While wanting to keep costs down as much as possible, would it be wise to go
the barebone system route?

Just curious.

Thanks,

Ryan

Only if you already have "all the other stuff" and it's of suitable
quality.

Ryan wrote:
> While wanting to keep costs down as much as possible, would it be wise to go
> the barebone system route?
>
> Just curious.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ryan

Previous issues of "PC Magazine" have done cost comparisons on building your
own system - from simple and cheap to the best possible and expensive. Check
their online back issues or your library.

"Ryan" <Ryan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AB718E7C-2BF2-448F-8C7E-BA2E89658E3A@microsoft.com...
> While wanting to keep costs down as much as possible, would it be wise to
> go
> the barebone system route?
>
> Just curious.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ryan

"Barebones" is not a marketing term for "budget". A barebones system refers
to a computer that has only the basic infrastructure needed by a computer.
This may include nothing more than a case, a power supply and fans. A more
elaborate barebones system may also include a motherboard and maybe a
processor.

You won't save money by building a computer yourself. The economies of scale
available to the major computer manufacturers are working against you. If
you wait long enough, you might be able to purchase the parts for your
computer at good prices when they go 'on sale'. That won't help you if you
need a computer soon. And you won't have warranty protection for your entire
system; only for the individual parts.

Build a computer if you want to customize it exactly to your specifications,
or just for the fun of it.

--
Ted Zieglar
"You can do it if you try."

"Ryan" <Ryan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AB718E7C-2BF2-448F-8C7E-BA2E89658E3A@microsoft.com...
> While wanting to keep costs down as much as possible, would it be wise to
go
> the barebone system route?
>
> Just curious.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ryan

Your lowest cost is to buy a Dell, some are available for as
little as $300. If you build your own, you will spend at
least $100 for the OS (Windows OEM) and will spend money for
a case, motherboard, CPU, graphics, sound, etc. What you
intend to do with the computer sets the hardware
requirements, just surfing the web, doing email and
homework/office tasks will run just fine on a bare-bones
entry level system. If you want to play the latest game you
need top line hardware, graphics and sound.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm



"Ryan" <Ryan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AB718E7C-2BF2-448F-8C7E-BA2E89658E3A@microsoft.com...
| While wanting to keep costs down as much as possible,
would it be wise to go
| the barebone system route?
|
| Just curious.
|
| Thanks,
|
| Ryan

Basically, I want to configure a system to do the basics. I saw an ad in my
local classified. This guy is selling a new computer for $275, includes all
keyboard and mouse, speakers. No monitor. He has a warranty for 60 days.

I want to beat his price.

"Jim Macklin" wrote:

> Your lowest cost is to buy a Dell, some are available for as
> little as $300. If you build your own, you will spend at
> least $100 for the OS (Windows OEM) and will spend money for
> a case, motherboard, CPU, graphics, sound, etc. What you
> intend to do with the computer sets the hardware
> requirements, just surfing the web, doing email and
> homework/office tasks will run just fine on a bare-bones
> entry level system. If you want to play the latest game you
> need top line hardware, graphics and sound.
>
>
> --
> The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
> But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
> some support
> http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
>
>
>
> "Ryan" <Ryan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:AB718E7C-2BF2-448F-8C7E-BA2E89658E3A@microsoft.com...
> | While wanting to keep costs down as much as possible,
> would it be wise to go
> | the barebone system route?
> |
> | Just curious.
> |
> | Thanks,
> |
> | Ryan
>
>
>

At that price you'll do better with a PDA.

Steven

"Ryan" <Ryan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:92DB751C-C091-46B7-8E00-CFD0280C8601@microsoft.com...
> Basically, I want to configure a system to do the basics. I saw an ad in my
> local classified. This guy is selling a new computer for $275, includes all
> keyboard and mouse, speakers. No monitor. He has a warranty for 60 days.
>
> I want to beat his price.

<snip>

Ryan wrote:

> Basically, I want to configure a system to do the basics. I saw an ad in my
> local classified. This guy is selling a new computer for $275, includes all
> keyboard and mouse, speakers. No monitor. He has a warranty for 60 days.
>
> I want to beat his price.
>
>

The price is fine and dandy except it means nothing. That is,
what is included under the heading of "all". The more astute
buyer seeking a "barebones" system usually shops with a list
of parts that comprises the particular system. This includes
basically a CPU of specified speed (and, perhaps, type), the
amount of RAM (e.g., 256, 512 MB, etc.), video card (e.g.,
SVGA with 128 MB RAM), etc. Then make the price comparisons.
And a good place to shop for "barebones" systems is usually
a computer swap meet with many competing sellers.

Suggest you buy a used computer, about 2 years old. It will still likely
cost more than $275.00. No warranty of course.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

"Ryan" <Ryan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:92DB751C-C091-46B7-8E00-CFD0280C8601@microsoft.com...
> Basically, I want to configure a system to do the basics. I saw an ad in
> my
> local classified. This guy is selling a new computer for $275, includes
> all
> keyboard and mouse, speakers. No monitor. He has a warranty for 60 days.
>
> I want to beat his price.
>
> "Jim Macklin" wrote:
>
>> Your lowest cost is to buy a Dell, some are available for as
>> little as $300. If you build your own, you will spend at
>> least $100 for the OS (Windows OEM) and will spend money for
>> a case, motherboard, CPU, graphics, sound, etc. What you
>> intend to do with the computer sets the hardware
>> requirements, just surfing the web, doing email and
>> homework/office tasks will run just fine on a bare-bones
>> entry level system. If you want to play the latest game you
>> need top line hardware, graphics and sound.
>>
>>
>> --
>> The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
>> But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
>> some support
>> http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> "Ryan" <Ryan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:AB718E7C-2BF2-448F-8C7E-BA2E89658E3A@microsoft.com...
>> | While wanting to keep costs down as much as possible,
>> would it be wise to go
>> | the barebone system route?
>> |
>> | Just curious.
>> |
>> | Thanks,
>> |
>> | Ryan
>>
>>
>>

Building your own PC is like brewing your own beer. In the end, it's not
really about cost. You can purchase a Dell on sale and get plenty of PC
goodness and a 1 year warranty to boot!

This being said, I built my PC and will probably never buy another retail
unit. But...I'm willing to support my creation myself.

If you're going to build it yourself, why limit yourself to a barebones
system? Go ahead and select your own case, power supply, motherboard and
processor.


--
------------------------------------------
Donny Broome
http://www.broomeman.com/tech/
------------------------------------------


"Ryan" <Ryan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AB718E7C-2BF2-448F-8C7E-BA2E89658E3A@microsoft.com...
> While wanting to keep costs down as much as possible, would it be wise to
> go
> the barebone system route?
>
> Just curious.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ryan