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"Dude, You're Getting a Dell!"
-by Shawn "the girl" Murray
�Computers as low as $400!� Many companies are singing this song, but what does $400 get you? Nobody wants to be stuck with a typewriter with a screen. Well, The Gadget Girl is here to help. I�ve checked it out, and here�s a list of the most inexpensive computers and just what they come with.
Just remember shoppers, it�s usually more cost effective to have smaller or internal items purchased with your new computer, and deals on RAM and Hard Drives are always going on sometime during the month. Check out the items below:
Computer #1 Dimension 3000 � Celeron $502 (www.dell.com):
This company offers good customer service and deals every month. The site can be a little tricky to navigate compared to others, but it�s well worth it to keep looking.
This particular computer has 256MB RAM which can do anything a student needs. The 3.5 In. Floppy drives are no longer standard with Dell, so you can add one for only $27. For school, you�re going to need Microsoft Word and that can be added for $26 (just add Microsoft Works, it has it) which beats out a copy for $125 at a student discount.
Computer #2 Gateway� 3200SE $549 ($449 after mail-in rebate) (www.gateway.com):
�You�re so lucky!� The herds of delivery guys say to each other. Well, see for yourself just how lucky they are. Again, the web site seems to want to hide the deals from you, but if you�re patient you can get what you want.
Like Dell, you get 256MB RAM. It comes with an 80GB hard drive, which is plenty for the average computer user, and Microsoft Works comes along with it which includes Word.
The downsides to this computer are simply that it includes a mail-in rebate, and like Dell, a Floppy drive is no longer standard. So you should add that one or a CD-RW. It will run you; $20 for a CD-RW, and $29.99 for an external floppy or media reader for $30.
Computer #3 eMachines T3256 $574.98 ($474.98 after mail-in rebate) (www.tigerdirect.com):
This computer is a refurbished eMachine. The only reason it does not beat the Dell is that there is no customer support and unless you do the mail In rebate, it is not cheaper.
This computer comes with 512MB RAM, which is enough to even run games. A monitor was not included, but you can pick one up for $75. It has 160GB Hard Drive, more than enough, and comes with DVD�RW, CD-ROM, Media Reader standard. Additionally it comes with more Software than the others including Norton AntiVirus (see site for complete list).
So there you have it, catch you later when I tell you all about Digital Cameras!
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With so many companies making so many offers, what is a college student to do?
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