[zybar]

My boys are 3 and 6 and like to use the computer to play their learning games and sometimes watch a DVD.

Any suggestions on what would be a good computer to get them?

I am looking for some specific brands/models and place to buy, not general suggestions like "go with Dell".

Let's try and keep it under $500.   

I don't need a monitor as I have extras in the house and I don't have time to build a new computer from scratch.

Thanks in advance for your help.

George

[sunshinedawg]

How bout under $250? Just bought this computer for the wife at Office Depot. I think its a good kids/wife puter. Doesn't include monitor. It was part of the deal enabling me to get the Emerald CS2's. 

[jmc207]

http://Outlet.Dell.com often has some very good deals on refurbished or scratch and dent models, sometimes as low as $219 and you can surely find something under $500. I've purchased 5 systems in the last 4 months and have had no problems at all. Even the scratch and dent models have been almost perfect. Stock does change constantly and the really good deals disappear fast.

The new Inspiron 530/531 desktops use fairly standard components and to me look a little better built than the average HP/Compaq sold in the big consumer stores. The Dimension's are probably a little better built than the Inspriron's but are more proprietary with the components. In the business section of the Dell Outlet, some good deals can be found on Optiplex 320's and maybe even a 745. I believe these still come with the standard 3 year warranty. Do look for something with a dual core processor and possibly a video card instead of onboard video. Not really necessary for your intended use but the performance and longevity gains may be worth a few dollars more, and may allow the computer to be useful for an extra year or two.

For deals on new computers Techbargains.com and GotApex.com are good places to check.   


   

[MaxCast]

Watch this site.
http://www.gotapex.com/
They usually have a couple computers listed $399 and up.  I don't see one today but they change daily. 

[jmc207]

One other thing. The Dell Optiplex's come with a pretty clean install of the OS, not loaded down with trialware/adware, etc. like the consumer models. If you do get a consumer model the the PC Decrapifier may be useful to clean it up.

http://pcdecrapifier.com/
http://www.download.com/PC-Decrapifier/3000-2096_4-10713314.html?tag=lst-1

[ecramer]

cyperpowerpc always has some good deals and are well thought of. if you do a little research on them. I have no complants with mine.

[ted_b]

I second the recommendation to look at Dell's outlet side of the business.  As one COO of Whirlpool once told me, if I wanted the best most reliable Whirlpool, buy it from their refurb site.  New machine are inspected on a 1:100 ratio, refurbs on a 1:1 ratio.  In Dell's world, the outlet site also contains new product that was prepared or kitted for someone else but not used (they now differentiate in the outlet search results).  There are usually some bargains, but make sure you understand what is being sold (i.e not all outlet machines are described as a full system; some lack monitors or keyboards, which for you is a good thing).

George, look up the dimension E521's.  There are several under $320 that have DVDRW, a gig of memory, a decent 250 gig of HD (kids won't use much yet).
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

[zybar]

Thank you very much guys.

This was exactly what I was looking for.

George

[jermmd]

George,

Check this out. They had an even better deal yesterday but it expired. Some of the upgrades are worth looking at (specifically $20 for a 20" screen).

[Thump553]

If you haven't bought yet, and can wait till Thanksgiving, there are usually some awesome lossleader deals on low to mid level computers.   Of course, you may have to stand in line a few hours in the wee hours, but that's part of the fun-isn't it?

I got a very respectable HP laptop last year, with a free dot matrix printer, at Staples for $400.

[Bob in St. Louis]

http://Outlet.Dell.com often has some very good deals on ..........

Thank you for that. I just bought the wife this:
Optiplex XPPro+ 3.0Mhz 80Gb CDRW-DVD 2Gig for $370 shipped. (CPU, Mouse & keyboard)
It kicks the Hell out of the XPS 400 I paid $1500 13 months ago. 
Technology sucks 

I'll also try that "pcdecrapifier" thing. That looks handy for all the B.S. loaded on a new unit.

You guys are cool.

Bob