Pls recommend the cheapest barebones PC available?

[100percentsilk]

I am trying to source for the cheapest barebones PC in the market for my grandfather.

He has asked me to help him setup a PC for:

• very simply internet surfing (Yahoo, Youtube, 4D, china websites)
• look at relatives pictures from China (not a lot of photos, at most less than 100)

I intend to:

• install a lightweight Linux distro like Puppy or Fuduntu for him (don't want him kenna virus everyday and ask for my help)
• provide him with an external monitor, keybd and mouse (he need larger fonts for his failing eyes so tablets or laptops are out)
• use a LAN cable to connect to the LAN port of the barebone PC (no wireless to reduce any need for troubleshooting if down)

any recommendations?

By the way, before anybody say I crazy intro Linux to a old man, I will perform my due diligence and lock down whatever unnecessary programs and settings and put 2 icons big big on his desktop, one for netsurfing and one for photo gallery. Thats it!

Also, I will be the one training him on how to use so definitely I have to make things as simple as possible.

 

[ykgoh]

Can consider installing some lightweight Linux media center os.

The List: The Top 5 Media Center Programs for Linux (2013) » The Linux Cauldron

I guess they can do media playback (photos & videos), and Internet surfing well, with a better interface than most desktop Linux distros.

 

[pa9797]

I am trying to source for the cheapest barebones PC in the market for my grandfather.

He has asked me to help him setup a PC for:

• very simply internet surfing (Yahoo, Youtube, 4D, china websites)
• look at relatives pictures from China (not a lot of photos, at most less than 100)

I intend to:

• install a lightweight Linux distro like Puppy or Fuduntu for him (don't want him kenna virus everyday and ask for my help)
• provide him with an external monitor, keybd and mouse (he need larger fonts for his failing eyes so tablets or laptops are out)
• use a LAN cable to connect to the LAN port of the barebone PC (no wireless to reduce any need for troubleshooting if down)

any recommendations?

By the way, before anybody say I crazy intro Linux to a old man, I will perform my due diligence and lock down whatever unnecessary programs and settings and put 2 icons big big on his desktop, one for netsurfing and one for photo gallery. Thats it!

Also, I will be the one training him on how to use so definitely I have to make things as simple as possible.

TS, does your grandpa prefer chinese? if yes suggest u get a Intel UIC with Windows 7 Chinese OS. everything must be easy to operate for old man. Cybermind at SLS 4th floor stock quite a few choices

 

[coyote]

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS is one of the more user friendly though the 'administrator' need to do some tweaking so that the 'user' can operate it like a 'dummy'.

Just get any i3 or g2xxx pentium(sandy, ivy or haswell also does not matter as long as within your budget) with a reliable gigabyte board & you are off to go. Why Intel? Because the onboard HD2000~HD3500 is enabled for Hardware acceleration for H.264 video playback with few default libraries. Maintenance is close to zero even with regular updates. nVidia is second best as the driver will automatically be updated once there is a kernel update. ATI however needs user intervention during regular kernel update or risk breaking the GUI. So to date, ATI is still a NO NO for linux.

And ubuntu is easy to switch between English & Chinese Menu. Though I will suggest disable the Unity interface & use classic gnome desktop.

There is no need to go for any slimdown versions of linux because, computers hardwares are geared towards the fat & bloated windows ware. So, any decent enough pc will be more than overkill for any linux distro.

i3 or G2/G3*** cpu with a Gigabyte board for ultimate reliability. 2 or 4G ram is enough. The lowest 500G capacity WD harddisk is also enough. Rest are immaterial to performances. Just buy as you wish...

 

[Jian19]

Go bazaar and look for those $100-150 2nd hand pc...

 

[Jian19]

If u wan buy new pc

G3220 + Asrock h81m dgs ~ $140
Adata 4gb ddr3 ~ $43
Wd blue 500gb ~ $60
Hec 300w ~ $35
Brandless case ~ $20

$298 buy and DIY @ tradepac , load OS thru USB

 

[havetobuy]

If u wan buy new pc


$298 buy and DIY @ tradepac , load OS thru USB

wah! yr quote is even cheaper than me kaki shop
his shop min is $368

 

[havetobuy]

I am trying to source for the cheapest barebones PC in the market for my grandfather.

By the way, before anybody say I crazy intro Linux to a old man, .

dun laff there is a chinese co in geylarg that used linux
all their staff r really ole men

 

[wtfh4x]

I see Chamoxa got some cheap $30 Inwin cases. Very decent looking and quality should be miles better than the cheap brandless crap. Could give those a shot. The rest just follow Jian19 recommendation, looks good.

 

[100percentsilk]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will review the suggestions here and perhaps mix and match them to better suit my requirements

 

[Steyr69]

I see Chamoxa got some cheap $30 Inwin cases. Very decent looking and quality should be miles better than the cheap brandless crap. Could give those a shot. The rest just follow Jian19 recommendation, looks good.

i took a stroll yesterday n pass by this shop.

yup there are 3 $30 Inwin casing for mATX on display.

I particularly like one with the futuristic flip up cover.
Looks very good indeed. Very surprise it is $30 (I asked the friendly store chap) even though the price is not labeled.

All 3 have some weight n looks very sturdy.
I must say very worthy.

Should have taken some pics....

 

[wtfh4x]

Haha the blue one right? Its damn cool like mac pro liddat. The back panel also damn awesome.

 

[Steyr69]

Haha the blue one right? Its damn cool like mac pro liddat. The back panel also damn awesome.

yup...thats the one.

should show the front also.

it is quite heavy so it is sturdy. the plastic part not those flimsy type.
i was there like playing with the flap for 5 mins.
cant believe it is $30.

too bad, dun have any plans to make up a new rig.....this casing takes the cake.

 

[ArcticCheetah]

Chrome book is also suitable just saying...

 

[MoneyFace =p]

I am trying to source for the cheapest barebones PC in the market for my grandfather.

He has asked me to help him setup a PC for:

• very simply internet surfing (Yahoo, Youtube, 4D, china websites)
• look at relatives pictures from China (not a lot of photos, at most less than 100)

I intend to:

• install a lightweight Linux distro like Puppy or Fuduntu for him (don't want him kenna virus everyday and ask for my help)
• provide him with an external monitor, keybd and mouse (he need larger fonts for his failing eyes so tablets or laptops are out)
• use a LAN cable to connect to the LAN port of the barebone PC (no wireless to reduce any need for troubleshooting if down)

any recommendations?

By the way, before anybody say I crazy intro Linux to a old man, I will perform my due diligence and lock down whatever unnecessary programs and settings and put 2 icons big big on his desktop, one for netsurfing and one for photo gallery. Thats it!

Also, I will be the one training him on how to use so definitely I have to make things as simple as possible.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will review the suggestions here and perhaps mix and match them to better suit my requirements

Some 2nd hand recommendations off forum marketplace:

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/cpu-ram-mainboard-bazaar-199/pc-fullset-4552251.html

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/c...p-dell-cpu-only-intel-core-2-duo-4565882.html