Budget New Computer Needed For A Birthday Gift

[tink2dw]

PLEASE give me all your best coupons,deals, and Advice I want to get my Dd a new HP computer with XP installed on it, for her birthday which is just around the corner. Hers crashed

We are a family of hp users since back when MSN paid $300.00 for a computer of your chioce if you signed a 3 yr. contract with them.

I usually wait till Black Frday to buy a new hp from Walmart. Last year I scored one for $399.00. I need something around that price.

Dis'ers Hit me with all your best finds. I know someone else must be looking,too.

 

[drgnfly30]

I'm in the same boat as you... DS's computer crashed (again) I told him he'd need to wait until his b-day which is right around the corner... I really can't afford more than $300-400 if that!

 

[Jams421]

I know your looking for an HP, but I just bought a Dell with a flat panel for 404.98 which included shipping. Without the flat panel screen it was around 230.00 (i don't remember the exact price). No specials just a great priced desktop, this is for an office so i needed to put Windows XP professional on it as well. For some reason it was cheaper when I called and placed the order than it was online.

ETA: The price online for the one I purchased is 299.99 without the flat panel monitor

 

[shades]

Dell has the best deals available, IMO. If you do a google search for Dell discount - lots of options for codes will pop up. Walmart appears to have good deals - however, if you compare what they are offering with what you can get at Dell, I don't think Walmart's deal will come close. If you order from Dell, there is no tax and they frequently offer free shipping. I shopped and compared prices for aprox. 2 mos. and Dell beat out all of the other stores, whether online or brick & mortar by at least $200 everytime.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I recently bought DS14 an HP at overstock.com. It's a factory-refurbished model and it was only the tower, keyboard and mouse...no speakers or monitor. But all he needed was the tower since he's got a good monitor and uses a special keyboard for his gaming.

I shopped thru Upromise.com and got a 10% discount off the price (I think it's 5% now) by using their link, plus another 3% contribution to my Upromise account and 1% back on my rewards credit card. Shipping cost me all of $2.95.

 

[disneyfreakk]

dell is running a offers in that price range


http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/odg/odg_special49?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=2

 

[travellady]

I recommend Dell as well due to great pricing and they often have deals going for desktops. Every Sunday, they have a full page ad in Parade magazine - the magazine you find in many Sunday papers as inserts.

HPs are good as well, just am not sure if you can get as good a deal as Dell.

 

[NoelGypsy]

Try Tiger Dircect
Here is a link http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=10&Nav=|c:1868|&Sort=0
The second one down Item #: E400-T6216 is a great deal. It is a 64 bit processor, which is the way computers are going now.They always have great deals on here.
I am not a big supporter of Dell. After owning 2 of them and always having problems, and many people I know having problems I looked into building my own. I buy alot of components from Tiger Direct and have never had a problem. In building my own machines I started learning about different motherboards, and I found Dell always uses the bottom of the barrel motherboards, that is why they are so cheap.
Good luck and I hope you find a good deal !!!

 

[I-4WDW]

I was thinking about Dell too since they always seem to have the best deals, and I am going to need a new computer soon too. My only question is, how do the computers come shipped? Is it just the Dell box, or is it a "disguised" plain box to keep someone from stealing it off your front porch if you dont happen to be home when it is dropped off (Just thinking about all the worst case scenarios). Also, is it packed with the foam packing peanuts (which sometimes dont offer much protection from breakage during shipping), or is it packed with bubble wrap/foam blocks? Is there anybody that can answer these questions? Thanks!

 

[Jams421]

It came shipped in a Dell box, you have to be home to sign for it, they will not leave it. The styroform was fitted to the tower and moniter, keyboard, speakers, and mouse were all in own boxes inside the tower box.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree with Dell. Check sites like fatwallet.com and techbargains.com for the best coupon codes.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Dell has the best deals. I just got one, and I am so happy with it. I even got free shipping.

