The mouse is a Logitech one...

 

 

 

We already have a tiny Dell that my dad got for like $75 bucks that we're considering setting up for her. Can I get an estimate of what a decent monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers will cost and good brands to get?

 

 

 

The computer is an XP, a Dell SX270, 2.4 GHz CPU, 20GB hard drive, 1024 Mb RAM. Also has a 'Nic Card', whatever that is.

 

 

 

[hide=Old Question]My grandma desperately needs a new computer. The one she has right now is like ten years old and has Windows 98 on it... So I found a nice one that's only $400ish, and I just need to convince her to buy it. ;) But I've got a few questions on the laptop. Specs are below, the circled bits pertain to my questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My question about Vista is: Can the Home Basic edition skin go back to the XP theme? (I think it doesn't even have Areo, am I right?) If it can't can Home Premium? (which would add $30 to the price, is it worth it?) I'm not comfortable with the Vista Aero interface and I know my grandma will not enjoy it either.

 

 

 

Then, what does Microsoft Works contain? What AV and firewall should we get her, and is that mouse worth $30?[/hide]

I personnaly would say don't go for a Dell. Lots of problems with them.

I personally would say don't go for a Dell. Lots of problems with them.

I second that, I just filed a lawsuit for $20,955.83 against Dell for scamming me and purposely ignoring fundamental issues plaguing an entire computer model. Microsoft Works doesn't contain much, it's basically a dumbed down version of MS- a basic word processor, spreadsheet, and calendar function.

 

 

 

Vista won't skin back to XP by itself, though it can go to 98 or thereabouts. If you want XP you'd have to download a theme pack from various sites that allow you to skin Vista. Any mouse they sell is probably crap, go for something like a Logitech mouse. Oh and McAfee isn't all to good of an antivirus, I'd go with something like Avira Free.

Oh and McAfee isn't all to good of an antivirus, I'd go with something like Avira Free.

 

 

 

That and note that the listing specifically says "30 days." This is essentially just a limited trial version that McAfee pays Dell to throw on everything they sell. Not only will it bog your laptop down with bloatware (like most of the "big" AVs seem to be these days), but after 30 days it'll nag you to death to buy an upgraded version.

 

 

 

Uninstall it and everything it touches.

Oh and McAfee isn't all to good of an antivirus, I'd go with something like Avira Free.

 

 

 

That and note that the listing specifically says "30 days." This is essentially just a limited trial version that McAfee pays Dell to throw on everything they sell. Not only will it bog your laptop down with bloatware (like most of the "big" AVs seem to be these days), but after 30 days it'll nag you to death to buy an upgraded version.

 

 

 

Uninstall it and everything it touches.

 

Lol trouble quoting?

The mouse is a Logitech one...

 

 

 

We already have a tiny Dell that my dad got for like $75 bucks that we're considering setting up for her. Can I get an estimate of what a decent monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers will cost and good brands to get?

 

 

 

The computer is an XP, a Dell SX270, 2.4 GHz CPU, 20GB hard drive, 1024 Mb RAM. Also has a 'Nic Card', whatever that is.

Monitor: HP make nice ones, as do Samsung. Best TN panels you'll get. Price depends on the size you want.

 

Mouse/Keyboard/Speakers: Logitech are good for price/performance. A desktop set (keyboard and mouse) shouldn't be too pricy (around £15-£20) and you shouldn't need to blow too much on the speakers either.

A 15-17 inch LCD monitor is around $70-$100.

 

 

 

And for the speakers/mouse/keyboard go Logitech all the way, by far the best products i have ever used were from Logitech, only ever had one problem with something i bought from them and that was fixed by changing the mouse ball.

 

 

 

You can get a nice speaker set for less than $20.

 

A nice keyboard for around $20.

 

And a mouse can range from $5 to $50 depending on what you buy.

 

 

 

Again i highly recomend Logitech products over all others.

Yep, Logitech products are very good.

 

 

 

As for the screen, all I will say:

 

 

 

For quality, go with HP.

 

For longevity, go with Acer.

The mouse is a Logitech one...

Well, what I meant is, you can find a better one from the Logitech website for less. Sorry.