2/14    Saw an ad for an emachines PC. Intel celeron 1.2 GHz, 17" monitor
        (16" viewable, .27 dot pitch), 256 MB SDRAM, 40 GB drive, Direct AGP
        3D graphics, 16x max CD-RW, Lexmark color printer, and stereo speakers.
        $500 after rebate. Good deal?    -- soda gal
        \_ Depends what you plan to do with it.  If you plan to browse the
           web, play mp3s, and read word documents, it should do just fine.
           If you want to play games, you may be in trouble (Direct AGP 3D
           graphics could mean POS previous generation ATI OEM video card).
           Also bear in mind that the hardware will almost certainly be low
           end, generic hardware.  Read: if you want to run a non-MS OS,
           you're probably in trouble.  Another issue is that, in general,
           cheap generic hardware has a higher failure rate.  Fortunately,
           most hardware fails in the first 30-90 days so it's usually covered
           under warranty.  At best the speakers will be suitable for casual
           listening, at worst they will be junk.  Same can be said for the
           monitor.  It's probably not the kind of monitor you can sit in
           front of for 6-8 hours at a stretch, but it'll probably do for
           typical non-geek use.  So, yes, $500 is cheap for a complete
           computer (including monitor), but don't expect any miracles.
           -dans
        \_ A summary of dans's statement: you get what you pay for.
           \_ But don't spend $60,000 on a high end Mercedes Benz, when a $200
              mountain bike will server your needs. -dans
                \_ isn't the original something like "don't spend 10 yuan on
                   a silver chopstick when a wooden one would do"?
                   \_ But a wooden chopstick can't detect posion.
                   \_ But a wooden chopstick can't detect poison.
              \_ $60k won't buy a high end MB.  Just FYI.
              \_ except you will survive an auto accident w/ a benz
                \_ go away, troll
        \_ Do you need the monitor? --dim