need help in the states (Chicago and California)

[zzzreyes]

I am going down to the states on april 20th, I am going to see some relatives, I have proposed to build em a system and bring em out of the dark ages!, now I am not familiar with the prices and best stores to buy in the states, or if its even more feasible for me to buy the stuff here before I go?
can anyone from Cali(north Hollywood area, or Valencia Area), and Chicago (bensenville (where the airport is)) tell me of a few good places where to buy stuff there.
I would extremely apppreciate it!
also I should mention that I am thinking of buying used parts, since most likely all the expenses will be coming out of my pocket!

[socalgal]

I'd say go to Fry's - there's one in Burbank and another in Woodland Hills. Returns are easy if anything goes wrong and there's usually a good selection mid-range items. Higher end stuff will may or may not be there or higher priced (compared to PriceWatch, etal.) unless there's some kind of sale. Stay away from items with returned stickers plastered on them and if a box isn't factory sealed, check to make sure all the pieces are there. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

For lower prices, lots of selections, there's the comp shows on alternating weekends at CSUN-Northridge and at Reseda. You take your chances there though, I've been burned twice, though returns are accepted with the packaging and receipt. You'll have to wait for the next comp show unless the vendor is local (as many vendors travel in from all over So. Cal.), and you can find the vendor in the crowd!

For parts being in stock, check out http://www.insight.com/cgi-bin/bp/1016185575/web/search.html they have a pretty accurate database of the current market.

Good Luck! If you need any help when you get to SoCal, email me and I'd be happy to help. I'm in the West Valley (NoHo being the East Valley). I also know a pretty cool comp shop right around the corner from me if you get stuck. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif


[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 03-19-2000).]

[Ed_S]

There's a LOT of vendors in Chicago, unfortunately I only know them from shows they attend here in St Louis....
But that show promoter does several in Chicago, maybe the one April 30 would work?
http://www.computercentralshows.com/

If you make it there, tell Murray (the promoter, big guy, half bald http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif) that Ed in St L. says Hi, and to get more show dates in St Louis!!
He'll know who!

A couple that are somewhere near Chicago & I've had good results with:
Midwest Data (http://www.buymdc.com/)
Computer Clubhouse (http://home.bluemarble.net/~tcc/index.html)

OF COURSE - use your own judgement who to deal with!

Ed

Oh, yeah - the show has both new & used stuff, and one vendor (David) does an auction in the last hour of the last day, all starting bids are $1, no reserve!!
Sometimes get great buys that way, other times the auction goes over retail! Just depends on the crowd...


[This message has been edited by Ed_S (edited 03-19-2000).]

[zzzreyes]

Thanks Socal girl, you are the best.
Ed thanks a lot too, I think that I will check the options that you guys offered.
Would you guys agree with me that for 1st time users a high end pentium 1, will be more than enough, or should I just make a small sacrifice and get them something like a k2 or celeron.???
What type of computer do you suggest for a midage(not enough time to play Quake or anything else!)first time user?