Looking for cheap, support-free PC

[Mr Nobody]

Have to buy a PC for a relative. I don't want to support it so looking for something relatively support-free. Must also be a good/great deal.

What's the best deal nowadays? Wait for a Dell deal? FS/BB eMachine/HP/xxx-brand? Other?

[sickcars]

Have to buy a PC for a relative. I don't want to support it so looking for something relatively support-free. Must also be a good/great deal.

What's the best deal nowadays? Wait for a Dell deal? FS/BB eMachine/HP/xxx-brand? Other?

If you dont want to support your Relative then your going to want a computer from Dell or some other big company like that.'

Ciao

[ji2o0k]

yeah wait for a Dell deal........like the $299 with free shipping ones........those are the best value with tech support you are going to get I think.

[Mr Nobody]

I wasn't thinking in terms of having free tech support because I don't think they'd call (because they'd rather call me). I was thinking more on the line of which was most reliable in terms of hardware, software config, and also ease of repair in case I had to support it (which I know I will). I was thinking Dell, and looks like Dell it is.

[sickcars]

I wasn't thinking in terms of having free tech support because I don't think they'd call (because they'd rather call me). I was thinking more on the line of which was most reliable in terms of hardware, software config, and also ease of repair in case I had to support it (which I know I will). I was thinking Dell, and looks like Dell it is.


Oh ok I thought you did not want to support them for whatever reason. If thats the case then I would just build the system or get it custom built. So if something dies on it you can easily replace the part. unlike a dell where they tend to use special dell parts that you can only get from dell so they will charge you extra for that since u cant just use any part at your local comp store.

Ciao

[Mr Nobody]

Well, I'll have to support it if required. They are family after all. :) But I want the most support free (but must be hot deal) system. Again, thinking Dell or some major brand since it'll have a system preloaded with recovery CD. I don't want to have to pick parts, build system, install OS, apps, set up other customizations, make ghost of system, etc. If the Dell parts break out of warranty, I can always say "too bad". :)

Thanks.

[evilbunny]

I always recommend Dell to any relative who asks me. There are several reasons for this.

First, Dell is cheap. Sure I could build a pc from parts for roughly the same price but if you consider the unpaid time spent doing it then Dell comes out cheaper.

Second, Dell comes with a full windows XP Home license bundled for practically free. I won't be putting on any warez on anyone else's pc so I won't have to worry about them not getting security patches from Microsoft. For those of you who suggest building a box and throwing on some flavour of linux, forget it. That just means that I'm their support and they are going to call me all the time wanting to install some crap. "Sudo? What the fsck is sudo? I just wanna play this game." Nope. Windows it is.

Third, Dell has a 24 hour support line to call. It's free for the first year and they can call them instead of calling me. Their support is crap but I do it so they can understand and appreciate good tech support whenever I have to go and fix something.