Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a TV that is 40" or bigger and costs around $600. A large issue in deciding right now is whether I should go for a plasma or LCD TV. I understand that plasmas have better picture qulity overall but use more power and can have burn in issues. Also, the TV will be used in a decently lit room which may be a problem for a plasma (?) The main thing I am looking for is that the TV is reliable/durable. I have had good expericences with LG and Samsung LCDs in the past but am really looking for anything reliable. So, with this said, can anyone recommend me a nice TV and/or possibly address my concerns about plasmas (...I feel like it's hard to get a good concensus on them).

Thanks.

Mine does this sometimes too...can't answer why though.

Alright, thanks for the responses. After some deliberation I have decided to take the project in a different direction. As has been pointed out, the manufacturing of hardware is made up of a complex network of suppliers which makes them difficult to isolate. Also, most of the companies I would want to examine would be small, foreign companies which do not trade on a U.S. stock exchange (which means no information for me)....making the project far too dificult for what I am able to do.

Hey,

First, I'm not asking anyone to do my project for me :). I just need some help finding information on a few things. I was assigned a project on rivalry in the computer hardware industry and finding information on manufacturers and their customers is proving difficult. What I need is information on major manufacturers of the input products of major computer retailers like Dell, HP, Apple, etc. For instance, are these companies using intel manufactured motherboards or are they using another brand with intel chipsets? What brand of HDD to these companies use? PSUs? Videocard manufacturers? These are just example questions that I don't want answered directly since I need more in depth information. What I am asking is if anyone has some knowledge on how to find this information directly from Dell, etc. or another way.

I am going to focus on desktop/laptops, not work stations or anything else. Therefore, I will only be considering AMD and Intel based consumer CPU computers. The point of the project is essentially to gauge the competetion in the industry between the input suppliers (I need to know what these are) and the buyers of these inputs (i.e. Dell, HP, apple). The problem is that I only know the inputs that are in custom built computers that are discussed on the forum(antec psu, xfx video card, corsair ram, asus mobo, etc.). At least from what I can tell, these companies are not the main providers of hardware to large retailers.

Cliffs: Does anyone know where I can find information on the hardware suppliers of mainstream retail computer companies like Dell, HP and Apple?

Thanks.

Only if the gods find you worthy JigglyWiggly_

[QUOTE="ferelden"]smart choice, you saved yourself the nonstop headaches and anxiety of driver issues that amd has and every new game you buy you wonder where and when the driver is going to cause issues in your game, nvidia just far superior to amd there is reason nvidia doesnt have to keep cutting their prices like amd lolwolverine_97

[QUOTE="bostonfan05"]

For instance spending an extra $1000 on a Macbook Pro to upgrade from 4GB to 16GB of RAM is just rediculous.

Urworstnhtmare

Well that particular scenario is ridiculous because the latest Macbook Pros only take up to 8GB of RAM....

Ah, well I have seen $1000 upgrades, perhaps on a different make of laptop. Thanks for the corrections.

Oh I was also going to add the computers we typically have at school are somewhat expensive Dells (around $800). These are of course not meant for gaming and are somewhat overkill for their intended use.

I think I know what the OP is getting at. I used to work at my college computer store and the computers purchased by departments were often WAY overkill for their intended use. For instance spending an extra $1000 on a Macbook Pro to upgrade from 4GB to 16GB of RAM is just rediculous. Of course it is possible these people ran software that required it but idk...

Having said that there is of course reason to purchase a mid range computer, provided you are going to run more than Office and websurf. Just because you are not going to play games does not mean you should buy the bottom of the barrel.

[QUOTE="ChubbyGuy40"]

Its a directors choice which is really f'ing stupid IMO. I hate black bars. I believe the purpose to is send your attention to that part of the screen. Why? I dunno, to add drama/effect I guess. Still think it does more harm than good. I didn't buy a big TV to get a picture that only fills half of it.

topgunmv

Reminds me of an episode of the simpsons where they watched a movie in "super cinimascope" or something, and the picture was a pen thin line through the middle of the screen.

lol.