Desktop Computer Packages

I'm planning on buying a new desktop computer with my tax rebate, where would be the better place to purchase?

Online or in-store, no preference. I'm looking to a make a good deal. I don't need any extended protection plan or warranties so those are not factors. I'd like to spend within the $600 range and do not need the whole package (monitor & whatnot). Any answer is greatly appreciated. 10 points for most helpful answer!!!

Public Comments

1. If you don't mind doing the work yourself, building a PC is honestly the best way to save yourself some change. $600 is perfectly do-able, and I often build entry level systems for folks for about $230. Websites like Pricewatch.com can help you find the best deals online for the components, but if you'd like to get a "barebones kit" so that all you have to do is pick out what hard drive and CDROM you want, check out websites like newegg.com or tigerdirect.com. Other ideas would be MWave.com and ZipZoomFly.com. I like Newegg's website because they make it easy to see what products work the best because of the large community. Their prices are fair, and their shipping is fast. If you'd like to buy a system ready to go, check out Dell or HP's websites for systems for Home / Small Business. Most of those systems can be had for around $600 and will often include a warranty (even if you weren't after one in the first place, as you said). Building a computer is not hard, and after all, if you need help, Yahoo answers is here, YouTube has videos on it, and there are tons of people out there who can help. Buying a system in-store for the price you're looking at can be done, but corners are cut to make sure that they make a profit, and it can be daunting talking to a salesguy who's just trying to push the store's bottom line.
2. I've bought 1 desktop and 1 laptop on eBay with much success. The desktop was used and the laptop was used. I got good deals on both. Just be sure that the person you are buying from specializes in computers and has an excellent feedback rating. The last computer I bought from a store was a Sony Vaio desktop from Best Buy. I paid about $500 and I still use this PC today! Hope this helps!
3. go to pricewatch.com they have all sorts of things there for you get a motherboard/cpu/ram combo which should only run around 100-200 it has all the stuff onboard nic/sound/all that crap then get a ATI video card for at least $100 or so and a hardrive you can get alot of Harddisk for cheap under $80 and oh yes a case hopefulyl one that comes with a powersupply those are even cheaper 50-100 but if you already ahve the case and powersupply make sure it can provide enough power to all the components. thats all you should need. Good luck and have fun.
4. I agree with Colorado Geek, building your own is really the best way to go, not only because of the savings, but because you can create one exactly to your preferences and without all the junk software manufacturers now install along with the OS on pre-built systems. However, if you do not feel up to the task of building yourself, and there isn't anything wrong with that, then if you have a Fry's Electronics store near you, check out their weekly sales. Fry's Electronics puts out sales in the local paper five days a week, with a four page sale on each Friday. If you do not receive the local paper on a daily basis, you can go into the store and view the sales as they are posted on the wall by the front door. The problem with purchasing Online is that it is difficult for returns if anything goes wrong within the specified time period, or even via shipping issues. In addition, Online stores charge a 15% restocking fee to return an item, even if that items is not opened. This personally infuriates me, but that is me. lol Stores you can walk into are by far, in my humble opinion, best for large purchases or costly items, for the reasons stated above, and in addition you can view and hold the items. It is difficult to really tell the quality looking at a photo in a web browser. Depending on many factors, what looks good on paper may be poorly built and put together when it arrives. It is totally up to you which way you prefer to go. However, with $600.00 you should be able to purchase, without the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, a decent machine with Vista Premium or XP Media Center. Vista SP1 is out now, which means any pre-built machine you purchase today will have it incorperated in the OS, no need to download as an update via Microsoft Update as many are now doing. There are inherent issues with having to apply a SP via Updates, and so it is good you won't have to experience that headache, if you choose to go with Vista. If you are not looking for the flash of Vistas new visual styles, you could even go with a Home Basic OS and get even more for your money. The issue with Basic is it does not have Media Center, and so you would need to be somebody who isn't into multimedia. You also would need to be somebody who has no need or desire to hook your system up to a television and use it as a DVR, or watch live TV from your system. On the other hand, without all those extras you can get by with a lot less installed RAM, but don't go under one (1) gigabyte if you go with Vista, even Vista Basic. XP Media Center or XP Home can get buy with 512mb of RAM, but still, go with one (1) if you can at all manage it. Even the most basic machine these days are fast and powerful. Your basic considerations are which OS you want, and whether or not you want multimedia capabilities and adding to a entertainment center. Current processors are very good, even for the most basic systems. So, so sum this up, first determine what you want your system to do for you. If it is just basic computing and web access, such as browsing, email, IM, and using standard applications such as word processing, etc, either XP Home or Vista Basic. If you want a bit more eye candy then go with Vista Home Premium. If you want more power, multimedia capabilities, and to play games, you would need for fork over more money, unless you built your own system. These days large electronics stores, such as Fry's have really good associates who can point you in the right direction in locating the correct hardware components. Just tell them what you want to do, how much money you wish to spend, and they can fill you shopping cart with the essentials of a good system which can rock. Good luck and much success with your new system in anyway you go about obtaining it, please have a nice day.
5. Buy it online at Tiger Direct, (tigerdirect.com)