Low-cost Desktop ideas needed

[mysticrider92]

Hey all. My elderly neighbor is looking for a new computer, and asked me for some help finding one. He just needs something very basic for internet browsing, word processing, etc., and was considering the Everex gPC2 from Walmart. I have heard a good response about this computer, can anyone here give their opinion about it?

The neighbor has also asked if I could build a comparable machine for less than the price of the gPC. I think this might be possible, using the gOS software on a Via or AMD Geode motherboard, but it will be very close in cost. Any recommendations here? I don't think he is going to care if the processor is not the same Via C7, but the performance needs to be fairly close to the gPC.

Thanks in advance.

[edit] I have looked around some, that gPC is a very good deal. I can barely come up with a case and all-in-one mobo combo (decent quality) for that price, and they include all but a monitor...

[tamoneya]

ive done under 200 including shipping for an atom in a mini ITX case with 500 GB harddrive. I dont know what the everex costs but i know 200 is pretty good.

[gn2]

Have a look on eBay or for local dealers in refurbished units.
In the UK you can get a PIII tower unit for practically nothing.

[mysticrider92]

ive done under 200 including shipping for an atom in a mini ITX case with 500 GB harddrive. I dont know what the everex costs but i know 200 is pretty good.

The Everex is $200. Quite a good deal really.. Via C7 1.5GHZ, 512mb ram, 80gb hard drive, CD-RW drive, gOS, keyboard, mouse, speakers.

What website did you get that price from? I am not finding much on Newegg, unless the case or motherboard is really pathetic. The computer has to be cheap, but reasonable quality.

The refurbished idea is always an option, I will keep that in mind.

[tamoneya]

The Everex is $200. Quite a good deal really.. Via C7 1.5GHZ, 512mb ram, 80gb hard drive, CD-RW drive, gOS, keyboard, mouse, speakers.

What website did you get that price from? I am not finding much on Newegg, unless the case or motherboard is really pathetic. The computer has to be cheap, but reasonable quality.

The refurbished idea is always an option, I will keep that in mind.

I misquoted the harddrive size (i have to many builds in newegg to keep track of) but here are the parts:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154084
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121342
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134044
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827248001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822210002

That totals to 193.75 (8/6/2008). I havent done any price shopping though so im sure you can get lower. It doesnt have a keyboard or mouse or speakers but you can probably get some combo for cheap. Also the case is pretty nice so you could get that lower.

[tamoneya]

Well i just found someone else on newegg who seems to have optimized it a little better than me: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=5100449

$200 with the 500 GB.

It is still missing a DVD drive though

[tbroderick]

Well i just found someone else on newegg who seems to have optimized it a little better than me: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=5100449

$200 with the 500 GB.

It is still missing a DVD drive though

If you don't care about a slim case, newegg has a matx mini tower by Linkworld with PSU for $27.99. That would bring the total down to $185.85. Using an 80GB hard drive would bring it down to $150.99. Adding a DVD burner for $22.99 would bring to $173.98.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811164097