Help with desktop computer purchase

[mominwestlake]

My sister and I are going to split the cost of a new computer (desktop) for our parents for Christmas. Can someone who is computer savy help us make a list of what is needed- how much memory, etc? They just turned 70 and will use it mainly for internet and email and viewing pictures. They have AOL and will not switch providers. I need to get a new monitor too. Also, does anyone have an places we should shop at? Where the best deals are?

 

[drinkme]

My sister and I are going to split the cost of a new computer (desktop) for our parents for Christmas. Can someone who is computer savy help us make a list of what is needed- how much memory, etc? They just turned 70 and will use it mainly for internet and email and viewing pictures. They have AOL and will not switch providers. I need to get a new monitor too. Also, does anyone have an places we should shop at? Where the best deals are?

Sorry, not computer savvy, but I found great deals on refurbished Dells at the Dell outlet online.

 

[nd5056]

This one looks good.

Vostro 220s Slim Tower Intel Core 2 Duo 2.93GHz, 18.5-inch, 2GB RAM, 160GB for $399.00


Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit / Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 w/ VT (2.93GHz, 3M, L2Cache

# Click Here and add to cart for $757.00 - $358 Instant Off = $399.00

 

[ssawka]

For Internet and Email you don't need much, basically any "economy" PC would work fine.

HP often has really good deals around Black Friday. For example, you can get this one for $369.99, then there is a coupon code SVMY65443 for 5% off, that brings it down to $351.50. Then if you sign up for cash back through bing.com you can get an additional 5% back, bringing the price down to $333.91.

That system is fine for Internet and is probably what you should be looking for:

• Windows 7
• At least 3GB of RAM
• At least 500GB Hard Drive

There are cheaper models that would probably work fine, but this seems like a good basic system.

Oh, I should mention this does not have a monitor, so add about another $100 for a monitor.

Also, look for a system with an AMD processor over Intel. You pay a premium for Intel, and most users would not even know the difference. In fact, AMDs have been known to out perform Intels.

 

[mominwestlake]

Thanks for the help so far.
I don't know if this matters but my sister thinks they might still have dial-up. We can't remember if they got cable hookup or not and we don't want to ask since they'll say not to get them a new computer.
Do you think we should go to Best Buy so they can get the Geek Squad when they don't know what they're doing?
They need to be able to view pictures that people send as attachments in email. On their old system they can't do this.

Also, I don't want to get the cheapest because if something goes wrong and they find out it was cheap we'll hear about it later!

 

[ssawka]

Thanks for the help so far.
I don't know if this matters but my sister thinks they might still have dial-up. We can't remember if they got cable hookup or not and we don't want to ask since they'll say not to get them a new computer.
Do you think we should go to Best Buy so they can get the Geek Squad when they don't know what they're doing?
They need to be able to view pictures that people send as attachments in email. On their old system they can't do this.

Also, I don't want to get the cheapest because if something goes wrong and they find out it was cheap we'll hear about it later!

I have not used Geek Squad, but my opinion of support from the big box stores is not great. These are not high paying jobs, so the quality you get is not always the greatest.

My advice would be to look at the HP or Dell web site. The computers now a days are really "plug and play". And both HP and Dell offer phone support to help you get up and running. I favor HP but that is only because they do not charge a premium for their name like Dell does.

 

[wmharley]

if you buy a dell or HP you can go back and get their extended warranties within the normal manufacturer warranty period.

That said, normally I'd suggest these basic setups to folks who ask me:

AMD: Phenom X4, or Athlon II X4 processors
or Intel: i7/i5, Quad cores, or on lower end a Core2Duo E7xxx processor.

• 3GB+ RAM
• 320GB+ Hard Drive (if they do video then I up it to 500+, but at 70yo, 320 should be ok
• DVD+/-RW, preferably with Lightscribe for labeling
• Card Reader
• DVI plug for monitor (better image when viewed with DVI monitor, IMO)
• e-SATA port if you have an external HD

however, since your folks are older they could get an AMD Athlon X2 or Athlon II X2 processor or an Intel C2D...

I got a Phenom X4 with 640GB and 4GB RAM for under $500 recently FWIW.

 

[mominwestlake]

WMharley, I appreciate you spelling out exactly what requirements we should look for. What size monitor do you think we should get? I am going to look on the dell and hp websites. What about Gateway? I think their current/old model is Gateway.

 

[ssawka]

WMharley, I appreciate you spelling out exactly what requirements we should look for. What size monitor do you think we should get? I am going to look on the dell and hp websites. What about Gateway? I think their current/old model is Gateway.

Gateway is pretty much DOA these days.

 

[big_red_s]

I'm in IT but I won't confuse you with a whole bunch of useless jargon.

Bottom line is that unless you are a gamer or use the computer to do heavy processing (use it for business or as your entertainment center etc.) you don't need a "top of the line" computer.

Anything which is reasonable (around $500 not including the monitor) should last you about 5 years or so before you need to get a new one.

The kind of monitor is depends on what the computer is used for.
They have great monitors in a 16:9 ratio (movie screen ratio) which seem to be popular now. If you're asking whether you should get 15", 17" or more that depends on the space you have available and a price point. With the exception of the size there is really no noticable difference in quality.

 

[mominwestlake]

This one looks good.

Vostro 220s Slim Tower Intel Core 2 Duo 2.93GHz, 18.5-inch, 2GB RAM, 160GB for $399.00


Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit / Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 w/ VT (2.93GHz, 3M, L2Cache

# Click Here and add to cart for $757.00 - $358 Instant Off = $399.00

So, do you think this one would be okay for my parents? I would need to get speakers too. Do you think I should get the 20 inch monitor instead of the 18.5 inch?

I appreciate the help. My sister left this up to me since this is her super busy season at work.

