$1000 to spend

[ripthesystem]

Ok everyone, here's the deal. I have a budget of $1000 to build 2 PCs.
The lower the cost I can keep- the better.

Here's what the PC's are for:

1) First PC will essentially be an internet terminal. It will be used to surf the web, check email, etc and occasionally run Microsoft Office Products. It needs a 56k modem, WinXP, and a Monitor.

2) Second computer will not be hooked to the internet at all. It will be a work computer that the business keeps all their financial records on. It will run Quickbooks, M$ Office, WinXP, Adobe PS. It will be hooked to an already existing monitor through a KVM switch which needs purchased and needs a CD Burner.


The $1000 must cover the 2 PC's, the 1 monitor, the KVM switch, and 2 WinXP copies.

Any suggestions on parts? Prices? Setups? KVM's that will work perfectly with a wheel mouse? Quality monitors for cheap? Etc?

THANKS!!

 

[SneakyStuff]

Dell Buy from Dell, you'll save a lot because windows comes with the system. Just get 2 identical systems, one with a monitor, one without, and bam, you've got 2, nice looking, professional systems. (The link I gave you is under small business, and you can change it to a different configuration by going here select)

 

[Cheetah8799]

Ya, the XP copies are expensive. Since you don't need super duper power machines, Dell might be a good idea.

If you want to build your own, here's a good budget rig, especially if you get used parts in the FS/FT forum:

microATX socketA mobo w/ onboard sound, video, nic, etc. (Biostar M7NCG 400 is good)
AMD Barton 2500+ ($65 shipped in fs/ft)
256 (2 x 128mb) or 512 (2 x 256mb) PC2700 or PC3200 ram. ($70ish for 512mb)
80gb hard drive ($50ish shipped in fs/ft)
generic midtower or minitower case ($40ish for cheap one)
keyboard/mouse is cheap if you don't need fancy stuff.
MicroCenter has a nice Belkin 2port kvm for $20 right now.

I suppose that's about what I'd expect to pay. I like to dig for cheap prices though, you might not want to spend the time it takes to get decent prices.

 

[DragonFire]

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Ya, the XP copies are expensive. Since you don't need super duper power machines, Dell might be a good idea.

If you want to build your own, here's a good budget rig, especially if you get used parts in the FS/FT forum:

microATX socketA mobo w/ onboard sound, video, nic, etc. (Biostar M7NCG 400 is good)
AMD Barton 2500+ ($65 shipped in fs/ft)
256 (2 x 128mb) or 512 (2 x 256mb) PC2700 or PC3200 ram. ($70ish for 512mb)
80gb hard drive ($50ish shipped in fs/ft)
generic midtower or minitower case ($40ish for cheap one)
keyboard/mouse is cheap if you don't need fancy stuff.
MicroCenter has a nice Belkin 2port kvm for $20 right now.

I suppose that's about what I'd expect to pay. I like to dig for cheap prices though, you might not want to spend the time it takes to get decent prices.

I think the Barton 2500+ would be overkill for at least the the first PC, A Pentium3 500Mhz can handle that.
Same with the PC2700/3200 ram. If you go with AMD and dont plan on overclocking, go with pc2100.
IF you know you wont use 80GB, get a 40/60GB drive instead.

I would suggest looking around Ebay unless they have to be brand new. Go with a P3 setup and you could just maybe build both for $500.

 

[magomago]

1.6 applebreds and a KT600 should fit the bill~ for what you want there is no need for a 2500+, or nforce2, or anything like that. Hell for the first pc, 256 megs of ram shold be fine for your first pc unless you let the world load on bootup

 

[jpeyton]

My suggestions for components can be found here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=1371717&enterthread=y

 

[Trey22]

For the uses you described, here's another vote for Dell.

 

[high]

go dell..warranty + xp = all u need

 

[ripthesystem]

Ok. I've considered Dell myself but I'm doing this for a family friend's business and for whatever reason, they don't want to deal with Dell, Gateway, etc etc. So, I'm not arguing that this isn't a good choice -it is- only that for the sake of this thread it's not an option.

Any KVM switch or monitor recommendations? I'm looking over everything you've said so far- so keep em coming!

 

[DragonFire]

Does anyone here have any reason why something like this won't work?

I realize its a Dell but its not being bought from Dell. Heck they don't even make this model anymore, not do I think there is any tech support. The computer would be made by Dell but you wouldnt be dealing with them at all.

EDIT:

All your problems solved

 

[ponyo]

2x copies of WinXP home is ~$200. That leaves you $800 for 2 computers. Go with Dell Dimension 2400. It's perfect for the type of work that needs to be done and it's going to be hard to beat the price. Dell Small Business has Dimension 2400 with:

P4-2.8ghz
128mb ram
80 GB harddrive
48x CDRW burner
floppy
modem
Word Perfect
XP Home
2 yr Warranty

all for $349 after $150 rebate with free shipping. The deal expires at end of today.

If you take out $100 for WinXP, it's $250 computer. You're not going to be able to build something like that for $250. Dell 2400 are virtually silent too.