[Tfug] Subject: budget computing

[John Mc]

My friend needs some opinions here ... good and bad.

Subject: budget computing
Date: Jul 10, 2008 1:28 PM

Who do you like in the budget computing market? As in $400 or less for an email, websurf, burn a DVD every once in a while type of machine.

My sister is finally in the market for a new computer after... It's got to be 9 years at least. Budget is $400, they just want the box, will keep the old monitor/printer/etc.

Needs a DVD burner. I told her about Vista and said it was 2 gigs memory or nothing.


This is about the best I've been able to find, in a name I know: http://www.emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=T5274#

I checked out the budget pcs at Dell and Gateway and couldn't get these specs for less than $450+ without leaving out things she needs or might need someday (ie with no modem, no LAN card, no 15 in 1 card reader and a lesser DVD burner the Dell is $390


This is better: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0291231 with the 6150 video card (what I have in my laptop) faster processor, higher Front Side Bus, 40% larger hard drive, for only $30 extra, but I've never heard of them. Could be a fly by night operation, compared with my sister buying the eMachine at the Best Buy right here in town if she needs to return it.