what is a freestanding computer?
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I would understand a freestanding computer to be one that isn't connected to any sort of network.
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from the American Heritage Dictionary: it is "The main board of a computer, usually containing the circuitry for the central processing unit, keyboard, and monitor and often having slots for accepting additional circuitry."
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There may have been a distinction between a desktop and a workstation in the past but there's only a faint gray line that differentiates the two today.  A workstation can do anything a consumer desktop can and vice versa.  So essentially, they mean the same thing.\n\nIf you ask Dell or Alienware, however, they'll probably say workstations are for business and desktops are for consumers.  For computer manufacturers, a workstation usually means some of the latest technology.  They tend to have SATAII, beefier minimum RAM than deskops, and stronger processors for their "base systems".  Of course, you could always configure a base consumer desktop with all of that, so the distinction is moot.\n\nIf you look carefully, though, there may be one or two small differences.  Workstations may prefer to use more expensive ECC RAM.  Their video cards may be ISV-certified and use "workstation-level" video graphic cores (nVidia Quadro instead of GeForces, ATI FireGL instead of Radeons).  And almost always, their starting configurations tend to use a CDROM (cause, you know, why would you need a DVD burner for work?!).\n\nAgain, all of this can be changed.  You can buy a workstation with a DVD burner, you can stick in a GeForce 7800GTX, and most likely you can use non-ECC RAM (check motherboard requirements first though).\n\nSo if you're an avid gamer and need a good media machine, something from Alienware should do just fine.  Personally I would choose a no-frills basic model like Dell's XPS400 or E510, get memory from Crucial.com (or a good local store), and buy the video card from NewEgg.com.  \n\nI'm not familiar with molecular modeling programs but I would ask around if they are multi-processor enabled applications (which means can more than one processor be recognized by the program).  If so, you may want to get a dual-core processor as the modeling program can take advantage of the extra core and help with the number crunching.  If not, then choosing a regular single-core CPU would suit you fine and save some cash (it would be money wasted as games don't effectively use a second core).  For RAM, ask around about your modeling program because it would be primarily your task.  For games, you'll want at least 1GB of RAM.  For video cards, I would chose whatever your budget allows you.  The Nvidia 6600/6800/7800 lines are really good right now and I wouldn't suggest any ATIs at the moment except for the top-of-the-line X850/X1800.
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^_^ neither dell nor hp\nthe best PC is the one you're configuring yourself - if you can.
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There's no one answers to that question. What is important to you? When you say you don't need anything too fancy, obviously that means you're not out looking for a dual processor server. But it doesn't tell me much else.\n\nIf you're looking for something relatively inexpensive, but with reasonable support and service, there's always Dell. They've got a good lineup of options and you can basically design your own system online, and then order it.
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Taskbar..\n\nTo the right of that where the by the clock is called the system tray or systray for short.
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None.  But you might find a Toshiba or Compaq for about $700.  Check with Staples, or other store that provides good customer support.  Staples has a NO QUESTIONS ASKED return policy. Costco also has a NO HASSLE return.  But some bogus stores charge a fee for you to bring it back.  It's like they HATE customers.   \n\nBut Staples has a desktop (tower only) for just $399.  They offer a variety of monitor options, with a rebate that comes with that desktop deal.  ASK and you will see how EASY it really is. \n\nGood luck and Happy Computing.
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One that is custom built for you. And from a local computer shop.
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Holidays and back to school.  Dude just build one yourself.  When you buy a computer from some hack company you mostly just pay for the name.  Look on the web, its pretty easy to do it yourself, better components for half the cost.
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PC Magazine article says "Accessing the internal components is a tool-free affair, though the Dell 360's clamshell case is heavier and more cumbersome than the HP xw4100's. You have to tip the unit or place the case on its side to open it and reach the components."\n\nDigitalCad says "Two buttons are located on the top and bottom of the case, and when depressed, you can coax the case open. It isn't as elegant as that of the Mac nor does it open as easily, but no tools or screws are required to open the tower. For security, a built in locking mechanism is included."\n\nThe third link below is from the online manual, and gives you an image of the opened case which should help quite a bit, as the case opens in a hinged clamshell way.  The last link is the entry page for the online manual.\n\nGood luck!\n\nPS.  Even better... I just found the link to "opening the computer cover".  It is the last link.
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No, there is none. I recommend you to read this:\n\nhttp://www.popsci.com/popsci/computerselec/4fbfd4d03cb84010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html
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The software that operates the computer\n\nlike the Winows software
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one the greatest you can find is silicon graphic workstation you can check it in www.sgi.com\nif you want configure your own you can use a doul core prossesor AMD (X2) with a quad sli support motherboard and 4 sli 512MB video card with at least 4-8GB ram , 4*SataII hdd configured as strip raid (from 250GB to 1TB)
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Nothing is for free.  Peripherals you put inside your computer take certain amount of power.   Motherboard, keyboard, mouse, graphics card, hard drive, cd drive, and etc. etc. all require certain amount of power.\n\nThe issue with have a good power supply isn't about speed.  It's about stability.  Your power supply is in charge of converting the AC current from the wall to DC.  An ideal power supply will provide stable DC current with very little ripple current.   Ripple current is the deviating fluctuation that is present in all DC current provided by a power supply.\n\nAnd it is possible to have too much wattage but only in extreme cases.  Electronic device like power supplies work with tolerance levels usually given in percentages.  So two different rated power supplies built with 5% tolerance will have different tolerances.  With a lot of power you lose a precision.  With precision you use a certain amount of power.  (Analogy would be fidelity and power in audio terms.)
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Any computer that is out of date would be considered this.\n\n\nThis will exist every year as new technology comes along and makes what we now have obsolete or what some consider a dark age computer.\n\nA dark age computer might still serve your needs.
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I have a couple of workstations like that where I work.  They are used in autocad and 3-D rendering for engineering drawings.  The calculation power and graphics are awesome.  There are a lot more powerful and pricy ones out there, but the ones I work with get the job done.  Wish I could afford a SGI machine; you can easily drop over 30 grand for one of those.
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Find one on eBay! You'll probably want a branded one if you are not much of a computer person. They also come with technical support and really they are quite cheaper than if you had someone build you one from scratch. This is because a giant like Dell gets their parts in huge quantities and therfore pays MUCH less than a small computer shop would. The savings is passed on to you. And, if you ever decide to sell your PC and get a newer one, you'll find it easier to sell a branded and modeled unit versus a no-namer.