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AR15.COM
11/28/2002 10:15:57 AM EDT
What are some good buys on a basic systems?  I don't need a high end system for my kids, just a bit better than the PII/Win95 system they are using now.

By basic I mean
256 memory
40 gig HD min
CDRW and DVD
17"mon
handful of USB ports

What processor and speed?
What OS?

Opinions and links please!

TIA
SRM
11/28/2002 10:19:25 AM EDT
[#1]
Depending on the motherboard, the cheapest solution might be replacing the CPU with a PIII between 600 and 1400 Mhz, and adding more RAM.
11/28/2002 10:24:06 AM EDT
[#2]
SRM, what do you mean by cheap. You can get AMD 1.8s loaded with everthing you need for less than 700 smacks (E-machines). Look into them. I built the two that I have, but next time I am going the e machine route. cheaper.
11/28/2002 10:47:23 AM EDT
[#3]
My sister is thinking about getting an Emachine: intel celeron 2.0 with 256 MB DDR SDRAM memory, 40 gigabyte hard drive, 40x max CD-RW drive and 6 USB2.0 ports.  For $300.00

Not a bad deal for as little as she uses a computer. Mostly just email and word processing.
11/28/2002 11:12:05 AM EDT
[#4]
This is just an example, these prices run all the time at BB and Circuit City. This one does not include a monitor, but there are cheap ways to get one of those too. Sometimes they will run with monitors for about 50 bucks more and a free printer.

[url]http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11183749&m=488&cat=490&scat=491[/url]


11/28/2002 11:17:17 AM EDT
[#5]
gut your old pc and build a new one.

case
amd duron 1.3ghz
system board
256mb ram

roughly 270.00 just an example

Use your existing hard dives and cdroms.

11/28/2002 11:57:01 AM EDT
[#6]
I have a P3 500 (I think)..it is defiately a P3 with memory already installed if you want it. Its free...and it should work just fine. I stripped out of another machine. No strings..If it doesnt work..you can pitch it.
Let me know if ya want it...IM me with your address and Ill ship it to ya next week.
[img]http://images.andale.com/f2/112/111/7410906/1038516724234_MOBO.jpg[/img]

No Problem SRM.
*******Going to another deserving member*****
11/28/2002 12:17:26 PM EDT
[#7]
I thought of putting one together, I have done that in the past.  However for the price,I didn't know if I could beat an eMachine.

I was looking at spending $800 +/-.

Thanks for the offer Dave!  I'd guess there might be someone on the board who needs one more than me.  Please keep the offer open for someone else.

What OS? XP Home?  Pro?

TIA

SRM
11/28/2002 12:26:26 PM EDT
[#8]
why not buy a $200 lindows box from Wal Mart? add a real CPU and you're there.
11/28/2002 12:29:44 PM EDT
[#9]
emachines typically use low end components and the lifespan/support is not great. If you are going to buy an off the shelf system you are paying for support not good hardware.

For 800.00 you could build 10 times the machine you can buy off the shelf.

mike
11/28/2002 12:30:21 PM EDT
[#10]
I have a lower end Toshiba laptop that I;ve been thinking of parting with. It's still in new condition and works like a charm. Less than 2 years old. Send me and email if you're interested.

[email protected]

Possible trade for AR.
11/28/2002 6:36:50 PM EDT
[#11]
Good price here: [url]http://www.gateway.com/home/prod/hm_300_ProdDetail.shtml[/url]
11/28/2002 7:49:39 PM EDT
[#12]
i wouldnt get an e machine. they use slow parts and have slow to no cache on them.

i also wouldnt buy a pIII cpu because for the same price of an 800mhz pIII you can walk into an AMD 1.2 GHZ + motherboard thunderbird athlon. if your going to spend around $800.00 you will get one nice machine. try www.tigerdirect.com
but the guy that offered you the pIII for free has a good price :)  it just shows there are still some decent people in the world.
11/28/2002 8:57:26 PM EDT
[#13]
Check out [url]http://www.pricewatch.com[/url]

Go with an AMD.
11/29/2002 5:41:21 AM EDT
[#14]
Can anyone simply tell me the differance between Celeron and Pentium chips?
11/29/2002 6:44:36 AM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Can anyone simply tell me the differance between Celeron and Pentium chips?
View Quote


The Celeron is a low-cost version of a Pentium chip. To make them low-cost, they typically include less cache memory and lower Front Side Bus speeds. Both will affect the perfoermance of the chip. The celeron is not a bad deal if you are not looking for maximum performance. I ran one for years and never had many complaints with how it preformed. My Athalon XP does preform much better, however.  

SRM, for a basic system, you might check out local government auctions. Most local gov't agencies are now on a three-year cycle with computer equipment and you should ba able to pick up a P-III based system dirt cheep at auction.
11/29/2002 8:16:57 AM EDT
[#16]
[url=http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=52647]good PC for cheap here.[/url]

A memory upgrade from 128 to 256 should cost you less than $40, and a 20 GB hard drive should be good for a while.  It's a damn good price for a kids box if you aren't inclined to build a system yourself.

If you are inclined to build one yourself, then [url]www.newegg.com[/url] is the Way and the Light.