Cheapest usable modern system

[Staren]

The title is pretty straight forward, but here’s the deal. I’m an undergrad psychology student. I was in the research lab office today “that we share between about 30 of us with a few grad students” inputting survey data into the computer. First thing I notice after booting up is a loud grinding/hissing. You know, that sound a fan gives off if it’s coated with dust or a bearing is starting to fail. Then I get a failed to locate keyboard error. Other students told me both problems are normal and that they just ignore them. Well, I get under the desk to pull the keyboard and plug it back in, and low and behold it’s a serial mouse down there. I then get it up and booting up, and someone loaded XP on this thing. I was expecting 98 maybe 98se if I was lucky, but there’s the XP logo.

There are 3 of these things, and needless to say they are all pretty annoying to deal with. What I want to do is donate at least one system to the lab that’s little closer to up to date. At the very least I can replace the one that does sound like it’s getting ready to have problems with something that has USB so people an use jump drives instead of being limited to 3’5 disks.

What I need help with is getting the cheapest parts list together I can without resorting to the off-brands. If there is a Dell deal or something else like that which can work out cheaper, I’ll do that with no complaints since this is truly a basic box, but I really do need to do this. Thanks in advance.

[Cricket]

I'd look at replacing the current computers with those bargain DELL computers instead of building something. You won't be able to match DELL's price if you build with new parts.

Cricket

[Staren]

Ya I kind if figured that would be the best I could get, the more I thought about it. Now to see what the better deal is going to be. An outlet system or a new system with the education discount.

[glc]

For that kind of use, the rock bottom Dell will do a fine job. The only problems with the $299 B110 are only 256mb ram and they will kill you $99 for shipping. Ram upgrade to 512 is only $40. The 1100 on the small biz site is essentially the same scoop.

Check their outlet store for refurbs and overstocks. You can sometimes get a heck of a good deal there on a slightly older model that's still very serviceable. Right now, they start at $294, slightly more can get you some surprising specs.

$294 gets you P4-3.0, 80gb, 256mb, CD-Rom. $324 gets you a Cely-D 2.53, 80gb, 1024mb (!) and a CD-RW.

There are 3 classes there now.

Certified Refurbished
Fully refurbished, retested, and repackaged to meet original factory specifications.

Previously Ordered New
Never used, Canceled orders, or returns that were never fully booted. Tested and repackaged by Dell Outlet.

Scratch & Dent
Systems with cosmetic blemishes that do not impact performance. Includes standard limited warranty.

Outlet computers don't come with a monitor or any "free" peripherals such as cheap printers. I don't know what the shipping deal is.