what is an Ideal comp for first time uses??

[zzzreyes]

What would your technical and experience suggestion would be, for a first time user with no high aspirations of ever becoming a comp hackster, or heavy duty users (LIke US)
I suggested anythng you can prety much put toghether for under $300 american??
Any toughts or suggestions/??

[Ed_S]

Man, I hate to say this & I know I'll hear about it...
But two guys I work with went this route, and it's working for them.

Watch the ads for the best(?) cheap system in the price range & go the rebate route. (Cringes, ducking thrown objects)

One guy got an Emachine - Cel 400 w. OK specs, monitor, printer, & scanner for $150 + tax (on $800) + $21.95 monthly (MSN) for 3 yrs. About a grand altogether over time.
He says he'd have to pay for net access no matter, & thinks it's great.
And for someone starting from scratch, with no upgrade intentions, and who plans to use the pay service anyway, it IS!

I'll go hide now....

[Mntsnow]

Ed_S, I'm actally going to pat ya on the back. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif with how you laid it out (explainations) then yes the "rebate computers can be a great way for someone with NO existing SOFTWARE, Hardware, and of course experiance to get started. as just about all the "rebate machines" have a decent software package avaliable which most will include Win9x, Office or Corel Wordperfect, assorted EDU-tainment software such as World atlas ect. and allows those that will be needing the "support" facilties of a PAID ISP.

Mntsnow
ps. I'm actually in the process of getting setup to be able to offer the MSN rebate to those that buy complete systems from me.

[This message has been edited by Mntsnow (edited 03-20-2000).]

[brandon184]

I would think, typically when buying a computer for a beginner, you want one with moderate speed/space/memory...

A user may think the computer froze, when it is actually loading an app (on a slower machine.)

Plus, then they usually don't quickly encounter problems like running out of disk space, etc.

[welsh wizard]

Interesting first you say they don't want to become a hackster, the you say put one together for under $300, which came first the egg or the chicken, JKU, http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
Why not look around the Local Auction places local to where they are, you could probably get an ex Corprate System that is being cleared out, which would be ideal for a learner quite cheap, after a few months when they have the bug then they can put a system together, after all you will be recommending Sysopt to them, so they would get plenty of quality help when they needed it. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
WW

[Warthog]

If you want it the quick, easy and a little bit more expensive way, buy a Dell computer. Their service is excellent (from personal experience) and the quality of the parts (as in - name brand) are MUCH greater than other companies that I have checked out. You can typically get a system for $900 or so.

Then again, there's always the $600 HP or Compaq ****. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[zzzreyes]

Those are all good points!
NOw, I guess no one has a set mind on specs for a base system???
anyhow, I think that with todays compatible prices putting a celeron 333 sys or an amd 400 are almost the same price, and will save me the hassle of looking for a killer deal!
Thanks guys!

[Warthog]

Some base specs would be a celery processor, 64mb RAM, 15in monitor, 6gb hard drive and some sort of software package.

Warthog