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...........

[mlmr]

AAAACKKKK !! (Makes sign of cross) NOOO NOOOOO not E-Machines. Find a reputable local dealer who does his own assembly.


Why do you say that? I thought best buy was reputable. I am afraid of the little shops becasue they open and close like clams around here.

[mlmr]

$600, and it's yours. <|:)~


What on earth is that thing??

[Leroy S. Mort]

Best Buy is ok. e-machines are not, in my (and other's) opinion. See my post #17.

[mlmr]

They are 6, 8, 11, 14

[ChemistCat]

That's in much better shape than the one I had to pry out from under my Buick on a hot day. That paint they used peels right off the old Marlboro cartons the things are made of.

[varon]

Just send me $500 cash and I'll take care of everything ;-)

[fatboy]

See #17, I agree with this post

My company bought 30 emachines. One year later, less than half of them are still working. It is true that the power supplies are very small and they are a weak spot.

I would not have one in my house. For a little more money you can get a computer that will last for years. I bought one from my local builder and it's great

Tom

[Iris7]

I agree with you. This box is W2K, which I am used to from work, and it is fairly easy to maintain. I do take risks with it.

If you need security, really, don't hook up to the internet and don't attach to any network.

I just finished a good paragraph on what real security takes, and deleted it. You don't need it. Put all work files on CD-R or floppies. Have OS cds. Don't be afraid to reformat. Norton makes an easy to use package that I like, the SystemWorks - Firewall package, which can be installed on up to five machines. Has an easy to use recovery program called GoBack which will set your machine back to like it was up to 22 hours in the past, in case you get a bug you can't handle. Which will happen! You can get bugs in your BIOS! Wild but true.

[mlmr]

Thank you for the pointers. Do you think 512 is enough memory?

I cannot buy Dell becasue of the horrors that happened when I tried to buy a high end machine Some of you may remember...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/875386/posts

Post 28

People have recommended purchaseing locally so I thought that either Staples or Best Buy would be my best choice. Staples carries Compaq and HP and people have told me to stay away from both of them. The E machines are at best buy and the just look like a box...

[Tribune7]

Have you considered a used Pentium IIII or something along those lines?

[mlmr]

Here's a synopsis of e-machines from a typical newsgroup post:

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. The eOne in particular is everything people warned against in the iMac, only this time the inability to fix the machine or get parts is beyond inexcusable.

This is why I love FR. I almost went in to purchase the two today.... and I said, well let me talk to my Freepers tonight first. Thank you.

[Lael]

Please stay away from the E machine

Actually, my E-Monster 8000 is pretty good...now that I have rebuilt it twice.

Actually, the problems stem from inadequate 120 Watt power supply.

At the bottom of the Hardware cycle earlier this year, I picked up an ATX case with a 350 Watt Power Supply for 59 bucks.

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

[mlmr]

Did I mean Gbyte?

[mlmr]

I have cable modem and will be installing a new lan. The electrician is coming next week. No, I don't want to go wireless.

[mlmr]

512MB of RAM and a 120GB

That is what I meant, but I must admit that I first was on the internet in 1982.....and was very bored. 64K didnt go very fast.

[mlmr]

Someone told me that the Celeron chip wasn't as great as the Atheon chip.

[mlmr]

I had a bad experience with Dell. I am trying to find other options.

[mlmr]

Does W2K mean windows 2000? Do I have to buy a copy for each machine?

[Cicero]

I'd certainly look at Dell. I usually buy a machine just a few cuts below the top level, but they also have some bargain-priced machines if that will serve your needs.

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.

[mlmr]

If I was looking for a reputable local built shop what would I look for. I see a lot of gaming shops in the area...and they open and close overnight.