Cheap reliable pc...

[EightySix Four]

I'm purchasing a computer for a friend of mine and I'm looking for something very basic in the $600 price range. I don't want to deal with bloatware or any of that "extra value" that most pre-builts come with. Specs are unimportant. I would build one but I'm not interested in being the guy they come to with issues and would rather them have some form or warranty.

Can anyone recommend a good manufacturer?

 

[Parasitic]

Vostro 200?

Dell Vostro

It's actually not bad. We got one at the lab and it's pretty clean in terms of bloatware.

 

[Fraggable]

Vostros are great but if it was my $600 budget I'd go for a refurb XPS 210.

Such as:

XPS 210
(System Identifier: EEDWB798)

XPS 210 Small Form Factor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 (4MB L2 Cache,2.4GHz,1066 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
System Price : $559.00

Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory
2 GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive
250 GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
XPS 210 Small Form Factor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 (4MB L2 Cache,2.4GHz,1066 FSB)
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
McAfee SecurityCenter with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 36-months

That's a heckuva lotta power for under $600. I know it's a refurb but I figure the refurbs go through more testing than a new system anyway and still come with a warranty.

 

[bamacre]

I would get a refurb's Dell XPS 410 or even a 420 is you can afford a bit more. Oh, even a Precision 390 will do the trick (3yr warranty, too).

They will come with a re-install disk, so a simple deleting of the hard drive partition and re-install of Windows will rid you of any bloatware.

 

[KlokWyze]

lol $600 is cheap?!?!?

You can get a cheap reliable pc good enough for gaming <$300. Surfing the net n' light encoding/processing n' shit ~$150.

Why do people think they have to spend that much?

 

[Serelaw]

Cheap but good systems

 

[Aarondeep]

ACER
Intel Core2 Quad desktop processor Q6600; 2GB memory; DL DVD±RW/CD-RW drive; 500GB hard drive; Windows Vista Home Premium


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...&cp=1&id=1192232280889
Might have to uninstall some bloatware tho, but thats easy enough to do.

 

[JWade]

I have seen the inspiron series desktops on Delloutlet.com for under $200 before shipping, granted they use onboard graphics and usually have either a celeron 420 or a sempron processor in them. Can get a nice dual core Inspiron desktop with 2gb of ram and a video card for for right around $400, they come with 1 year warranty. I have had a few of them and never had any issues with them, not much of any "bloatware" either on them.

I have to agree with the above post, go with a refurb xps 410 or 420 if your budget is $600

 

[accguy9009]

Look here


http://www.newegg.com/Product/...0+50010418&name=Lenovo
:thumbsup: