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I'm looking for a computer for my wife, because her birthday is coming up (well, it's a couple of months away, true, but also...), and to get her the hell off mine. True, about a year ago I asked for some advice for a computer for her too, but then she no longer had the money for it and she hasn't had the money since. This time I'm buying it, out of money squirreled away for her birthday, so it's actually going to happen, dammit!!

Anyway, after some ebay looking, offers made on two computers, and being out-bid, both have now come back to me as second-chance offers. Apparently no-one actually pays for things anymore, they just put in a winning bid, then vanish. So I've got a choice of two certs.

Computer #1 - Price $251 plus $24 postage
CPU: Intel Core 2 QUAD 2.66
MEMORY: 4GB DDR3
MB: ASUS P5G41T-M LX
HDD: 500GB SEAGATE
DISC DRIVE: DVD RW
SOUND, VIDEO ONBOARD
460W POWER SUPPLY
USB: 2 FRONT, 4 REAR
WIRELESS NETWORK ADAPTER
OPERATING SYSTEM: WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE 64 bit INSTALLED - i'm told comes with disks
Notes: Just the tower. I will need to get a monitor, and other bits and pieces.

Computer #2 - Price $300 plus unknown postage
Tower
Brand: Asus
Processor: Intel core 2 Quad CPU 2.40Ghz
RAM: 2G
Video card: Geforce 6600
Operating system: Window 7 ultimate
Connections: 8 USB 1 ports, 1 USB 2.0 port, Smart media/ xD, Compact Flash I/II, MMS/SD, MS/MS PRO
Monitor
Brand: Acer
Size: 17"
Speakers
Brand: Gigabyte
Connection: USB
Keyboard:
Brand: Microsoft
Connection: PS/2
Notes: The computer is, as far as I can see, not as good, but it comes with the monitor. He hasn't told me yet if the Win 7 is 32 or 64 bit (assuming they make "Ultimate" in 32 bit), but he says he can supply disks. Also, we don't know postage (not his fault, he advertised "Pick Up Only", I asked if he would post late Friday), but it's about 8 times the distance to travel, and a bigger parcel. Insurance will be essential. Also, I can't help noticing most of the USB's are "1"

Opinions?

PS: Hey, maybe a "What should I get?" sub-forum, which auto-deletes weekly would be the go? For computers, games, anti-virus, etc, etc. Could work well.

You're probably better off with the first one. Since you're already getting used stuff off eBay anyway, it should be trivial to find a used monitor and other sundries for a total of ~$50, even in STRAYA.

I wasn't aware that USB 1.1 ports were still being used on Core 2-era motherboards; mine were all 2.0. Oh, and 'What should I get?' posts are the usual substance of the 'Rate My Rig' thread, despite the title's connotation.

Well, with a few score views, and an overwhelming 100% vote in favour of Computer #1, I've decided to go with that. Money's sent, and I'm chasing up a monitor as we speak.

"Rate My Rig", huh? I think I may have glanced at it once, read everyone going on about the specs of their computers, and then my eyes glazed over like they do when people are talking about guns or cars. Thanks for the tip.

Ressurecting this because I need to ask a question, because I think I may have been done. In a minor way, but none-the-less.

I got computer 1 (above). The operating system installed was actually Home Premium (he said it WAS on Ultimate, but he formatted and reinstalled and left it on Premium), but it came with a key that he said was for ulimate. However, when used, the windows upgraded instead to Professional. Also, the installation disk that came with it was a home-burnt one (his explanation was that he bought on-line, and then burnt a cd as Microsoft recommends). Finally, when I then attempted to validate the computer over the phone, the validation number got bounced.

He says he doesn't know what is wrong, and has asked if I want to return the computer, and get my money back. I'm not sure, professional is well enough (it's just not what was advertised), but then there's the validation thing. The point of buying this computer with an OS was so I wouldn't have to buy an OS. Against which, this is a gift and I don't have unlimited time to send it back and get another one.

It seems to me the OS is pirated, but I don't know enough to say it's not some normal cock-up after formatting and reinstalling and then upgrading without validating first. I'm not a computer tech. I would prefer to be more certain before I leave feedback. So what do the techies say?

