Hello everybody. I find myself being faced with the prospect of having to find a cheap but reliable system for my elderly parents. All they really want is to browse the net, check email, and perhaps watch the occasional streaming video from cbc.ca or tsn.ca. I imagine they'll also use the word processor and once in a blue moon watch DVDs and CDRs on the machine.

I have a budget of roughly $600 including OS but excluding monitor and printer.

I'll likely be buying the stuff from NCIX.COM as I'm about 10 minutes from their shop.

What can I do with $600? Are there some really decent deals/recommendations for inexpensive but decent monitors and (B&W) Laser Printers out there? As far as the printer goes, something that's cheap to run would be ideal.

I've been searching friutlessly for a "mom & pop" type computer on these boards for a while and find tons of gaming rigs but not many that are geared towards the elderly and their, specific needs and limitations.

Thank you guys so much.

J.

Generally the concensous is if your spending less than $1000 and dont plan to game, your better off getting a deal from one of the OEMs. You can probably find a pretty decent deal that includes monitor and printer for ~$600-$800. Perhaps less with the Back to School swing starting.

Also check out refurbished deals. Usually still carry a 90 day manufact. warranty with other warranties available.
http://www.canadacomputers.com/ind [...] cid=170.45

emachines for that stuff. you should still have enough for monitor and printier.

Good advice. Thanks for the help everyone.

J.