ack...need a new computer NOW. What kind?

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amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
We just got a power surge in the office and it toasted one of our computers. Apparently the surge protector didn't do its job. Maybe if someone listened to me and wouldn't buy the 2 for $5 ones we wouldn't have that problem.

Anyway we need a new computer NOW.

Something around $500-700 I guess, for general office tasks.

What's good? Choices here - Best Buy / Office Depot / office max / Staples / Fry's

HELP!

*edit*

Dell, Newegg, etc. are not choices here. I need a new PC RIGHT NOW. Not in 2 days.
I don't have time to take apart the old one and figure out what got fried, because then I'd need to buy a replacement part from some shoddy mom and pop store
 
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Booster

Diamond Member
May 4, 2002
4,380
0
0
Dude you gettin' a Dell.

Even where I live it's possible to buy a Dell 1.8 Celeron under $400. Or a Compaq legacy-free Celeron for the same money. Personally, I;d go with the latter. If it's for 'office tasks' ;), of course.
 
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CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
custom!
go to a cheap shop and buy some parts.. assemble a cheap PC
are any of the parts salvageable? or not even worth it? i am sure you can get SOMETHING from that PC.
 
A

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
Originally posted by: Yield
custom!
go to a cheap shop and buy some parts.. assemble a cheap PC
are any of the parts salvageable? or not even worth it? i am sure you can get SOMETHING from that PC.
Click to expand...

No time to go Newegg.
No time to order Dell. Need a replacement in 2 hours or less.
No time to dissect the PC and troubleshoot. Only custom parts shops are sketchy overpriced mom and pop stores here with shoddy OEM parts.
 
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CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
well then you seem to know your limitations better than we all do.. likely no one here can help.
go out to a store and buy a computer.
 
Azraele

Azraele

Elite Member
Nov 5, 2000
16,524
29
91
Wal-Mart sells them cheap, but probably not the best place to get one.
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: Wduaqnug
only choice is dell or cheap hp from staples
Click to expand...

how is that the only choice?

Best Buy carries emachines, compaq, sony, and HP. In fact, the Compaq 6400NX is only $500. Go pick it up.

AMD Athlon? XP processor 1800+; 266MHz frontside bus; 128MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM; 40.0GB hard drive; 32x10x40 CD-RW drive; 6 USB 2.0 ports
 
A

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
Dammit people read my post.

My choices are a store bought PC from Best Buy, OD, OM, Staples, or Fry's.

What's the LEAST CRAPPY computer I can get preassembled from a store?
 
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smp

Diamond Member
Dec 6, 2000
5,215
0
76
Originally posted by: Yield
well then you seem to know your limitations better than we all do.. likely no one here can help.
go out to a store and buy a computer.
Click to expand...

yeah and live in agony that to save yourself a bit of time you're stuck with some POS for the rest of it's meager life.
 
Azraele

Azraele

Elite Member
Nov 5, 2000
16,524
29
91
Originally posted by: AtomicDude512
Originally posted by: Azraele
Wal-Mart sells them cheap, but probably not the best place to get one.
Click to expand...

WHAAA? Walmart uses no-name systems with Linux! No way.
Click to expand...
The Wal-Mart near me doesn't. It sells HPs and Sonys.

 
dullard

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
26,033
4,676
126
I've bought several computers from Best Buy. They usually have one computer that they want to get rid of that is drastically reduced in price. Go get that one, it will work fine for your needs.

The Compaq 1800+ Athlon XP with 128 MB DDR, 40 GB HD, and CDRW drive for $499 looks decent here.

Just checked Office Max, Office Depot, and Staples online sites, neither of those can compare with Best Buy ($600 minimum and you get less).

Look's like Fry's has the about same computer as Best Buy for $499 as well (slower CDRW but add in a DVD drive). Since you aren't probably going to need a fast CDRW, get the Fry's computer for the DVD drive (although you probably won't need that either). Its made by GQ though - I've never heard of them. Maybe get the Compaq just for a name brand (boss will like that).

There seemed to be a few Emachines that were cheaper, but they are usually junk with a history of failing. There were some 1.7 GHz Celerons in about the same price range and the same specs, but the 1800+ Athlon will easilly beat that in any program.
 
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Dragnov

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
6,878
0
0
Head to Mwave will call/pickup and buy all the parts to build a new comp!

[edit] I would go to Costco for pre-assembled.
 
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Turkey22

Senior member
Nov 28, 2001
840
0
0
check n see if the surge protector has a warranty on it. The cheap ones prolly dont but the nice ones will cover up to $5000. I know you said it was cheap but just check anyway. Go to walmart use liscence from dead computer put windows on walmart computer, end of story. IF you are too lazy to build one then at least try not to be stupid and pay the least amount for cheap crap. Do not overpay for cheap crap! and that is most likely all you will get from the other places.
 

If you can find company info for the surge protector manufacturer, you might be able to get a nice chunk of change - most of them are guaranteed to protect up to $25,000 worth of equipment.

It might be a hassle to prove it though.

EDIT: too slow.
 
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Luden

Platinum Member
Jul 15, 2001
2,269
0
0
The VPR Matrix from Best Buy is pretty good for its price, I'd check out one of those..
 
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