 

[formernyer]

There's no better deal than a Dell...best prices, solid construction, best warranties/customer service.

HP computers are not what they once were. You couldn't pay me enough to purchase an HP computer for personal use...I might buy for resale if the price is right, but I'd never use one myself. They are total cr** and customer service is terrible.

 

[QueenT]

I have to agree with formernyer, HP computers are no good. Terrible customer service, I had a laptop from them where the back part of the screen & hinges apparently weren't strong enough for the weight of the screen, the plasticy material cracked badly, fixed 3!!! times under warranty but the fixes never lasted. Plus I had to argue with them each time, we used the laptop primarily as a desktop, not a portable, but they wanted to say we had damaged it in some way. Since this would have shown up as scuff marks or something, not sure how they came to that conclusion.

 

[silverspark7]

I agree with previous posters. Dell does have some great deals. my little sister has a dell.

Although, How old is your DD? If she is at the age where she may be heading off to college soon, an iBook (or the newest MacBook) might be the way to go. They are an increasing trend on college campuses. They are relatively inexpensive, have a 6+hour battery life, very lightweight, they hardly ever freeze and crash, and all of the major software (office, instant messengers, music, web browsers, security, etc) is available for Macintosh.

I made the switch from Windows to Macintosh in November and LOVE it. I used to be a very very hardcore windows user, and Mac is just so much easier to deal with. Very user friendly. And even those that are "technologically savvy" will find the open-endedness of the software easy to test and play with.

My vote is of course for a MacBook, but Dell does give you a great deal too!

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore/

 

[silverspark7]

PS - just another great thing about Apple....

They are excellent with customer service. I have an iPod and when my headphones busted (granted they were under warranty) they sent me a new pair - no questions asked - and completely free of charge.

Plus, they have cool accessories. I'm such a dork haha

 

[mlwear]

I agree with previous posters. Dell does have some great deals. my little sister has a dell.

Although, How old is your DD? If she is at the age where she may be heading off to college soon, an iBook (or the newest MacBook) might be the way to go. They are an increasing trend on college campuses. They are relatively inexpensive, have a 6+hour battery life, very lightweight, they hardly ever freeze and crash, and all of the major software (office, instant messengers, music, web browsers, security, etc) is available for Macintosh.

I made the switch from Windows to Macintosh in November and LOVE it. I used to be a very very hardcore windows user, and Mac is just so much easier to deal with. Very user friendly. And even those that are "technologically savvy" will find the open-endedness of the software easy to test and play with.

My vote is of course for a MacBook, but Dell does give you a great deal too!

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore/

I'm wondering if Macintosh is going to soon take the lead. I never ever would have considered switching to Mac, but just a few days ago when discussing that we may get a new computer DH and I both said that we should consider Mac --gasp!
DH is very tech savvy and works at a senior level in the IT industry. I was quite surprised to hear him suggest it. He mentioned some characteristics that the pp did.
I agree with this post. Consider it. I haven't researched pricing, yet.
Otherwise, I must also agree that you will likely get your best deal from Dell. They have good customer service, too. (I purchased a laptop last Christmas. With some upgrades it cost around $500 after specials and rebates! I got one of their free printers, as well. One of the discounts didn't deduct (a paypal special). They gave me free shipping (often a freebie, but not with this bargain) when I called. It was almost 3 times the value of the paypal discount!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

If you buy a dell or an hp through my points you get alot of points, which means you can save them for gift cards for your disney trip. Dell also has refurbished ones and stuff still boxed that people have returned. Those are priced pretty good as well.

 

[cosine4]

Apple makes great computers, however there are some things to consider. If you have software from your old computer that you want to still use, it will not be compatible.

Someone mentioned that an iBook would be great if she will be going to college soon. That depends on what area of study she plans on going into. For example, alot of engineering software is not as common for macs.

I have had good experiences with every Dell that I have ever used (notebook for home use, notebook for work use, and a previous desktop for work) all of which have been put through the paces.