Who makes the cheapest computer?

[NintendoTogepi]

A relative would like a computer, she told me all she wants it for is internet browsing, email and instant massaging. She said she doesn't need to do anything else with it.

She would like it to be less then 300 dollars and include monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.

What company makes the cheapest computer?

I'm debating whether I should just buy an older used one for 100 dollars, put on Ubuntu minimal, install Firefox, Pidgin and the like and sell it to her for 130 dollars or so, or buy a cheap one from Dell, HP or something.

edit: she decided just to buy a dell mini with ubuntu for about 450 bucks :D

[smartboyathome]

I would say go to your local recycling center and get a computer from there (if they have any). We got ReLectronics here, which gives you refurbished computers. :D

[airjaw]

go with a netbook. cheap, portable, and perfect if only using web browsing, chatting, and email

[jrusso2]

I don't recommend it but I believe you can get an e machine for a few bucks more than $ 300 or maybe even that price if you look for one on sale.

[MikeTheC]

Actually, speaking of eMachines, you folks go and laugh, but mine has treated me quite well. I've now had mine for about 10 months, and not had a lick of trouble with it. It's the W5243 and I paid $269 for it.

Since then, I've changed out the 512MB RAM for 2GB ($47), upgraded to a Thermaltake 500W PSU ($60), and added an XFX nVidia 9600GSO ($79).

[jrusso2]

Actually, speaking of eMachines, you folks go and laugh, but mine has treated me quite well. I've now had mine for about 10 months, and not had a lick of trouble with it. It's the W5243 and I paid $269 for it.

Since then, I've changed out the 512MB RAM for 2GB ($47), upgraded to a Thermaltake 500W PSU ($60), and added an XFX nVidia 9600GSO ($79).

Well I never owned one but I have fixed a lot of them.

I never owned a Packard Bell either but in its day it had its fans.

Just like e machine does.

[lykwydchykyn]

A netbook would be an optimum option if you went new. I would ask her to really think about if those are the only things she wants it to do, though. People often take a lot for granted about computers.

IME cheap computers are cheap because the build quality and quality control is poor. That's why you have people who will swear by emachines, and others who swear at them. It's not so much a question of performance, but the likelihood you'll get a dud.

We've had 1 emachines refurb that's been good to us for at least 3 years now, but like jrusso I've also fixed (or pronouced dead) a few of them. It's a gamble with cheapo stuff, so check the warranty.

[matthekc]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010%204017&name=%24100%20-%20%24200

the 100 to 200 dollar machines at newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010%204018&name=%24200%20-%20%24300
the 200 to 300 dollar machines at newegg

There is a lot of Linux in that list

[MaxIBoy]

There's a lot of good stuff on this (http://listings.ebay.com/_W0QQsocmdZListingItemList?sofocus=pf&sbrftog=1&socmd=ListingItemList&dfsp=32&catref=C3&from=R2&satitle=&sacat=177%26catref%3DC6%26curcat%3Dtrue&a14=-24&a26446=-24&a26443=-24&a26444=26553&a12=26560&a25710=85531&a10244=-24&pfmode=1&pfid=1811&alist=a14%2Ca26446%2Ca26443%2Ca26444%2Ca12%2Ca2571 0%2Ca10244&reqtype=2&gcs=1505&pf_query=&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=34%26fsoo%3D1) list.

[Insane_Homer]

go with a netbook. cheap, portable, and perfect if only using web browsing, chatting, and email

http://www.acer.com/aspireone/

[HavocXphere]

Cheapest would be a DIY build imo, not a pre-built box. Usually AMD+Intel mobo works out cheapest.

[zmjjmz]

The only problem that I can see is that monitors generally aren't too cheap.

[rab4567]

The only problem that I can see is that monitors generally aren't too cheap.


Then go for tube monitor they"re heavy but I got mine for $35 at the nonprofit computer store and its 19"!

[Luftfahrtversicherung]

ASUS laptops are cheap and reliable. Can match-up against top of the line branded ones.

