View Full Version : What's a good but inexpensive desktop?
samluvsjoes 11-18-2008, 05:32 PM Hi all,
I'm looking for some opinions. I'd like a desktop computer that can do the normal stuff, but that can also handle my massive music library. I can't afford to spend a lot of money either. Anyone have a desktop they'd recommend? I don't really need it to do a lot of gaming, just need it to run things like Office and do general surfing. Also, how difficult is it to get wireless internet into a desktop?
Sam
Deadman2099 11-18-2008, 06:09 PM hmm so basically a large hard drive would be good for you? i dunno about name brands, i've been looking for the same thing, good but inexpensive i've been tempted to try a comp i saw on walmart.com, since i already had a monitor and keyboard/mouse and such.
can i ask why you would need wireless internet on a desktop by the way? unless you have wireless hooked up at your home already or something, i just get this picture of someone walking around carrying a desktop from room to room like a laptop :P
but it'd just need a wireless network card (which would have a wireless antennae in the back of it) plugged into it.
edit
Here's the specs i'd be looking for personally, i don't do a huge amount of gaming, but i like to play sometimes and 320GB is a pretty decent hard drive, but i'd put another one in probablly i'm a file packrat and i do scan a lot of stuff too. only thing i don't think i'd like about it would be the lights on it, i keep my comp going during the night, but those lights would keep me up :P
TheReverend 11-18-2008, 07:29 PM I'd recommend you take a look at HP.com first, and Dell computers second. They both make decent systems (I perfer HP myself), and you can get the low end ones pretty cheap, usually with free shipping.
If you really just need to run office and do general surfing, You also might think about buying an older used system if you can find one cheap - and then upgrading the hard drive yourself if it doesn't have enough space.
Wireless on a desktop is not hard to do at all, you can generaly get it preinstaled on a new system (for a few dollars extra). if not you can buy a cheap but good card for less then $20/$25 shipped I think (been a while sience I bought one for a desktop - check www.newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com) - they are a great place for PC parts and have great prices)
I do computer hardware work for a living so if you have questions lmk, I'm happy to help
dominic.18 11-18-2008, 07:42 PM I would suggest a barebones kit or build one yourself. you can choose better and much cheaper options that way.
TheReverend 11-18-2008, 08:01 PM I would suggest a barebones kit or build one yourself. you can choose better and much cheaper options that way. I’d agree that is another option.
One nice thing about building your PC is you get exactly what you want (if you feel you are capable of doing it (it’s not that hard))
But I still think price wise the big PC companies can beat out the lowest price you’d pay for components to build a budget PC now - 5-6 years ago that was not the case but now - if you’re going to run windows and buy a new licensed copy for the systems (and not run a pirated one), and get all the components, and take the time to piece it together, I think you can actually get a cheaper entry level system from HP or Dell (or ?)...
I know I no longer build custom cheap PCs for people, but I still build high-end systems, media centers, servers, workstations, home servers, etc (I can actually make money on them, it’s pretty hard to make a coupe bucks on a low end systems when you can buy a low end desktop from dell for like $300 :eek:)
But I do personally always build my own computers, and it's a lot of fun, and you do get what you want. So that may be something to consider and price out!
FireFox91 11-18-2008, 08:14 PM I agree that building your own PC is worth while for the high-end users. But for someone that is looking for a basic PC with a lot of space for music, he is better off with a boxed PC. You can select a basic system, add a large aftermarket hard drive and be done with it real cheap. At this point, building your own low end system will yield a savings of almost nothing and cost you more time.
I recommend Dell myself. I have 3 at home and hardly any problems.
samluvsjoes 11-18-2008, 08:25 PM can i ask why you would need wireless internet on a desktop by the way? unless you have wireless hooked up at your home already or something, i just get this picture of someone walking around carrying a desktop from room to room like a laptop
I already have wireless for mine and my wife's lptop. Where I live it's pretty difficult to get a LAN to run around (i.e., the phone jacks are not in the easiest to reach places) and since I already have a wireless network it would be much easier.
