What do I need?

[Rocket]

I am a complete computer novice and I need some advice. I need a computer that will only do a couple of things. I need to have a word processor and Excel. I am on a very limited budget of only $500 and I need to buy a computer that will adequately accommodate these programs. I'm not worried about the extra cost of the software, it's just the computer itself I need help with. Can anyone out there tell me what I should be looking for?

[tjaymadison]

Welcome, Rocket! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

If that $500 includes everything, even the monitor, you don't have very many choices.

A local independent shop may sell used or 'trade in' systems.
Watch for ads in your local paper from private parties.
Auctions like eBay or Yahoo, but a little risky.


You can get free software to do what you want. Look for the 'Star Office' message in After Hours.
Maybe you can use the money you save toward the system.

Otherwise, you can wait for some 'super sale' at Best Buy or one of those stores.
Almost 'free' after umpteen rebates. Or their floor samples.

Good Luck! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

[nimnorf2]

Rocket,
If all you need, really, is a system that will run Microsoft Word and Excel. .... You could get an old 386 that would practically do that. People have them collecting dust in their closets. Just ask around for someone who has an old system that they could set you up with. These days a Pentium system with a 100 MHz processor almost can't be given away. Maybe I have too many generous friends but... you ought to be able to get what you're asking for in return for a sincere thank-you. TJay just has more class, generally than me. He refers to a legitimate purchase of a new system. The minimal stuff that you want to do? Nobody in the marketplace is offering anything with such a minimal requirement. People today want systems that do it all, lightening fast. Geelong, Vic, Aust.???
I'm thinking, Australia? Shipping might be your biggest hassle.

[This message has been edited by nimnorf2 (edited 05-17-2001).]

[This message has been edited by nimnorf2 (edited 05-17-2001).]

[Paleo Pete]

Check your local newspaper for want ads, or garage sales, etc. FOr what you want to do you should be able to find an older system pretty cheap. We have a weekly sale paper here that's basically a huge want ads typ-e affair, I see P-166 to 233 systems for $300 and under fairly often.

Excel and word processors will normally run on anything 386 or up, but for the OS you might want something a bit faster. For win95/98 I'd say get at least P-166 to 200, or 166 to 200MMX and it should do fine, try to get 64MB RAM in it soon as you can. I'm running P-233MMX w/64MB now, no complaints.

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[BigBlue66]

Hey,

Check this out: http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com

They have some really good deals going on right now.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability that you'll get it wrong.

[AwARe]

Hello Rocket, http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

http://www.compunanza.com/viewcart.asp?CartId=4901313KJFAG71

I put this one together for ya (kinda quickly) Probably could do better

Includes case, keyboard, mouse, speakers, floppy drive, fans etc, and everything else you need except a mouse pad and a monitor $391.61 US

AMD DURON 600 CPU
AMPTRON 810 Socket A Motherboard 200MHz Bus
32 MB AGP Video Graphics
3D Surround Sound System Onboard
56 K Voice Fax Modem
10/100 Network Interface ( Lan )
Maxtor 15.3GB ATA 100 IDE 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Panasonic 32x CDROM
64MB SDRAM PC100

http://store.yahoo.com/nexthardwareshope/futpow17.html
This is a 17" monitor for $119.00 US

Im not suggesting you buy the exact things I have shown here (This is entirely "Your" desision) In fact I would "highly" suggest you go through and select your hardware yourself, but this will give you some idea how to put a system together for around $500

Total cost for this complete system is $510.61 Plus Shipping

Hope this was both Useful and Helpful!
Have a Great Day!

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-18-2001).]

[AwARe]

Rocket,

Extra Note:

The key to getting the price under 500$ is, finding a Mother Board that has built in components (such as sound, video, and modem etc already on the mother board) and comes with the CPU already installed (The base price for the Mother board w/CPU, video and sound etc already on this board was $150)........and also finding a "cheap" $119 monitor.........This system by no means is the best way to go for performance, but should provide much better performance then lets say a used 200mmx you find for sale in a paper (There are some deals in the paper from time to time even "$200-$300 deals", but you get a waranty, faster/better computer, and its not used this way) "also alot of those "Will Not" come with a monitor"........For what you say you want it for, this should be "far above" the minimum requirements for the system you need.....

I also want to add the case that comes with this setup, I could have gotten cheaper seperately, and for the same money a better CDROM, also probably better or more RAM, but this would also have meant more shipping charges, so it wouldnt have been worth it..........
(You might also be able to get a "better" monitor for the same price if you stick with 15" instead of 17". I've also seen a few for $99),

Look around there are deals all over http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hopefully you get the idea? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-18-2001).]

[Paleo Pete]

I have to disagree on one point. Integrated motherboards have one and only one redeeming quality. Price. I stay away from them if at all possible. If you ever have to replace one of the onboard components, it's not easy and you can't always get it to work. Most boards have a feature either in BIOS or by jumpers to disable onboard sound, video or modem, but they don't always work. I'd stay with a non-integrated motherboard.

Price Combat (http://www.pricecombat.com./) has some good prices posted, and CSO, linked above by BB_66 usually does too.

------------------
So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[AwARe]

Yeah I thought I kinda said that Pete, but maybe not clear enough heh

"This system by no means is the best way to go for performance"

You have to admit for $500, it's probably hard to beat though, and as far as "I have to disagree on one point." I doubt we're in disagreement about all that much http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

I actually had a few lines in my first post about, well I'll quote one of those lines, "I really "Hate" those Mother Boards with everything built in", but I changed my mind, because it was hard to explain why I was saying buy this and not buy this, all in the same paragraph haha

Point being though, is that for $500 you can get a complete usable "new" system with a 600 Duron and monitor. To get a non integrated board would probably be "at least" $200 more in the end

The other side of this also, is that if he goes to Best Buy for instance, and gets one of those "Free" systems that someone else mentioned, its going to have an integrated board in it most likely anyways...........Its also probably gonna have less in it, no monitor, and cost more to boot.....The only "Free" systems Ive ever seen, always have that internet sign up sheet attached, that cost you an arm and a leg for years of internet service that nobody wants.............

So in the end to stay under $500 (Monitor Included http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif )................

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-18-2001).]

[yawningdog]

I'm w/Pete regarding proprietary hardware, but good luck finding an inexpensive MB without any. Check out www.pricewatch.com. (http://www.pricewatch.com.) I build computers as a kind of small business/hobby, and I buy lots of stuff there. I recommend you stick with quality MBs like ASUS and Aopen even though junk is a lot cheaper.