Decent Hardware Buy

[nothingbutlinux]

I'm still kinda new to this forum, so if this is not an appropriate post, I appologize!

First, let me say that I don't work for TigerDirect, I have no affiliation with them, I'm just a satisfied customer. That said, I found a pretty good hardware buy there:

TigerDirect calls it a "Famous Brand" (I'll let you determine what the brand is)
Pentium 4 - 2.0 Ghz.
512 Meg PC 2100 DDR Memory.
60 Gig HD
32x10x40x CD-RW Drive
16x DVD Drive

It includes the standard stuff, floppy, kybd, mouse, but doesn't include a monitor or operating system, but we're Linux people, right? We don't care about no stinking OS! Their price is $549.99.

I ordered one to use as a Linux "playground". I'm going to try different distros, see which ones I prefer. I'm even going to try loading *gasp* Debian!

I've been keeping my eye on hardware, including the option of building a PC, but I couldn't build one with the same hardware specs for that price.

Again, if this isn't an appropriate post, I appologize. I'm not trying to plug TigerDirect, but this looked like a pretty decent hardware deal and wanted to let people know.

[FoBoT]

your post is okay, but would be better in the hardware trading forum (even though we haven't labeled it a "hot deals" forum, this has to do with buying stuff)

so i am moving this to hardware trading

[Vegas/Newbie]

I checked out the specs from TigerDirect's site and found the closest 'Famous Brand' computer closest to your description:
Is this the same system you got?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=H27-1196%20P#


Intel Pentium® 4 2.26GHz Processor
512K Cache
256MB PC2100 DDR Memory
60GB Hard Drive
16x DVD Drive
32x10x40x CD-RW Drive
3.5" (1.44MB) Floppy Disk Drive
56K Fax/Modem
32MB GeForce 4 Video
Premium AC '97 Integrated Sound
10/100baseT Fast Ethernet
IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports
Polk Audio® Stereo Speakers
PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse


The price tag on it was $599 though and not $549, although prices fluctuate on a daily basis.


From the look of the case and the keyboard, my suggestion is that it is a Hewlett Packard knockoff or refurb (TigerDirect loves refurbs). I say that b/c the title to the page is:

PAV-P2260-1 Famous Brand / Intel Pentium 4 2.26GHz / 256MB DDR / 60GB / CDRW / DVD / 56K / NO OS /

It is the PAV-P2260-1 part that looks like it used to be a Pavilion.

From the specs, you got a decent system for a relatively good price. The fact that the video card on Pavilions are discreet and can be upgraded is a plus. The motherboard, along with most other Pavilions, is probably an ASUS xxxxx that ASUS themselves won't even confess to. :)

When you get it, find out which chipset the MB has, as that is the heart and soul of your system. The only downfall that I see is that you have a mystery hard drive (probably ATA 66). Overall though, not a bad buy.

I am not a big fan of TigerDirect, but I did get lucky on a barebones system years ago. In fact, I still use the same case. It would cost me at least $150 to buy a case of that quality today.

[nothingbutlinux]

They may have sold out of the specific one I got (which arrived today, btw!). The one you saw is $50 more, but has a faster processor, 2.26 vs. 2.0, not as much memory (256 meg, mine has 512). The biggest difference I see is the graphics card, mine is on board unfortunately.

The one I got is definitely a refurb, but as long as it works that's okay.

Out of curiousity, why don't you like TigerDirect? I've had pretty good luck, although I haven't had to deal with their customer service yet.

[Vegas/Newbie]

Have you checked to see whether the MB has an AGP slot for future upgrades. Having onboard is great, but is very limited. Would be cool if they left you that option...

TigerDirect left a bad taste in my mouth. About 3 years ago I bought a 15" refurb monitor for $99. At the time, 15" CRT's were going for $179 new, so it was a great deal right? They charged me $60 for S&H.. If I am not mistaken, TD is located in either Iowa or Illinois. I live in North Carolina. The monitor has worked flawlessly, but I could have gone to Circuit City and gotten a brand new one for $10 more.

A company in CA was charging only $20 S&H for a monitor of the same weight. I only found this out after I got the refurb monitor.

The barebones system I referred to in an earlier post was for a super socket 7 board plus case, PS, floppy, and CDROM. The motherboard specs were great, but when it arrived, I couldn't enable the system cache without crashing the system. Also the CDROM was messed up.

After contacting customer support, I saw to it that the problem was corrected promptly, and it was with no great effort. I ended up getting a better MB and CDROM out of the deal. Great on my part, that's why it was a steal. The mid tower that came with the system is built like a tank, I haven't found one that I like that closely resembles the quality for under $100, and that doesn't include a P/S.

I got lucky, but the point was that I shouldn't have had to return anything, and TD is the only company to date which I have had to return anything!!!

I have read many positive and negative reviews on TD. I was drawn to them by really low prices, but they get you with outrageous shipping charges. I bet you paid at least $60 for your S&H.

I have switched to Pricewatch.com and am buying and building increadible systems for really low prices. No problems with any of the vendors yet. :)