looking for a little computer-shopping advice...

geardaddy · January 3rd, 2007, 02:43 AM

hi all,

i'm shopping for a computer for a friend who's ready to dip her toe into cyberwater...

i thought prices were supposed to drop after xmas...can anyone shed some light on the general pricing cycles of computers? i'm guessing there's at least a bit of predictability regarding introduction of new models, blowing out the old ones, etc...

her ceiling is super low, as she is on a fixed income and has many medical bills...$250 all-inclusive (PC, monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers), but this will be primarily for email and viewing dvds...she doesn't need a supercomputer at all, nor much hard drive space...she'll probably actually be using dialup...

i'm positive that an ad caught my eye somewhere about two months ago for a new, very basic computer desktop system for $249, but i could be wrong...

anyway, advice/links/suggestions would be much appreciated...

would you trust a floor model from a big box store (or any computer shop, for that matter)?

thanks for reading,

geardaddy

p.s. if $250 is a pipe dream, how long before they actually drop that low?

morroben · January 3rd, 2007, 02:57 AM

Did you try Dell? I got my laptop for $299 and I would expect that desktops would be a little cheaper, although I could be wrong about that. I know that the real computer guys don't like Dell, but it does what I need it to do.

ibobunot · January 3rd, 2007, 05:50 AM

http://www.pricewatch.com/

Spenceh · January 3rd, 2007, 06:38 AM

I have Dells at home and also buy them for the work - we have approx 1200 of them. Very reliable and good value

Fourth Feline · January 3rd, 2007, 07:32 AM

+ 1 for the Dell.

I bought a relatively cheap laptop 3 years ago (Inspiron 1000) - and it has served me very well. I eventually had to add a bit more RAM for home recording though.

When 'window shopping' for something with super performance specs this last week, Dell could still undercut the competition by about £200 for the same specs.

As for the "real computer guys" - I know someone who works quite high up in IBM, and he confirmed that the DELL started out as basically an IBM designed machine. In fact when buying mine, he recommended it over other brands as "a good IBM clone on a budget".

The only drawback is that certain parts seem only obtainable from DELL themselves once the warranty expires. This (I presume) is where they make the eventual profit margin back.

This 'monopoly' situation seems to have improved this last year though, as enterprising manufacturers seem to have more equivalent/compatible parts on sale online.

FF.

Tim Armstrong · January 3rd, 2007, 08:48 AM

FWIW, I've had good experiences buying from Tiger Direct....

Cheers, Tim

straightface · January 3rd, 2007, 10:59 AM

Check out Dell, they are always running special pricing, although I don't know if you'll find one that cheap. Also look here: http://www.edealinfo.com

They always have Dells latest specials with instructions on how to get discounts, etc.

January 3rd, 2007, 02:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
geardaddy Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: san francisco Posts: 266	looking for a little computer-shopping advice... hi all, i'm shopping for a computer for a friend who's ready to dip her toe into cyberwater... i thought prices were supposed to drop after xmas...can anyone shed some light on the general pricing cycles of computers? i'm guessing there's at least a bit of predictability regarding introduction of new models, blowing out the old ones, etc... her ceiling is super low, as she is on a fixed income and has many medical bills...$250 all-inclusive (PC, monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers), but this will be primarily for email and viewing dvds...she doesn't need a supercomputer at all, nor much hard drive space...she'll probably actually be using dialup... i'm positive that an ad caught my eye somewhere about two months ago for a new, very basic computer desktop system for $249, but i could be wrong... anyway, advice/links/suggestions would be much appreciated... would you trust a floor model from a big box store (or any computer shop, for that matter)? thanks for reading, geardaddy p.s. if $250 is a pipe dream, how long before they actually drop that low?

January 3rd, 2007, 07:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fourth Feline Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Yorkshire, England. Age: 50 Posts: 669	+ 1 for the Dell. I bought a relatively cheap laptop 3 years ago (Inspiron 1000) - and it has served me very well. I eventually had to add a bit more RAM for home recording though. When 'window shopping' for something with super performance specs this last week, Dell could still undercut the competition by about £200 for the same specs. As for the "real computer guys" - I know someone who works quite high up in IBM, and he confirmed that the DELL started out as basically an IBM designed machine. In fact when buying mine, he recommended it over other brands as "a good IBM clone on a budget". The only drawback is that certain parts seem only obtainable from DELL themselves once the warranty expires. This (I presume) is where they make the eventual profit margin back. This 'monopoly' situation seems to have improved this last year though, as enterprising manufacturers seem to have more equivalent/compatible parts on sale online. FF. __________________ " The blues is the truth : happy or sad - just the truth "

January 3rd, 2007, 08:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 10,295	FWIW, I've had good experiences buying from Tiger Direct.... Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

January 3rd, 2007, 02:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
morroben Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: california Age: 32 Posts: 2,067 18 Photos	Did you try Dell? I got my laptop for $299 and I would expect that desktops would be a little cheaper, although I could be wrong about that. I know that the real computer guys don't like Dell, but it does what I need it to do.

January 3rd, 2007, 05:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
ibobunot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dullsville Posts: 3,456	http://www.pricewatch.com/

January 3rd, 2007, 06:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
Spenceh Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Age: 40 Posts: 108	I have Dells at home and also buy them for the work - we have approx 1200 of them. Very reliable and good value

January 3rd, 2007, 10:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
straightface Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MA Posts: 928	Check out Dell, they are always running special pricing, although I don't know if you'll find one that cheap. Also look here: http://www.edealinfo.com They always have Dells latest specials with instructions on how to get discounts, etc.