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Best entry level PC for $300 or less?

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jwinslow

jwinslow

A MAN OF BETRAYED JUSTICE
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I've been scouring every deal site I can find, but can't seem to find a decent PC out there for $300 or less. The older models seem to disappear from inventories.

The PC needs to handle Quickbooks, Frontpage, Office, and other basic tasks. It will not require much in the way of graphics, sound or other bells and whistles. They aren't going to need enormous hard drives either. For now, they'll keep their existing CRT monitor.

What type of PC would you recommend for this user? Would I be better off finding scrap parts (newegg, deals, etc) and building one? Or is there somewhere I am not looking that sells solid, entry level PCs of decent quality?

The end users are not computer savvy, and would prefer some sort of warranty, even though I've tried to convince them otherwise (in 1-3 years, you could buy the same PC again for the price of the warranty).
 
I'm helping someone out with this purchase, fwiw, as they know very little.
But, if you can get a nice, new Toshiba laptop for $400, isn't that a better option?
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This is going to be used in a dusty, non-air conditioned space, so a laptop would not be ideal.
Buy the Compaq Presario SR5505F Desktop PC and other Desktop computers at circuitcity.com
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I have seen that compaq and slight variations for close to this price point, I'm just wary of Compaq quality. Perhaps that has changed in the last few years, but it was AWFUL about 5 years ago.
NorthShoreBuck;1261477; said:
Have you looked at ebay?
I bought the Lenovo laptop I am using for $700-$800 and it lacks just the fastest processor. Some of the older technology is pretty cheap there.
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I have not, I may go that route, but wanted to avoid the refurbs and ebay sellers for the sake of the buyer. If it were my PC, I wouldn't mind, being able to handle little bumps along the way.
 
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I don't think you could do wrong with that Compaq PC listed above, they have been owned by HP for some time and if you want to get it somewhere local then Circuit City and Best Buy are everywhere.

If you don't mind ordering it online then I would recommend a Dell.

Dell Inspiron 518 Desktop Details

I've been in the IT business for years and run my own company. I don't do much with Desktop PC's anymore but my techs do. We went through many stages from building our own PC's to bargain shopping them off eBay, tigerdirect, newegg, etc... You get the idea.

We now pretty much always recommend the Dell PC's to our customers. It's been working out great for the last few years. They have decent support and will drop ship a pc if something is wrong.

If you are looking for worry free and you don't want to do any hand holding after the sale, stick with one of the preconfigured PC's from Dell, HP, Compaq etc... Stay away from a bargain built no-name units.
 
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Not sure if size is a factor, but I've heard good things about the ASUS eee.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Display-Intel-Mobile-Solid-State/dp/B001BYB60W/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1221522106&sr=8-2]Amazon.com: ASUS Eee PC 900 16G (8.9" Display, Intel Mobile CPU, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB Solid State Drive, Linux) Pearl White: Electronics[/ame]
 
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Thanks for the 518 recommendation, I'm not sure I saw that one when I last looked at Dell's site. A deal on that PC would be perfect, but as/is, it's still a solid price.
 
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cpete14;1263434; said:
They are actually listing the Inspiron 530s "starting at" $279. I did not even look at the specs.

Dell Inspiron 530s Slim Desktop Details
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Thanks, I saw those, but figured the $50 was worth it for the dual-core.

edit: Looks like it's $60 (or +10) to get the 530 and upgrade.

Either way, looks like one of those will be the recommendation. Perhaps they'll run a sale for an extra gig of ram thrown in for free (I know it's cheap, but free's easier), or free shipping or something.
 
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Are you mechanically/electronicalluy inclined? It is possible to build a cheap machine for under $400. 350-300 is that magical range where cost doesnt befit a decent machine, that price range is going to require luck and research to find a NOT used machine.
 
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PC or not to PC

Because I need an idiot compatible machine, I chose a Mac. They are pricier but again simple for me to use. Get a used one for that price.

Again, I am not saying one is better that the other, but I learned in the olden olden days how to use a Mac..little tiny screen too.

:!
 
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CapnStubby said:
I don't think you could do wrong with that Compaq PC listed above, they have been owned by HP for some time and if you want to get it somewhere local then Circuit City and Best Buy are everywhere.

If you don't mind ordering it online then I would recommend a Dell.

Dell Inspiron 518 Desktop Details

I've been in the IT business for years and run my own company. I don't do much with Desktop PC's anymore but my techs do. We went through many stages from building our own PC's to bargain shopping them off eBay, tigerdirect, newegg, etc... You get the idea.

We now pretty much always recommend the Dell PC's to our customers. It's been working out great for the last few years. They have decent support and will drop ship a pc if something is wrong.

If you are looking for worry free and you don't want to do any hand holding after the sale, stick with one of the preconfigured PC's from Dell, HP, Compaq etc... Stay away from a bargain built no-name units.
Click to expand...
paging clarity....clarity...dell rant needed in aisle 9....
 
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