Buying a used computer. Is this OK?

warlocks1

I am trying to get a computer for my daughter. Someone local is selling a custom built PC for $200.00. I don't know anything about this stuff. She will be using it for Internet, word processing and music. I have listed his email below. Is this a good deal or should I wait for one of those $400.00 Dell deals? Thanks for any input.

This is a custom built computer in a full tower case. Lots of room inside,
and the case is easy to open. It comes with a start-up disk, the original
Win98SE CD, and some other software CDs listed below. (Win98SE is installed
on the computer now.) Here is my ad as it originally appeared in craigslist
on Sept 20. (It's still there.):

Hardware:
Intel Pentium 4, 1.6 ghz, 256mb ram
40gb Western Digital HD in removable mobile case
ASUS P4S333 ATX motherboard (w/User's Guide)
TDK CD-RW
Creative Sound Blaster 5.1 card
Hercules 32mb GeForce2 with TV-out video card
AVER Win TV tuner card
3COM Ethernet card
2 USB ports, 1.44 floppy
Full tower case, keyboard & PS2 mouse
(No monitor, no modem)

Software CDs Included:
Windows 98SE (already installed on HD) & user's booklet
TDK CD Blender Recording Software Suite
AVER Application utility software
P4S333 Motherboard Support
Visual C++ 6.0 Professional Edition
Wordperfect Productivity Pack

[Deleted User]

WIN98 sucks. I would wait for a Dell deal. I got a Dell a couple of years ago and have had nothing but good things to say about them. It came with XP which is so much better than 98.

okiepolkie

Wait for the Dell. You(she) will be much happier with XP over 98SE. $400 for a brand new dell is definetly worth the wait.

jcaut

I just built my own, but I've got quite a bit more money in it than that. Sometimes those Dell deals look pretty hard to beat, for the money. They keep an updated list of the good ones here.

I agree with the replies above: You'd (she'd) be better off with a new machine. That way you can expect it to be reasonably up-to-date for at least a few years.

Jason

Danny Tse

I got my Dell 2400 last November....$450.00 shipped, including a scanner/printer/copier, Windows XP, and a 80G hard drive upgrade. Great deal at Dell!

warlocks1

Thanks for all the help. I ordered a Dell 3.0 pentium 4 with a free printer for $450.00 after rebate. I got a new computer and my daughter gets my old Dell with a 1.4 processor. Thanks again! Jeff

bogdan

i think you should invest in brand new or up to date PC, instead paying for old technology. i'm sure the system with 98se would work just fine, but you may have problems with support or incompatibility in future. dell or popular e-machines PC' s are dirt cheap, and they offer plenty of power for today's consumer needs.

good luck!

b

Sami

Originally posted by warlocks1
Thanks for all the help. I ordered a Dell 3.0 pentium 4 with a free printer for $450.00 after rebate. I got a new computer and my daughter gets my old Dell with a 1.4 processor. Thanks again! Jeff

In that case, good call. Otherwise for your daughters needs I would have bought the $200 computer which would have been more than adequate for the job.

exalted512

Dells customer service is worthless...
but they do make great computers...
im absolutely in love with my XPS...its beautiful...works greats...totally upgradeable...
-Cody