Need some PC recommendation

em1 · 08-26-2006, 09:55 AM

I need a solid and reliable PC to just do the basics [internet, office, etc.], nothing major. What would you recommend for around $500? Are Compaqs any good? I've seen some that look attractive but I don't how reliable they are.

Thanks

ebackhus · 08-26-2006, 10:15 AM

HP/Compaq computers are rubbish machines.

Acer makes good budget machines that won't crap out on you easily. IBM makes some of the best machines I've ever had the joy of using. A custom built PC is the best path you can take.

**Ralck** · 08-26-2006, 12:23 PM

Eb has some great points there. We can help you if you want to build your own. It may be a bit more expensive than an Acer, etc, but you'll be putting high quality components into your computer so you'll know it's good quality and you'll be able to upgrade it easier if you choose to do so.

Cheers!

em1 · 08-26-2006, 05:02 PM

How hard is it to build my own? What does the process entail? I'm not very computer savvy and to be completely honest I would rather just pick one up.

The PC is for my g/f who isn't going to do anything serious with it just use word and browse the net.

But I'd take some suggestions. I'm looking to stay around $500.

**Ralck** · 08-26-2006, 05:37 PM

Generally, in this day and age, building a computer is simply picking out a processor, motherboard, harddrive, power supply, etc. It's all quite simple and the three hardest parts are putting the motherboard in the case, putting the CPU into the motherboard, and installing Windows

. There are very good directions online, as well as we can walk you through these steps if you want to go this route.

If you don't want to go this route, then I think your best bet is probably Acer, as Ebackhus suggested.
Here is one for under 500: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883103012
It's probably much more than she needs, but you can upgrade with a video card, and it's good bang-for-your-buck. Since all she wants to do is check email/surf the web/etc, she won't need a high-end graphics card, and can easily run on integrated like this one has, but I think I'd still stay away from SIS integrated chips and S3 Unichrome chips.

Tumbleweed36 · 08-26-2006, 05:46 PM

Hi,

I would side in this case with the postion of buying a unit similar to the Acer rather than building your own. What I would suggest is to look where you buy it and make sure that it has a viable warranty and that the retailer you purchase it from will be there for you if things go haywire. If you are not comfortable with working inside a computer, then an extended warranty might be the way to go.

em1 · 08-27-2006, 05:04 PM

Thanks for the input. I was just going to check out best buy, circuit city, and frye's electronics (outpost.com) and see what would be the best PC for what I'm spending. The Acer Ralck posted looks real good.

I just did a quick scan of best buy and CC's sites and CC has this: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Acer-...oductDetail.do

It's under 500 after rebates. Looks similar to the one posted. Any opinion?

**Ralck** · 08-28-2006, 11:37 AM

It looks good to me. Better processor, better harddrive, more RAM, etc, etc. And after the rebates it should be a few dollars cheaper. I'd say that's quite a good value for the money you found. If that's what you like, go for it. It's going to be more computer than she needs, but that only means room to grow and get her a few games

.

Cheers!

ebackhus · 08-28-2006, 12:33 PM

The Circuit City option looks great in my opinion. Beefy specs and room for expansion.

**bruiser** · 08-28-2006, 01:43 PM

You could slap a video card in there and be ready for some good stuff.

**Ralck** · 08-28-2006, 01:59 PM

Keep in mind a new video card would also mean a new power supply.

08-26-2006, 09:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
em1 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 183 OS: Windows XP	Need some PC recommendation I need a solid and reliable PC to just do the basics [internet, office, etc.], nothing major. What would you recommend for around $500? Are Compaqs any good? I've seen some that look attractive but I don't how reliable they are. Thanks

08-26-2006, 10:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,249 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	HP/Compaq computers are rubbish machines. Acer makes good budget machines that won't crap out on you easily. IBM makes some of the best machines I've ever had the joy of using. A custom built PC is the best path you can take. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

08-26-2006, 12:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Eb has some great points there. We can help you if you want to build your own. It may be a bit more expensive than an Acer, etc, but you'll be putting high quality components into your computer so you'll know it's good quality and you'll be able to upgrade it easier if you choose to do so. Cheers! __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

08-26-2006, 05:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Generally, in this day and age, building a computer is simply picking out a processor, motherboard, harddrive, power supply, etc. It's all quite simple and the three hardest parts are putting the motherboard in the case, putting the CPU into the motherboard, and installing Windows . There are very good directions online, as well as we can walk you through these steps if you want to go this route. If you don't want to go this route, then I think your best bet is probably Acer, as Ebackhus suggested. Here is one for under 500: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883103012 It's probably much more than she needs, but you can upgrade with a video card, and it's good bang-for-your-buck. Since all she wants to do is check email/surf the web/etc, she won't need a high-end graphics card, and can easily run on integrated like this one has, but I think I'd still stay away from SIS integrated chips and S3 Unichrome chips. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

08-26-2006, 05:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,640 OS: XP Professional	Hi, I would side in this case with the postion of buying a unit similar to the Acer rather than building your own. What I would suggest is to look where you buy it and make sure that it has a viable warranty and that the retailer you purchase it from will be there for you if things go haywire. If you are not comfortable with working inside a computer, then an extended warranty might be the way to go. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

08-26-2006, 05:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
em1 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 183 OS: Windows XP	How hard is it to build my own? What does the process entail? I'm not very computer savvy and to be completely honest I would rather just pick one up. The PC is for my g/f who isn't going to do anything serious with it just use word and browse the net. But I'd take some suggestions. I'm looking to stay around $500.

08-27-2006, 05:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
em1 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 183 OS: Windows XP	Thanks for the input. I was just going to check out best buy, circuit city, and frye's electronics (outpost.com) and see what would be the best PC for what I'm spending. The Acer Ralck posted looks real good. I just did a quick scan of best buy and CC's sites and CC has this: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Acer-...oductDetail.do It's under 500 after rebates. Looks similar to the one posted. Any opinion?

08-28-2006, 11:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	It looks good to me. Better processor, better harddrive, more RAM, etc, etc. And after the rebates it should be a few dollars cheaper. I'd say that's quite a good value for the money you found. If that's what you like, go for it. It's going to be more computer than she needs, but that only means room to grow and get her a few games . Cheers! __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

08-28-2006, 12:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,249 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	The Circuit City option looks great in my opinion. Beefy specs and room for expansion. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

08-28-2006, 01:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
bruiser TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,973 OS: xp	You could slap a video card in there and be ready for some good stuff.

08-28-2006, 01:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Keep in mind a new video card would also mean a new power supply. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs