Help poor college student build cheap PC?

>
>>Laptop should be a last resort and purchased ONLY if your primary use for
>>it
>>requires portability. Even then, it's probably better to buy/build a
>>desktop and find a cheap used laptop. -Dave
>
> My gut feeling is to agree with you
>
> But indulge me and tell me why YOU feel this way as
> well?

Several reasons, the main ones being:

1- less reliable
2- no way to upgrade it
3- no way to repair it (cheaper to replace it, usually)
4- WHEN it is obsolete (every year or so), you need to replace it (the
whole thing)

Basically it boils down to money. A laptop is a huge waste of money. -Dave
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

"Dave" wrote in message

> >
>>>Laptop should be a last resort and purchased ONLY if your primary use for
>>>it
>>>requires portability. Even then, it's probably better to buy/build a
>>>desktop and find a cheap used laptop. -Dave
>>
>> My gut feeling is to agree with you
>>
>> But indulge me and tell me why YOU feel this way as
>> well?
>
> Several reasons, the main ones being:
>
> 1- less reliable
> 2- no way to upgrade it
> 3- no way to repair it (cheaper to replace it, usually)
> 4- WHEN it is obsolete (every year or so), you need to replace it (the
> whole thing)
>
> Basically it boils down to money. A laptop is a huge waste of
> oney. -Dave

I'd have a different list:

1) Much higher cost for performance
2) LESS ways to upgrade it -- memory, hard disk are easy to upgrade;
processor, MB, video card, monitor - forget it.
3) LESS user repairable items: memory, hard disk again are easy; keyboard
and display are proprietary but repairable (cheaper via Ebay)
4) Batteries wear out; need to be replaced periodically.
5) For the reasons above you're more likely to replace than upgrade when it
becomes long in the tooth : )

I don't find them less reliable.

But I wholeheartedly agree a laptop should be your secondary computer unless
your work requires it or you travel a lot.

Cheers
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

"Dave" wrote:

>> But indulge me and tell me why YOU feel this way as
>> well?
>
>Several reasons, the main ones being:
>
>1- less reliable
>2- no way to upgrade it
>3- no way to repair it (cheaper to replace it, usually)
>4- WHEN it is obsolete (every year or so), you need to replace it (the
>whole thing)
>
>Basically it boils down to money. A laptop is a huge waste of money. -Dave

Ok thanks


Do you own a laptop along with your desktop tho?

And what do you think abt say a good desktop with a
cheap PPC or even Asus eepc for those times you DO need
some kind of portable device?
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

"DonC" wrote:

>But I wholeheartedly agree a laptop should be your secondary computer unless
>your work requires it or you travel a lot.

If going for a desktop..... do you advise NOT getting a
slim line computer or small form factor computer such
as this one in link?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VTWRXI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

In other words.... since this is a small desktop
computer wont it be hard to work on if needed?
especially if being used as a media device for a HDTV?
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

wrote in message

> "DonC" wrote:
>
>>But I wholeheartedly agree a laptop should be your secondary computer
>>unless
>>your work requires it or you travel a lot.
>
> If going for a desktop..... do you advise NOT getting a
> slim line computer or small form factor computer such
> as this one in link?
>
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VTWRXI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
>
> In other words.... since this is a small desktop
> computer wont it be hard to work on if needed?
> especially if being used as a media device for a HDTV?

It's not the size that counts (in this case --pun intended. The issue
isn't so much the size -- it's the proprietary parts and assembly. I can't
tell how the inside of this case is arranged but it looks like a regular
motherboard and that drives, cards, etc. would fit.
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

"DonC" wrote:

>It's not the size that counts (in this case --pun intended. The issue
>isn't so much the size -- it's the proprietary parts and assembly. I can't
>tell how the inside of this case is arranged but it looks like a regular
>motherboard and that drives, cards, etc. would fit.

I know its not the size that counts.... but I am asking
if you (and others) prefer bigger desktop cases over
this one and why?
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

>
> Do you own a laptop along with your desktop tho?

Yes, in fact a laptop is the only computer I actually own. I do most of my
computer stuff on my wife's desktop.


>
> And what do you think abt say a good desktop with a
> cheap PPC or even Asus eepc for those times you DO need
> some kind of portable device?

Good plan. My laptop is an older model, PIII, rarely used, runs
inux. -Dave
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

>>
>> If going for a desktop..... do you advise NOT getting a
>> slim line computer or small form factor computer such
>> as this one in link?
>>
>> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VTWRXI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
>>
>> In other words.... since this is a small desktop
>> computer wont it be hard to work on if needed?
>> especially if being used as a media device for a HDTV?
>
> It's not the size that counts (in this case --pun intended. The issue
> isn't so much the size -- it's the proprietary parts and assembly. I can't
> tell how the inside of this case is arranged but it looks like a regular
> motherboard and that drives, cards, etc. would fit.

