My university is selling the computers used in their computer labs as described above. The price is for the complete package-monitor, mouse, keyboard, cpu and speakers. I know nothing about computers technically speaking. Would this be a decent system to have mainly I would just use it to surf, play online games and download music. Also it would come installed with SuSe Linux operating system. Is that comparable to Windows?
2007-09-21 01:54:48 · 13 answers · asked by poppquorn 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
If it is free, grab it. BUT at that price, forget it. You will just be buying $125 of miseries. That PC is more than 5 years old and really outdated.
2007-09-21 02:37:24 · answer #1 · answered by Karz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the price, not too bad. However, they're hugely out of date now-a-days.
To put it in easier context, the Pentium 3 was in it's prime at around 1999-2000; and considering the speed in which computers develop and get faster each year, 7 years is a big jump.
The latest processors are around 3,000 mhz (3 Ghz) and also offer 'virtual dual CPU or Quad CPU' which basically double, or quadruple respectively the amount of data it can handle at any one time.
Browsing the net, the computers fine for. Online games, most likely not. Also, Linux is alot different to the Windows operating system and many programs that you may use wont be compatable.
2007-09-21 02:02:29 · answer #2 · answered by Simon Tomlinson 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what your financial resources are, and what you want to do with a computer. If you can perform low end slow tasks on a computer, then this computer would be a lot cheaper.
Linux is a lot more complicated to run than Windows, and it would potentially be difficult to work on if the applications that are taught are Windows based applications.
If you are studying computer science and want some old system to learn Unix on, sure, it is a good deal. Don't buy this computer if you expect to be doing 3d modelling, CAD, CAM, graphic design, video or computer programming with significant projects.
Do not expect to be able to run Windows XP at a healthy speed, let alone Vista.
This computer is way past its lifecycle.
NB: Edit as the purpose was added to
If the content you surf is interactive, you will have problems (runs Flash/Javascript), if it is plain then it will be slow, but should be ok.
I would be also concerned about warranty. Computers of this vintage wont run very long with part replacements.
2007-09-21 02:00:34 · answer #3 · answered by bumbass2003 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the moniter is in good shape then it is a fair deal if all you plan on doing is surfing the web, I will point out you can usually get a much better system with all the bells and wistels for about 400-500. In all I would say price shop, look at ebay and other sites that cell used equipment to compare how good of a deal you are getting if you are trying to be price conceous. And I would only pay that for the 800mhz prices. You might want to check local computer part shops, they usually build systems with old parts and cell and a cheap price to get rid of the outdated parts.
As far as playing online games witht that kind of system you can play most older ones but anything newer you will need a minimum for 128 meg video card (i recomend no less than 256) for 3d rendered games, you could upgrade this possibly but if are going to dot hat you are better off looking to pay a little more for a better setup. Find out what games you would like to play and their minimum system requirements, what ever it is double it that is what it will take to run it efficently
Think of computers as a car, the MHZ is your engine, the RAM is your Transmision, you need both decent to get a good speed. There is much more to this of course like I was saying you want a high video card to process 3d rendering if you plan on playing modern games.
2007-09-21 02:14:03 · answer #4 · answered by Zenkai 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well .. It depends on your use ... as long as you are not using high processing programs like multimedia, graphics, games and most of the new heavy programs that suck out your system memory ... then it will be ok with you ... take into consideration that there is computers with Intel Xeon 3 GHz quad core ... which means ( 4x3 GHz processor ) .. 1 GHz = 1000 MHz ... beside how much RAM you have in the computer will affect it .... so this system will actually limit your use of programs ... not any program can be installed and running using this system .... Linux is good .... since Windows is becoming a big overhead on the performance of the computers, an alternative will be good to start with ...
If you are considering using such computer, you would better try it first to see how slow it will be .. and to see if you can actually endure it .... good luck
2007-09-21 02:05:44 · answer #5 · answered by Luay14 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The price is not bad but the system is just too old for most people. If you have not used Linux before you could have a steep learning curve!
Right not for 279.00 you can pick a refurbished Dell system
That would make a lot more sense!
You don't mention the hard drive or memory in your post
* Dimension E521 Mini-Tower: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 3600+ (1.9 GHz)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
System Price : $279.00
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home BasicMemory
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)Hard Disk Drive
160 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
2007-09-21 02:03:58 · answer #6 · answered by komondor4 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the other answers pretty much sum it up. NO. DONT DO IT. IT SUCKS. WHY DO YOU THINK EVEN THE SCHOOL IS SELLING THEM?
Ill give you some specs which SHOULD be enough.
P4 processor- min 2 GHZ
RAM- 512 MB
HDD- 80 GB
Keep the onboard sound and video. your motherboard will be good enough.
Get a tech friend to help you find the parts (get them used... cheaper) and cobble it together.
youll hate it. its slow compared to the decent ones nowadays. but fair enough for your usage needs.
Shame
PS: my help sucks doesnt it?
2007-09-21 04:18:36 · answer #7 · answered by Rastafarianhobo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pentium II is pretty out of date.
For Basic usage will be ok, but for Online Game will be pretty slow. Download music will be okay. Linux operating system will be okay.
But my honest opinion, dont waste yr money & time with such an outdated system no matter how much it cost.
James C
2007-09-21 02:06:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
particular perhaps in ghz yet those are laptops, good specs on them are are in basic terms around a million.6ghz. And he have been given 5 for 460 not in basic terms the a million. a sparkling IBM ThinkPad X22 PIII 800MHz is going for around £235 so ur cost of £ninety two is approximately suited for seconds yet asserting that folk will purchase a 800mhz computer on Ebay for around £a hundred thirty - £a hundred and fifty, wont make great income, yet as long as they're in working order with potential aspects you ought to do ok.
2016-11-06 00:57:19 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would probably suit your purposes. I'm not to sure about the games though. Many games today require a pretty strong processor and a powerful video card. Hound dogging Ebay could get you a better deal.
2007-09-21 02:01:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