these types of apps later.
Once you have determined all of this, you should be able to find the latest versions of OS X by clicking on the Mac App Store icon in the OS X Dock and then login to the Mac App Store using your Apple ID and password and if you purchased a download code, input that code.
You can then begin the download and installation process of installing the newer versions of OS X from the Mac App Store.

New ipod and computer purchase questions

A. Do people have less problems with their ipods with Apple computers or window computers?
B. Does the 5G 30gb ipod support firewire and if so, do I have to purchase a firewire?
C.I was thinking of upgrading my daughters computer to USB 2.0 but heard horror stories of the 2.0's being incompatable and not working..

A. This is a difficult question to answer but based
on the number of posts here only, I believe overall
people have less problems with an iPod and iTunes
using a Mac than a PC running Windows.
B. Yes and No. It supports Firewire for charging
purposes only but to transfer data requires USB which
doesn't make most Mac users very happy. Switching
from Firewire to a USB requirement was to allow more
support for PCs, not Macs.
C. Purchase a new Mac which will have USB 2.0 ports
in addition to a Firewire port or ports and no
concerns about viruses, adware or spyware.
Our Apples (Macs) immune from viruses and why??

Purchased songs on iPod. Sync with computer, purchased songs are gone from iPod and not on computer.

I recently purchased several songs off of the iTunes app on my iPod touch 4Gen. When I plugged my ipod into my computer a few days later, something must've happened because now the songs don't appear on my iPod or computer, and when I look them up on iTunes it doesn't have the 'play' option it does for other songs I've purchased. I have the reciepts, and I'd really rather not buy my music all over again. Any help please?

What you should have done was review something like the user tip Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device before syncing with a new computer. Depending on your region you may well be able to download your past iTunes purchases from the store, however you have lost the chance to recover other content. Links in the tip.
tt2

New Computer, purchased lightroom 5, did on install, tried to use, asks for enter the serial #, when entered get a red X and only option is to cancel. Have SD 's want to load into program, but cannot

new Dell computer, after setting up, loaded a purchased Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 program, activated and loaded from online, wrote down the S/N, when truing to open and use on the computer, it asks for wanting to license it , asks for the S/N., when entered does not proceed, only get a red X , with the only option is cancel. Have photo's I want to load but cannot.

Yes, that is correct. It’s almost like I have the # but it’s not active. When I go to my account to it look up, I do not see it listed. I did get a verification e-mail that I responded to, so I think it should be listed in my Adobe account I did not realize the box also had a disc also. I would like to try that but not sure if that would be a problem, since Lightshop appears on my Apps menu. Would I have to delete the program and start over ?
Sent from Windows Mail

First computer purchase

I just recently purchased the A505-S6005 and it is my first computer. I would like to know what would be the first steps to obtaining the internet. Options and any information pertaining to operation by a newbie such as myself.

Find out what ISP's are in your area and go from there. If you need more details consult a friend, co-worker, neighbor, or family member who lives near you for their recommendations.
If you don't post your COMPLETE model number it's very difficult to assist you. Please try to post in complete sentences with punctuation, capitals, and correct spelling. Toshiba does NOT provide any direct support in these forums. All support is User to User in their spare time.

Computer crashed, ipod synced to new computer, purchased songs are gone.

My computer crashed. I used EphPod to download my ipod mini onto the new computer. It looked like all the songs were transfered so when I went to resync it in Itunes, I clicked "erase and resync". Then a window popped up saying that some songs wouldn't be transfered because the computer was authorized to play them. I clicked resync anyway since I have no way to deauthorize the computer that crashed. I thought EphPod had downloaded the purchased songs. It didn't. Is there any way I can retreve my purchased songs? Are they stored in my Itunes account or something?
Thank you for your help.

The policy on lost purchases is that you have to pay to download them again:
"Once a Product is purchased and you receive the Product, it is your responsibility not to lose, destroy, or damage the Product, and Apple shall be without liability to you in the event of any loss, destruction, or damage."
You could try contacting the iTunes Music Store Customer Service and you might be able to persuade them to sanction a second free download. There have been occasional reports in the iTunes forum of this happening, however just be aware that they are not under any obligation to do so. If you click on any of the links on this page you'll find a space at the bottom to email your query: iTMS Customer Service

Computer Purchasing Guide

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