Adopt a family for Christmas. Child in family wants a PC

[WaterTorture]

Most of the time people buy food, clothes, and toys. Well, my department at work decided to adopt a family last week and the child wants a PC. My co-workers said it would be silly to give a PC when the family can barely afford to have electricity and a roof over their head.

But, being from a low income family as a child. I identify with the child's wish especially considering all of his friends probably have computers at home. So, if I decide to put together a PC for the child it will be from me completely because my coworkers voted no (which I understand because we're all chipping in $100 already).

So, do you all think it would be a good idea to give a computer?

If I do.. What would be decent spec wise? I don't want to drop a 3.4 ghz P4 w/ a gig of ram off, but I don't want to drop off a 486 either.

Ideas? Concerns? Advice?

Thanks in advance!

 

[etalns]

I'd say pick up some old parts from the FS/FT area and build a decent comp. Can probably make a really nice one for a few hundred dollars.

 

[KarenMarie]

Originally posted by: Qosis
I'd say pick up some old parts from the FS/FT area and build a decent comp. Can probably make a really nice one for a few hundred dollars.

That is an excellent suggestion.

If you do decide to do that, let me know and I will see what I have kicking around here that I no loger use.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: Qosis
I'd say pick up some old parts from the FS/FT area and build a decent comp. Can probably make a really nice one for a few hundred dollars.

Must be a collingwood eduction :roll: they aren't tech savvy so they'll need tech support.. so I'd just go and get them a dell. Affordable.. it'll be able to do what they will need if for AND you'll have money left over for other stuff.

Edit: If you do decide to go for the used bit.. I've got a 1.2 GHZ Athlon, a Radeon 7200 and an Asus A7A266 lying around that you're more than welcome to have.

 

[The Stigenator]

even a 2ghz is plenty.. 3.2 is just asking for too much ..

 

[UglyCasanova]

Link

There is stuff like this showing up all of the time in Hot Deals.

 

[WaterTorture]

Ok, so I'm not crazy for thinking the PC is a good idea. That makes me feel a bit better, I thought I was playing the part of a chump.

Ok, saying I go the route of used parts (since that would be the least taxing on my budget) would offering tech support for them if they have any problems and giving my phone number be shooting myself in the foot?

 

[SleepWalkerX]

why don't you get him a nice cheap laptop? walmart still has the 600 dollar laptop.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova
Link

There is stuff like this showing up all of the time in Hot Deals.

hot deals seconded!

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: WaterTorture
Ok, so I'm not crazy for thinking the PC is a good idea. That makes me feel a bit better, I thought I was playing the part of a chump.

well, this is AT, so you're probably getting a biased sample here

Ok, saying I go the route of used parts (since that would be the least taxing on my budget) would offering tech support for them if they have any problems and giving my phone number be shooting myself in the foot?

yes, it would be shooting yourself in the foot. dell is cheaper than what you can build a computer for, even with used parts, after software costs.

 

[sciencewhiz]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
even a 2ghz is plenty.. 3.2 is just asking for too much ..

even 500 mhz running win98 is plenty

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: Qosis
I'd say pick up some old parts from the FS/FT area and build a decent comp. Can probably make a really nice one for a few hundred dollars.

Even better, ask for donations in the FS/FT forum.

 

[GroundZero]

I am willing to bet that the people here on Anandtech would probably donate enough used parts for you to build a pretty good system for them.
Ask for donations...

 

[LordPhoenix]

Just get the 300-400 some Dell.

 

[Ronstang]

I did this very thing last Christmas. My GF knew of a family that has very little and the young girl was very upset because she could not do most of her homework from home anymore because it required a PC. Her mother had to take her to the public library every day. I have tons of systems just lying around because everyone gives me their old parts when I upgrade for them so I put together a very nice system that more than met here needs, wrapped it all up, and gave it to her mother to put under the tree for her.

 

[GroundZero]

doesn't FRYS have like a 199$ complete system on sale right now?

