Hi guys,

My 8 year old son would like a computer from Santa! I need a basic PC (already has a PS2 and we have the laptop) to get him doing basic school documents and general surfing.

Any suggestions of where a can get a reasonable priced entry level PC.

CHeers

Ginny

Hi Ginny,

If you don't mind second-hand (and I wouldn't as long as it came with pukka software, primarily Windows XP and Office) then take a look in the Weekend Shopper that comes with Saturday's Courier Mail ... I believe the ads are on-line from Thursday too ...

Avoid walking into a shop and asking exactly the above question if you don't fancy getting a waaaay over-specced (and over-priced) PC.

Schoolwork, surfing (even broadband) ... you need very little computing power. Hold on, I have an old Weekend Shopper here ...

-----------------
Pentium 4 1.6 Ghz
256 Mb Ram (512 is ideal for running Windows XP)
20 Gig Drive
17inch Monitor
XP and Office (and they should have the original disks and serial numbers)
$180
-----------------

And that is over-specced for your needs. Oh, and you probably need something with a CD writer in there as well for transferring schoolwork.

If you must buy new then take a look at these guys, I've bought from them before and they seem reliable:
www.pchome.com.au

Cheers,
Matt

Hi Matt,

Thanks for taking the time to find that info. Will take a closer look.

Cheers

Ginny

if you have low income status check out..

http://www.greenpc.com.au/

(ive just started working for em!)

Hi,

Thanks for the link......

Cheers

Ginny

Why?. A bit contentious but I dont put any importance on pukka software such as XP or office!. Load a copy - U must know someone with a disk.
Get other free software by downloading or from magazines that are available from your local library.

Bill gates has already made a fortune out of a sub standard product!.

Try gamedude down in Springwood. You can buy a new PC (without monitor, and running linux, but for an additional payment they can put windows on it).

Each to their own (karma and all that) but if was paying for a PC that was advertised with software installed then I'd want it to be the genuine article. Especially if something went wrong with it and I didn't have a great deal of PC knowledge (as most people don't).

Any joe can lay their hands on a dodgy copy of XP (yup, even with the authorisation removed) and feel clever by installing it.

I am no particular fan of Microsoft as a company (having just had to buy ANOTHER OEM copy of XP due to a motherboard failure) but I do think that the current version of XP is their best yet and is worth the money.

I do too much work on my PC (I'm an IT professional) and have too much important information stored on it to be buggering around with "warez" as distributed by the crackers and their adolescent mates.

Fair enough. I 'borrowed' mine off a non adolescent (very mature) samaritan.

whoops, I embedded the rest of my comments in your post!

OK, I'm bored and waiting for a lift home, let's take each point in turn ...

You're kidding, right? Go ask your parents what the difference is between stealing a copy of some software and borrowing a book.

And I guess you also think it's OK to buy a shedload of pirated DVDs if you are a poor single parent and the kids need something to watch. Doesn't matter what the cash is funding (ultimately) does it? I'm alright Jack, pull the ladder up.

I hated Windows Me but apart from that the various versions have kept me going for the past 15 years or so ... It's very easy to put the boot in without realising what the alternatives could be.

Then you nicely embody the phrase "Thick As Theives".

Get a life bud

You could try ALDI. Yeah I know, it has the reputation of being a cheap crap shop. But apparently every 3 months they bring out a new high spec PC.

I think it was OzzieEagle put me on to it. So you could try Pm'ing him. They are well spec'd PCs and very reasonably priced.

JTL

You will find that people whos livelihood is developing software get a bit touchy when others assume that software should be free.

I should know, i was a developer for Lotus and IBM for 7 years, and the idea that you think my and my teams work should be free to you is pathetic. Do you expect Foxtel to be free too? What about Broadband?

Pay your way bud, we don't owe you a living.

JTL

You're right, of course, I clearly do need a life.

How could I have been so wrong for so long?

Thank you for pointing this out. I shall start bludging as much as I can out of society without a thought for other people forthwith.