[Paintedeyes]

My friend needs a new comp for college and his parents won't let me build em one which is stupid. They want buy a complete comp from one of them companies like dell or somethin. which company would be the best? also i think they wanna spend like 600-700 ish and this is for a desktop not laptop. i think core 2 duo is out of the question for that price range so i'm guessing the next best thing would be amd?

 

[schusterjo]

Dell

 

[Brum]

no never dell, they are the cheapest heaps of junks on the planet.

 

[Brum]

I would recommend something along this line.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2205246&sku=G153-GT5058

I Don't have any experience with Gateway but I have a lot of experience with Tigerdirect.

I don't mind working with HPs. Of the generic brands that would be the one I like working on the best.

 

[rollnw24inkmc]

no never dell, they are the cheapest heaps of junks on the planet.

you got it wrong, the lower series dell, yes nothing but junk but the more exspenive ones are their best ones, i gotta dell dimension 8250 got it in 2003 for 3k and its the best system ive ever had, never hada no problems outta it, anything up in numbers for dell and their optiplex series are their best ones, so right now id say if they want a great computer go with dell or toshiba. do not get a hp/compaq, those are nothing but problems and i see them all day long at the shop i work at. the same for Emachine. Gateways are good but from experience from owning a few, they always have something that goes wrong with them, and dont just use tigerdirect.com check out other sites too like www.newegg.com www.ebay.com and what ever else u would have.

 

[RootbeaR]

you got it wrong, the lower series dell, yes nothing but junk but the more exspenive ones are their best ones, i gotta dell dimension 8250 got it in 2003 for 3k and its the best system ive ever had, never hada no problems outta it, anything up in numbers for dell and their optiplex series are their best ones, so right now id say if they want a great computer go with dell or toshiba. do not get a hp/compaq, those are nothing but problems and i see them all day long at the shop i work at. the same for Emachine. Gateways are good but from experience from owning a few, they always have something that goes wrong with them, and dont just use tigerdirect.com check out other sites too like www.newegg.com www.ebay.com and what ever else u would have.

Generally the most expensive models from any manufacturer are the best.
I have HP/Compaq $1200 after tax, printer, monitor everything. My aunt has $2000 Dell, no printer. I outperform her easily. Hers is 6 mos newer already been serviced. Mine, not yet, 1 1/2 yrs.
I think $1800 would easily upgrade my graphics card and get me 4Gb of ram, max I can upgrade.

 

[Compiler]

My friend needs a new comp for college and his parents won't let me build em one which is stupid. They want buy a complete comp from one of them companies like dell or somethin. which company would be the best? also i think they wanna spend like 600-700 ish and this is for a desktop not laptop. i think core 2 duo is out of the question for that price range so i'm guessing the next best thing would be amd?

Does that need to include an LCD monitor or not?

HP/Compaq have packaged deals for about $600~700 that include a 17 or 19" monitor.

Here is one for $709:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...oryId=pcmcat103700050050&id=pcmprd64500050021

It includes a basic printer (its actually pretty good), surge protector and USB cable. And a 17" LCD monitor.

For $40 more = Slightly faster CPU, twice the ram (2gb) and still a printer.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...oryId=pcmcat103700050050&id=pcmprd66000050002

Yes, for now - core2 systems cost more. I understand WHERE is parents are coming from - its business, Paintedeyes. You're just "a kid" - and if the PC has a failure - whose gonna repair or replace it? Then you get blamed for it, etc etc...

For sub $1000 - I'd choose HPaq over Dell easily. for $1000+ Build it yourself - but still NOT DELL or HPAQ.

note: These $500 systems (Even if its $750 package, its still a $500 PC) - they are QUITE A GOOD deal for the money... but they are NOT gaming systems. A GF7600GT ($130~160) is the best recommend 3D Card for such a system.

 

[kryptonite1055]

I feel sorry for you friend. but in his situation I would stay away from dell. yes they can give you a good comp, but you have to pay a lot for it. HP/Compaq look better and from what I have heard they are fairly good. all my friends who have dells (over 50% at school are having many problems) while people with hp/compaq, and sony don't have that many problems. It might be they are better on computers, or dell computers are not as good.

OOO yeah if they do get a dell make sure they DO NOT get a dell printer!!! you can only get the ink from a few places or order it from online. best buy, office max, circuit city don't have ink. office depot looks like they have it but "remanufactured". Compusa does carry them but there are not too many stores near me.

 

[Paintedeyes]

well they ended up gettin an amd duel core at compusa, uff h8 that place. but he got like 250 dollar rebate and the same monitor i have for like 10 dollars so ya, but thanks for ur help guys

 

[schusterjo]

http://reviews.cnet.com/4323-6526_7-6509032.html?tag=dir

Read this and get a HP, I used to work for HP along time ago and they was junk, they had so many problems. guess they have changed things around. I guess that was 9 years ago lol but it seems like yesterday.

 

[schusterjo]

Ah heck you posted that when I was doing something and still had your post open, anyways good luck at school.

 

[Brum]

check out other sites too like www.newegg.com www.ebay.com and what ever else u would have.

Newegg is a good site but...

EBAY!!!!!! I would never recomend such a thing. I'm sure if you knew what you were looking for you could get a good deal, but it is way to easy to find yourself being a sucker on ebay. You are way to likely to recieve used goods. I know way too many people who break something and go "oh well, I'll just sell it on ebay." Stick to legit sites like Tigerdirect, Newegg, or Zipzoomfly.

 

[Compiler]

YOu use ebay to buy C=64, TR80s, Amigas, AppleII etc.... not PCs of any age. (BTW, there is a PCjr on ebay for about $50~100)