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...........

[rs79bm]

It is _fact_ that Emachines uses entirely proprietary motherboards and power supplies. I've seen both. The powersupplies are significantly smaller than any other PC powersupply I've ever seen, and they burn out. The motherboard cannot be replaced with anything (even in Emachines towers where you'd think maybe you could). We're talking 'disposable computer' here, it's the opposite of what the PC is theoretically capable of.

This is true. But, the same can also be said of really inexpensive Gateway, HP, and Compaq computers. Totally inexcusable system design make these computers a real pain to work on or upgrade. However, you are right when you say Emachines sells these types of computers as their flagship model.

[Iris7]

That choice of yours is good, except for one thing. With WindowsXP you will be a lot happier with 256 or even 512 Megs of main memory. 128 megs will end up using the hard drive a great deal for virtual memory, and you will think the machine is slow, but it will be only short of memory.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I have been looking at the E machines at Best buy.

I've owned 2 eMachines and was never sorry. They are very nicely priced and well put together.

[FLCowboy,]

I have two Dells in the house, an undersized, but okay for the wife laptop, and a newer, bigger tower for me. I'm getting ready to put in a house network.

I had trouble with the laptop, but Dell's service is overnight. That's the key. Spend a few extra dollars on their service plan, and buy as much computer as you can afford, because you'll be using the extra capacity before you know it.

Dell will be around to take care of you, and some of the others won't.

[rs79bm]

Sounds like the old Packard-Bells!!

You mean you didn't like those old sound/modem combo cards??? You don't know what you were missing!

/sarcasm off

[patriota-ferus]

I would hesitate to buy anything over the counter, esp. a DELL !

I did tech support for them for a year. They spend more on the their advertising than on their product. I had never been cursed so many times in my life as I did that year!!

My advice is simple: Find a local “geek” and have him build a good/solid machine and install a real operating system ( not a "recovery disc").

The problem with most over-the-counter machines is they use the cheapest parts that can be found. The outside is cool looking, but the inside is third-world.

There are two places that I would recommend online for help in this area. PCPartsCollection.Com and TigerDirect.com

I build my own computers. These are the places that I get my parts from. They , also, have computers that they build themselves. Just a thought!

[LibWhacker]

I'm not sure how much you want to spend, but Cyberpower has a weekly special on their AMD Athlon XP-2200, 256MB DDR RAM, 80GB hard drive, no monitor, no OS, for $399.

Or for $599, you can get their AMD Athlon XP-2100, 256MB DDR RAM, 40GB hard drive, 19-inch ViewSonic monitor, CD-RW 52x24x52, Windows XP Home Edition. This one won a c|Net Editor's Choice Award. My brother owns one of them and likes it.

First choice for me, though, is still a Dell. Wouldn't want an eMachine.

[Agnes Heep]

Tyan motherboards and AMD processors have always worked for me. Find someone who can put one together for you.

[dinasour]

I too, recommend Dell. I have two myself and have recommended them to many people, none whom have been dissapointed.

They are a bit more expensive than the cheapest you can find at costco, etc., but you have much less risk of buying one the is badly underconfigured. This is the biggest mistake most computer buyers make.

Even if you don't actually buy a Dell, looking at the default configuration on their web page will give you some idea as how much memory and drive space you need.

A 120MB disk drive would be way underconfigured. You may have meant 120GB, which might be a bit high. But maybe not, if you want to do things such as video. I have 370GB myself.

On drive sizes, there is kind of a sweet spot. Buying too small wastes money if you can get a 5 times larger drive for $20 more. Buying the biggest you can find wastes money because you pay an non proportional premium for "the best".

[JohnSmithee]

"AAAACKKKK !! (Makes sign of cross) NOOO NOOOOO not E-Machines."

I have experience with two cheap e-machines computers, including one that is about 2 years old. No problems to report whatsoever except for video issues when playing certain games. This was fixed by upgrading the memory to 512 megs. Everything else runs fine, including 5 other operating systems such as RedHat Linux 9.

[Leroy S. Mort]

But, the same can also be said of really inexpensive Gateway, HP, and Compaq computers.

Very true. You can't beat a reputable Mom & Pop assembled computer at the low end of the scale. At least you know what you're getting.

[visualops]

If you want to do alot of video, multimedia and the like, do not get a machine with "integrated" video (these borrow ram from the system). Get one with a real video card with it's own ram. An incarnation of the GeForce or Radeon cards is preferred.
Dells are not bad (although I prefer scratch built systems), but get one with the best features for the money, rather than a low-end system designed for business and not multimedia.
I'll also point out that CompUSA is a good place to buy computers and parts. They have excellent service and replacement warranties.
If you do get a Dell or other factory make, have a knowledgeable computer person help you configure or turn off all the nonsense running in the background and loading on startup that will really slow down even a better system.

[Leroy S. Mort]

I have experience with two cheap e-machines computers, including one that is about 2 years old. No problems to report...

Yep. and here's a Yugo with 70,000 miles on it.

[Iris7]

See post #29, #39, and #42.

Good luck with your kiddoes, better you than public school, the teachers are very not smart, most of them. A lot of "sentimental" liberals.

It will be a lot of work. Use a teaching plan, know what you want to cover before you start. There is a very good Web network of and for homeschoolers.

[KellyAdmirer]

Every Dell refurb I have bought (including one two weeks ago) has come with a standard software package, including Windows XP and the usual assorted software junk. Check the descriptions on the site.

[bona]

Why is OpenBSD any more secure than a Mac? Mac OS X is based on BSD.

[dawn53]

We've got a Compaq and a refurbished Dell.

Everyone in the family prefers to use the Dell, no problems with it, but we've only had it about 6 months.

I will say this for Compaq, they honored their warranty. We had the monitor go bad within weeks of receiving it, and they shipped another one out ASAP, then the computer had a problem just short of the warranty period, and once again we were provided with a whole new unit. Since then it's worked find.

[breakem]

I bought a micron PC, with Mill 2000 and now XP, after running macs for 17 years. I regret it every day and can't wait til my next purchase to get back on track. For you folks that worry about price and what's going on inside the machine, help yourself.

I recommended macs because kids are more susceptible to downloading viruses and for school and video stuff they're excellent. So whatever rings your bell.

[xrp]

Apples are very expensive for the performance provided. If you want a totally secure OS Linux or even OpenBSD.

She wants her kids to use them, not be frustrated by them. Best bet is a Windows OS. Yes...Windows can be properly secured as well, but this is for kids.

[JohnSmithee]

You can trash them all you want but like I said I have had no problems whatsoever. Sorry.