$700 to spend

[68falcon]

okay, as the title says i have 700 dollars to spend on a complete(OS included) system. Its for my mom so i dont need it to game.
Heres what it needs to do:
-Basic computer functions(fast, smooth, run microsoft office, so 512 at the bare minimum)
-Internet(again smooth and fast, and we have dial-up, so adjustments may be needed)
-Drafting(she does drafting so a decent video card or onboard, she uses cadkey99)
What it has to have:
-USB in the front(she has a flash drive and doesnt like to reach around the back)
-17" monitor
-OS and software( windows XP (pro preferebly) we already have a 98se disc, so maybe we can upgrade and some some $$. Microsoft office with at least word and excel, really
would like to have powerpoint)
-CD-RW(burns her drawings,so something extremely reliable, she gets mad if it doesnt work the first time)
Would like to have(if budget allows):
-LCD (CRT will work though)
-Desktop Case (wants to save space, but tower would be ok)
-Another CD-drive(for burning disc to disc, again relaible)

so thats it, with the budget restraints it may be easier to go dell or gateway or something,
thanks in advance

 

[LxMxFxD3]

simply impossible including software for $700

 

[68falcon]

not even a retail computer, how is a celeron d 2.4Ghz performance

 

[LxMxFxD3]

Originally posted by: 68falcon
not even a retail computer, how is a celeron d 2.4Ghz performance

It could probably be done if you get a dell with coupons & XP home edition. Getting the latest version of Office however I believe would be impossible.

With $700 definitely doable for the hardware & XP home possibly, but not with office. As far as I can tell anyway.

 

[jlbenedict]

Honestly??

Buy a Dell.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Buy a Dell and get OpenOffice. You don't need XP Pro though. XP Home should be just fine.

 

[mrmann14]

Dimension 3000 - Celeron
- Intel® Celeron® D Processor 320 (2.40GHz, 533 FSB)
- Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
- 512MB DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
- 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
- Single Drive: 48x CD-RW / DVD-ROM Combo Drive
- 15 inch E153FP Analog Flat Panel
- Dell USB Keyboard and Dell 2-button Scroll Mouse

Total = $550

Add in:
- 17 inch E173FP Analog Flat Panel
- Microsoft Office Basic - Includes Word, Excel and Outlook email

Total = $749

It's as close as I think you're going to get.

 

[Maluno]

Use coupon codes to get a really cheap Dell.

 

[Gunsmokez]

yah that dimension 3000 buy dell is the best bet.

 

[mobiblu]

why not spent just $500 on a dell system and use the $200 to get yourself a dsl connection? almost a win-win solution. new computer and faster connection!

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Celeron = POS. At least try to get a P4. Openoffice is a great alternative to Microsoft Office.

 

[DaveSimmons]

:roll: A 2.4 GHz celeron is just fine for a non-gamer running Office.

 

[CalamitySymphony]

You could do it pretty easily I think...

Case w/ PSU: 20 bucks
HD: 40 bucks
Memory 80 Bucks (1 gig) or <50 for 512
DVD burner (50 bucks)
A board with Integrated Graphics + Sound (RS480 is not bad) - 80 bucks
CPU - 120 (Venice 3000+)

That's 390 for everything but the software and monitor... the rest you can figure out I think

This thing will be FAST too

 

[thecrecarc]

xp home, and open office. done

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
Honestly??

Buy a Dell.

 

[68falcon]

how do you figure im gonna get a dsl connection for 200 bucks, it isnt available in my area cause i live way out in the country, i dont event get the full 56.6k, i get 26.4k for internet, it sucks bad

 

[Hacp]

Dell

Ow ya, I can use cadkey2000 on an old P1 machine with integrated graphics. I'm not sure that you need a great video card for that.

 

[mrmann14]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
:roll: A 2.4 GHz celeron is just fine for a non-gamer running Office.

Especially Celeron D since it has double the L2 cache of normal Celerons.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

No! No Dell!

What, are you people all idiots? Since when is Dell cheaper than custom?

$39.94 NEC ND-3540A DVD burner, double format & dual layer
$19.99 Rosewill R214P-SLV ATX case with 400W PSU & front USB/audio
$47.00 Excelstor Callisto J840 40 GB 7200 RPM PATA hard disk
$5.99 Zonet ZFM5620-CF 56K v.92 PCI modem
$97.00 Envision ECT710g 17" (16" viewable) CRT display
$59.99 Epox EP-8KDA3I socket 754 motherboard (with wonderful overclockign features)
$19.99 Rosewill ST RK-4500-64A Kyro II 64 MB AGP video card
$10.99 Powmax HB-7103W keyboard/mouse/speakers combo
$19.44 pgi Power Series 256 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
$173.95 MS Office Basic 2003 SP1
$63.00 Sempron 2600+ s754 CPU (generally overclockable to 2.3-2.5 GHz)
$86.95 Windows XP Home SP2
$49.18 ground shipping
TOTAL PRICE: $693.41

Fortunately, you can get MS Works for about $80-$90 less than Office, and it performs almost all the same functions. If you insist on Office, $700 is possible. If you go with Works, $700 is generous.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
No! No Dell!

