From my Paying it Forward thread, Guinness recommended the following:
BUDGET RIG UNDER $500
For someone on a budget looking for a PC for internet and low demanding applications, here is my recommendation. This system is scalable, so in the future if you want to upgrade for more demanding work or gaming you can.
The motherboard supplies the graphics and sound for the machine, so there are no additional costs with dedicated sound and graphic options.
CPU: Intel Pentium G3450 Haswell Dual-Core 3.4Ghz - $72
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116996
MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-H81M-S1 (rev 2.1) - $48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128770
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR III 1600 - $46
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186
CASE & POWER SUPPLY: Raidmax Vortex V4 w/450W PSU - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156331
HARD DRIVE: Western Digital Blue 500GB 7200RPM - $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UM2ZT0856
OPTICAL DRIVE: Asus 24x DVD Burner OEM - $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
Total Cost: $289*
* price doesn't include any applicable shipping , taxes or price/sale fluctuations. Also does not include operating system (usually $100, give or take, I recommend Windows 7 via SnagStuff currently selling for $77 at http://www.snaggstuff.com/windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-sp1-oem-open-box/) or external components (such as monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse)
you should write up a quick recommendation for a low cost slap together desktop or OTS laptop, both $500-$1K and under $500. It would be easier for you and help more than one person. Answering the eternal question "I want a PC for Internet and low demanding applications for a budget price" for other forum members might be a bigger bang for the buck.
BUDGET RIG UNDER $500
For someone on a budget looking for a PC for internet and low demanding applications, here is my recommendation. This system is scalable, so in the future if you want to upgrade for more demanding work or gaming you can.
The motherboard supplies the graphics and sound for the machine, so there are no additional costs with dedicated sound and graphic options.
CPU: Intel Pentium G3450 Haswell Dual-Core 3.4Ghz - $72
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116996
MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-H81M-S1 (rev 2.1) - $48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128770
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR III 1600 - $46
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186
CASE & POWER SUPPLY: Raidmax Vortex V4 w/450W PSU - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156331
HARD DRIVE: Western Digital Blue 500GB 7200RPM - $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UM2ZT0856
OPTICAL DRIVE: Asus 24x DVD Burner OEM - $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
Total Cost: $289*
* price doesn't include any applicable shipping , taxes or price/sale fluctuations. Also does not include operating system (usually $100, give or take, I recommend Windows 7 via SnagStuff currently selling for $77 at http://www.snaggstuff.com/windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-sp1-oem-open-box/) or external components (such as monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse)