I am in the market for a new computer for my kids to use at home (three kids in grade school). My old computer is 7 years old so I just need a good PC that the kids can use to do school work and basic games. Going to the computer sites there are a lot of options. What should I consider as mandatory basics considering I want this computer to last me a few years.
Thanks for the input!
2007-01-03 06:06:37 · 9 answers · asked by Missy E 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
This is the minimum I would get:
Pentium 4
2 Ghz +
256 Mb RAM/SDRAM/etc
200 Gb hard drive
DVD/CD/RW combo drive
Lan connectivity on motherboard, sufficient
Video on motherboard, sufficient
USB 2.0 4 to 8 ports
17" monitor LCD or CRT
Windows XP Pro
Watch Dog (schedules when they are allowed on..where they can go on the internet and it can log tons of stuff, if you want)
Keyboard
Mouse
tc
2007-01-03 06:12:09 · answer #1 · answered by timc_fla 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your needs. For basic internet and email, get an economy machine as advirtised. For example, go with a dual core processor (AMD or Intel will do). The speed of which should be around 3 GHz. Also, minimum RAM (memory) should be about 1GB. That will last several years. That should be the basics for a good family PC. Gaming will require an expensive graphics card, but that is only for intense gaming, like you might find on a Playstation 3. If you only play solitaire and hearts....stick with the basic video card that comes with the machine. Dell makes good computers and HP are good too.
2007-01-03 06:12:01 · answer #2 · answered by C. A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally got my system at www.magicmicro.com it was a barebones set but they built it up for free and were good for the shipping price. the site lets you customize your order even to the point of it being a full PC through drop down menus. While some parts like the hard drives and RAM they offer are a little higher then what you could find at newegg.com, I got a really good gaming PC for $500
Oh yeah, final note, don't buy mainly integrated PC's, they're not worth it, ever. only things that I'd allow to be integrated is the modem or Network Interface Card, and Sound Card. but NEVER your video(graphics) card. NEVER.
2007-01-03 06:27:12 · answer #3 · answered by Cory W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for the specials. Here in San Antonio they had an ad for Compu Serve store for a computer at $99. You had to pay $600 and get $500 in rebates. But you need at least Dual Core, with 2.8 Ghz. Now for the memory you need one that can support at least 2GB of memory. Now most computers will only have partial memory, say 512 Mb of memory which you can always buy more later on to bring it up to 2Gb. If you special order, get the CHEAPEST disc drive and the minimum storage in hard drive. Reason is you can update a lot cheaper by buying on the internet. I got the Sony 18x DVD with Ram after rebates for $59 from Circuit City. On line was one for $43 which I found later. Also, you want one with 64 byte. So Dual Core, 64 byte, able to hold 2gb of memory , and speed of 2.8 GHz are the minimum. The rest like drives for your computer and hard drive memory are options which can ALWAYS be updated. Check out your Sunday paper too. Also check out pcworld.com too.
2007-01-03 06:20:45 · answer #4 · answered by Big C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would look at a site like http://pricewatch.com or http://tigerdirect.com and look in to thier barebones systems. If you're looking for a system that will work as a good base to build off of later I would get one with integrated video and sound that way if you want to add a video/sound card you can but you don't have to. Get a decent amount of ram (512+) , and a good size hard drive, at least 80 gig. Personally I prefer AMD proccessors, and would reccomend getting something 64 bit.
2007-01-03 06:11:16 · answer #5 · answered by Therious 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a Dual-Core Processor.
At least one Gigabyte (GB) of RAM.
Get an HD that is 100 Gigabytes (GB) or bigger.
That will keep you and your kids going for a few years.
If you cheap out it will be cheaper now, but trust me, it won't last nearly as long as one for a few hundred dollars more will. You'll find yourself hating yourself later.
2007-01-03 06:10:50 · answer #6 · answered by aaaaaaaaaaaaaa555 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you kinda know what you want, so check out http://comprec.com to get computer specs based on intended use. Once you have specs you can shop around to get the best price by comparing apples to apples.
2007-01-03 09:08:31 · answer #7 · answered by ljalg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep the key board, monitor, printer, usb hubs and the like.
Order your main frame with the latest goodies and updates that you can afford.
Do make sure that all previous soft wares fromthe last pc will with no doubts, work well with your new up dated main frame
2007-01-03 06:12:24 · answer #8 · answered by duster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd Sugest a Dell, they are great for basics XD I have one and it's great for gaming and all sorts of things...
http://www.dell.com/
Go there to look at their prices
2007-01-03 06:10:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