Build me a cheap PC for seniors

[Scifience]

Kind of a hard/weird request here:
Can anybody build me a sub-$100 PC?
It only needs to run e-mail and web browsing. No word processing, games, etc.
This is for a project I am working on (internet access for seniors to connect with their families).

Requirements:
Needs a modem for internet access through traditional phone lines.
Needs an operating system (can you still buy Win98? it would be perfect for this due to the support for alternate shells)
VGA graphics (must be able to do 640x480 and 800x600, some newer stuff won't go this low)

Speed is not an issue. Give me a 300Mhz processor for all I care, as long as it can do e-mail and web browsing.
The $100 budget doesn't include a monitor, keyboard, or mouse.

Is this doable?

Edit: I've given up on the $100 part, see my most recent post in this thread for more info.

 

[ponyo]

ms web pc or sega dreamcast. I would go dreamcast for around $35.

 

[mikecel79]

Unless you go with a used system I highly doubt it. I was thinking a Via Epia board and a modem is gonna set you back more than $100. That doesn't even include the case, PSU, or HD. You can find used systems on Ebay they may meet your needs. Lots of Dell Optiplex GX1s sell for under 100 and meet your needs except for the modem.

 

[zainali]

wait till frys opens in chicago. then they will have a $99 pc on opening day.

 

[Bradleylicious]

Yeah i think i got a budgett for that...$100 it will be close...but i think i could do that...any insentives...

 

[Bradleylicious]

Yeah i think i got a budgett for that...$100 it will be close...but i think i could do that...any insentives...

 

[sellmen]

eBay is your friend.

You can get some old Pentium 2 system of there for under $100

example:

Link

Just stick a $10 modem in, and buy a cheap version of Windows 95 for $10-20.

 

[Corporate Thug]

find a refurb xbox and put linux on it

 

[Walay]

Not sure if its duable, but if only web browsing and email
try buying a 486 or a pentium~pII laptop

a 486 lap top runs for under $75, and will include a screen and modem.

a pentium or pII goes from 75~200

both will run windows 98 and email and web for good.

 

[majewski9]

hmmm I think this can be done ................Going to have to skimp as much as possible!

CPU: Duron 1.6 ghz 38$
Memory: 128 DDR 333 33$
Mobo: Asrock k7s41gx 52$
Int sound, video, and AMR modem.

113$ close to 100$ but no cigar ..... will hang head in shame! Not a bad system at all and is off newegg.com ... I had a 1.6 Duron OCed to 2729 on air for god sakes .... 2 ghz on default 1.5 V and 2.4 all day @ 1.75. All this on SK 6 heatsink which is sub 10 dollars.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Used.

FS/FT forum or www.pcsurplusonline.com (P3-450 at that price, or p2-450 for $70, no OS though).

With FS/FT forum you might be able to get something with a legal copy of W95 or W98 for under $100. Hmm, I have an old P2-266 and some junk parts . . .

 

[Alkali]

Originally posted by: Scifience

Can anybody build me a sub-$100 PC?

Is this doable?

Er... ..................... no :Q

 

[Mik3y]

question: y would you want a $100 PC?

 

[Kaylya]

Search Pricewatch. There's some complete systems (Pentium-P3 range) going for under $100 shipped, without an OS. Pretty much anything you find is retailers getting rid of old stuff. If you are really concerned about cheapness, you may want to consider a version of Linux - if it's just for email and web browsing, and it's seniors who aren't familiar with computers, give them Mandrake or something.. they won't know the difference.

For a standard of what you need for Win 98 - my PC at home originally had a PII 350, 64mb RAM, CD-Rom and Floppy, 6gb HD.. You can still buy Windows 98; if you look under operating systems on Pricewatch, there's a place selling it for $6.

To Mik3y: He said it's for basic email/web surfing for seniors You could do that on any Pentium, and probably a 486..

 

[Mik3y]

n/m, forget the question i asked. i just read your post. hehe

 

[NYSTrooper]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Used.

FS/FT forum or www.pcsurplusonline.com (P3-450 at that price, or p2-450 for $70, no OS though).

With FS/FT forum you might be able to get something with a legal copy of W95 or W98 for under $100. Hmm, I have an old P2-266 and some junk parts . . .

That would be my suggestion too.

Some P3 450's with 128 meg RAM and 13 gig HDs for $99, prolly $35 shipping to get the heavy SOB to you.

 

[osage]

visit your local Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores, you could be amazed what you find there for $39.00. picking are usually good in university towns if there is one close by.

complete P2, AMD k6 system are not uncommon in my area at least.

 

[AIWGuru]

There should be a used PC shop somewhere near by.
Also, dreamcast.

 

[tapir]

www.dumpinggoods.com often has old, refurb or beaten up crap for cheap. or free.
I've seen some procs in the 2-300MHz range going for $0 plus shipping on there (dont know why...?) but anyway this might be a good way to start, get a cheap crapy celeron system for $50 then throw an improves Slot 1 proc in it

I have a slow 13GB drive I'll sell you =P

 

[SneakyStuff]

ebay BINGO

 

[Maximilian]

Well uhm i have a gameboy that you can buy, lol it dosent do any of what you need but its still good.

Yea ebay is your best shot, go for a pentium one (pentium pro also) why in the world you would want to do this i got no idea.

 

[thejackal1]

Originally posted by: Soviet
Well uhm i have a gameboy that you can buy, lol it dosent do any of what you need but its still good.

Yea ebay is your best shot, go for a pentium one (pentium pro also) why in the world you would want to do this i got no idea.

He says:
This is for a project I am working on (internet access for seniors to connect with their families).

 

[Soulkeeper]

step it up to 300 and built an athlon system

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
ebay BINGO

600 MHz is enough for internet with a 133 MHz sidebus also!

 

[Scifience]

Wow! Thanks for all the input, I never expected that I'd get this many responses.

It looks like used stuff is the only real way to get a sub-$100 PC. :/ I might have to upgrade the budget slightly just to get new stuff with a warranty and a bunch of PCs with the same components for easier troubleshooting ands support.

About the cheapest I can do on Newegg is $150 for a Duron 1.6 and a $30 motherboard.