Everex Computer ?

Does anyone own one of these PC's? I'm looking for a computer for my Grandson and these are pretty affordable. He is only 11 but one of his current projects in school is a Power Point presentation, and no computer at home. I was shocked ... sure different times. I'm apprehensive to buy used from eBay. Newegg has an Everex for $200 and the one review says it can run XP instead of what it comes with.

Or any other affordable suggestions?
Sue
Newegg.com - EVEREX gPC3 Sempron LE-1150 1GB DDR2 80GB NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Ubuntu 8.04 - Desktop PCs

I know nothing specific about this computer but I notice a few things to pay attention to:

There isn't a very extensive description of exactly what is included in this machine.

You will need a monitor, Starting at $169.00 from the same source.

You will need to buy Microsoft windows and Office in order to have the ability to do a "powerpoint" presentation, at $189.00 from this site.

Now we're pretty close to $600.00 total. Not a bad price but comparable to what you might be able to find at your local Best Buy for a similar quality of product and the local store might be easier to get questions answered at for a computer purchasing newbee.

I might give the school a call and see if they have a way for him to put this together without you having to buy a home computer unless you already want one, or it will be very necessary in the future.

Oh dear, I hadn't thought of the points you mention. Thank you! Maybe the refurbished ones on Ebay aren't such a bad deal, they at least have XP.

Back to the drawng board....the Power Point is not the first assignment where a computer was required, mainly it has been research. He does need one but I thought not until at least junior high.
Sue

In defense of the system you linked: You can always get a cheap CRT monitor off CraigsList or some such locally. You don't need Windows to use programs similar to Office, but most people prefer a Windows OS.

But, the system is spec'ed quite low, and I think you could do better elsewhere. Personally, I would never buy any prebuilt system because I know I could build something better for less money, but I do understand that not everyone can do the same.

Personally, I would pass on that system. In my opinion, option number 1 is to try to find someone to build your computer for you. Option number 2 is to use a reputable hardware forum (I like hardforum.com and 2cpu.com) to find a full system. Option number three and four are a tie: buy a Dell directly from them or find someone selling a full system on Craigslist.

you can get a very cheap laptop these days (don't need a monitor) for less than 300 bucks. the asus eeepc http://eeepc.asus.com/global/
can be had for less than three hundred bucks, if you get the linux version you won't need to buy MS office, you can use OpenOffice which will do almost everything MS office does, but is free.

Yes if I was really looking for a budget solution, I'd go for a cheap laptop, and use linux and OpenOffice.
If I recall correctly, OO can make Microsoft compatible powerpoint and word docs.
And laptops have the additional advantage that he can use it wherever convenient, instead of being tied to his desk.

Along with the eePC from Asus, Walmart also carries a decent laptop in the $300 range that is larger and has windows XP on it. I don't recall exactly what it was, but I remember it being decent for what it was.

Don't forget: Black Friday is next week- there might be some good deals then too!

Yeesh... linux, freeware, monitor somewhere else, have someone build it... I got the impression that an inexpensive turnkey system might be more in order here. Sounds to me like Sue would like to buy something you can take out of the box, plug it in and use it. And have one place to call for questions.

First I'd call the school. It is likely they have a recommended setup. For example, a PC running XP with this software suite on it and a printer. Something like that. Then I'd call Dell (personal preference) and talk to someone there. Read them the list and have them give you options and the bottom line price.

For a kid I'd recommend a laptop. They're going to want to connect to the internet so I'd recommend getting the wireless option (probably included anyway). If you get internet access in the home a wireless access point is not an expensive option and allows using the laptop anywhere in the home. Also allows one to access the internet at the "hotspot" access points that are cropping up everywhere. Depending on the cost of the machine their warrantys aren't bad either (accidental damage might be appropriate for a kid). $650 would get you a 15" laptop with Vista, MS Office word, excel + powerpoint (wireless built in). One stop shopping and and support and you know you'll have everything you need.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jockeys

you can get a very cheap laptop these days (don't need a monitor) for less than 300 bucks. the asus eeepc Eee PC | Easy to Learn, Work and Play
can be had for less than three hundred bucks, if you get the linux version you won't need to buy MS office, you can use OpenOffice which will do almost everything MS office does, but is free.

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Can you guys get open office to talk to powerpoint which the kid might have to use when presenting his presentation?

I've had problems doing this. Their Word format and their Excell format work fine but for some reason the lasat Impress presentation I put together wouldn't run with powerpoint.

