Which is the best?

[Nubclear]

http://www.bestbuy.com/ComputersPeripherals/Desktops/ViewSelection.asp?b=0&m=488&cat=490&scat=491&sort=2

What is the best computer there for under 500 bucks?

[Dinner]

Skip them all and buy a Dell.

[Sava]

or buy and build...

[Dinner]

I used to buy and build but it doesn't make economic sense any more. You don't get the free software nor a warrenty and worst of all it almost always ends up costing the same or very, very slightly less.

That means a big headache, putting up with old software, and no money to show for your hard work.

[Urban Ranger]

Buy and build.

You get exactly the components you want, not limited by the *cough* options *cough* offered.

[Ted Striker]

Ted Striker = the best

[notyoueither]

Re: Which is the best?

Originally posted by Tassadar5000

http://www.bestbuy.com/ComputersPeripherals/Desktops/ViewSelection.asp?b=0&m=488&cat=490&scat=491&sort=2

What is the best computer there for under 500 bucks?

Maybe post links to the 2 or 3 that catch your eye, then the 'experts' could evaluate them.

'Best computer' is a very wide field to cover, and I'm too lazy to find them for you.

[Frankychan]

I got a Dell notebook and it's pretty good. I'd advise not doing a 'buy-and-build' unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing.

My friend did a B-A-B and he fried (literally) his comp.

[Ari Rahikkala]

Well, you definitely do not want to buy any of the boxes from that list if you don't plan on upgrading the computer very quickly... 128 megabytes of RAM is simply abysmally little for any modern OS.

[notyoueither]

128M? Save up.

[Dinner]

On last buy and build I did the mother board had slots for both DDR Ram and SDRAM but you had to flip a jumper to the correct setting or you would fry the memory module. I read the manual and it said to flip the jumper on to use DDR, I looked at the board and it said flip the jumper off for DDR, I went to the company's web site but it was useless, I tried calling their help line but they didn't pick up, finally I decided I'd just trust what was written on the board (after all manuals are almost always wrong) and hope for the best.

The result was I fried a very expensive DDR module (this was about two years ago when DDR was new) and had to buy another one in order to get the computer to work. The warrenty didn't cover anything since I tried to install it myself. The lesson learned is if the price is almost the same then it is worth it to get a warrenty from a manufacturer so if anything goes wrong it is there job to fix it.

[Dinner]

I bought my Dell three months ago for around $900 after rebate. It included a 1.8GHZ CPU, 512MB RAM, a 17" flat CRT, DRV drive, CD-R, upgraded sound system, and a 115 GB hard drive. A new printer was like $45 more but I already have a good HP printer so I didn't bother. They even gave me 1 year 0% financing.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Oerdin
The result was I fried a very expensive DDR module (this was about two years ago when DDR was new) and had to buy another one in order to get the computer to work. The warrenty didn't cover anything since I tried to install it myself. The lesson learned is if the price is almost the same then it is worth it to get a warrenty from a manufacturer so if anything goes wrong it is there job to fix it.

That's a vicious warranty. Did you at least try to get the DDR replaced?

[Dinner]

It was a D.I.Y. computer so I tried to return the DDR but I was told the return policy doesn't include components which broke due to user error. I should have just lied and said it never worked but I guess I'm to honest for my own good.

[notyoueither]

Just say it's broken, and wait patiently while they get you a new one. It can take some weeks.

Paying UPS 5 bucks a pop to send RMAs off occasionally is part of the price of selling electronic components to end users to 'do it themselves'. Dealers know full well that a certain number of those components will get killed by the user. Actually, around 50% of the failures, or more, will be due to mishandeling.

Any reputable computer store would at least send it away for you and give you the product when the manufacturer sends a replacement back to them. Bigger stores, or very good small shops would just give you a new one right away if it were purchased very recently (a few weeks). It is factored into their businesses.

btw, a lot of RAM carries a 'life-time' warranty for the reseller. If you threw it in a drawer you may still get something back if you have your invoice.