I just had a look at the "Student Pack" on that site - how can they get away with selling a system with only 128MB RAM??? Doing that should be made illegal - no way you can get away with so little RAM nowadays (I guess if you are still using Windows 3.11 or Win95 it isn't a problem, but anything more than that and you are asking for trouble.
Man that sucks, simply because it seems that they were the only good deal around. Well I guess it's pick your poison, since the original poster doesn't know how to build a computer, it looks like there's not any great options. I checked out the prices on systems at the four websites, and while there weren't any great deals, I guess he could go with a "value" system, but then I guess it becomes a matter of why not go with the Acer. Well we tried to help. Of course if Chuck could help you build one being in Australia and all...
See....this is why I call this web site the greatest source of infomationa in human history! I DID NOT buy that computer today. I live in Sydney so I have plenty of options as far as shopping for a computer goes. My budget is $1000 or less at this point. I want atleast 256MB's....but would prefere 512. It doesnt need to have a DVD or CD drive because I have two of those that are basically brand new. I have broadband and a GREAT moden and router....so thats all taken care of as well. I dont even need a new monitor at this point. Sure a flat screen monitor would be nice, but my computer desk fits in the corner of the room and so the normal monitors are not a problem at all. Im now wondering wether I should just bite the bullet and build my own computer. I've never built a computer before, the most Ive ever done is install a DVD drive. The thing that worries me about buying a computer from a smaller store is that the smaller stores Ive delt with in the past has REALLY stuffed me around. Is it very difficult to build a computer from scratch?
Is it difficult? not for me....but since I've been doing stuff like that since 94 I guess it would seem a breeze to me. You might be different.. If you decide to....you need to be very very careful when installing the motherboard/cpu/ram.....it is so easy to mess up something during that stage of the build. It might be worth your time to find a geek friend that is more comfortable messing with that aspect to at least assist you to ensure that you take the necessary precautions. once you get the motherboard/cpu/ram installed propely in the case...the rest of it is gravy...basically installing what few cards you have and the drives. If you are good at paying attention to details and have a aptitude towards technical stuff, then it will probably be relatively easy... I could give you alot more indepth advice if you decide to buy the parts and assemble it yourself....just let me know... If you dont feel comfortable doing it....maybe you can get someplace to custom assemble one with just the mobo/cpu/ram in the case and then take over yourself from there....
Im pretty good at putting stuff togeather. I was the type of kid that would take things apart and put them back togeather. I would guess that if I go to a local computer store and buy enough stuff...they'd probably at least install the Motherboard and RAM for me. I think what I'll do it try to find a computer geek to help me buy the stuff I want.....put the basics togeather and go from there. I just have so much stuff thats brand new for a computer...I have the DVD and another CD Drive, both of which are new. I have a new network card I had to put in so I could attack an ethernet cable to the computer.....all I really need ia a new motherboard, Ram and Graphics card and I'd be right. But If I can get someone who knows a bit more about computers then I do to help me out to get the stuff I'll be able to use and build on for a while....it should end up being a better option then buying a whole system. Anyway, thank you all for you help. Ive learned ALOT and Ive saved ALOT of money too. I'll let you know when I get my new computer up an running.
chris - try this, it is the email i got from the IT guy at my work I received a brochure today from Dell with the following PC. I think it represents excellent value. DELL Dimension 3000 mini-tower PC 256MB RAM with FREE UPGRADE to 1GB RAM 17'' LCD monitor Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor CD-ROM with FREE UPGRADE to DVD BURNER (also burns CDs) Windows XP Home Edition 1 year warranty All this for just $999 if ordered and paid for online by 3 June. There is a $99 delivery fee so total price is $1098. The Dell E-Value code is M220606. Go to www.dell.com.au/smallbiz .
me too....used to take apart anything electronic I could get my hands on...and even used to get those electrical kits from Popular Mechanics and Radio Shack back then...guess it was a forgone conclusion that I ended up being good at technology. man...thats a pretty nice machine. Saves you the hassle of dealing with piecing one together....and the warranty for a bit more than you would spend on the other thing we discussed. guess which way you go depends on how much the few parts you would need cost vs the price of this deal...and if having the thing all taken care of with one stop is worth the extra cost. the large RAM amount and LCD monitor are major bonuses....only thing that concerns me is the "mini tower" designation...Im curious as to how much expansion room (5.25 bays) that might have...I alwasy like having plenty of room for more drives and such..
Gosh, I would loove to leave this thread alone now, but I my concious tells me to intervene even if it means being the bad guy. Normally the Dell is a good deal, but not in this case. The first thing I looked into when giving advice was look into Dell Australia, and for some reason, Dell likes to rip Aussie's off. It is hassle free, but here's my problems. 1) The same Dell system, with an almost equivalent configuration (Better monitor, less Ram, no Dvd Burner) sells for $450 USD occasionally in the US right now with free shipping. I don't need to remind you that $1098 Australian is equivalent to 823.279 USD. Wow, now that's a ripoff. I believe Dell has to pay around $100 for importing the computer to Australia, and they don't run as many specials there either. 2) Dell uses lower grade parts. This is well known, as their objective is to provide the average joe with an affordable pc. That is an admirable goal, and I believe that they have cut the right corners when doing so. However, that is precisely why you want to get their computers at lower prices. Sure they offer reliability because they have done well with the lower grade materials, and offer excellent customer service, but lower grade is lower grade no matter how you spin it. Essentially, even the Acer would be built with better parts, although the Dell may be better because of their tech support, as I believe they have recently begun bringing it back from India (I don't want to stir any controversy if I'm wrong here, but I have personally spoken to India-based Dell tech support in the past, and not so recently.) 3) One thing I do not like about this price is the absence of a good video card. I know that you are not going to use the machine for gaming purposes, but build your own with a knowledgeable friend and you can still make yourself a much better machine. The reason I pointed you to MSY is because it is the closest to the build-it-yourself price on parts/vs. margin. However, as Chuck04 showed, they are not a good company when things go wrong. Counter-opinion\final words: Dell is relatively hassle-free. You have to appreciate the effort of Smeggy bringing it up, I just don't like the cost-reward of it. As long as you have that warranty, you are safe with Dell. They do go out of their way to make customers happy, generally speaking. But they make a lot of margin on their computers when they sell it to Australia.
