[drphoto]

I'm trying to find a cheap PC for my sister. It only needs to do internet and stuff like Microsoft Office. No heavy lifting required. I'm a Mac guy and know virtually nothing about PC's.

What's the best way to go? I got a flyer from CompUSA that had some refurbed IBM and HP Pentium 4 units for only a few hundred bucks. Would these be ok?

Also, is Windows XP a better choice than Vista?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[MaxCast]

keep your eye on this site.
http://www.gotapex.com/
Everyday he lists dell's stuff at the top of the page.  Seems like you can always get an entry level computer for <$400 shipped.

You may also want to watch for a used local machine for cheep.  I got a pretty decent sony vaio for a case of wine 

[KS]

"Consumer Reports" has a very recent issue on computers.  I'd look there.  Have her look at monitors, keyboards, and mice in any local computer store to find out what looks best to her at price points and which feels best to her fingers.  I like the ergonomic (bent in the middle) keyboards a lot; some don't.  I like a big mouse; the Mrs. likes a small one.

For any on-line purchase, do a search for a discount coupon from the seller. We just bought a Lenovo Thinkpad notebook (like it a lot), and with the Lenovo on-line discount plus a discount coupon code it was $555, a bargain for what's in it.

[panomaniac]

Have a look at the "Scratch and Dent" store at Dell.com.
B stock, refurbs, non-claimed orders, etc.

I picked up a really nice, loaded desktop earlier this year for about $400. Would have been about $1200 as a "new" PC.
Full warranty.  I'm happy!

[NewBuyer]

I'm trying to find a cheap PC for my sister. It only needs to do internet and stuff like Microsoft Office. No heavy lifting required. I'm a Mac guy and know virtually nothing about PC's.

What's the best way to go? I got a flyer from CompUSA that had some refurbed IBM and HP Pentium 4 units for only a few hundred bucks. Would these be ok?

Also, is Windows XP a better choice than Vista?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

For only internet and Office, you should look for a PC that is free (seriously). You can find people virtually giving them away the older-tech stuff right now - you don't need anything more than 1GHz CPU, and even this will be way overkill for those applications. For instance, do you have a CraigsList location you can search online? Lots of stuff for you there...

[mjosef]

Can't beat this deal @ $450. for a laptop.
http://www.buy.com/prod/gateway-t1616-ultra-thin-notebook-dual-core-turion-64-x2-mobile/q/loc/101/207910910.html

[woodsyi]

I'm trying to find a cheap PC for my sister. It only needs to do internet and stuff like Microsoft Office. No heavy lifting required. I'm a Mac guy and know virtually nothing about PC's.

What's the best way to go? I got a flyer from CompUSA that had some refurbed IBM and HP Pentium 4 units for only a few hundred bucks. Would these be ok?

Also, is Windows XP a better choice than Vista?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

PM me and I will give you a Dell laptop loaded with MS Office for the cost of shipping.  It's like 4 years old and but still works with WiFi and all. 

[drphoto]

Sorry I've not replied. Not much time to surf the web these day. That's an incredibly generous offer, thank you. I'd definitely want to compenstate you for your time, not just shipping.

Lemme get w/ my sister. She might still want a Mac because I can administer that. I know zip about PC's.

I'll PM you when I know something.

Thanks again.

[TheChairGuy]

Hey, you cannot beat Father Theresa's (aka, woodsyi) deal  ....but in case it falls thru the $399 Compaq unit at Best Buy is a great buy.  I was in last week talking to a guy who bought it recently (for his younger sister) and said it was superb for the price.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~cabcat0500000%23%230%23%2313l~~cabcat0502000%23%230%23%231t~~ncabcat0502001%23%230%23%233&usc=abcat0500000&nrp=15&type=category&lcn=Internet+%26+E-Mail&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&id=abcat0502001

I see it's sold out now, but a $429 ACER is there.

I always buy the 3 year warranty for laptops at BB...they cover 2 batteries in those 3 years...so it covers the cost of the warranty with that alone (and most often the battery is upgraded over the original - such is the state of Li-Ion batteries now) for $279.00.

Vista is very good (my fist laptop now with it), but it is a serious resource hog.  1GB of RAM is simply not enough....2 is minimum, and 3 or 4 (the max) is better still 

But, when you add RAM...the price isn't so good then.

I bought a Gateway M-6846 on closeout from BestBuy for $719    It's phenomenal for the price...I was all set to make the switch to MAC and the graphics and speed of this Gateway was on par.  It's the 64 bit chip (and windows)...it's very highly recommended for the price ($1019 with tax and 3 year full warranty). It was cheaper in store than online, I see 

So, I saved my company $500 and stuck with the PC (more than that as I can use many of the same programs as with prior Windows XP)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8770635&type=product&id=1203815723206

John