Cheap Internet Desktop

[jvivlemore]

My wife and kids have been using my iMac and the kids now like to climb on the desk and play with the screen. I'm obviously paranoid about scratches so thinking I'll build a family machine they can use away from my machine which is used for audio and graphic design.

How much would I need to spend to build a box for them? (I won't need a keyboard, mouse, or monitor since I have those still). It would be my first build but I figured this would be a good way to start and see how I do

 

[dave_the_nerd]

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...X220-B&cat=SYS

Install Edubuntu on it and call it a day.

Unless you want to build a computer yourself. For fun or something. But you're not spending <$100 if you go that route.

 

[piasabird]

I think if you look at Dell, a DELL 620 with an i-3 can probably be purchased for around $499.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...&model_id=inspiron-660s&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

If you go with a lower end processor might get it in the $300 range.

 

[Blain]

My wife and kids have been using my iMac and the kids now like to climb on the desk and play with the screen. I'm obviously paranoid about scratches so thinking I'll build a family machine they can use away from my machine which is used for audio and graphic design.

How much would I need to spend to build a box for them? (I won't need a keyboard, mouse, or monitor since I have those still). It would be my first build but I figured this would be a good way to start and see how I do

With prices so cheap, have you considered simply buying them a laptop?

 

[Subyman]

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...X220-B&amp;cat=SYS

Install Edubuntu on it and call it a day.

Unless you want to build a computer yourself. For fun or something. But you're not spending <$100 if you go that route.

I think that's a pretty good option. The X2 will be plenty to do anything that a normal user would want. It may chug during heavy Facebook surfing though.

 

[rickon66]

Go to Craigs list, I got a very nice Dell P4 for $20 that does all the internet stuff just fine. I use it for my exercise room, it even had MS office on it. Just a thought for a throwaway computer for the kids to abuse.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I think that's a pretty good option. The X2 will be plenty to do anything that a normal user would want. It may chug during heavy Facebook surfing though.

Not to get all snooty, but kids small enough to climb on desks shouldn't be on Facebook.

And wives get their own user account on iMacs, if it's really that much of a problem. They can be trusted. Usually.

 

[mfenn]

Go to Craigs list, I got a very nice Dell P4 for $20 that does all the internet stuff just fine. I use it for my exercise room, it even had MS office on it. Just a thought for a throwaway computer for the kids to abuse.

Very nice and P4 don't really go together anymore IMHO.

OP, that $100 PC that dave linked is a very good deal if you don't mind them using something a bit older. Otherwise, check out the Dell Outlet. You can get a Sandy Bridge dual-core (G630) with Windows for as little as $350.