Best Bargain PC

[CU Tiger]

Ok looking for an extra PC for around the house.

Nothing extreme, mostly kids (preschool) games, a little porn...errrr... I mean internet research, and some word processing. Needs to handle FOF07,

Any recomendations on ultra cheap desktops?

I plan on buying/building a high performance one also in the next 3-6 months but this will be relegated to the playroom.

So any suggestions?
Stay away froms?
ETC. any input is appreciated

[lordscarlet]

Ok looking for an extra Pc for around the house.

Nothing extreme, mostly kids (preschool) games, a little porn...errrr... I mean internet research, and some word processing. Needs to handle FOF07, so I have options...

Any recomendations on ultra cheap desktops?

I plan on buying/building a high performance one also in the next 3-6 months but this will be relegated to the playroom.

So any suggestions?
Stay away froms?
ETC. any input is appreciated

Mac mini. :)

[CU Tiger]

Ok mac mini in the stay away from pile...any recomendations :cool:

[lordscarlet]

Ok mac mini in the stay away from pile...any recomendations :cool:

I was actually serious.

iMac: 17" Monitor, 1.83GHz Intel processor, 512MB RAM, 160 GB HDD $999

Mac Mini: 1.83GHz Intel Processor, 512MB RAM, 80 GB HDD, $799 (there is also a $599 version)

You can load Windows on it if you want, but I don't know of anyone who has used OS X that hasn't loved it (I'm sure someone will reply that they have, but that doesn't make my statement untrue :) )

[stevew]

I think that's probably $300 more than I would consider "cheap" anyways....

[lordscarlet]

I think that's probably $300 more than I would consider "cheap" anyways....

I think $599 is incredibly cheap, it's far more portable and unobtrusive, and likely to be of higher quality than the $300 POS systems you can get these days. (Granted, if you're doing it legally it would be another $200 or so for Windows)

[CU Tiger]

What is the opinion on this:
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/

At $509 it looks like a good deal, new but with a scratched case and full 2 year warranty.


I would like to stay even under $500 (this will be mainly used/abused by my kids) but I also want something hat is going to be relatively stable.

[lordscarlet]

What is the opinion on this:
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/

At $509 it looks like a good deal, new but with a scratched case and full 2 year warranty.


I would like to stay even under $500 (this will be mainly used/abused by my kids) but I also want something hat is going to be relatively stable.

See above. ;)

That link you posted does not go to a specific item.

[CU Tiger]

I'm not opposed to a Mac,
Just seems like this is a much better PC for less$$$

I cant link so lets try:

From what I am seeing its a faster processor, more RAM a bigger harddrive and a 256 external video card for half the 999 price?


And it comes with XP Media and a free (ok 9.99 s/h)future Vista upgrade. Am I missing something?


<TABLE class=tblLayout><TBODY><TR><TD>
XPS 400 Mini-Tower: Pentium D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB)
Genuine Windows XP Media Center 2005</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>System Price</TD><TD>:</TD><TD>$509.00</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tblLayout><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD class=gridCellAlt vAlign=top width="50%">
Operating System
Genuine Windows XP Media Center 2005 <HR>Memory
1 GB DDR2 NON-ECC SDRAM 533MHz (2 DIMMs) <HR>Hard Disk Drive
250 GB EIDE SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM) <HR>Video
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache <HR>Scratch & Dent
Scratch & Dent <HR>Base
XPS 400 Mini-Tower: Pentium D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB) <HR>Media Bay
16X DVD ROM Drive
48X CD RW Drive <HR>Software Upgrade
McAfee Security Center with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-months <HR>Hardware Upgrade
Remote Control for Media Center
USB Optical two button mouse</TD><TD class=gridCellAlt vAlign=top width="50%">
Software
Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Reader
Sonic Cineplayer
Music Match 10.1 Software
ONLINE TRAINING
Image Restore Software
Wild Tangent Gaming Client
Microsoft Works 8.5 with MS Office Trial Version Software
AOL ISP Software
Photo Album 6.0 Starter
Dell Direct Download
Service Software
DVD Software
Windows Media Player
AOL 9.0 ISP Software <HR>Misc
No Floppy Drive
Processor Label
Hardware is Microsoft Vista Capable
AOL Software Documentation
No Raid
USB Keyboard
Documentation
Shipping Material
No Modem Option
No Speakers</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[sterlingice]

That's a pretty good deal as long as the "scratch and dent" aren't too bad

SI

[lordscarlet]

The $999 includes a monitor. Having said that, you'll definitely find PCs for cheaper with the same or better specs, and Dell is a pretty good brand. Mac is just tops for support and reliability in every piece of data I've ever seen. (for the record, I'm only on my first Mac and I've had it for about a year)

The Dell looks good. It is obviously a little used.

[CU Tiger]

Im strongly considering the Dell..

They have emailed me pics, looks like the case was dropped on an assembly line. the back right corner is kinda rippled. I am a lil worried about that, but it comes with a 2 year wrranty and if it has issues it will be replaced with a new one, which shocked me.

It does not come with a monitor but I just bought a new flat panel so I have a 17" to plug into it...

[lordscarlet]

Im strongly considering the Dell..

They have emailed me pics, looks like the case was dropped on an assembly line. the back right corner is kinda rippled. I am a lil worried about that, but it comes with a 2 year wrranty and if it has issues it will be replaced with a new one, which shocked me.

It does not come with a monitor but I just bought a new flat panel so I have a 17" to plug into it...

So you should compare it to the $799 one (which is obviously still $300 more :) )

[sterlingice]

Dumb question- how much would that same configuration cost you from Dell without the giant dent in it? SI

[stevew]

Dumb question- how much would that same configuration cost you from Dell without the giant dent in it? SI
I think it's close to a grand.

[CU Tiger]

$949
Or so I was told by the lady on the phone, what I haven't done but still plan to is build it on their website and price check it that way...

But the wife is wanting to nix a $500 kids toy...she thinks we can look and find "good options" for $300...

They may exist, Im just not sure where.

[FBPro]

www.tigerdirect.com

[stevew]

Unless you are getting the express upgrade to Vista, wouldn't it be better to wait a month or so, until the new machines are out? Just another thought anyways....