Wife needs comp, help please

[bmf_rrh]

Hi all, i am gonna upgrade my computer and my wife wants to buy one at tax time. She needs a real barebones system. All she will do is surf the net, play poker, and possibly put couple thousand pictures on it and a handful of songs. What is the best deal we can get on such a comp? Dont want to go overboard and dont want it to be a total dog. Right now i have a Athlon 3000+ processor, i am sure it would be more than enough for her, but i dont know what it is comparable to. Please recommend a system. Posting this in Dell section, but would like to hear of any good deals on a decent comp.

Thanks All

Robert

 

[parabola]

I am sure you have done a little research. If you want a Dell, revisit the Dell website and go with the low end Inspirion 531s which can be had for under $500 - monitor included: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspndt_53xs?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=bundlestab

You can have that Inspirion 531s with Vista or XP. The Inspirion 531s desktop PC will be adequate for her computing behavior according to what you said she will be using the PC for.

If you are not set on a new system, I would suggest searching around on your local Craigslist website. A lot of people may be selling right now as Santa brought them a new PC for X-mas. Many deals can be had there, especially if you are patient and in no hurry to purchase a system today. Good luck!

 

[g-paw]

You could also build for around $400
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128056
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103749
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151151
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116056
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147055
hdd Seagate at least 160GB

Used this case on a build for one of my grandkids, not the greatest PSU but it will work and could save a bit on the CPU

 

[bmf_rrh]

Hi guys, thanks for the great replies. Parabola, which inspiron processor would be the closest to the one i have (amd athlon 3000+? How important is the duo core? G-paw, thanks for the build. I think she is set on a mainstream rig though.

Robert

 

[g-paw]

[quotemsg=142517,4,159468]Hi guys, thanks for the great replies. Parabola, which inspiron processor would be the closest to the one i have (amd athlon 3000+? How important is the duo core? G-paw, thanks for the build. I think she is set on a mainstream rig though.

Robert[/quotemsg]

Noticed that the link to the CPU doesn't take you to a specific CPU, the AMD X2 4200 would work. If you don't want to build, then a Dell with the above specs or something similar would work. A lot to be said for building, better parts, you know it's easy to upgrade, better warranty, and might save a little money.

 

[bmf_rrh]

I may try to convice her to go with building. G-paw, what would you suggest for a $600-700 rig? Remember, no gaming and i will need a monitor. You seem to know a lot about computers, what part of a computer is the holdup when there are a lot of windows open and there is a lag switching back and forth?

Thanks

Robert

 

[g-paw]

I'd go with the above suggested build with this CPU but you could move up to the 46600+. The Brisbane runs a bit cooler and the Windsor a bit faster but heat will not be a problem with that machine. If it fits your budget, I'd go with the Antec Sonata III with the better PSU, quiet, very good PSUm and very easy to work with, especially swapping drives but more expensive that the Rosewell above, which would definitely work. I look at cases as the longer term investment because you can use it for future builds but again the Rosewell would definitely work. Using a similar mobo as the above for both my wife's and mine business machine and no problems. Both the CPU and 2GB of RAM will be more than enough for what she needs. If your networking and sharing a printer, would suggest a print server, I'm using the IogearAir and it's work with no problems. I partitioned my wife's hard drive putting the OS/program on the first and data on the second partition, don't have to worry about backing up data when you reinstall Windows. Also put a second backup drive in her machine and using Goodsync as the back up program. Given she uses it for work, back up is very important. Had to set up the machine to make it as simple as possible. Say computer and she's confused Unless you have a copy of XP you'll need to get one, $90 for OEM. As for monitors, I like Samsung. Given prices you could get a 19" for near the same price as a 17" but their 900BF series is good. If it were me, I'd get a better monitor than you're using, unless your's is really top end, and give her your old one She'll definitely get a much better machine if you build it and you'll save a little money. Most woman seem to be into saving money, which could be a selling point plus parts have much better warranties than systems. Usually 3 - 5 years depending on the part and lifetime for RAM.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103735
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103751

 

[parabola]

[quotemsg=142517,4,159468]Parabola, which inspiron processor would be the closest to the one i have (amd athlon 3000+? How important is the duo core?[/quotemsg]

The dual core provides more speed. The closest AMD processor to yours? I don't know right off the top. You can research that easily though.

 

[parabola]

I should have read a little more in this thread. It appears that g-paw has it covered. Nice post there g-paw! What a great forum this is!

 

[bmf_rrh]

Hi guys, i have been reading up. I have heard a lot of good things about Macs. Seems like this would be a good set up for her, low maintanance, no games. What do you guys think?

Robert

 

[g-paw]

My problem with Macs is that they are proprietary severely limiting choices in hardware and software and you end up paying monopolistic prices. If I weren't building, I'd get something from a place like jncs.com that uses all name parts. If I was going cheap, I'd go Dell.

 

[gomerpile]

OHNO's you'll never talk again, a dude lets say scotty for example he had a wife and I got them into computers, she stopped looking after the home/kids, went to school wearing dirty clothes. She is a real you know, one that never shuts up or everything is yelling a real bitch something like a mother on high speed drugs. now lets say Scott is out and she still sitting at the computer and just sits there looking at the screen reading stupid love storys.
strangerstranger should meet her they'd get along real good

 

[rexter]

Check this out AOpen MP915-P http://www.google.com/products?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=AOpen+MP915-P&um=1
A bit more money but you'll put smile on her face. and you'll be thanks in many ways.

G-PAW setup is more powerful but since you said not a gaming machine. This will make it look like she has MAC system. Runs Cool and Quite.

http://www.superwarehouse.com/AOpen_MP915-P_Mini_PC/91.8EX10.I9J/ps/1483430 SFF - $234

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819111201 CPU - $90

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211187 RAM $35
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145172 RAM $48

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136130 HD - $70

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116056 OS - $90

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020%204017&bop=And&Order=PRICE Monitor - $150

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109154 K/M - $27

Total $6914 - $699