Is it worth it to buy the cheapest PC?

[gonelifting]

The Dell PCs for about $399. My SIL wants to get a new one and only surfs the internet and stores a few pics, nothing else. She has a 5 year old computer now and wants a 15 or 17 inch lcd screen. She's not sure of the size but wants it to be the same size as the one (CRT) she has now.

Any suggestions of some upgrades or should she get the bottom price one? Should she get a Pentium 4 or whatever chip and maybe the memory upgrade?

She uses a cable high speed internet connection. I told her I'd ask here for help. No I won't post pics.

 

[Devastation]

as long as it's a pentium and NOT a celeron, there is nothing really wrong with it. especially for what you listed her doing

 

[gonelifting]

So everything else is OK? I would'nt want her to regret buying it a year from now because she saved $200 and could have bought a $600 PC... Not really sure which things are essential to upgrade.

Leave everything as is and make sure it's a Pentium? She did'nt give me a budget, so she could probably go to $600+ just a guess.

 

[gonelifting]

OK, my mistake. Looks like the P4 starts about $700 and they come with an LCD upgrade for anything over $599. That one sounds good. I'll try thee link...
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_dp_dotw_dimen3?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

[Buddy_Christ]

dell was running a deal on the Dimension PCs for $499 after mail in rebate. if the computer is just being used for basic stuff, it'll be above and beyond what she needs and she won't have any need to replace it for years.

i almost went with the Dimension, but with the upgrades i needed it was going to cost me $699 after mail in rebate. since i don't "need" a new moniter, i built my own for just under $500, no moniter, and better upgradeability.

and yes Dev, i got a Celeron. i have no fear on that either. plus i can drop a 3.4ghz P4 Extreme in this board when they become cheaper.

 

[gonelifting]

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&kc=6V468&l=en&oc=D47SAP&s=dhs

I just configured this with a higher memory and storage to 80G The screen is a CRT but I read they can upgrade free with over $599 purchase? It did'nt say it here though. http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&kc=6V468&l=en&oc=D47SAP&s=dhs

This may be high for her, I don't know. I'll ask. thanks!

 

[evansteve]

as long as it's a pentium and NOT a celeron, there is nothing really wrong with it. especially for what you listed her doing

Even a Celeron would cut it though for what she is doing.

I dont think you will find Pentium 4 Dells for as cheap as $400, and if you want to get a good LCD with it that will jack up the price at least $200 more as well.

In any case, cheap computers are fine and very worth it. The only time you really need an expensive computer is if you are going to be doing some gaming, or video editing, or something like that.

 

[Phaded]

buy a pc on ebay.. with hyperthreading..

 

[Devastation]

dell regularly has dimensions p4 2.8 for $399 after rebate. for that little money i wouldn't wipe my ass with a celeron processor

 

[Fragadelic]

I'll look into it