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can you build a good web browsing PC for ~$100?

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  • Build
  • Systems
  • Windows XP
Last response: in Systems
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April 30, 2014 8:12:03 AM

I'm trying to upgrade my parents pc, it's like six years old, still running xp and terribly slow. how cheap can you build a computer for browsing the web checking emails etc basic use?

More about : build good web browsing 100

April 30, 2014 8:16:22 AM

You can go to the used market, but I think you'll probably still spend $200-$250.
A Kabini build would be pretty cheap, but you'll need RAM too, and likely a new Windows license, so you're probably going to be in the same range or a little higher.
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April 30, 2014 8:28:44 AM

Depends on if you can scrounge stuff like an HDD and case.

Ubuntu would work for just email/web. You could probably replace XP (or install 7) and it would be perfectly fine. I still use a ~2006 laptop running 7 for troubleshooting stuff, and it's still fairly snappy.
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April 30, 2014 9:05:47 AM

You can get used (e.g. Dell Optiplex) C2D computer for less than $100 off eBay (search for "off-lease"). It will be smaller, quiter and faster than anything you can build for $100
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May 3, 2014 3:37:24 PM

it just needs to web browse and check emails, no gaming whatsoever, it needs to be fast and stable, and last normally like a regular desktop would (a few years at least)

what does off lease mean with them? they say microsoft refurbished but I don't want it to die in a year or so, I want em to last a couple years at least since it's a desktop. so far these are the options, can anyone provide any info about these companies' refurbs?:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-Refurbished-GX520-Deskto...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Refurbished-off-lease-Dell-Opti...

http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/StoreCatalog/ctl641/cp192...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-refurbished-17-optiple...$pcmcat212600050009&cp=1&lp=9#tab=buyingOptions

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-refurbished-optiplex-d...$pcmcat212600050009&cp=1&lp=1#tab=buyingOptions

or what about this built computer, would it last longer and run faster than a refurbished computer for a little more?:

http://www.logicalincrements.com/
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May 4, 2014 12:43:10 AM

Just got one Lenovo ThinkCentre "refurbished". For $200, we got C2D @2.6ghz, 4gb RAM, 1TB WD Black HDD, DVD ROM, Windows 7 64 Pro, in compact BTX case. There was no crap installed on it, just plain Windows, ready to go.

Sure, we got crappy keyboard (new), and good MS mouse (used), and couple of scratches on the case. Some puffs with compressed air, and off it went into the shop.

Whether it will last longer - I don't know. If it lasts three years, it will be well paid off for itself. If you gonna buy - just Windows licence is going to cost you $100... But I am more than sure you cannot build anything close to that for $200.
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May 5, 2014 3:34:54 PM

so refurbished isn't bad with desktops?
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May 5, 2014 7:11:17 PM

I would say - off-lease desktops (that is, three years old) are safe bet (of course, depending of the spec). They should have been built after famous capacitors issue plaguing all electronics from last couple of years.
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