Family comp

[Zatrix]

My family wants a comp for the family room. it doesn't have to be anything fancy, you know just a average computer that can surf the web and do normal stuff

Im wondering would it be cheaper to build a comp from newegg or just buy one from dell or gateway for like 400-500 bucks (includes monitor)

remember its a family computer doesn't need to be any special or powerful

[Slackfumasta]

If it's not for high-end gaming, I would buy a Dell. You can always find sales and deals (I frequently check http://www.gotapex.com because they always have some kind of Dell deal going on) so they are generally the cheapest of the big guys.

Last time I compared prices among the large manufacturers, which was a few months ago, I check with Dell, Compaq, HP, and IBM, and the Dell was a better computer for less money than all the others.

[SAOverclocker]

I agree with Slackfumasta. Go with Dell for the family computer. Much cheaper than building one.

[RoadWarrior]

You still need the fastest processor, biggest fastest harddrive, and a Gig of RAM though....

... otherwise the spyware will bring it to it's knees every week instead of every other week. :D

[zexmarquies01]

yeah, for once i say go for the dell

mainly because if its a family computer, there are more chances of someone screwing it up, or breaking it. and you can get a warrenty with the dell.

[subtotal]

get a dell, that way if anything goes wrong the can hassle tech support and not you

[fhanderson]

Just be aware that some of the lower end Dells use on board video and don't have an AGP slot. Also you probably will need to format and reinstall everything to get rid of the junk Dell software. Dell also has a problem with their cloned HDs being corrupt.

[Slackfumasta]

First thing you do though, when it gets unpacked and hooked up, is install Firefox and Thunderbird, and go through Add/Remove Programs to remove Internet Explorer. It doesn't actually remove the browser, but it does remove the executables needed to access it :) You'll still be able to use Automatic Updates but they will have to use Firefox!

Will save you a lot of headaches IMO :)

[Zatrix]

sounds good thnx for the input