Can you suggest a low-end PC (CPU only) that will be used (95%) for web surfing?

[rnmcd]

I am looking for a PC that will be used primarily by a very novice web surfer. He only has a dial-up connection and really doesn't do much besides email and general surfing.

Is there a system that you might recommend for him? He definitely doesn't need anything with power. He is satisfied with the monitor and printer he has now so he will only need the cpu.

Truly, a <5gb hard drive would be sufficient. Sub 2.ghz processor is plenty too.

Thanks.

 

[thorin]

For surfing basically any processor (even a old 233MMX) will do. If you're getting something new then grab a Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron CPU and you'll be fine.

Thorin

 

[dakels]

I'd look for some deal like this
A more then capable computer for those needs and more for only $267 or so.

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: dakels
I'd look for some deal like this
A more then capable computer for those needs and more for only $267 or so.

thank you.

This person would need WinXP to be included and I noticed that an OS does not come with that system.

 

[loic2003]

well it'll have to be an AMD chip for that price. I'd say a 1.5 GHz or more (see what's on offer) and a minimum of 256 memory. Even though the machine isn't going to be taxed, you still want it to run smoothly and fast so the user isn't frustrated or confused by lagging windows, etc.

Make sure you pick up a 7200 RPM hard drive, again to make the computer feel snappy and responsive. Very small hard drives like the <5Gb one you talked about are actually more expensive than low end drives like 20 or 30Gb, simply because demand is so low not many people make the things (even ipods go up to 60Gigs these days!). You're best off going to a decent online retailer (or... Etailor as they call it) such as newegg if you'r in the US or Dabs.com or ebuyer.com if you're in the UK and looking at the special deals. One word of caution, however:
Don't go for super-cheap motherboards made by companies you've never heard of. I've only had bad luck with these sorts of machines. The drivers are unreliable, the machines unstable and support is poor or nonexistant (unless you speak Chinese!). Go for someone well known, I've personally had good experiences with MSI, Gigabyte and especially Abit systems.

Hope this helps.

 

[PVD]

black friday )day after thanksgiving) has some pretty good deals. You can get an emachines computer for $200. CHeck the thread on hotdeals forum

 

[DrMoe]

I quickly conifgured a base Dell model for $309 here
However, you could save alot of money by building the system yourself (of course this may not be an option for everybody) -DM

 

[loic2003]

Originally posted by: DrMoe
I quickly conifgured a base Dell model for $309 here
However, you could save alot of money by building the system yourself (of course this may not be an option for everybody) -DM

Yeah the above deal looks good, but you should have a go at building the thing yourself... there's loads of instructions out there and if you have any doubts you're already a memeber of one of the best tech forums there is. It sounds daunting, but it really is a case of "if it fits, then that's where it goes"...

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: loic2003

Originally posted by: DrMoe
I quickly conifgured a base Dell model for $309 here
However, you could save alot of money by building the system yourself (of course this may not be an option for everybody) -DM

Yeah the above deal looks good, but you should have a go at building the thing yourself... there's loads of instructions out there and if you have any doubts you're already a memeber of one of the best tech forums there is. It sounds daunting, but it really is a case of "if it fits, then that's where it goes"...

i have a little experience building PC but I don't think I could build cheaper than $300, could I?

A case, Win XP, a hard drive, mobo, RAM, cards, etc would put me above $300 pretty easily, right?

 

[DanDrop]

I wouldn't suggest building a system for a newbie especially at those low budgets. You will not save a lot of money by doing so. The hassle and time you put in by building a low end system is not worth it as there are a lot of really cheap systems oout there with tech support.

You see, if you build a system for a total newbie, YOU become their tech support. He will call you in the middle of the night because a million pop-ups are spawning on his screen. He'll call you because his system 'feels slow' or he'll ask, 'i tried playing this game or using this software etc and it wouldnt work' could you come over and fix it?

Don't ask me how i know, lol.

Get him a cheap dell (maybe refurbed), lotsa deals right now or some e-machines etc.

 

[cheesehead]

Best Buy has a deal for 360$. WinXP, Sempron 2800+, printer, monitor, et. etc. etc. are included.
Avoid dell like the plauge, unless you're getting an Optiplex (buisness-oriented) computer. Trust me on this one.

 

[dullard]

Just get the $3xx special at whatever store you shop at. They are basically all the same and have about the same performance. Building yourself is great for the highend where places like Dell charge through the roof. But you'll be hard pressed to build a whole computer including OS for $300ish. It just isn't worth the time and effort even if you do come out a dozen or so dollars cheaper.

There often isn't even much advantage of ordering online for the bottom of the barrel computers. Best Buy or any other local store should have a computer that has the same specs as anything you'd order online for about the same price. Of course you can shop around, but the difference will be just a few bucks here and there.

 

[imported_Kiwi]

Originally posted by: rnmcd
I am looking for a PC that will be used primarily by a very novice web surfer. He only has a dial-up connection and really doesn't do much besides email and general surfing.

Is there a system that you might recommend for him? He definitely doesn't need anything with power. He is satisfied with the monitor and printer he has now so he will only need the cpu.

From my own point of view, your description of the novice, versus the way an experienced PC person would choose to describe him and his requirements, I'm guessing it's yourself you need the advice for. The "main system unit" of a Wintel variety PC contains a great deal MORE than only a processor. But it's not a "CPU", that word is used to describe the processor itself, nothing else.

I'm sure there are stores that sell ready to use system units as solo items. It's not done often, however, other than by the smaller of "White Box" types of PC stores. Most of the messagers at AT will only be talking about processors, not about complete system units. A system unit contains a power supply, a system board, RAM, digital storage (drives), and the processor.

Truly, a <5gb hard drive would be sufficient. Sub 2.ghz processor is plenty too.

Shoot, a "sub-One" GHz unit is more than the minimum needed to build a basic Internet machine. I was running an AMD 486DX with only 8 MB's of RAM and a 0.8 Gb Hdd when the WWW came alive in 1994 (it was 100 MHz) -- it worked just fine for a Dial-Up account, and with more RAM in it, was even used for Windows95.


😎

 

[rnmcd]

CPU is often used interchangeably with what your call a "main system unit"...who else calls it that?

This PC would not be adequate for present-day 'net use:

Shoot, a "sub-One" GHz unit is more than the minimum needed to build a basic Internet machine. I was running an AMD 486DX with only 8 MB's of RAM and a 0.8 Gb Hdd when the WWW came alive in 1994 (it was 100 MHz) -- it worked just fine for a Dial-Up account, and with more RAM in it, was even used for Windows95.

 

[loic2003]

Yeah you're right, guys. Go for a cheapo dell system for all the above resons!