Can I get a decent computer for $300 tax included?

[Irb]

My is looking for a computer. He will only be using it to surf the net and maybe use MS Office or watch some videos. No gaming or anything intense.

I already have a 15" LCD sitting in the basement collecting dust so a monitor is not required.

Am I able to purchase something decent for $300 taxes included? How about $400?

[Cafe_333]

Here's a couple of links to start you off:
http://www.pcvonline.com/systemsCont.aspx?cat=DESKTOP%20SYSTEMS
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowSystem

Figure out what your budget is and those are what you can get. If you want to handpick your parts, you'll be looking at a s754 sempron based system.

[hightech]

I would suggest something like an AMD 64 3000+ CPU instead of the Semptron. The price difference is not much but you get some more power and it can always come in handy.

Areas where one should never chimp out on:

- Motherboard (unless you like a system that crashes often)
- Case / Power supply (helps keep the system running smoothly and not effected by static)
- Hard Drive (WD and Seagate 7200 RPM drives are pretty reliable and fast)
- Processor (get the fastest that is in your budget)

[deep]

Buy the $399US Dell from the American days of deals, sell either your 15" LCD or the 17" that comes with it, upgrade the RAM and throw in a DVD burner.

Ta da.

[Shaner]

Yes, you can.

Walk into your local computer store, tell them your price range and tell them you want a computer in that price range. You may have to leave out things like a DVD burner, a huge hard drive, lots of RAM, etc. but you'll get a decent computer for that price.

[sleepyguy]

www.dell.ca

check the rfd front page for dell 1100 deal.

My is looking for a computer. He will only be using it to surf the net and maybe use MS Office or watch some videos. No gaming or anything intense.

I already have a 15" LCD sitting in the basement collecting dust so a monitor is not required.

Am I able to purchase something decent for $300 taxes included? How about $400?

[xwar]

You can build yourself a decent machine at 300-400 using stuff you collect from the BST forums.

[Montague]

My is looking for a computer. He will only be using it to surf the net and maybe use MS Office or watch some videos. No gaming or anything intense.

A used P3 desktop (which one could get for probably "peanuts") could easily handle all of those basic duties.

[DaLurker]

I would suggest something like an AMD 64 3000+ CPU instead of the Semptron. The price difference is not much but you get some more power and it can always come in handy.

Areas where one should never chimp out on:

- Motherboard (unless you like a system that crashes often)
- Case / Power supply (helps keep the system running smoothly and not effected by static)
- Hard Drive (WD and Seagate 7200 RPM drives are pretty reliable and fast)
- Processor (get the fastest that is in your budget)

When you're budget is $300 taxes in, it's hard not to "chimp out" on things like CPU, Motherboard, case, PSU, Hard Drive. The AMD 64 3000+ alone is $160 + tax, that's over half his budget.

You can build your own but you might want to get used parts. If you get new: CPU ~ 80, Mobo ~ 80, Ram ~ 50, Case ~ 20, Hard Drive ~50, its a tight budget.

G'luck to you!

[toujours]

My is looking for a computer. He will only be using it to surf the net and maybe use MS Office or watch some videos. No gaming or anything intense.

I already have a 15" LCD sitting in the basement collecting dust so a monitor is not required.

Am I able to purchase something decent for $300 taxes included? How about $400?If you want new then get an entry level Dell. That way you get at least 12 months warranty.

You could pay less and get a used P3 that would do all you need to do though...

[hey_dude1643]

Here's a couple of links to start you off:
http://www.pcvonline.com/systemsCont.aspx?cat=DESKTOP%20SYSTEMS
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowSystem

Figure out what your budget is and those are what you can get. If you want to handpick your parts, you'll be looking at a s754 sempron based system.

PC villiage is a rip off.. they ripped me for 126 dollars for my sound card...!!! grrrrrr.. when I brought a sound card from them I ask was this refurbished and will it 100% workable.. the sound card was sealed in the box and every thing then.. when i got home it nevered ...!!! :mad: So I went back to Pc villiage and asked them for a exchange.. and explained my problem to them.. but they reject the fact that the sound card didn't work..they claim I broke it my self.. WTF...!?!?! what rip offs...GRRR

[KevC]

Go around the BST forums and find an old SocketA or Socket 478 system, I'm sure you'll be able to find one for ~$300.

[ShadowVlican]

define decent

as for video watching... a $300 may not cut it depending on what you watch... but seeing you have a 15" monitor, i doubt ur into higher quality videos anyways

$300 old computer is good enuff.

[felix]

This is a good one I recommended my friend to buy ..

Dimension 1100 $299 w/ Free Shipping Again!
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272083

It comes back from time to time with similar specs.

[Jon Lai]

PC villiage is a rip off.. they ripped me for 126 dollars for my sound card...!!! grrrrrr.. when I brought a sound card from them I ask was this refurbished and will it 100% workable.. the sound card was sealed in the box and every thing then.. when i got home it nevered ...!!! :mad: So I went back to Pc villiage and asked them for a exchange.. and explained my problem to them.. but they reject the fact that the sound card didn't work..they claim I broke it my self.. WTF...!?!?! what rip offs...GRRR

Which store?

The manager at First Markham is totally the opposite. I bought a computer from them and the Logitech mouse that came with it had a broken scroll around 7-8 months into using it. I went in and said that the scroll broke, and they gave me a new one. No questions asked.

[akito925]

decent , nothing cutting edge i'd guess, so that means a used p3 system would be fine because its within budget..

My is looking for a computer. He will only be using it to surf the net and maybe use MS Office or watch some videos. No gaming or anything intense.

I already have a 15" LCD sitting in the basement collecting dust so a monitor is not required.

Am I able to purchase something decent for $300 taxes included? How about $400?

[Siefer999]

decent , nothing cutting edge i'd guess, so that means a used p3 system would be fine because its within budget..
you can get like a off lease p3 866 computer for 89 at factory direct that will do all that you stated

but i would have went with the 299 dell w/ free shipping. its more than adequate and is very stable + quiet