Hi guys...

At this sitting, I am using what is probably one of the oldest PCs still connected to the internet. Add to this that I am on dial-up and you can see why the experience is rather lame. I am still having FUN though...

DELL DIMENSION XPS T-450
450Mhz processor
128 MB RAM
16 MB VIDEO CARD
13 GIG HD (western digital)
WinMODEM


Now... I am somewhat limited on funds and am looking for another PC. My SONY TRINITRON 17inch CRT monitor is as good as it was 10 years ago so I won't be needing one of those. The most I can spend is about $500

Now... I have seen some really good deals on PCs that have a CELERON processor. Often people will tell you to stay away from CELERONS as they are garbage. Are they really that bad.

Look... wouldn't just about ANYTHING be better than what I have now? Of course I would much rather have XP than VISTA and that will also be a consideration. I don't do too much on the PC. I might do a little bit of photo editing... downloading a song or two and check and send emails and post in on message boards. That's about it.

Wouldn't I see a big improvement over the dinosaur I have now, even if the newer PC does have one of those nasty CELERONS? I very rarely, if ever, multi-task so I am just looking to keep it as inexpensive as possible... get the most bang for my buck... without getting something I will regret in a year or two.

BTW... when I got this PC about 10 years ago... people said that I would be lucky to get 3 or 4 years out of it and that it would be non-functional and basically useless within 6 or 7. Well... I can tell you, that my browsing the internet and the limited things I can do... it still pretty much does exactly what it did for me in late 1997. Maybe... I've been lucky.

Thanks...

DAVID

Do you know any computer techs?

That PC is indeed way past its prime. Computer prices are incredibly low. Get yourself a nice Xmas present! :) Celerons aren't that bad given the uses you have for the computer. You could get a nice new computer with an LCD monitor for $500 these days.

Watch Wal-Mart's ads... my sis-in-law just bought a nice computer for about $350. It would be wayyyy better than what you have now. Boy, do you have patience! LOL.

The reason that I asked the question that I did was because, depending on the skills that BigDaveinNJ has, he might be able to barter to get a "new" computer from a tech that he might know by trading what he can do for the tech to build him a nice computer. I have done this several times with a tech that I know. The cost has been next to nothing for me to get an upgraded computer that really is just about as fast as though I had cable. I am currently on a dial-up connection. Plus, I know exactly what is going into the machine and can also specify what I want in it. No surprises for me!

Oh you poor soul. :) I could never go back to dial-up. :D

You might have to, if you couldn't afford something else! :)

You can easily get a new computer for that, and you don't have to go with Celeron. AMD and Intel both are selling cheap computers with full processors in them. Watch the ads. Walmart could be a good decision for you. Given the right deal you might even get an LCD monitor to replace or add to your hard working CRT monitor.

Something to keep in mind. CompUSA just got bought out. New owners are closing virtually every store and plan to sell everything for pennys on the dollar. There are going to be some great deals to be had on computers, parts, and software in the coming months.

I just built (at HP.com) an a6200t with the following specs:

Intel Dual Core E2140
1G Ram
160G Hard drive
17" Flat panel monitor

For $490

Get a computer with an INTEL chip. Also, you might want to get a used computer (they're cheaper, and it's the only way to get XP.)

I totally disagree with the advice about an Intel chip. With the exception of the Core 2 Duo line, AMD processors out perform Intel processors hands down. Even though the Core 2 duo is a better benchmark performer, the margin is not that great and most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway. I've had several machines with AMD processors that have worked great.

I agree with ScottGem. Intel is not the end all be all of CPU's. AMD is just as good, and sometimes better.

The only problem I have ever had out of am AMD is an overheating issue, but AMD solved that issue about 5 years ago. So even overheating is not an issue if used within the normal specs. About 5 years ago was the last time I had a problem with an AMD chip.

Don't go to walmart!!

LOL, I did say walmart didn't I. Please strike that from the record. I must've needed something from walmart at the time.

I don't personally like buying any computer from a big retail store.

When I'm looking for best price, I like to use Pricegrabber. You can sort results by price, and there are user reviews on the site. You also might look around your area... sometimes companies upgrade their whole network and sell off the old computers for a song.

Frankly, if you're not a gamer and just want to surf the internet and run Office and such, I'd get a lower-end brand name PC and not worry a lot about the technical specs. And if you are a serious gamer, you're not likely to be happy with anything you get for under 500USD. :)

Vasily