....so here's a challenge:
A PC including monitor (if poss 17" TFT) for as close to £300 as possible.
A few guidelines/minimum specs:
1 - It's a Chrissy pressie for a 14 y/o girl.
2 - It doesn't need the latest fastest kit.
3 - It needs WinXP - discount from the budget if you're struggling.
4 - It'll be used for homework, internet and (most importantly) MSN <sigh>.
5 - CDRW is sufficient.
6 - 64bit? Maybe will afford some future upgrade-ability.
7 - May need to run some games, nothing too graphically demanding, probably stuff 12 months old and perjaps a late driving game or two.
8 - 512mB RAM.
9 - 10/100 on board is fine, wireless card ability - on board sound will be fine too, perhaps 5.1?
10 - AMD or Intel, it's not important.
11 - USB ports.
12 - Possibly TV-out. Suppose it's possible to fit a TV card that'll pick up Freeview and output to her TV??? Dunno about this really, maybe this'll go to future upgrades.
Here's a caveat. I know you're not to mention competitors, so I'm not going to. BUT, other people can do such a system. Frankly, I'd rather give my hard earned to Overclockers (as I will soon do for my own system) as they are conveniently (a) excellent at what they do and (b) just up the road from where I live.
So, is it possible?
A PC including monitor (if poss 17" TFT) for as close to £300 as possible.
A few guidelines/minimum specs:
1 - It's a Chrissy pressie for a 14 y/o girl.
2 - It doesn't need the latest fastest kit.
3 - It needs WinXP - discount from the budget if you're struggling.
4 - It'll be used for homework, internet and (most importantly) MSN <sigh>.
5 - CDRW is sufficient.
6 - 64bit? Maybe will afford some future upgrade-ability.
7 - May need to run some games, nothing too graphically demanding, probably stuff 12 months old and perjaps a late driving game or two.
8 - 512mB RAM.
9 - 10/100 on board is fine, wireless card ability - on board sound will be fine too, perhaps 5.1?
10 - AMD or Intel, it's not important.
11 - USB ports.
12 - Possibly TV-out. Suppose it's possible to fit a TV card that'll pick up Freeview and output to her TV??? Dunno about this really, maybe this'll go to future upgrades.
Here's a caveat. I know you're not to mention competitors, so I'm not going to. BUT, other people can do such a system. Frankly, I'd rather give my hard earned to Overclockers (as I will soon do for my own system) as they are conveniently (a) excellent at what they do and (b) just up the road from where I live.
So, is it possible?
I like the idea of a mobo with a PCI-e slot but with onboard 6100 gfx - seems like a good way to keep the cost down right now but give options to upgrade in the future if it's not quite up to scratch 