Sam
samluvsjoes 11-18-2008, 08:28 PM Thanks for all the info guys. I took a look at Dell and will take a look at HP as well. I would love to build my own system, but I'm a bit clumsy when it comes to small parts since I have big hands, and I'm picturing mucho breakage occurring. Also, I'm lazy. ;)
Sam
FireFox91 11-20-2008, 07:29 PM I already have wireless for mine and my wife's lptop. Where I live it's pretty difficult to get a LAN to run around (i.e., the phone jacks are not in the easiest to reach places) and since I already have a wireless network it would be much easier.
Sam
I have much the same situation. Doing hard wiring just because its a desktop usually does not justify the hassle. I game a lot and do a lot so having my hard wired makes sense. But my wife's computer is on the other side of the house and she only surfs the web and checks e-mail. She also plays MP3s from the network. Wireless handles all this without missing a beat. No running wires through walls and ceilings, no wires running across the floor.
cthulhu522 11-21-2008, 06:57 AM As stated above, for a basic PC Dell or HP would be good. I recommend them to most people I know that just need a computer for basic needs as even a low end pc has more power than the majority of users need.
That said, a couple things I would look for incase of need for future improvement. Extra SATA ports and at least 1 more drive bay for additional hard drives to back up or expand storage. Also, Try to find one with an open PCIE slot in case built in graphics are not enough later on or you decide to use it for video and such. Lastly, and I swear by this rule, make sure it can boot from USB. I say this because I hear some still do not, and if the day comes when the computer wont boot normally, having a preOS environment or Linux on a usb key will save your butt. And the ability to expand memory beyond 2 slots.
Lastly, where building your own is concerned. On basic PCs, I doubt you can beat the price of buying the on sale computers from Dell or HP, but do not be afraid of doing it. They truly are not as fragile as people tend to believe. Just make sure you spend 3 dollars for an anti-static bracelet and never work on them while they are plugged in. :) I personally find building my own fun, and I built every desktop I have ever had (except my very first).
Dakemesh 11-29-2008, 11:37 AM If it's not too late, check out discountpc.net. They refurbish corporate computers and you can get some good systems (I'd avoid Dell) for very low prices. They have great customer service as well; I bought my wife's laptop from them. The problem with the "cheap" computers at retailers is they are loaded down with all kinds of trial garbage that you don't need. Those are the ads basically that make the machine inexpensive.
Discountpc will sell you a desktop with nothing but the operating system. Consequently, a slightly older comp with a slightly slower processor will run way better than one of those new, store-bought cheap computers. Plus, anything you buy new will have Vista and the less expensive machines are barely powerful enough for Vista. You can buy the used machine with XP and it will do everything you need it to do.
You can download free software that works the same as Office and all the music editing and sorting software as well. It's great to have a computer that only has what you actually need on it.
cthulhu522 11-29-2008, 06:37 PM Awesome! I was looking for somewhere to get a really cheap pc to load with Linux and turn into a NAS! I checked out the garage sales this year, but nothing. I cant even piece one together for $100.00 with the stuff I do have laying around.
If it's not too late, check out discountpc.net. They refurbish corporate computers and you can get some good systems (I'd avoid Dell) for very low prices. They have great customer service as well; I bought my wife's laptop from them. The problem with the "cheap" computers at retailers is they are loaded down with all kinds of trial garbage that you don't need. Those are the ads basically that make the machine inexpensive.
Discountpc will sell you a desktop with nothing but the operating system. Consequently, a slightly older comp with a slightly slower processor will run way better than one of those new, store-bought cheap computers. Plus, anything you buy new will have Vista and the less expensive machines are barely powerful enough for Vista. You can buy the used machine with XP and it will do everything you need it to do.
You can download free software that works the same as Office and all the music editing and sorting software as well. It's great to have a computer that only has what you actually need on it.
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