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A Win7 Desktop for 200 Bucks?

I would get it if I could afford it at this time. Not a bad deal. You can always add a bigger HD later.
 
jefboyardee said:
Tempted to end my XP life:
Dell OptiPlex Desktop US $199.98
Dual Core Computer Windows 7 Keyboard Mouse 19 LCD Monitor

CPU 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium D (Dual Core)
Ram 2048 MB
Hard Drive 80 GB
​
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At that price, I might pick one up myself...even though I have no idea where I'd put its monitor. :idea:

Did you notice that it's refurbished? But it does have a one-year warranty.

Anyone know if there'd be any of those new-fangled issues wiping M$ off the drive and installing Linux?
 
jonbanjo said:
Going by Wikipedia' s info on its Pentium D processor and Intel 945G chipset, I'd think about a 2005/2006 build.
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That would make it a bit expensive .. though I guess the 12 month warranty is good and I'm sure it's fine for regular PC stuff like browsing, photo editing, storing music etc.

May struggle a bit with Win7, though - and you really want to avoid Vista
 
I take it you already have a monitor, etc. you could use then?

This is just me and I don't know what the US market is like but UK wise and for an easy build, I think I'd be looking at something like this barebones bundle and transferring the drives (at least if the drives are SATA). I run Linux though and would have no O/S cost to consider.
 
You can always add a second HD and add more memory. For the mouse software, you may can find it on their website.
 
You can always add a second HD and add more memory. For the mouse software, you may can find it on their website.
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But if I do that, I might as well just get that refurb PC. And as for the mouse, Kensington doesn
 
mikedt said:
Could be old stock? - maybe 3-5 years old. 80GB HDD, can one even buy a HDD that small now? Moody you should have non of that UEFI Windows only nonsense here.
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Pretty sure MS requires any device that isn't ARM based that seeks Win 8 certification to have the ability for the end user to disable secure boot. I may have said this already but secure boot is not an MS only thing, it is part of the UEFI standard which comes from a group that includes representatives from the major OEMs, plus MS and Apple (at least that's what Wikipedia tells me anyway)
 
If you feel that XP can no longer do what you need it to do anymore then its time to upgrade. But based on the specs of this computer it seems like all you need is a web browser. At 200 that is not a bad deal. Have you any interest in any tablets out there?
 
SiempreTuna said:
Yeah .. I know this is sacrilege on here, but it's just too much hassle for a desktop. Love unix on a server, but ..
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Every time I hear something like this, I find my head shaking on its own in disbelief. All of my desktops (including laptops) run Linux, only. I have no hassles. I feel left out! :eek: Would someone mind filling me in on the hassles involved with *nix on the desktop? Meanwhile, I'll be effortlessly and without conscious thought be using my Linux desktops to do everything I do every day. :)
 
I would not recommend it. Most Dell refurbished PC's seems to be off lease computers. Which is equivalent to used. I also think that 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium D has been discontinued for past 5 years or more. Upgrading hard drive is probably will be a pain as well since they are all SATA and not ATA connection now days. I would not buy this garbage.
 
After reading the comments about its age, I've definitely changed my mind and won't be buying one. This thing is ancient (by today's standards). It may still be a good buy, though, for someone who wants a computer for basic stuff, and its 19" monitor would be good, too.
 
MoodyBlues said:
After reading the comments about its age, I've definitely changed my mind and won't be buying one. This thing is ancient (by today's standards). It may still be a good buy, though, for someone who wants a computer for basic stuff, and its 19" monitor would be good, too.
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It's almost like buy the monitor, mouse and speakers, and we'll give you the PC at no extra charge because it's been sitting in our warehouse for years and now we need the space.
 
I find it interesting that you were looking at that particular OptiPlex model. At my vocational school we use a mix of 3 different Optiplexes (Optiplexi? :p) that model; the OptiPlex 760; and some OptiPlex 780s.

Some thoughts:

Do NOT get that model if you're planning on replacing components. Its a slimline model that needs slimline PCI(e) cards, and the designers decided to moronically use connectorless ribbon cables to connect some of the drives. While it is a BTX design (so theoretically it has good airflow), it's a PITA to take apart.

MoodyBlues said:
At that price, I might pick one up myself...even though I have no idea where I'd put its monitor. :idea:

Did you notice that it's refurbished? But it does have a one-year warranty.

Anyone know if there'd be any of those new-fangled issues wiping M$ off the drive and installing Linux?
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I would like to confirm that these models pre-date EFI. Regular Linux distros will work just fine. As a matter of fact, some of them paradoxically have EFI-type bioses that use mice, yet I've not had success actually booting anything up in UEFI mode.
 
Joelgp83 said:
I find it interesting that you were looking at that particular OptiPlex model. At my vocational school we use a mix of 3 different Optiplexes (Optiplexi? :p)
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That made me chuckle. :laugh:

Do NOT get that model if you're planning on replacing components. Its a slimline model that needs slimline PCI(e) cards, and the designers decided to moronically use connectorless ribbon cables to connect some of the drives. While it is a BTX design (so theoretically it has good airflow), it's a PITA to take apart.

I would like to confirm that these models pre-date EFI. Regular Linux distros will work just fine. As a matter of fact, some of them paradoxically have EFI-type bioses that use mice, yet I've not had success actually booting anything up in UEFI mode.
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Thanks for the info. Very helpful.
 
If you feel that XP can no longer do what you need it to do anymore then its time to upgrade.
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It works fine when it wants to but occasionally crawls or stumbles, probably because of my futzing with it for eight years. I installed and uninstalled Lubuntu on the D drive. Un-dual-booting left a mark. I used IE/OE until last month when I finally switched to FF/TB, way overdue.

Opinions on the Dell are deteriorating here, apparently for good reason. It sounds like it has roughly the same horsepower as my exisiting HP circa
 
New question... being that I have a 180GB hard dive and I’m only using about 40 of it, could I repartition the drive into two 90s, leave XP and all my crud on one and install W7 on the other? But if I do that, I suppose I’ll be in the same dual-boot mess as I was with Lubuntu.

I have EaseUS Partition Master Free Edition and MyDefrag to assist me.
 
If you're just going to do basic tasks, it'll be fine. I think I have a similar build that I got (several) years ago and paid probably 4 times as much. And it's still plenty fast for what I need.
 
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