Best Basic Computer?

The operating system alone is 100 bucks, so unless he is going to run linux and you build it with highly questionable parts, I don't see it happening.

Edit: and as for prebuilts, even emachines cost $100 more at their base model (which is a single core piece of junk)

Newegg.com

The Emachine listed would probably be better, it's running XP (the other has Linux on it) so it would be more compatible with programs and most people are used to the way Windows works as opposed to Linux.

Also, the Everex has a VIA CPU.

Wow, I had only looked at emachines main site, didn't think newegg carried them. I would rather use a 5 year old library computer than purchase that....Munkyman587

Yeah, but you'll never get the other peoples crud feeling off of it.

Everytime you turn it on it will be like touching the demo controllers at Wally World and then you'll have to wash your hands cause it will leave that sticky feeling and your hands will smell funny.

You probably could get a used P4 machine if you don't mind other peoples crud. Then again you don't exactly need a super computer for flash games and Email.

Well he isnt using it to play Crysis just games like Maple Story and e-mail and youtube just basic things. Also, is a certain proccessor reccomended for neededtunasandwich395

You might want to check into the maple story requirements, I tried to install it on an IBM laptop from 1996 and it said the graphics card wasn't supported (i have no idea what it had in it, i was trying to get it to work for my cousin, it wasn't an Intel though)

Very studious is he? Building a PC actually is pretty straightforward, if he has a couple of hours of freetime during the weekends he could probably do it. However, when we're talking such low-budget PCs, it isn't really worth the time or effort.BlueBirdTS

Not so sure about that.. I talked my friend out of getting the highest end emachine on their main site, and am building something about 2x better... Faster CPU (its an AMD X2 4200+), cooler master case, two gigs corsair ram, vista home premium, a gigabyte mobo (it may be low-end, but you can OC it) WD 250GB hdd, an antec earthwatts 380W, and an EVGA 8600gt. This was all 450 bucks. So I think you could skimp on the videocard, and be within budget.. with the ability to add it later.

Edit: Also, I don't buy into the "I don't have time" excuse, if you have time to send a prebuilt back to the company for repairs for a few months if it breaks (happened to me, I will never get another prebuilt machine.. was just a bad hdd). It just takes some confidence- I used to be scared to build because I thought "what if it doesn't work!?" It will... Computers take a few hours of research, and even a person completely new to computers could build it within 5 hours.

[QUOTE="BlueBirdTS"]Very studious is he? Building a PC actually is pretty straightforward, if he has a couple of hours of freetime during the weekends he could probably do it. However, when we're talking such low-budget PCs, it isn't really worth the time or effort.Munkyman587

Not so sure about that.. I talked my friend out of getting the highest end emachine on their main site, and am building something about 2x better... Faster CPU (its an AMD X2 4200+), cooler master case, two gigs corsair ram, vista home premium, a gigabyte mobo (it may be low-end, but you can OC it) WD 250GB hdd, an antec earthwatts 380W, and an EVGA 8600gt. This was all 450 bucks. So I think you could skimp on the videocard, and be within budget.. with the ability to add it later.

Edit: Also, I don't buy into the "I don't have time" excuse, if you have time to send a prebuilt back to the company for repairs for a few months if it breaks (happened to me, I will never get another prebuilt machine.. was just a bad hdd). It just takes some confidence- I used to be scared to build because I thought "what if it doesn't work!?" It will... Computers take a few hours of research, and even a person completely new to computers could build it within 5 hours.

Yeah, I agree. Building a PC isn't very time consuming. However, we aren't talking about a $450 budget, in which case I would recommend building your own PC, but rather a measly $200. Again, I recommend having your friend save up a little bit more and build his own.

Yeah, but you'll never get the other peoples crud feeling off of it.

Everytime you turn it on it will be like touching the demo controllers at Wally World and then you'll have to wash your hands cause it will leave that sticky feeling and your hands will smell funny.

You probably could get a used P4 machine if you don't mind other peoples crud. Then again you don't exactly need a super computer for flash games and Email.

_Margulis_

:lol: The contollers handles are smooth when they should have that slightly abrasive grip texture to them. The rubber on the analog sicks are usually rubbed off and in the rubbers place is more smooth plastic with the slick oils from other peoples greasy hands. The entire controller has that cool-to-the-touch, old oil, feel to it. Yes I know that feeling all too well lol.