And a second issue, if I do need to buy an OS for it, is the computer (at $275) still a decent deal, or should I get my money back?

Korto wrote:It seems to me the OS is pirated, but I don't know enough to say it's not some normal cock-up after formatting and reinstalling and then upgrading without validating first. I'm not a computer tech. I would prefer to be more certain before I leave feedback. So what do the techies say?

It's almost certainly pirated and I wouldn't trust it.

It might not be a classic pirate though - Professional is the version given out (or sold heavily discounted, depending on school and program) to students on MSDNAA/Dreamspark and some other similar discount programs. All of those licences are non-transferable!

Even if otherwise legit (unlikely), you will not be able to get it to pass validation (talking with an operator) without specific account details and screenshots if it is a non-transferable discount licence, so consider it a writeoff.

The computer itself is decent but you should be able to get (unless Australian prices are truly insane) a decent entry level NEW computer (tower only) for that price or slightly more. Buying whole used computers if your budget is more then 150-200 US$ simply doesn't make sense any more with most components (excluding hard drives) being priced as low as they are.

I'm cancelling the purchase, which the seller seems willing to do, and while looking about for a replacement, a thought struck me. Maybe it would be cost-effective to build my own?

Is it possible to make a simple (but decent), budget computer for cheaper than the simple, budget computers advertised on ebay and the like? We're talking a price limit of about $300, for the tower only.
For a buyer in Australia, what suppliers would you recommend for a novice (where they take steps to make it simple to NOT buy mis-matched bits)?

If anyone's feeling really energetic, and wants to suggest what parts I should get (with a short explanation of why), I won't be unappreciative.

I have some cases from old Win 98 computers hanging around, but I guess they're not any use, or anything else in them, either, bugger it

I'm thinking built-in sound, graphics, but able to upgrade later, 4gb ram, 500gb hdd, reasonable speed (no need for too fast), CD/DVD burner (not blu-ray), and able to run Win 7 Pro (may not get it, but I'd like it to be an option). A plug for a printer would be nice (I was annoyed when I discovered my new computer doesn't have one. I guess it's expected I'd use USB. Instead, I use my laptop), but not essential.
The room the computers are in gets hot, approaching 50C at worst. I personally bug-out when the temp hits 30, but my wife is made of sterner stuff, so maybe cooling needs to be considered.

And I promise I haven't already bought anything.

Korto wrote:I'm cancelling the purchase, which the seller seems willing to do, and while looking about for a replacement, a thought struck me. Maybe it would be cost-effective to build my own?

Is it possible to make a simple (but decent), budget computer for cheaper than the simple, budget computers advertised on ebay and the like? We're talking a price limit of about $300, for the tower only.

You can probably get one from Mwave for around $350, if you can stretch your budget. You will not get an OS license, though :/

I'm thinking built-in sound, graphics, but able to upgrade later, 4gb ram, 500gb hdd, reasonable speed (no need for too fast), CD/DVD burner (not blu-ray), and able to run Win 7 Pro (may not get it, but I'd like it to be an option). A plug for a printer would be nice (I was annoyed when I discovered my new computer doesn't have one. I guess it's expected I'd use USB. Instead, I use my laptop), but not essential.

Virtually no consumer motherboards have a parallel port today.

Ditch Pro for Home Premium. That's a good 40-50 dollars you need to not be spending if you want to get anywhere even remotely in shouting distance of such a wildly tiny price.

Korto wrote:I'm cancelling the purchase, which the seller seems willing to do, and while looking about for a replacement, a thought struck me. Maybe it would be cost-effective to build my own?

The only thing it's hard to get a deal on is usually the Operating System (OEM copies are cheaper, but only allow one install). Everything else you can get considerably cheaper online. As for buying a PC, Dell generally has some of the best prices, but building your PC for $300 seems impossible. You'd also be stuck with a smaller form-factor (smaller case, less expansion).