Otherwise I love Openoffice.

Yea, but for a kid you're going to want to use the exact same package they're using in class or that the all the other kids are using and the teacher has some probability of being familiar with.
"How did you do that?" or "How do I fix this?"
"You click on this, then click on that, then pick from this list"
"Oh, but I'm using OpenOffice and Linux"
"...ummm..."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wildtim

Can you guys get open office to talk to powerpoint which the kid might have to use when presenting his presentation?

I've had problems doing this. Their Word format and their Excell format work fine but for some reason the lasat Impress presentation I put together wouldn't run with powerpoint.

Otherwise I love Openoffice.

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I've never had a problem with it, but I don't do very complex presentations. There are some known bugs with animations and dynamic images (like graphs) that I have heard of.

Great suggestions everyone...thank you! School contact is now a must and and a laptop may be the way to go too. Sometimes a good deal can be found with an open box at Best Buy or Circuit City. I hadn't even considered one. I am happy that I posted this.
Sue

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jockeys

I've never had a problem with it, but I don't do very complex presentations. There are some known bugs with animations and dynamic images (like graphs) that I have heard of.

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That explains it then TKX

Sue,
Microsoft Office is expensive no matter how you look at it, and PowerPoint is part of it. The low budget computers won't come with it and a student license will probably set you back about $100 in addition to the computer.
A PowerPoint - like presentation is perfectly doable with the free alternative to Microsoft Office, called OpenOffice.
You will probably save about $50 on Linux vs. Windows machine. The Windows has the advantage that most people in school would be using it, the Linux I think is nicer and if the kid can get to use it, it'll be an advantage from the skill point of view. Also he won't be able to play as much games on Linux as if he had a Windows computer and that'll be a good reason for me to pick Linux for my kid - if he wants to play a game, he better be able to program it himself.

My favorite example is my parents who never used computers much and when they did it was Windows. I gave them my old Linux computer and my brother in law installed Windows so that they can pick whichever. They decided they much prefer Linux, even though none of their friends uses that and for example they couldn't have a video chat for a while.
Now their workplace has decided to switch from Windows and MicrosoftOffice to Linux and OpenOffice, so they automatically have an advantage.

In the end of the day it doesn't matter much, the way I see it is that if somebody can handle Linux, being in the minority, they can handle Windows and Mac as well, while if they can only do Windows the chances are they'll be afraid to venture into something slightly less familiar.

Anyways, I think Dell makes few cheapish laptops, a friend of mine recently bought 'mini' which he likes.

I found this Best Buy- "Black Friday" package for $300 What do you think? I never - ever spend this much on the Grandkids Christmas gifts but he needs it for school and won't have a computer otherwise. I wasn't able to speak to someone at the school to find out specifics. Does this look like it would fit the bill for homework and power point presentations?

Black Friday Ads 2008 - eMachines EL1200-01e Desktop with 18.5" Widescreen LCD Monitor and Canon Color Printer at Best Buy

The photo ad shows a keyboard and mouse also but not in the written description.
Sue

That looks like a much better deal.

Of course you'll have to be at best buy at OH MY GOD oclock on friday to get one of the limited number per store.

Keyboard and mouse should be included. If not, they're a drop in the bucket. What the ad doesn't show is the included software (other than the antivirus)? It says Vindows Vista Home Premium. I don't know that Microsoft Office is included in that? I think you want MS Office home/student edition. Vista is the operating system. MS Office is the suite of applications like Outlook (email, etc.), Excel, PowerPoint (in the Student edition), etc.

I wondered the same thing and i have read bad comments about Vista.
Sue

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sue

I wondered the same thing and i have read bad comments about Vista.
Sue

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I don't think there's anything really wrong with Vista in this application. It's just if you migrate to Vista from an earlier OS you can have a lot of problems or with drivers for external devices, etc. You/he would be starting from scratch with everything compatible so no problem there. If you had a lot of existing hardware and software then it could be a problem. MS Office doesn't automatically come with any of the OS's. It's the PC maker/sellers that bundle all that together.

The Best Buy Black Friday offer is a great solution for you. Don't worry about MS Vista, that machine comes with 2 GB memory, that's all you need for it.
The only add-on you'll need is MS Office, which you can get the Home and Student 2007 Full version at Staples for $120 ($140 - $20 rebate)
Great set up for around $420

Another option is a laptop, shop around at Walmart and you may find good deals.

THANK YOU !! to all.
Sue