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marlakay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 02:03 AM
Original message
Need to purchase a cheap computer for husband
Hi. Husband killed his computer and I am saving to buy a mac in a few months so no money for two good ones. All he needs one for is email, internet and downloading onto his Ipod. He's not real computer savy. But he wants one with speed for the internet and space for photos.

So we were looking at the ZT 2082Xa model from Costco for only $399 without monitor. My only problem with it is the power is a low wattage for what is inside it. Can it be upgraded?

What do you all recommend for a second computer?

Thanks for the help!
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hobbit709 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 08:59 AM
Response to Original message
1. For that system 300 watts is enough.
I wouldn't add any high end video card to it or any other power eater. The CPU is only 65 watts max
Replacing power supply is no problem-4 screws and all the connections. The GeForce 6100 graphics won't play high end games very well but for your purposes it will do just fine.
It's not a bad deal for the money.

I've built at least a dozen systems with similar specs and they work just fine with a 300 watt power supply.

I would get rid of Norton and the other crap and "trial offers" that come preloaded on it.

I personally would put AVG, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Malwarebytes Antimalware on it for protection.
I usually install Foxit Reader-which works better and faster than Adobe's bloatware on pdf, OpenOffice 3.1, and Irfanview or GIMP2 for Windows.
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Stinky The Clown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 09:14 AM
Response to Original message
2. Go to a local independent computer store store and ask them to build you a system
When I was doing Windows machines, my guy "Sam" built all my computers for less money than any branded box, bar none. I got a clean system with no bullshit "freeware" and customized OS. All the hardware was off the shelf and easily replaced or upgrdaded.

Again, all of this was less than what a lower spec branded computer cost.
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unhappycamper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 09:54 AM
Response to Original message
3. I'd also suggest you watch tigerdirect.com for specials.
I've no problems with anything from these guys. Be sure to check Overstock and Open Box specials.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/
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2Design Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 03:12 PM
Response to Original message
4. costco is a good idea although others will steer you other places - their return
policy and warranty beat anyone else out there - if it isn't right, you can bring it back - what about the netbook, laptop or there desktop models are low price too - you have 90days to decide with costco and not be stuck with a lemon or something you don't like - it really makes a difference when buying
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BlueJazz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 03:53 PM
Response to Original message
5. Here's one from Compusa for $199.99
Not made for playing hi-tech games but should suit your needs well.
(get the extended warrenty for 30 bucks)

.
.
http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=5472044&sku=P101-10031&cm_re=Homepage-_-Spot 07-_-CatId_6_P101-10031
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marlakay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 05:25 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. We bought a emachine for my daughter
a few years back and not overly happy with its performance.
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marlakay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 05:23 PM
Response to Original message
6. Thanks for all the suggestions
I think we might get the Costco one. I feel the way a few of you have said about their return policy and they are a good company to that treats its workers fairly.

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Lost-in-FL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 07:32 PM
Response to Original message
8. You should consider an used mac mini from ebay. nt
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charlie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Nov-21-09 11:10 PM
Response to Original message
9. Black Friday is a week away
Might be worth the wait. Gizmodo is collecting deals from leaked ads. Here are some really cheap desktop packages:
Compaq Presario Dual-Core Desktop w/ 3GB RAM, 500GB HD, Windows 7 - $239.99 - Office Max

Compaq CQ4010F Desktop Computer w/AMD Sempron LE-1300 Processor, 2GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive - $229.99 - Office Depot

Compaq Presario AMD LE-1300 Desktop w/18.5" Monitor - $329.99 - Office Depot

HP Desktop AMD X4 Quad Core, 8GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive w/20" Monitor, HP Deskjet DJ350 Color Printer & Windows 7 Home Premium - $499.97 - Best Buy

HP Pavilion Desktop P6229PG w/20" Widescreen LCD Monitor - $499.99 - Office Depot

HP Pavilion All-In-One 19" Desktop w/4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive, MS213 AMD - $598.00 - WalMart

HP Pavilion Desktop w/AMD Processor, 3GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, w/20" Monitor (Model # P6243w-b) - $398.00 - WalMart