I don't know how things work in Australia, but down here you're sometimes well served by just looking around retail stores for when they offer something for a stupid-low price or they mislabel something (which many stores here will honor). For family member computers, I usually price out something from Dell and what it would cost to build it myself. Then I cruise Wal-Mart, Sams, Best Buy, etc and look for comparable hardware deals. Then you just figure price vs the hassle of building it yourself.

If anyone's feeling really energetic, and wants to suggest what parts I should get (with a short explanation of why), I won't be unappreciative.

I buy pretty much nothing but ASUS, using someone else if only if their isn't an ASUS part. Out of everything I've ordered with their logo, I've had exactly 1 RMA out of the box.

I'm thinking built-in sound, graphics, but able to upgrade later, 4gb ram, 500gb hdd, reasonable speed (no need for too fast), CD/DVD burner (not blu-ray), and able to run Win 7 Pro (may not get it, but I'd like it to be an option). A plug for a printer would be nice (I was annoyed when I discovered my new computer doesn't have one. I guess it's expected I'd use USB. Instead, I use my laptop), but not essential.

All you would need is this. It should install in any new PC and be detected/installed by any modern OS.

White Haven wrote:Ditch Pro for Home Premium. That's a good 40-50 dollars you need to not be spending if you want to get anywhere even remotely in shouting distance of such a wildly tiny price.

Ooops, my bad. Any operating system is extra to the $300, since the ebay ones I'm comparing to also don't come with an OS at that price (well, they come with a 30 day trial one). The $300 is for the hardware only.

Korto wrote:

White Haven wrote:Ditch Pro for Home Premium. That's a good 40-50 dollars you need to not be spending if you want to get anywhere even remotely in shouting distance of such a wildly tiny price.

Ooops, my bad. Any operating system is extra to the $300, since the ebay ones I'm comparing to also don't come with an OS at that price (well, they come with a 30 day trial one). The $300 is for the hardware only.

Doing a very quick look, the cheapest I've seen with a complete computer (except monitor) is around $380 with Win7 Home installed from Staples. Roughly on par with your budget.

$300 + Win7 Pro would put you in the $450 range and there are some decent low end computers at that price but they use Home Premium instead.

But there ain't no Staples in Australia.

Anyway, I've gone through the numbers, trying to replicate a desktop that was selling for $295 (OS extra), and I could get the parts for $262, before postage. Postage for the complete desktop was free, postage for the parts was a minimum of $21 (assuming they combine postage), so a saving of $12. For which I take the risk of accidents during construction. Blow that for a game of soldiers.

On another note, the HDD on my laptop has just carked it, not ten minutes ago. Which is kind of annoying, since I had a list I was working on, ready to clean up and put on my D&D USB. ...Clunking noise, wont boot, complains it can't find the OS. Yep, seems dead, all right...
Funnily enough, I'm actually using my laptop right now, but that's because I've got a Linux boot disk that sets up a virtual HDD and installs a browser off the net. Which I habitually use because my habits towards net security are atrocious to put the best light on them.
After the laptop's had a night's rest I'll see if it'll boot into Windows, and maybe I'll be able to get that list off it. If not, I'll yank it and see if my jumper cable can let me read it on another machine.

What are the major businesses that deal with electronics? Do you have a Best Buy?

No Best Buy.
As far as I know, when it comes to physical businesses, we've got the likes of Joyce Mayne and Hardly Normal Harvey Norman, who's attitude can probably best be summed up by old Gerry Harvey's frequent appearances on telly to whine about the evils of internet competition. Online, there's TechBuy, Megabuy, and Mwave, and they're competitive, but ultimately come second.
The computer industry here seems to still be overwhelmingly mom-and-pop style, with only small chains. Ebay is, I get the impression, hugely competitive (the guys I bought a PC from last year have already thrown in the towel. Which does speak for the value of any ebay warranty). If there's other very cheap computer suppliers out there, I wouldn't mind a few Australian members who know more than me about the current market (that probably means all of them) speaking up. Hint, Hint.

The laptop still refuses to boot. Bugger. Oh well, nothing essential on it that I can remember. I'll see if I can get that list off later today.

There's this from Megabuy. $330 including GST but the OS is separate. It is about as close to your specs as I can find at the moment.