need a PC

[bazookaman]

I've come to the conclusion that I need a PC. I've been doing a lot of flash CDs lately and testing them on VPC just sucks the big one. So I was looking for a small form factor PC. Any ideas? Doesn't need to be a gaming rig or anything of the sort. And i really don't want to have to spend more than a couple hundred bucks. Basically a REALLY cheap PC will still be faster than VPC.

[ztirffritz]

No speed demon, but the price is right:
$140


http://www.surpluscomputers.com/store/ma...ItemDetail&item=COM10676

[M A V I C]

Do you have any need to upgrade your Mac? You may think about getting an Intel Mac.

What about building your own? Any interest in that?

[New.Dad]

[quote ztirffritz]No speed demon, but the price is right:
$140
http://www.surpluscomputers.com/store/ma...ItemDetail&item=COM10676
It includes XP Professional, so for $140 that is a good deal.

[Grateful11]

There was a Dell system in yesterday newspaper ad, TIME insert I think, for $399
with 256 or 512mb of RAM, 17" Flat Panel, Combo Drive, and a Celeron processor.

That's a nice deal at SurplusComputers!

[M A V I C]

Yep. Considering that's about how much it can be found for new (though sometimes cheaper than this.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6837102062

But if he owns VPC, he already has Windows. If he's testing Flash, he may actually need a machine that's slightly more powerful (something that's closer to the average PC.)

[DaviDC.]

That is a good price, but don't Compaqs suck?
I've been told to stay away from 'em.

[New.Dad]

[quote M A V I C]But if he owns VPC, he already has Windows. If he's testing Flash, he may actually need a machine that's slightly more powerful (something that's closer to the average PC.)
True, but then he could "sell" the Windows XP license and keep the computer for free (it may be illegal though). Also, regarding the average PC, I beg to differ. I think one should test their products on a *low* end computer to ensure that all his/her users can use the product. I had a professor in college that said that one really learns programing by using a slow PC. Only then he would be forced to optimize the code. I guess that is true.

[M A V I C]

[quote New.Dad]Also, regarding the average PC, I beg to differ. I think one should test their products on a *low* end computer to ensure that all his/her users can use the product. I had a professor in college that said that one really learns programing by using a slow PC. Only then he would be forced to optimize the code. I guess that is true.
Oy, you got me on something so stinking obvious. It all depends on the audience, doesn't it? My bad.

[wurm]

Looks like decocritter might have one for the cost of shipping. Unless I mis-read.
http://forums.macresource.com/read/1/122922