Dad needs a new computer asap.

Here is what he's looking for

Intel pent 4 (not picky about speed , "fast enough")
80 mb hard drive
512 ram
flat panel monitor (15 or 17)
good warranty

ballpark price $400-500.

Its for buisness, so it doesn't need advance graphic card, or other do-dads. So where should I look? I've hit dell, and they're about $569+ . Also does anyone know where I can get coupon codes for dell.

thanks

 

Keep an eye on GotApex for Dell deals: http://www.gotapex.com/

Right now they're showing you how to get a Dimension 4700 with 2.8Ghz Pentium 4 520 HT, 256MB DDR2 SDRAM, 80GB HD, 48x CD-ROM for $479 after Rebate with FREE 17" LCD! Deal ends tonight - 9/7!

That's REALLY hard to beat.

For memory, hit up eBay. I've had great results in the last couple of months.

 

I would go with a Dell....

 

I bought one several years ago, and it never did run right. I bought a case and all the componants and built my last one myself (check out newegg.com). I spent $1100. building a machine that would have cost over 2K from a box maker like Dell, Gateway ect. Never again.

 

there are bad apples, dell however has awesome service and great warranties with a no questions asked policy......


check out www.newegg.com i have heard from the computer nerds that they are usually pretty good

 

newegg is good for parts, if you want to build your own...i've never ordered a complete computer from them before...

 

The problem with building your own (from anyone) is that the original "customer requirements" included the phrase "Dad needs a new computer..." (and) "asap".

If sdastg1 is going to be close buy to handle things like OS install, driver updates, tweaking, etc. AND if he can make a choice on MB/proc/case/etc real soon, then newegg and others are a good deal.

On the other hand, if he wants to place an order, have it drop shipped to Dad, dad takes it out of the box and matches Pink -> Pink, Green -> Green, turns it on and is done... Then at under $500 including shipping, it's hard to beat that Dell system I mentioned above.

 

Jump on that deal if it's not too late!!!

 

Mark you hit the nail right on the head. Thanks for the link I went ahead and ordered it for him. He did get a few upgrades. He got the 2 yr warranty, and the 19" monitor (works better with his veterinary software) and a laser printer. Total came in at $900 shipped with a $100 mail in rebate. So $800 for the whole thing.

Thanks again

 

Excellent!

You may want more memory in it, this is one way that Dell keeps the prices down in their deals like this. XP Home is gonna run a bit piggy in 256meg - it'll be fine if his day is spent in basically one app, but if he's moving around, there will be a some page swapping going on. It'll also be a bit slow coming up, but once it's up - you'll be "fine".


That machine takes "PC2-3200/4200 DDR2 SDRAM DIMMs", don't worry if that doesn't mean anything to you - just think in terms of "Tacoma, 3.4L, Red".

You can put up to 4gig of RAM on that motherboard, but you won't need that much. I'd drop 512meg in there (on top of the 256) to get to 768 total. You have to add RAM strips in pairs, so you'd want (2) 256meg parts. A quick look on eBay:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...mand=GetResult

Shows that you can get 256meg PC3200 RAM for $25/strip, so $50. which beats Dell wanting $40 to add 256meg for 512 total.

Check with the eBay vendors first for true shipping costs, and be sure that they will combine shipping. Shipping on RAM is about $3, including insurance, so don't let them gouge you too bad.

If you'd like to see some other street prices (and machine specs) before hitting eBay, I use CoastToCoast: http://www.coastmemory.com/


Have fun!

 

he should be ok for now with the 256, there is only one software program that runs the whole operation. Theres no internet connection, downloading, linking to other computers, or anything like that. But if he needs it, I'll go the route you suggested.

edit: the old system he has right now is like 12 yrs old. It finally gave out last week

 

Best Buy has EMachine computers for $400 and less in the flyers.
including printer, but chrage extra for a flat panel.

I saw one advertised for $250 in this past flyer.

 

I've had EMachine machines... the company USED to be a viable online retailer with okay support. Now, omg... they're a nightmare. They remind me of the old days when Packard Bell ("PB") was around (circa 1996).

You can buy two machines, same specs, close serial numbers and I will BET you that you will find that one or more of the a) CD ROM manfacturers are different, b) RAM mfgs are different, c) HD mfgs are different, and if you could tell d) the screw suppliers were different.

PB had a dedicated buyer for each component in the machine... CD ROM, HD, screws, fans, RAM, cable assemblies, etc. Each _MONTH_ they would reprice everything. If a buyer could show that they could save more money by buying a new lot (i.e., 10,000 PLUS) of something, that using the remaining inventory, then they would. That means palettes of CD ROMs would be sold off to a liquidator and replaced with the lowest priced crap they could find.

EMachine is doing the SAME thing these days... They're junk. Junk. Junk. Junk.

On top of it all, your "service and support" is in the hands of the capable "technicians" at Best Buy. Which means... box it up and swap it for another one - if you're lucky.