Where are the Cheap Computers?

[JVS]

What should I buy? I'd like to keep this well under 4 figures, ideally under $500

[SoCalDem]

1. My friend got a complete set-up at CompUSA for under $500

Don;t know the particulars though

[LaurenG]

2. Build it yourself

My husband built mine for $700.

[JVS]

4. Where is there a guide to doing that. I have time to kill so I might

[Deja Q]

5. And likely more powerful than the pre-packaged one!

[billbuckhead]

7. New Apple mini macs start at $499

The software by itself is worth the $499 and they recently upgraded the memory to 512mb

[fricasseed_gourmet_rat]

11. GO WITH A MAC

You'll thank yourself later.

Besides, Apple Computer has a 99% rating on BuyBlue. Dell is solidly Repub; Gateway is tepid.

[Xipe Totec]

15. Black Adder fan, I take it?

:thumbsup:

I loved that WWI episode! In the end, very poignant.

[Xipe Totec]

3. Hewlett Packard

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=a1030e_series&catLevel=2&category=desktops/hp_pavilion&storeName=computer_store

[JVS]

6. Hoowaah! That's what I'm talking about!

I will now cease to speak in catch-phrases. Thank you!

[flvegan]

13. Get the AMD 64 if you go for an HP

I love mine.

[LoZoccolo]

8. I like my Micro Center PowerSpec.

It's a nice alternative if you've got a Micro Center near you. It was pretty inexpensive to get an Athlon 64, plus if you need to send it out to get fixed you don't have to mail it like you would a Dell (even though Dell is going to expand to have techs nearby).

[JVS]

9. You're in Chicago right? I could drive up to that area.

Where is the Micro Center? And what do their prices look like?

[lovelaureng]

12. I also recommend the

Micro Center. There is one near us here in Ohio. Their prices are comparable with other places, probably even better than most. They have many components that are marked down so you will be able to make your dollar stretch further.

[LoZoccolo]

16. There's one near Elston and Logan in Chicago.

There's also one by Ogden and Cass in Westmont in the suburbs.

They usually have a bunch of PowerSpecs in the weekly flier, here:

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/index.html

You'll be able to get the store locations too.

[LoZoccolo]

17. And as long as you're driving up there, you might check out Fry's.

http://www.frys.com

I don't know if they even have their own cheap computer line, but the place is HUGE. Not a very good web site though.

[JVS]

18. Thanks

[lovelaureng]

10. The book I used to build

my wife's computer was called Upgrading and Repairing PC's by Scott Mueller. It comes with a cd-rom so that you can see what he is talking about. I recommend it highly. Hope this helps you.

[amber dog democrat]

14. I prefer Macs, hands down

but if you really need a PC, buying the parts from New Egg gets you a 3 year warrenty and its cheaper than buying one from DELL. Plus you know what you are gettng.

but beyond that, I'd go with HP before i ever considered DELL.

Still Macs are for my money, a better choice.

[bridgit]

19. around here they're here...

http://shop2.outpost.com/template/index they'll build you one & ship it too :thumbsup:

[RPM]

20. Dell

they will give you flatscree monitor too