 

[WaterTorture]

I think the used part PC might not be a bad idea if I can use a copy of Windows 98SE that I dont use anymore. This copy of Windows 98SE came w/ my Gateway. Would that be ok to give to them? I don't know the whole legality thing about giving software away to others. But, its a full version not a restore or anything and its definately not being used on any PCs. The Gateway it was installed on was recycled long ago.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: WaterTorture
Ok, so I'm not crazy for thinking the PC is a good idea. That makes me feel a bit better, I thought I was playing the part of a chump.

well, this is AT, so you're probably getting a biased sample here

Ok, saying I go the route of used parts (since that would be the least taxing on my budget) would offering tech support for them if they have any problems and giving my phone number be shooting myself in the foot?

yes, it would be shooting yourself in the foot. dell is cheaper than what you can build a computer for, even with used parts, after software costs.

Only the lowest end Dells are comparable in cost to building the same PC with new parts and an OS. Used parts aren't even a contest.

As everyone else here has said, browse thru hot deals and FS/FT and put the kid together a decent system. Whatever you think is appropriate given your budget - from the sound of it, even a 486 would be appreciated.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: WaterTorture
I think the used part PC might not be a bad idea if I can use a copy of Windows 98SE that I dont use anymore. This copy of Windows 98SE came w/ my Gateway. Would that be ok to give to them? I don't know the whole legality thing about giving software away to others. But, its a full version not a restore or anything and its definately not being used on any PCs. The Gateway it was installed on was recycled long ago.

As long as the OS is only installed on one PC, you're covered. Such is my understanding anyway, I'm not the Windows Gestapo.

But I highly doubt anyone is gunna kick down your door for giving away a copy of Windows 98.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Only the lowest end Dells are comparable in cost to building the same PC with new parts and an OS. Used parts aren't even a contest.

add in tech support time

 

[GroundZero]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix

Originally posted by: WaterTorture
I think the used part PC might not be a bad idea if I can use a copy of Windows 98SE that I dont use anymore. This copy of Windows 98SE came w/ my Gateway. Would that be ok to give to them? I don't know the whole legality thing about giving software away to others. But, its a full version not a restore or anything and its definately not being used on any PCs. The Gateway it was installed on was recycled long ago.

As long as the OS is only installed on one PC, you're covered. Such is my understanding anyway, I'm not the Windows Gestapo.

But I highly doubt anyone is gunna kick down your door for giving away a copy of Windows 98.

it is all good if they are the only one using that copy

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Only the lowest end Dells are comparable in cost to building the same PC with new parts and an OS. Used parts aren't even a contest.

add in tech support time

Yup. I assume this family knows next to nothing about computers, so getting Dell or whoever to do their tech support will probably be the most valuable part of the whole deal.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Only the lowest end Dells are comparable in cost to building the same PC with new parts and an OS. Used parts aren't even a contest.

add in tech support time

Yup. I assume this family knows next to nothing about computers, so getting Dell or whoever to do their tech support will probably be the most valuable part of the whole deal.

Yeah, true... I'll admit, I consider Dell tech support next-to-worthless. They nearly trashed a completely good hard drive in my mom's office (which could have potentially set them back 10 years of records) because they took out the wrong one. :| Basically, I look at giving someone a Dell as a shot in their foot.

Maybe you could give the kid a primer in PC repair?

 

[WaterTorture]

I don't really think a Dell would really be in my price range. I know how valuable the tech support would be, but $500 dollars is quite a bit of cash on top of the $100 that I am already due to chip in w/ my department.

Ok, this is my plan..

I'm going to browse the FS/T forums and see what I can come up with. If any of you wish to make a contribution to my project it will be more than appreciated. I'll pay for the shipping as long as its not a really expensive shipping method

I have to have the PC built and given to the advisor at work by December 3rd. (Assuming I have to have it turned in w/ the clothes and toys and stuff were buying).

Send me a PM if youre interested in helping.

Thanks everyone!

 

[notfred]

While I don't think there's anything wrong with buying them a PC, I'd have to say you'd better be in a pretty stable financial situation to justify giving $300-600 to some people you've never met just because some kid wants to surf the internet.

If you can afford it, go ahead, but if you're only doing it because you think it'd be fun to build another PC or something, then maybe you should rethink the whole thing.