Cheap Computers that Handle SL

I'm on a fixed income and have been saving all year. Last year I did the same, only to waste all my sacrefices on a computer that couldn't handle SL. Needless to say I was upset. Now, I get onto SL in a Dell Dimensions 1100, but this later Inspiron model didn't have a good graphics card and the form factor (the case is very thin and uses PCI rather than PCI Express), made getting a new graphics card risky. I got conflicting info from LL on what cards would work, and ultimately gave up trying to jump hoops and just cut my losses.

This time I really need a computer that will handle SL right out of the box, but won't cost me more than $500. If an 4 year old Dell Dimension 1100 can do it, I'm shore there are other cheaper models. SL is my primary use, so as long as it can handle Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office, as well as SL, I'll be a happy camper.

I don't require huge RAM or hard drive size. I prefer Dell computers as I've had the best experiences with them, but will try other brands, if I know I'm guaranteed a crack at SL.

PS. I don't want to open up a computer to install a video card, lest I break something. Cleaning out the dustbunnies and adding RAM is the most I've ever done in the guts of my computer and 3 years later I still worry I did something wrong.

Thanks in advance!

Desktop or laptop? I'm sure you can find a desktop that will run SL in your price range.......a laptop is very iffy though.

Anything with 2gb of ram, 2ghz+ dual core processor, and a decent discrete graphics card.

All the hw issues are related to the video card afaik, that's the component you will be needing to swap out if you have hw performance glitches.

My point is, I don't want to 'swap' anything. I want a desktop computer that comes able to handle SL, out of the box, when hooked up to monitor, turned on, and booted up. Otherwise, I have to pay someone to come in and do the swap with a the video card that I'll also have to shell out even more money for.

in the world of off-lease and refurb units...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4140524&Sku=S445-GT5676

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4173180&CatId=2632

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4238335&CatId=2632

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4256353&CatId=2631

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4166262&CatId=2631

Except for this one:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4256353&CatId=2631

Those all have pretty awful video cards.

The others will probably be useful, with a decent video card. Which isn't really harder to install than memory is, Joy.

You will have to swap out the video card if the box you buy doesn't come with one 'supported' by SL.. if you care about performance that is... make sure it comes with an nvidia 8600GT+ or something like that... or maybe a 2-3 generation old ATI card.

Here's a computer that should work right of the box with SL quite nicely. It's a not so well known name brand, though I have heard of it before.......it's got top name components inside so I would trust it to be of reasonable quality. At least as good as an HP/Compaq or Dell. It will not be fastest computer on the block but it's go the heft to handle most things (according to the specs that I read). You should not have to open the box to do anything to get it up and running.....the CPU, memory and graphics are adequate for SL.....but you may not be able to run everything maxed out in preferrences.

A little over that $500 budget but after the $50 mail in rebate it gets back down where you want to be. It does not come with a monitor but your existing monitor would work fine until you get around to buying a new one of those.

Hope this is helpful.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227086

I saw on Tekzilla a YEAR ago they made a $500 box better than that, surely you can find better than that .. Intel Core 2 Duo at least..

I looked and could not find anything that had a graphics card that could handle SL preinstalled. The ones I found that had faster processors had onboard shitty graphics.

Have a look at

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=desktops&series_name=a6660z_series&a1=Category&v1=Versatile%20performance

Configured as follows...

OS: Vista 32 Bit Home Premium
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4450e Dual Core (2.3GHz)
RAM: 3GB
Graphics Card: NVidia GeForce 9300 128MB
LAN: Port on MoBo (Wireless another $30)
Optical: LightScribe DVD +/- RW DL
No Secondary Optical
15 in 1 Front Panel Ports
No TV Card
Integrated 7.1 Sound
Works 9.0 (It's free)
No Additional Security Software (they offer Norton which is shite IMO) AVG is free and doesn't slow your system down as much
No Photography Software
No Movie Software
No Backup Software (that included with Vista is bloody good)
No Kids Software
No Monitor (You already have one that works)
No Speakers
Standard Keyboard and Mouse
No Removable Storage
No Extended Warranry

Cost $429.99 and SL will fly!

Hey Joy, trust Peggy - she knows what she is talking about and is not some TECHNO ELITIST who speaks poorly about commercial computers (Dell, Hp, etc) like others in the thread.

I hope you are able get something that handles SL nicely for you - let us know how it goes.

Also, don't get some 64-bit Vista OS. It is just some Geek thing and is more trouble than its worth since most things are 32 bit, including SL.

64 bit will just give you trouble and something extra to worry about.

Well, I have been known to really rag on Compaqs. LOL.

I didn't see ANYONE who spoke ill of commercial computers on this thread. In fact I recommended an HP that would do the job perfectly, and even advised what options to pick from HP's website.

Sorry Bee...Excluding you and Peggy.

Yea Peggy, but after reading your posts, something tells me that if the OP said she had a Compaq, you would not then go on to tell her how crappy the machine is, how foolish or ignorant she was to buy it or how she was jacked in purchasing and <read my sig>.

LOL It's OK Briana, normally if someone asks about a good computer I would say get an iMac, but obviously that wasn't appropriate, so I went into the world of Windows <shudders> and had a look around.

And you know what, there are some damn good deals out there!

@ Bee that is a much better deal..

but the Intel C2D smokes the athlon X2's, I'd be looking for that at $400-500 if you like AMD you might find a phenom box that is better than an X2 for $400-500.

If being a savvy consumer = Techno elitist, I'm happy.

Hmmz Gimme a minute, that was from 2 mins on HP's site

haha no.

Telling someone there computer is like Mutton compared to Lamb because of the brand of computer is being Techno-elitist, and is what you have already said.

Nope I'll stand by what I found, certainly looks the best value for money. If you went C2D, you'd have to skimp on the graphics card, and as far as I'm concerned that's more important for SL than Intel over an AMD that is more than up to the job of running SL.

Mutton dressed as Lamb to be exact.

If you want to use more than 3Gb of ram (which is very cheap now) you will need Vista x64, I have no issues with Vista x64 but I don't have any hardware older than 2 years, could be some work checking compatibility/buying new stuff.

someone thats trying to start a fight is also refering to me, cause i think dells are a bad deal, which they are

so because i like to get my moneys worth and not be tied by the hands with propitary parts, im a techno eletiest

which you notice that person has not contributed 1 useful tidbit of information, and therefore is just a lame little troll trying to get us all fired up over the same argument

just ignore the troll please

back to the op, who is the focus of the thread, not trolls trying to start shi+ up again, if you more willing to ditch the name brand you could goto a system maker, such as systemax or ibuypower, and get a darn nice pc, with a romping stomping video card for what your looking to spend ... just another option

For a retail purchased OEM box to work with SL, perhaps.
However it is very little hassle to upgrade the video card like a week later or whatever, for users willing to be a little flexible .