HP Pavillion Slimeline Intel E5300 Desktop w/20" Monitor - $519.99 - Office Depot

HP Pavillion Slimline s5220f Desktop Computer w/Intel Pentium Processor E5300, 4GB RAM, 640GB Hard Drive - $369.99 - Office Depot

eMachines Desktop w/AMD Athlon Processor, 3GB RAM, 320GB HD, Windows 7, w/18.5" LCD Monitor and HP Deskjet Printer - $299.97 - Best Buy

...and the full list:

http://gizmodo.com/5409460/black-friday-deals-the-only-list-you-need
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Gore1FL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-22-09 12:05 AM
Response to Original message
10. Dell outlet might be a good place to look.
n/t

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sam sarrha Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-22-09 11:25 AM
Response to Original message
11. rule of thumb is that you cant upgrade an off the shelf unit.. you can put video cards in them up to
Edited on Sun Nov-22-09 11:32 AM by sam sarrha
what the Ram/memory can handle.. i doubled the Ram on a Compaq some idiot sold me.. it had 256Mb i added another 256 and it could only use 50Mb of it.. still a PoC.. there are some AMD units out there that probably are much more upgradeable.

if he plays games, you need to have the memory.. check on the boxes of the new games for requirements.

i just checked one store and found this.. $325 dual core 3Gb of memory AMD cpu it will most likely play any game
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/eMachines+-+Desktop+with+AMD+Athlon%26%23153%3B+X2+Dual-Core+Processor/9170844.p?id=1218043606347&skuId=9170844&st=amd desk top
, probably needs a Video card for the new games.. good older cards are getting cheap.. go on Craig's list get a used one for 1/2 price from a yuppie geek who upgraded his rig..

i have 2 nVidia 8800GTS 512MB Alpha Dog Edition game cards 1/2 Gb memory, they will play about anything, newer games may have to have some the settings on medium.... someone canceled a build about the time i lost my hand an other things took priority.
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/3635-xfx-8800gts-512mb-g92-alpha-dog-edition-review.html

lots of stuff available from upgrades at places like Craig's list.

you can go to http://www.pcmech.com the folks there ate very helpful. http://www.newegg.com is where i look first for stuff, great support, excellent. you can just go there to read reviews of things you are considering to get.. great info

i would definitely get something with a mid range Core2 processor nothing less than 2 Gb RAM.. don't waste your money, vista takes 1Gb of Ram to run.. 3 is really what you will end up needing
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struggle4progress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-23-09 08:26 PM
Response to Original message
12. The specs at costco indicate the machine has multiple unoccupied bays, so he ought to be
able to add additional internal hard drives if he wants them. But if he doesn't want to do that, he also has 6 usb slots: after he plugs in the mouse, keyboard, printer ... he ought to have a slot left for an external hard drive, and they're relatively cheap

Expandability (total bays):

* 2 x 5.25" external (1 occupied)
* 2 x 3.5" external (1 occupied)
* 4 x 3.5" internal (1 occupied)
* 1 x PCIe x16
* 1 x PCIe x1
* 2 x PCI

Ports and Slots:

* VGA port (15-pin)
* 6 x USB 2.0
* 2 x PS/2
* 6 in 1 Audio Jack
* RJ-45 (LAN)
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11497545&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|84|56671|78518&N=4035050&Mo=35&pos=1&No=34&ViewAll=36&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=78518&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10600-Cat56671&topnav=#ProductInfoTabs_ReviewTab

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148503&cm_mc=SNC-Facebook-_-na-_-na-_-na
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Wiley50 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-27-09 01:02 PM
Response to Original message
13. I got the Acer Aspire One for $300
Mr. Obama bought $250 of it cause I'm on SSI.

A little small and no DVD drive. I fixed that with an external DVD and a $20 USB keyboard. Look at mine in my Nifty Computer Rig Downthread.

I've had no problems with it...............yet.
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struggle4progress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-30-09 11:30 AM
Response to Reply #13
14. I think the netbooks are good deals. I have an 10" AAO and am happy with it: it's much better
than the first computer I ever had -- and much cheaper
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