I need 4 computers!

[southpaw13]

Anyone know where I can get a bulk price on buying 4 computers at once?  I'm looking for 2.0 Ghz or less...
So they don't need to be the newest stuff released...

Thanks,
southpaw

[pointdablame]

I don't know of anyplaces that will give you "bulk" deals for just 4 systems.  The big names won't, that much I know.  You're best bet is probably a small shop, mom and pop type store.  They'll be more willing to deal I would imagine, although their prices are going to be higher to begin with, so it's kind of a catch 22.

I'd say you're probably better off asking people around here and elsewhere online.  Or try eBay.  I have a 900mhz system I can sell you, and I bet a lot of other people around here may have other systems as well.  Just an idea.

[maraxle]

Keep an eye on Dell's site.  They often have 2.4-2.8 ghz machines with 128 mb of RAM and a 40gb or so harddrive for about $350-400, without a monitor.

[pointdablame]

That's true, that totally slipped my mind.  Check their refurb section too for some great deals too.

[nipsmg]

Keep an eye on Dell's site.  They often have 2.4-2.8 ghz machines with 128 mb of RAM and a 40gb or so harddrive for about $350-400, without a monitor.

yeah they just recently had a deal on 400SC's..  it was P42.8HT for the price of a 2.4ghz celeron, 128MB DDR400, 40gigHD, NIC, Integrated sound, video card, no OS, No Monitor, $349, and those cases are friggin SWEET.. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my 400SC's at work, I'm going to buy one for home :-D

--NipsMG

[mattv]

Be aware that Dell don't always feel the need to use industry standard components.

Buying one that wouldn't work properly with your arcadeVGA would stink, but buying FOUR of them all all once?

So yeah, make sure you check em out first. they are cheap for a reason.

[talem]

you probably build your own under $400 man ,

 Go to Pricewatch.com ... good place to find deals .

[DrewKaree]

depending on where you live, I know of a place that you can pick up decent systems in the 1.5 Gig range for around 300, but that's only for the tower itself, nothing else....kinda what you're looking for, or no?

[Goz]

If you have a Fry's electronics anywhere near you, they often have emachine or GQ Machines in the 1.5 - 2Ghz range for $300 complete w/ OS (no monitor). They have an online store that might have the same sales.

Last week they had a 1.6Ghz system for $149

www.outpost.com

Hope it helps,

-Goz

[talem]

If you have a Fry's electronics anywhere near you, they often have emachine or GQ Machines in the 1.5 - 2Ghz range for $300 complete w/ OS (no monitor). They have an online store that might have the same sales.

Last week they had a 1.6Ghz system for $149

www.outpost.com

Hope it helps,

-Goz

GOz is right , Frys is the best out there or if you know people at computer stores who can hook you up with alot of stuff .

[cbmeeks]

Be aware that Dell don't always feel the need to use industry standard components.

Buying one that wouldn't work properly with your arcadeVGA would stink, but buying FOUR of them all all once?

So yeah, make sure you check em out first. they are cheap for a reason.

Go got that right.  I work for a small insurance adjusting company and we have done $150,000 in sales with Dell.  On average, they are good computers but I would NEVER buy one for myself.  Here is why:

1) Don't be fooled by their claims.  Sure, they will say that you get next-business day replacement.  WRONG.  That "next-day" is when your local technician might receive the part.  He/she then has 24 hours to contact you for an appointment!  So, in theory, it could be 2-3 days before your replacement is installed.

2) Their motherboards sometimes WILL NOT WORK WITH TRADITIONAL PSUs!!!  They are propriatery.  In fact, I had a fiend to give me a Dell P4-1.6 GHz mobo and cpu.  I was so excited.  Until I looked and noticed it won't take the standard molex connector for the PSU.  So, it was useless to me.  

3) We had a harddrive go out in one of our machines.  That "next business day" service we paid for actually took almost two WEEKS.  They said they shipped it out.  It never got here the next day so I called them.  Then they said "Sorry, I will ship it out now"...never showed up....I called them again...etc for about 10 business days.  FINALLY, we received it.  So, our employee was without a computer (had to loan her my laptop) for almost two weeks.  THEN, when I got the HD, it came blank!!  So, total reload.  Normally, I would have gone out and bought a HD just to get her going but she had one of those low-profile computers that used the 2.5" drives you can't get here in town.

4) 9 times out of 10, when I call their tech support, it takes an hour or more on the phone.  period.

5) We had a keyboard in a laptop go out.  It took over a MONTH, yes, a MONTH to get it replaced.

Now, I'm not saying Gateway, Compaq, etc are any better, that is just the kind of things you get when you buy lots of computers from any big company.

If I were you, I would build all four of them.

cb

[krick]

2) Their motherboards sometimes WILL NOT WORK WITH TRADITIONAL PSUs!!!  They are propriatery.  In fact, I had a fiend to give me a Dell P4-1.6 GHz mobo and cpu.  I was so excited.  Until I looked and noticed it won't take the standard molex connector for the PSU.  So, it was useless to me.  

I'm not happy with their use of proprietary connectors either but if necessary, you CAN purchase an atx to dell adapter cable for less than $15...

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/dellconverter.html

[Lance]

2) Their motherboards sometimes WILL NOT WORK WITH TRADITIONAL PSUs!!!  They are propriatery.  In fact, I had a fiend to give me a Dell P4-1.6 GHz mobo and cpu.  I was so excited.  Until I looked and noticed it won't take the standard molex connector for the PSU.  So, it was useless to me.  

I'm not happy with their use of proprietary connectors either but if necessary, you CAN purchase an atx to dell adapter cable for less than $15...

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/dellconverter.html

I don't think newer dell's use that type of connector anymore, I just looked at the machine on my office desk and it has a standard ATX connector as far as I can tell.

[krick]

2) Their motherboards sometimes WILL NOT WORK WITH TRADITIONAL PSUs!!!  They are propriatery.  In fact, I had a fiend to give me a Dell P4-1.6 GHz mobo and cpu.  I was so excited.  Until I looked and noticed it won't take the standard molex connector for the PSU.  So, it was useless to me.  

I'm not happy with their use of proprietary connectors either but if necessary, you CAN purchase an atx to dell adapter cable for less than $15...

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/dellconverter.html

I don't think newer dell's use that type of connector anymore, I just looked at the machine on my office desk and it has a standard ATX connector as far as I can tell.

I'm not positive about dell machines that you'd buy today but on my older Dell Dimension P3 800 at work, the connector is the same, the pinout is different.

[darkcape]

Overstock.com seems to have some cheapo pc's out there fequently. I've been fishing around there for a while.

for bottom of the line they have a few IBM's PIII's
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=483330

if anyone has bought PC's from overstock how did they work out?