New, basic PC for parents

CathJ

CathJ

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My parents' PC is getting really slow - it's pretty old, so I'm trying to convince them to replace it. I'm so out of date with PC hardware, though, that I'd rather just get them a pre-built machine rather than going through the hassle of choosing all the bits myself.

I did a quick look on the net, and found these from Chaos. What do you guys think? They're not exactly into gaming or anything hectic - just web browsing, viewing photos, that kind of thing. The most resource-hungry app they run is probably the anti-virus :)

For R1999:
* Intel 430 Celeron (1.8GHz)
* MSI G31 Motherboard
* 1GB DDR2-800 Memory
* 250GB SATA II Hard Drive
* 22x DVD Writer
* 128MB Intel X3100 Integrated Display
* MicroATX Chassis 250W PSU


For R2299:
* Intel E3300 Dual Core Celeron (2.5GHz)
* MSI G31 Motherboard
* 1GB DDR2-800 Memory
* 250GB SATA II Hard Drive
* 22x DVD Writer
* 128MB Intel X3100 Integrated Display
* MicroATX Chassis 250W PSU

(Those prices exclude the OS - I'd probably get them Win 7 Home Basic, although I'd prefer to get them plain old XP if I can find it)
 
Never buy anything celeron. They are quite long in the tooth now and should be phased out.

Rather go for Intel i3 based chip if you're on a budget. They will last longer. The i3 is the lowest in that series.

XP is also not supported any more. Win7 is similar enough not to be a learning issue.

A lot of people say "well it's only for browsing", but their experience changes + a lot of programs are now designed for higher spec PC's in every respect. Even the antivirus demands more memory because they expect people to upgrade.
 
Last edited:
Things have changed since we last used Celeron, Lounger.

The new dual core E3300 Celerons pack quite a punch for the price, its just that awful name that regurgitates the thoughts of a budget CPU.

@CathJ Rather go to Cafe Viva in the Stadium on main in Claremont.

Look what you can get for R2299:

Intel Dual Core E5400 @2.7ghz
Intel G31 ASUS Mainboard.
2GB DDR2 800MHZ RAM
EXTERNAL DVD WRITER.
250GB SATA HDD

check out www.cafeviva.co.za and download the latest from the Cape Ads pricelist on the front page to see the tower and extras.

I reckon this Pc easily beats the Chaos offer hands down and the little extras you may need are there for cheap too.

I would know, cause i spend a fortune buying there and i find there service excellent.
 
Something like:
Power Pro IV
Intel Core i3-530 (2.93Ghz ) CPU
2GB DDR3 RAM
Foxconn Professional Chassis + 350W PSU
500GB 7200 RPM HDD
DVD Writer +/_ ( 22x) DL (8.5GB)
Onboard sound w/ speakers
18.5" LG Wide LCD Monitor
Optical Mouse + Keyboard
No OS Included

from http://pcint.co.za/pcs.php

But ya if you go with a celeron, pop linux on it and show them where firefox is, and maybe install open office, then let them be
 
Lounger said:
Never buy anything celeron. They are quite long in the tooth now and should be phased out.

Rather go for Intel i3 based chip if you're on a budget. They will last longer. The i3 is the lowest in that series.

XP is also not supported any more. Win7 is similar enough not to be a learning issue.

A lot of people say "well it's only for browsing", but their experience changes + a lot of programs are now designed for higher spec PC's in every respect. Even the antivirus demands more memory because they expect people to upgrade.
Click to expand...

Your last point is true - as I've explained to them, if their PC was an isolated system they would never need to upgrade; but it's connected to the net, so you need anti-virus upgrades, which require more resources; your peripherals start needing more; etc etc. Otherwise you could stay on Win95 forever :)

Windows 7 is quite different, though - not impossible, but different enough to consider the options rather than just automatically upgrading. The budget managment software that they use, for example, probably won't work in Win7 but will in XP.

spiderz said:
drop the windows, go for linux.
Click to expand...

Not realistic. Not only is it quite a bit interface change, but the apps they know and use won't run on linux.


demon angel said:
Things have changed since we last used Celeron, Lounger.

The new dual core E3300 Celerons pack quite a punch for the price, its just that awful name that regurgitates the thoughts of a budget CPU.

@CathJ Rather go to Cafe Viva in the Stadium on main in Claremont.

Look what you can get for R2299:

Intel Dual Core E5400 @2.7ghz
Intel G31 ASUS Mainboard.
2GB DDR2 800MHZ RAM
EXTERNAL DVD WRITER.
250GB SATA HDD

check out www.cafeviva.co.za and download the latest from the Cape Ads pricelist on the front page to see the tower and extras.

I reckon this Pc easily beats the Chaos offer hands down and the little extras you may need are there for cheap too.

I would know, cause i spend a fortune buying there and i find there service excellent.
Click to expand...

Ah, didn't think of CafeViva. Good idea, I'll see what they have.
 
demon angel said:
@CathJ Rather go to Cafe Viva in the Stadium on main in Claremont.

Look what you can get for R2299:

Intel Dual Core E5400 @2.7ghz
Intel G31 ASUS Mainboard.
2GB DDR2 800MHZ RAM
EXTERNAL DVD WRITER.
250GB SATA HDD
Click to expand...

Yebo yes. that's what i would go for to.
 
I've got the following:

E5400 CPU
ASUS K5KPL MB
2GB DDR 800 RAM
500GB SATA HDD
Internal DVD writer
Keyboard, Mouse & Speakers
R2399
 
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