Looking for complete system under or around $1000

[rh71]

Need to buy a complete system for a friend. I would build it but with prices of the faster processors these days, it's not much of a difference if I were to get a packaged system that includes monitor, speakers, and a free printer.

So where are the good places to shop? Have you seen any nice deals (no 3-year MSN contract type deal please).

Only requirements are 17" monitor, DVD, printer, and > 500MHz anything.

Any leads appreciated!

[C5John]

I just spent some time configuring a new system for myself, and I think your analysis of the wisdom of buying a complete system is valid. I almost did myself, except that I put a "fun value" on the construction, and ordered the parts for a "home build". When I was looking in papers and local sources, I consistantly found the cheapest prices (at least here in suburban Detroit) to be at either BestBuy or Circuit City. CompUSA was sometimes close. The advantage of taking your friend to a local store is that you might escape being the #1, #2, and #3 support structure for any and all problems. I have had that happen before when I simply gave some advice. As long as you help match the buyers usage requirements with the product being sold, you have done him a great service. He will feel like he made an informed purchase and the store will appreciate the assistance. I think you will be able to get a system for $1100, but you will probably be in the K6-II family (nothing wrong with that).

Good luck.

C5John

[Missing the point]

Are you gonna be gaming? Upgrading? Overclocking?

If ya ain't plannin on upgrading or overclocking, I would reccomend the E Machine 500 Celeron or P III, they are EXTREMELY CHEAP, and they work. They aren't upgradable or overclockable tho, thats why NI didn't buy one. I built mine myself.

[rh71]

I would love to do it for fun, but I said 'friend' just to make it short... it's actually my gf's uncle who wants it... and being that I won't see him so often... I don't have to worry about being the support person. Besides, my gf knows plenty 'nuff. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Anyway, what do you think of this Aptiva system?

AMD K6-2/500
64MB PC100 RAM
10GB IBM HDD
8MB AGP VIDEO
40X CDROM
Infinity speakers
56k Rockwell PCI
145 watt power supply (can that be?!?!)
bundled software as always

$682 w/o monitor & printer.

Link (http://www-1.ibm.com/shop/epp/pi_mktg.nsf/wwwProductByIDPrintable/E3A4842140D087A6852568B00055FB7E?OpenDocument&System&F1&price=$682.00)

EDIT> Alright, somebody hit me upside the head. I don't know why e-machines didn't come to mind... you're right... I have heard good things about them other than the fact that they're not upgradeable. And rebates everywhere! Thanks.

[This message has been edited by rh71 (edited 04-21-2000).]

[tangluva]

Try this link: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/amdsuperstore.html

But be warned; I never bought anything from here, so I don't know what kind of service they have.

[alien_from_io]

Yea RH, the lower demands of the modern cpu's demand less power. Check "Steals & Deals" and go back a couple of months.. www.go.com (http://www.go.com) has a bunch of cheap stuff in the clearance area. Also MS gives go.com a + . whatever that's worth