Small kitchen computer for the wife

[aphex]

My wife needs a small and quiet kitchen computer for her grad school work this semester. Don't need a speed demon, she's primarily going to be using it for office apps, though she will use it to browse the web and watch minor videos from time to time. She gets frustrated when things are a bit slow to load, so I'm kinda hesitant to get her a nettop (even a dual core atom ION scares me as to its speed).

Been looking at the Dell Zino HD, but with decent specs (dual core AMD) its $350+. Should I just build her a mini-itx socket 775 system? Would prefer to be in the $200-300 range.

 

[Rottie]

it looks nice but you say you want to be in 200 300 range I dont think Dell Zino HD because it lacks LCD monitor...If you want to buy LCD monitor it will add to 250 or more depends on the monitor size plus the price of Zino HD is over 500.00 Sp better get a nice Netbook like Acer Aspire One she could move netbook around. Netbook in the kitchen room is a bad idea....Kitchen room is made for coffee/sode spill..it kills netbook..Warranty will not cover it.

 

[F1shF4t]

Netbook with at least 11.6" screen is probably the best option and it gives you ability to easily move it or take it with you.

There are a few options which don't have atom cpus in them. Gateway LT31 has an amd 1.2ghz Athlon 64 in it. I got one myself and with a few tweaks and win7 you can get quite a capable system which gets just over 5 hours of battery life. It come with vista basic though, its not bad but win7 runs better. (Vista gets slightly better battery life though so go figure :S)

Theres also more expensive options with Core 2 solo or duo cpus like the acer timeline series. Also wouldn't really recommend an atom with ION, yes it would play HD content but the atom would still suck for other apps.

As Rottie said Kitchen + computer ain't a great combination. On one hand the netbook is portable on the other hand if you spill stuff with a small desktop you only kill the peripherals.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

The zino may fit the bill. I wonder if you can snag a cheap one in dell outlet.

EDIT: Just checked, no Zinos in the outlet yet. But you can snag a inspiron 545 with dual core pentium 2.6ghz, 4gb ram, 640gb hdd for $340. Not a tiny computer by any means but good value. If it's just for the kitchen, I see no reason why you can't hide the tower inside a cabinet and run some longer cables to the monitor (plus wireless kb/mouse)

 

[aphex]

Sorry, when I mentioned the price earlier, it was not including an LCD. I already have that covered.

Also, the system needs to be small, we have no means of access to storing the pc below the counter as there is no through holes to run cables. It all needs to sit on the desk, so the smaller the better.

 

[aphex]

Netbook with at least 11.6" screen is probably the best option and it gives you ability to easily move it or take it with you.

There are a few options which don't have atom cpus in them. Gateway LT31 has an amd 1.2ghz Athlon 64 in it. I got one myself and with a few tweaks and win7 you can get quite a capable system which gets just over 5 hours of battery life. It come with vista basic though, its not bad but win7 runs better. (Vista gets slightly better battery life though so go figure :S)

Theres also more expensive options with Core 2 solo or duo cpus like the acer timeline series. Also wouldn't really recommend an atom with ION, yes it would play HD content but the atom would still suck for other apps.

As Rottie said Kitchen + computer ain't a great combination. On one hand the netbook is portable on the other hand if you spill stuff with a small desktop you only kill the peripherals.

Already have the netbook/mini laptop covered, I'm tying this on an Acer 1410, 11.6" laptop. Need something "semi stationary" for the wife (one that's hers and hers alone)

 

[aphex]

it looks nice but you say you want to be in 200 300 range I dont think Dell Zino HD because it lacks LCD monitor...If you want to buy LCD monitor it will add to 250 or more depends on the monitor size plus the price of Zino HD is over 500.00 Sp better get a nice Netbook like Acer Aspire One she could move netbook around. Netbook in the kitchen room is a bad idea....Kitchen room is made for coffee/sode spill..it kills netbook..Warranty will not cover it.

The Zino HD starts at $229 and is well equipped at $350. 20" LCD is readily available for $99, but i already have one so no worries there.

Its also on the far side of the kitchen on a kitchen desk, far away from the cooking.

 

[assassin24]

mini-itx

 

[Decembermouse]

One of these little systems with an AMD 2650e/2850e/3250e processor, DDR2, and Radeon graphics would do just fine. I believe eMachines makes something suitable.
Ah yes:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/eMachine...&skuId=9576835