I need help, good budget computer.

[Question]

Ok, as well all know Christmas is upon us and my parents will be Christmas shopping soon. I dont have my F-Body, so no performance goodies for me, but I do want a computer. I need something rather cheap, because I want other stuff to. I'm looking for a desktop PC. I dont need a monitor, just the actually computer. I'm not big into gaming, so no Alienware stuff. Plus thats way out of my budget. I'm mainly just looking for something for occasional games, AIM, surfing the web,school work, etc etc. Please post all the specs, and a link if possible. I am not looking to build my own.

Also, I kinda want a DVD burner. How much will one run me in a computer?

[SirShaun]

Proptietary companies are the devil.

[Nachius]

http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/en/finders?sid=F6245753C2E6&ca=dtfinder&N=200001+3005 54&lst=on&met=inli&rsLst=on&DMC=Price&me=W&Ne=3005 53&pg=dtfinder&tmpl=%2Fproducts%2Ffinde r%2Fus%2Fen%2Ffinders&re=dtaviewall&DVC=Price%3a+L ess+than+%24500&trac=1T10FN02B

[Question]

Thanks for the link Nachius, but I dont really think I want to go with IBM. And Sirshaun, what do you reccomend?

[Th3 RiCk]

Dell, Gateway, HP all have what you're looking for. For what you want to do there is no need to go very radical. Just get something basic for a few hundred bucks.

[3.8 nate]

Dell has some killer deals ontheir desktops. [img]graemlins/rock.gif[/img]

[shock_core]

^^ god no. What ever you do, do not buy a dell. Trust me. Never buy from them. Almost anything else is fine, HP has great stuff, but No Dell.

[95Batmobile]

Dell isn't that bad. A lot better than Compaq.

I'd look into HP or Dell.

[SirShaun]

After hearing some stories in my first period class about dells and **** i would never buy a dell or a gatewell. I would recomend sabing money and just making your own computer. I used to think they were complicated to make. Actually installing software and getting updates takes longer than actually building it..

We build with gigabyte motherboards in my first period and they have on board sound and NIC. That means all u have to install is a damn video card. And a modem if u need one.

But if your gonna buy i guess Dell would be best route to take. If something ever goes bad or wrong with computer be ready to pay out your *** for those propietary componets. You might have to end up getting a new keyboard and monitor if u get a dell because dell wants you to use there equipment. Also its hard to update a dell.

Ive heard gateway is very proprietary and might as well be nonupgradeable.

Never heard anything bad about HP or Compaq...Its your call, be alot better if you built a new one or upgraded current computer. It would probably be more fun than a hastle.

Also to look at prices on DVD burners/players or any computer part for that matter hit up pricewatch.com

[L32Projekt]

Question,

If you want, hit me up with an EMail and I can set you up with my dad, he may have a deal for you. We've got a family-owned computer business, and can get you what you want. Only thing is we only use good components, nothing is proprietary and can be upgraded later on but that costs a bit more than some of these ultra-cheap desktops that are out there. No pressure, just let me know if you're interested.

Jon

[SirShaun]

Question i say check in with L32. U definately want something upgradeable and non proprietary.

[97V6Camaro]

Get a Gateway. I have had mine for 2 years....and not one single problem. You take care of your computer, and it will take care of you.

[3.8 nate]

I've had teh wife's dellfor over a year w/no probs. Maybe somepeople just humbled by teh teknologee? [img]graemlins/stickpoke.gif[/img]

[Question]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to shoot you an email when I get home from school L32.

[MustangEater8251]

check www.fatwallet.com for Dell deals...

I have had a dell for 3 years no problems, my parents had their's for 2 years no problems, and my girlfriends, I think its a little over a year old, no problems.

My girlfriend was same situation as you, we got a Pentium 2.6 GHZ, 512mb ram, 40 gig HD, WinXP pro shipped to our door for $385, thats just the tower with all power cords, keyboard and mouse.

I was gonna build her one, but hell not even sure I coudl have built her one that good that cheap, even with pirating Winxp pro.

People build dells all the time, and cannot finance them, so dell sells them out cheap.