I Need to Purchase 2 Computers for the Children Monday and Need Freeper Imput

10.040.03 | mlmr

[mlmr]

I am going to purchase two boxes for my children's homeschooling, their curriculum will be almost totally web and cd based with lots video and some interactive work. I have been looking at the E machines at Best buy. I am thinking that 512K and 120MB would do it. I am not sure how fast a processor I need I think the E machines use an Atheron. I am not sure what kind of video card for multimedia cds. It will be going on the network I am installing in my home. Any other tips for buying mid level boxes for short-type people would be appreciaed. I am going to put two of the darlings to bed right now.... I willl be back to check the thread in a lttle bit

If I read one more Ramona book...........

[Gorzaloon]

I know what you mean with the Packard Bell. I ended up throwing one away! Useless!

My company bought six of them when they first came out, before people knew about them. They were gone to Dumpster Heaven in eighteen months. It appeared they swept the floor to get the parts to put them together..they all had different hardware...Drives, etc. Whatever they could find cheap that day.

They preyed on people who were too intimidated to go to a "Computer Store" by selling them at chain stores in a "friendlier" surrounding.

[mlmr]

I think that I am going to have to marry a techie to get this little problem resolved!!

[mlmr]

Tell me how you chose a local builder?

[LibWhacker]

Huh? What are you talking about? You're not giving up any plug and play functionality in those systems.

They're well-built. They're fairly popular with gamers and other users. They've won some awards. For $399 you get a great system. Plug your monitor into it, install an OS, and you're up and running. Add a CD-R later if you want one. How hard is that?

[JohnSmithee]

"Nonsense.
I've rebuilt/repaired machines as old as 286's."

Have you tried pricing repair costs? Often the cost to repair a computer exceeds the cost to replace it after taking into consideration Moore's law. As far as using a 286, I just can't imagine what *I* could possibly do with something like that. YMMV.

Upgrading is a total seperate issue, which I did nothing to address.

[mlmr]

I thought the pentiums are old and going out of style. These computers have to last 5 years.

[Rainmist]

We have 3 E's and they all have done just fine. I'm on one right now.

[mlmr]

E-Machines typically use a Micro ATX form factor...the rebuild took less than two hours

Will you marry me?? big grin!!

[mlmr]

Also, look at the notebooks if you can afford it. They're somewhat more expensive for the same amount of processor speed and memory, but they take up a lot less room in the house and are easier to move around if the kids want to write outdoors, take them to their bedrooms, sit with them in the living room, and the like.


Nahh! I want to chain them to the computer desk. I don't want to imagine what my six year old would do with a notebook, but can you say: bathtub??

Two months ago I came home and theere was water running down the stairs from the second floor. She was practicing her belly flops in the bathtub. No, insurence did not cover it.

[Uncle Meat]

Come on now,E machines aren't that bad.I bought one 4 years ago and had little trouble.Not much room to expand though.Had to make brackets to add another harddrive.I've built my own since then,still using the E's DVD rom drive,still working great,watch movies on it all the time.I'm using the same harddrives with the Windows 98 and software installed by E machine.I have a new motherboard and Athlon chip,so I can't use the recovery disc then.I'll have to break down and buy Win XP and reformat if I ever run into trouble.

[mlmr]

You should have posted the fact that you have an issue with Dell on the original request for assistance.


You are right, I just didn't think of it. I wonder whether the admin mod can help.

[LearnsFromMistakes]

Same story here. 2 e-machines, no problems. At work we bought 5 Dells. Three months later, 2 of them were still working...

[visualops]

There are smaller shops and folks at home like my husband and myself who can repair all sorts of machines for considerably less than the big stores.
And, the cost to repair vs replace all boils down to money in hand at the time. Plenty of people either don't need a new machine or can't afford it, whereas a new drive, more ram, etc etc are affordable. What we've also done is built machines from parts rescued from other machines.
Regarding the 286, did I say you should use one? No. You stated a machine out of warranty that needs repair is a doorstop. I disagreed.
To some kid in Appalachia who's never had a computer, a 486 or first generation Pentium running 95 or 98, is something special. To some low income country folks around here, getting the P75 up and running with AOL and some kids games is good enough for them.

[Uncle Meat]

I know one person with an E machine, and he loves it

Like I said,they're ok for low end computers.I did eventully fried my power supply.I had to fabricate brackets to add another harddrive.Upgraded everything else till I couldn't go anymore.Used it for three and a half years.The case I bought now has all the room I want to add stuff.I have a KT400A LAN Party motherboard with RAID IDE slots and can run 6 harddrives if I choose and add up to 3 Gigs of RAM.E machines are OK,but what you see is what you get.

[visualops]

You're thinking of the original Pentiums. Since then we've had the PII, PIII, and most recently the P4.
As for choosing a local shop, check with BBB and ask the store for references, and check them.
I prefer "hand built" machines because they are not built to be replaced, like the factory machines.
If you want them to last, I really recommend finding a reputable local shop and have them build a machine to suit your needs.

[JohnSmithee]

"There are smaller shops and folks at home like my husband and myself who can repair all sorts of machines for considerably less than the big stores."

I've never had to get a computer repaired, but I've priced repair costs. Large stores will charge up to $50 just to put in a network card! Hard to believe but this is what it's like. If I ever need to shop around I will definitely look at smaller shops and home based businesses. Probably for my next computer I might just build it from scratch. I've heard it's not hard at all.

[vortigern]

Seems to me like you should have done some homework yourself long before now. This is not the type of thread that belongs on this forum. There are plenty of more appropriate places to get the general information you need about purchasing computer hardware. I am surprised this hasn't been pulled.

[anton]

E-Machine at Sam's Club, 2ghz processor, 40ghz HD, CDRW, 10/100 Ethernet, modem, sound, etc., no monitor, $462.

[JohnSmithee]

"Regarding the 286, did I say you should use one? No."

I totally agree and that was my original point.

"You stated a machine out of warranty that needs repair is a doorstop. I disagreed."

Actually what I meant was that it would be a doorstop to *me* -- and thus the emphasis.

[dennisw]

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http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php


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