07.21.99 Mike Curtis wrote:

>I have been asked by a friend to help buy/build a computer for her
daughter starting college this fall.


After reading and following this thread, I would like to comment on a
few aspects of the request.

I realize that paying for a college education isn't the easiest task for
parents to undertake and also supply a computer.

You made no mention as to what the field of study will be. If this young
lady is going for Graphics, Multimedia or any graphics intense studies,
your basic request would not get her through the second year without
having to either upgrading or replace the system.

>From my sales experience with those in college indicates that, if they
are going to live in a dorm, there is little room for anything
especially when the room will be shared by others. You put in a desk top
system replete with a inkjet printer, on a postage stamp size student
desk and This almost negates the desk top system. Note Books are
expensive and prone to theft. On the other hand, so are desk tops.

>Pentium 200 or better
>64 MB RAM
>Win 95/98/NT
>500 MB free hard drive space
>Virus protection software
>10BaseT network card (either Intel Ether Express or 3 Com Ethernet card)

These specifications are somewhat vague and as stated earlier, it
depends upon what the field of study is going to be. The recommendation
of a Pentium 200 or better leads me to believe they may be referring to
a note book then again the specs may be dated. The desk top systems
available with that spec are in the
used section. The remaining suggestions is no problem.



> I don't think anything she gets today will likely meet the minimum standard 4 years from now so I am leaning toward to lower cost approach, especially given the other costs that are coming up right now for them.

When you purchase a computer strictly by the bottom line, the system
may obsolete in time as you indicated by the "minimum standard". With
selective shopping, you can get a pretty decent system that should last
for a while.

Sincerely,

Frank Suszka
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