Help, need expert advice on which computer to buy

[deeahanna]

Hi,
My brother wants to get a computer. He doesn't know anything about computers could someone tell me what a basic system should have such as HD size, how much RAM and anything else you think he needs to know. He just wants to be able to get online, he is not interested in playing alot of games or anything like that. tia
deeahanna

 

[Zlash]

How much can you spend? and are you starting from scratch? no moniter, mouse etc...

 

[SaigonK]

I just built a PC for a friend with the following specs:
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MSI K7n420 Pro Slot-A Motherboard
Amd Athlon 900mhz Slot-A CPU
256meg PC2100 DDR Memory Module
CodeGen 6039L Mid-ATX Tower with 300w Powersupply
Aopen 3-Button Optical Mouse
Aopen 104-Key PS2 Keyboard
Microtek Scanmaker 3630 USB Flatbed Scanner
Creative Labs PCI 56k Modem
AOC 7ELR - 17" Monitor
Altec Lansing AVS300W Speaker system (subwoofer included)
Samsung 16x DVD-Cdrom unit
Epson Stylus C60 Color Inkjet Printer
Mwave 80mm Ball Bearing Fan for CodeGen 6039L case
IEEE 6' Printer Cable
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost to me was $839.23 with no harddrive, add a 40 gig drive for like $80 and you have a good system to start out with.
The cool part about this is that it accepts an Athlon XP cpu if you want to go that far in the future and a ton of ram.
The onboard Geforce2 mx graphics rock and the sound is great for what they wanted to do, plus even though they dont play games now, it is nice to know they can go buy some and they will run very well!
Also has an Onboard 10/100 ethernet connection in case they go with a high speed connection instead of their modem!
No upgrades needed!

Hope this helps!
SK

 

[deeahanna]

yes, he is starting from scratch, he doesn't have anything, except for the free mousepad i got him off the internet LOL he wants me to go with him when he gets one and we want to have some idea of what he needs. What size HD would a beginner need? How much RAM, I heard that you should buy as much RAM as you can afford. Do all computers run at the same speed? We are going to have to get a already built one because we have no idea how to put one together. Thanks for the help,
deeahanna

 

[SaigonK]

Honestly if you are going to buy one and dont know much...get a DELL.
They have great customer support (if you buy the advanced support plans) and they do a 24hour turn around when sending you new parts.
Plus it would be an easy out fo the box solution for him.
I would shoot for at least 256meg but if it is in your budget go for the 512meg, more is always better and it is cheap right now.

 

[Zlash]

That should be interesting.

 

[frysad]

I just spec'd out a system for myself and two friends. I will be building all three of them when the parts arrive. Anyway, I was so darn proud of myself when I was done I made a website about it.

That system might be a little overkill for your brother though, and of course someone has to build it but it still might help some just to see the process.