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Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
 Posted - 11 August 2003 : 20:48:37
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I'm doing some looking around for a friend who lives in the US and might need a new PC soon.
The thing is, I don't know where to look. She'll need an out-of-the-box PC that'll be easy to hook up. Are there any online stores in the US that sell good desktop PCs at a reasonable price?
What I am looking for is a Pentium 4 at at least 2MHz with 512MB RAM, decent (doesn't have to be top-notch) video card and sound card, a decent-sized HDD and WinXP. The rest isn't all that important, and she could probably keep her current monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Any tips on where to look and what to buy? It has to be as cheap as possible though as she doesn't have a lot of cash but her current PC ... well frankly it sucks  |
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Doug G
Support Moderator
USA
6493 Posts |
Posted - 11 August 2003 : 21:56:26
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| A bit over $500.00 from Dell, new with warranty. I got a P4 2.4ghz, 256mb ram, video, 40gb, CD-RW, XP Pro, with 17" monitor for like $505.00 new in the door not long ago. It is a perfectly useful box. |
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Doug G
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Computer history and help at www.dougscode.com |
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RichardKinser
Snitz Forums Admin
USA
16655 Posts |
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Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
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TestMagic
Senior Member
USA
1568 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 01:56:50
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quote:
Originally posted by FrutZle
Well the thing is that if I look at that offer, it looks great but when I make a few changes to the basic configuration of that system, such as a larger HDD, more RAM and such, all of a sudden it's not $599 anymore but over $1000.
LOL, I was going to make a similar post--after I customized it with the things I thought were necessary, it came out to $989 or something (before rebate, though).
But the specs on the Dell were pretty good if you aren't a heavy user, I think. |
Snitz rocks! · Search 2 |
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RichardKinser
Snitz Forums Admin
USA
16655 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 03:59:15
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| Yeah, these Dell deals are usually on Computers that are configured a specific way. |
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Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 07:51:48
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I'm no big Compaq or HP fan myself, but don't you think it'd be wiser to go for that bestbuy deal than to get a Dell? Sure, the 15" TFT monitor's nice, but since her current monitor's still good (and a new 17" CRT monitor doesn't cost much anymore either) she could stick with that and get a much better computer that she can use longer because it won't have to be upgraded as soon.
When I bought my own PC a couple months ago (I posted about it here), I went to Dell too and made a similar configuration as what I'd just bought. Dell was almost twice as expencive, even though I had to buy a seperate 17" CRT monitor with my PC. In their commercials Dell talks about how they can be cheaper than others by leaving out the middle-man... I'm sure they can be cheaper, but right now it looks like they've just taken over the roll op the middle-man too and thereby make a bit extra profit  |
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jfitz
Junior Member
USA
345 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 08:58:53
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| We generally get all our PC's from Infotel (recently acquired by Tiger Direct, but still operating independently). We've bought enough from them over the years that we have our own account rep, which is pretty nice when you have a special request. |
--Jördan
It's a wasted day if you don't spend at least part of it flying upside down. |
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OneWayMule
Dev. Team Member & Support Moderator
Austria
4969 Posts |
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Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 09:16:17
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| I can't find any site for a computer-selling company called infotel (all telephone-related companies) but TigerDirect had some nicely priced computers too. Are they (TigerDirect) reliable? |
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Bookie
Average Member
USA
856 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 09:19:24
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| As much as I hate to say it, I'd probably go with the one you checked out at Best Buy. Since you're not able to build her a computer from thousands of miles away and since the Dell is too much money, that's probably the way to go. I can't believe I'm telling someone to buy an off-the-shelf computer from a computer store. I'd definitely recommend Dell but evidently the lower-priced models are not enough for what your friend needs. |
Participate in my nonsense |
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Bookie
Average Member
USA
856 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 09:21:09
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quote:
Originally posted by FrutZle
I can't find any site for a computer-selling company called infotel (all telephone-related companies) but TigerDirect had some nicely priced computers too. Are they (TigerDirect) reliable?
I've ran into a lot of people that buy stuff from Tiger Direct. They seem to have a good reputation. |
Participate in my nonsense |
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Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 09:24:25
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she might be able to do with the budget PC for a while, it's not like she needs or can afford a top-notch PC, but I'm looking at the future too, and then a basic PC like what Dell sells just won't last very long. I'll give her some tips next time I talk to her and let you know what she wants to do, although I won't be able to resist telling her what I'd do
Thanks for the links, tips and advise everyone  |
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bjlt
Senior Member
1144 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 10:14:10
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Well, mine is a sort of off topic.
however, I just discussed similar questions on a local forum of the hardware market. most guys there built the machine themselves and one thing I noted is, all the guys say if you are building a pc for a young lady who actually knows nothing about the hardware, all she demands is Intel P4, a LCD if she/you would like to spend the extra cost, and good looking case/mouse/keyboard. They pay no attention of other configurations as long as they feel it's as fast as similar machines. ( I suppose they will feel so simply as it's a P4
Sure these young ladies are average pc user playing few games and doing no designs etc.
One proudly built an AMD one for her girlfriend in college and asked in the forum for others' opinions. All said she'd be disappointed though it's as fast and costs much less. Same thing happened to my girl friend when we were to buy a new pc for her paper works and internet activities. The first two thing she mentioned are a P4 and a LCD.
Maybe it's just the ladies in my city. |
Edited by - bjlt on 12 August 2003 10:16:41 |
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jfitz
Junior Member
USA
345 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 10:15:52
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The web site for infotel is now http://store.infotelusa.com/
You can browse the site with an id of infotel and password of usa |
--Jördan
It's a wasted day if you don't spend at least part of it flying upside down. |
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Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
Posted - 12 August 2003 : 10:59:16
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lol bjlt, Pentium 4 is probably the only thing a lot of people know because of commercials that praise that processor. They probably want a TFT/LCD monitor because of the little space they take up, but as you said, you won't buy one unless you have the money for one and need the extra space.
It's the same with Windows XP... I talked to someone (also a girl) the other day who asked me how she could upgrade to Windows XP. I told her to go to the store, buy the upgrade, and read/follow the installation instructions in the box. She then told me she'd thought it was free, like MSN Messenger's recent upgrade.
Thanks for the link and login info Jördan |
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