[mips]

Local recycler.
Build your own.
Recertified/refurbished pc's from the manufacturer.
Craigslist, eBay, Junkmail etc.

[-jay-]

u can get old computers for $100 that have only 64mb of ram, 15gb hd, cd rom drive

and for an extra $100 u can get a 500 gb hd, 1gb of ram & a dvd burner

[wmcbrine]

My new Eee PC netbook cost just under $300, including tax. I'm not sure I'd recommend it for someone's only computer, given the smallness of the screen, keyboard and SSD. But it really puts the "personal" in "personal computer", because you can carry it everywhere.

[OrangeCrate]

+1 for a recycled computer.

I clean up quite a few each year, and donate them to our local high school. There's a lot of really good stuff out there, that people have discarded, because they won't run Vista. And yet, 512 meg of RAM will run any Linux distro quite well.

Make sure to get inside the box, and clean out the dust. Particularly around the fans. Most people would be amazed what that will do for overall performance.

[mips]

Make sure to get inside the box, and clean out the dust. Particularly around the fans. Most people would be amazed what that will do for overall performance.


If I get my hands on an old computer I completely strip it. Plastics & case get washed with a brush, warm water & clean green. All componets get dusted off with a paint brush, some things get a cleaned with alchohol, like contacts, circuit boards etc. PSU gets opened and dusted. Once put back it looks brand spanking new!

Amazing the stuff people throw away.

[OrangeCrate]

If I get my hands on an old computer I completely strip it. Plastics & case get washed with a brush, warm water & clean green. All componets get dusted of with a paint brush, some things get a cleaned with alchohol, like contacts, circuit boards etc. PSU gets opened and dusted. Once put back it looks brand spanking new!

Amazing the stuff people throw away.

Agreed, and that's pretty much how I clean them up too. I just didn't go into the detail in my post, that you did in yours.

I then just install either Ubuntu or Xubuntu depending on how much RAM I have to work with. It's quick and easy, and the kids are sure tickled and appreciative. (Where I live, there's lots of hill country people, with not a lot of money.)

(BTW, I'm typing this on a seven year old HP 512n, a 1.4GHz Celeron (PIII family), with 512 meg of RAM, Ubuntu 8.10, and Firefox 3.0.5. It's as quick as a weasel.)

[mips]

I was browsing the www.amibay.com site today and came across something very interesting there. If you want to restore old plastics to their original colour look into Retr0bright.

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retr0bright

Retr0bright is a public domain[1] chemical mixture used to remove yellowing from ABS plastic computer cases that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, such as Commodore, Apple and Amiga computers.[2]. Yellowing is caused by both bromine and exposure to UV light. Bromine is added to ABS plastic, acting as a fire retardant.
Retr0bright is hydrogen peroxide, a small amount of an ‘active oxygen' laundry booster TAED as a catalyst and a UV lamp. Sunlight can be used instead of UV lamp.[3]
The optimum mixture and conditions for reversing yellowing of plastics:
Hydrogen peroxide solution, the stronger the better. 12% works fine. 6% works also, just slower.
UV light, either as sunlight or a UV lamp;
Approx 1/4 teaspoonful per gallon of "Oxy" laundry booster.
Xanthan Gum or Arrow Root can be added to mixture, creating an easier to apply gel.[4]
When making and applying the mixture, one should take proper safety precautions and wear protective gloves and goggles. Hydrogen peroxide can cause serious chemical burns and blindness if splashed in the eyes.

[ronnielsen1]

I don't recommend it but I believe you can get an e machine for a few bucks more than $ 300 or maybe even that price if you look for one on sale.
I've had good luck with emachines. It's just WHEN their dinky little power supply fails, it's cheaper to buy a case with a normal sized power supply and change the motherboard over

[handy]

lol

Or blonding of the hair.

mips you keep on knocking me out. Thanks.

[ubunterooster]

I was browsing the www.amibay.com site today and came across something very interesting there. If you want to restore old plastics to their original colour look into Retr0bright.

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retr0bright
Dude, ever hear of necromancy?

[uRock]

Dude, ever hear of necromancy?

On that note,

Thread Closed.:D