What, are you people all idiots? Since when is Dell cheaper than custom?

$39.94 NEC ND-3540A DVD burner, double format & dual layer
$19.99 Rosewill R214P-SLV ATX case with 400W PSU & front USB/audio
$47.00 Excelstor Callisto J840 40 GB 7200 RPM PATA hard disk
$5.99 Zonet ZFM5620-CF 56K v.92 PCI modem
$97.00 Envision ECT710g 17" (16" viewable) CRT display
$59.99 Epox EP-8KDA3I socket 754 motherboard (with wonderful overclockign features)
$19.99 Rosewill ST RK-4500-64A Kyro II 64 MB AGP video card
$10.99 Powmax HB-7103W keyboard/mouse/speakers combo
$19.44 pgi Power Series 256 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
$173.95 MS Office Basic 2003 SP1
$63.00 Sempron 2600+ s754 CPU (generally overclockable to 2.3-2.5 GHz)
$86.95 Windows XP Home SP2
$49.18 ground shipping
TOTAL PRICE: $693.41

Fortunately, you can get MS Works for about $80-$90 less than Office, and it performs almost all the same functions. If you insist on Office, $700 is possible. If you go with Works, $700 is generous.

Wow, that's pretty nice. I say go for it.

 

[Remedy]

Just want to lend my opinion here building it yourself. Something I've built similarly to.

ASRock Nforce 410 $58

Elixir PC3200 512MB $39 (512MBx(2)=1GB $79)

Sempron 2800+ $74

NEC 3540A $44

BenQ 56x CD-ROM $13

Hitchai 80GB 7200RPM $49.95


Chenming/Aspire mATX cube $84.99 (no win)

XP Home $86 (XP Home vs. Pro comparison.)

Corel Office 12 $9.99 Not sure how familiar you are with Corel Office. But, I use it as an alternative to MS Office. It's not bad.

Corel page

McAfee 10 VirusScan $12.99

17" LCD $169 (AR) (I'm not sure how fast the rebate is returned though)

Sub-total is $669 + ($22 shipping)


I'm just voicing that doing it yourself can be done with some thorough research. But, ya, Getting MS Office in there will Not happen unless you get an academic discount.

JMO..

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

MS Office is overrated. There are pretty good subsitutions out there.

 

[klah]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=40&threadid=1717524

 

[Minot]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
No! No Dell!

What, are you people all idiots? Since when is Dell cheaper than custom?

$39.94 NEC ND-3540A DVD burner, double format & dual layer
$19.99 Rosewill R214P-SLV ATX case with 400W PSU & front USB/audio
$47.00 Excelstor Callisto J840 40 GB 7200 RPM PATA hard disk
$5.99 Zonet ZFM5620-CF 56K v.92 PCI modem
$97.00 Envision ECT710g 17" (16" viewable) CRT display
$59.99 Epox EP-8KDA3I socket 754 motherboard (with wonderful overclockign features)
$19.99 Rosewill ST RK-4500-64A Kyro II 64 MB AGP video card
$10.99 Powmax HB-7103W keyboard/mouse/speakers combo
$19.44 pgi Power Series 256 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
$173.95 MS Office Basic 2003 SP1
$63.00 Sempron 2600+ s754 CPU (generally overclockable to 2.3-2.5 GHz)
$86.95 Windows XP Home SP2
$49.18 ground shipping
TOTAL PRICE: $693.41

Fortunately, you can get MS Works for about $80-$90 less than Office, and it performs almost all the same functions. If you insist on Office, $700 is possible. If you go with Works, $700 is generous.

This is a pretty good recommendation. My only major concern is that 256 MB of memory will cripple this otherwise modest performer. If you can at all squeeze in 512 MB of memory, go for it! Also, give Open Office 2.0 a try. It's pretty good for a free office suite.

-MINOT-

 

[TNM93]

How's this:

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4464166

Monitor:

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4449606?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Roughly 640 dollars before taxes. If you want to custom build it, more power to you, but since you don't state that, I'm assuming you're open to all possibilities. I would go with Open Office unless Office is absolutely necessary. The rig pretty much beats the other in so many categories. It's not necessarily cheaper to build it yourself. Prices on PCs are pretty low. NOTE- By stating that, I'm not necessarily saying it's better to buy Dell or Compaq.

With this rig, you get 512 mb of memory, and a 17 inch lcd within your budget. I don't know how good the onboard video is though. It's 128 meg SiS Mirage 2. Dell has cheap low end computers too, so check them out. Emachines also offers more powerful rigs within your price range. They have Athlon 64 and Pentium 4 rigs expandable to 4 GB of RAM from 400-700.