Also, we do not want to head out on Black Friday even though we might get some good deals.

 

[wmharley]

Gateway is pretty much DOA these days.

Actually not. Gateway was bought by Acer and they still sell items. I got a Phenom GW and so did my mom based on my recommendations.

WMharley, I appreciate you spelling out exactly what requirements we should look for. What size monitor do you think we should get? I am going to look on the dell and hp websites. What about Gateway? I think their current/old model is Gateway.

It be easy to say larger, but the fact is larger screens require higher resolution to see it clearly, which means everything will be smaller (text) so it might be harder to see for your parents. We upgraded a coworker from a 17" to a 22" with higher resolution and she complains its hard to read.

Not saying you need to get a smaller one, but make sure the resolution works for you, if you see it instore.

I'm in IT but I won't confuse you with a whole bunch of useless jargon.

Bottom line is that unless you are a gamer or use the computer to do heavy processing (use it for business or as your entertainment center etc.) you don't need a "top of the line" computer.

Anything which is reasonable (around $500 not including the monitor) should last you about 5 years or so before you need to get a new one.

The kind of monitor is depends on what the computer is used for.
They have great monitors in a 16:9 ratio (movie screen ratio) which seem to be popular now. If you're asking whether you should get 15", 17" or more that depends on the space you have available and a price point. With the exception of the size there is really no noticable difference in quality.

The only issue i'd have with "reasonable" is that there is so much variation.. Like I said before, I got a new Phenom for $400 ($492 shipped/tax from BB as they didn't carry it in store at the time). There are many more crappier units that are more expensive, so knowing which specs are better, for the same price, i'd go for specs.. might get ya 5.5yrs!!!

So, do you think this one would be okay for my parents? I would need to get speakers too. Do you think I should get the 20 inch monitor instead of the 18.5 inch?

I appreciate the help. My sister left this up to me since this is her super busy season at work.

Also, we do not want to head out on Black Friday even though we might get some good deals.

the Dell one is ncie.. i'd consider upping the HD up to 250 ($15) or 320gb ($55).. Once you factor in the OS and maybe Office, if you get it, then that base 160, is more like 100-ish and that can fill up decently, even for old people.

also if they have cameras or you visit them, maybe get the media card reader option or just buy them one aftermarket.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

I am pretty computer savvy and in our home we have 4 computers.

I personally would not buy a Dell for any reason.

I would order this from Walmart for $447.97

you will be getting a great computer with an additional copy of windows 7 you can fight over or sell

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13030191&findingMethod=rr

Pick this computer from the list....

Compaq Presario CQ5210F Desktop PC with AMD Athlon II X2 215 Dual-Core Processor & Windows 7 Home Premium

AMD Athlon II X2 215 dual-core processor delivers 2.7GHz speed with a 4000MHz System Bus, and 1MB of L2 cache
3GB of PC2-6400 DDR2 SDRAM system memory handles today's demanding applications
500GB SATA hard drive is rated at 7200 rpm and stores up to 142,000 photos, or up to 124,000 songs, or up to 60 hours of HD video and more
LightScribe SuperMulti DVD optical drive lets you play and create CDs and DVDs, then use LightScribe to create custom labels and etch them directly onto LightScribe-enabled discs
Connects to a broadband modem using the 10/100 Ethernet port, or connects to dial-up service using the built-in 56k modem
NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE graphics with 256MB integrated shared graphics memory furnishes up to 1407MB of total available graphics memory as allocated by Windows 7

I have owned many computers over the years and the compaqs have always been very reliable computers 3 out of the 4 computers we own right now are compaqs with a 1997 Compaq Desktop still going strong!

Happy to answer any questions you have.

 

[minnie10]

Thank you for your post. I am also looking for a new computer and this compaq looks great for $347.00 I think I will try it.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Thank you for your post. I am also looking for a new computer and this compaq looks great for $347.00 I think I will try it.

the compaq is $447.

but it is a great buy!

 

[nd5056]

So, do you think this one would be okay for my parents? I would need to get speakers too. Do you think I should get the 20 inch monitor instead of the 18.5 inch?

I appreciate the help. My sister left this up to me since this is her super busy season at work.

Also, we do not want to head out on Black Friday even though we might get some good deals.

I'd say it would do just fine. However, phone modem may be optional regardless where you buy the PC. If your parents have a Dial-up, I’d say they don’t need too much of a PC, especially a i5 or i7. As you mentioned, a bigger screen would be a better upgrade for them, especially in the wide screen factor. 20’ is a good choice to start with.

As for the brand, I strongly advice you NOT to purchase eMachines of any kind. They are known to blow the motherboard after a couple of years or so…

As far as Dell, Compaq and others, it’s not the brand that’s a problem. It’s the components they use they have a problem with and this changes between different brands or models every year.

.

 

[fac]

I really think you need to find out whether they use dial-up, you do not want to buy a computer and found out that they can't use it immediately.

 

[dawson5]

Thank you for your post. I am also looking for a new computer and this compaq looks great for $347.00 I think I will try it.

look at newegg.com The same computer is $390.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883109035

Neither one includes a monitor.

 

[peggster]

One thing to think about (from one who was on dial-up for years before recently upgrading to cable internet): if they want to use the computer for sending and receiving pictures, they may get frustrated with how long it takes to download and upload photos on dial-up. An email with a few photos attached could take up to 10-15 minutes to receive or send (for me, anyway). A good computer will help, but if they're still on dial-up, it will only help so much. You might want to think about "giving" them high-speed internet. Depending on where they live, there might be some good deals around.

Good luck!

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

look at newegg.com The same computer is $390.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883109035

Neither one includes a monitor.

Good Find, if they do not need an extra copy of windows 7 and shipping is free it would be the better deal.