Agreed. But also, WATCH THE POWER SUPPLY. I'd advise against purchasing
any pre-built system that is not capable of mounting (without modification)
a standard full-size ATX power supply.

The problem with some of these smaller systems is (as someone else said)
proprietary parts. But as some of them cost not much more than the cost of
a good power supply and mainboard to begin with, this isn't a huge problem.
That is, until the power supply dies. I helped a friend rebuild a SFF
system when the power supply croaked. He was lucky, because his particular
computer had a micro-ATX mainboard that was still good. And all other
components were fine, just the power supply was dead. So a cheap case and
new power supply was all that was needed to get his system running again.
The SFF power supply was non-standard, so to replace it (the SFF power
supply) would have cost more than the whole system was worth (about twice as
much, in fact). That's why we got a new case and power supply to do the
rebuild. Cheaper that way. Much. -Dave
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

"Dave" wrote:

>The SFF power supply was non-standard, so to replace it (the SFF power
>supply) would have cost more than the whole system was worth (about twice as
>much, in fact). That's why we got a new case and power supply to do the
>rebuild. Cheaper that way. Much. -Dave

OK

What abt this system I found on slickdeals.net.net form
dell right now? Is it a decent system as far as
motherboard and power supply? Or a bit too weak and
proprietary given its a quad core?

Again... I'm unemployed full time college student with
limited funds but in need of a computer ( have none)
and TV 9also none)

============================





Dell EPP has Inspiron 530 desktop with Intel Core 2
Quad Q6600 processor and 3-year on-site warranty for
$458 - 4% discount = $440 or $422 if paid with DPA.
Thanks ShadowGuard

Click here
Select the following options:
Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (8MB L2
cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB) [add $90]
Add to cart and check out, your total will be $440
If using your Dell Preferred Account to pay, your total
will be $422
Specs:

Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (8MB L2
cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic - English
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
56K PCI Data Fax Modem
Trend Micro Internet Security 36-months
3Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
Good Upgrades to consider:

4 Years of Warranty + $50 in Dell Dollars [Add $30]
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

wrote in message

> "DonC" wrote:
>
>>It's not the size that counts (in this case --pun intended. The issue
>>isn't so much the size -- it's the proprietary parts and assembly. I can't
>>tell how the inside of this case is arranged but it looks like a regular
>>motherboard and that drives, cards, etc. would fit.
>
> I know its not the size that counts.... but I am asking
> if you (and others) prefer bigger desktop cases over
> this one and why?

Personally, I always put much more thought and research into buying a case
than one would normally think. Reason? I expect my case to host at least
two and likely three different systems before I get rid of it. So I like
lots of drive bays, lots of slots, and plenty of room so nothing is crowded.
I like removable drive bay sections preferably with front entry access,
etc., etc. Unless you have space limitations or need portability, what's
the advantage of small cases?
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

>
> OK
>
> What abt this system I found on slickdeals.net.net form
> dell right now? Is it a decent system as far as
> motherboard and power supply?

Unfortunately, there is no way to tell without looking. Dell does have a
nasty habit of using off-sized power supplies and motherboards, though.

I think that you should forget about the dell system though. It looks like
it's not a bad deal, as far as a dell system goes. But any deal is only
going to be good if it meets your needs. The dell system you referenced,
wouldn't work well as a "TV" right out of the box. To upgrade it through
dell would be wicked expensive. Is it possible to buy parts elsewhere and
upgrade it? Probably, but you wouldn't know FOR SURE until after it was
sitting in your dorm, and that's too late to realize that you need to
replace a proprietary power supply to power the video card you need (for
example). -Dave
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:33:28 -0600, me RemoveThis @privacy.net wrote:

>My budget is tight... very tight..... as I'm a full
>time college student.
You may be able to get a cheap case and PSU. Walk around the campus
and look for departments that are throwing out old computers. You may
not find anything else worth taking from their scrap but you are
likely to find a good enough case and PSU.
Thad
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

> GUEST wrote:
> My budget is tight... very tight..... as I'm a full
> time college student.
>
> Having said that I'm wanting to build a solid desktop
> PC for general Internet and school use...something that
> is cheap to build now but has enough room to upgrade
> later when I get back to work.
>
> I'm NOT a techie at all and haven't kept up on any
> parts and specs.... can someone recommend good cheap
> components that would give me a "box" that cost around
> $300 without monitor? Is that even possible?
>
> Thanks in advance!

I used to get supplies and parts for
building PCs by posting a message on our campus Buy/Sell/Trade forum.
Most colleges have these, and especially at the end of the year when
far-away students are trying to move home, you can really get a
bargain.

End of the year is also an excellent time to get free couches!
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC?