Do any of you know of good desktop computer review sites? I'm not interested in high priced computers, somewhere around $800 and below.

Thanks in advance.

I can't help with review sites, but if you want my opinion just go with Dell. They have well built systems that fit any budget, and their customer service is top notch. If you're not willing you build your own system they're the way to go.

yeah, i just got a new dell desktop last week after six years of laptops. other than the monitor not working initially, i've not had any problems.

I tend to go to www.zdnet.com for this kind of thing (I think www.CNET.com has all the same content, but maybe not), and then double-check against www.epinions.com (real users tend to be more honest). You could also check out the major dealers' websites and find a model that sounds like what you want, then read up on it at epinions.

i just look things up on amazon and see if there are reviews left by other customers.

I guess I should've mentioned that I'm not interested in Dell. Thanks, though.

Aaron, I'll check out those sites -- grassy ass.

why not. and maybe you should look at that minimac if you want to stay under 800 bucks. i thought that you were going to use your bestbuy gift certificates?

I am, but Best Buy doesn't offer Dell. They offer Gateway, eMachine, HP, Insignia (which I've never heard of), Sony, and one other brand that I can't remember.

Call up some local shops to see what they can offer that meets your price. Often they'll custom build whatever you want in terms of your needs & budget.

IMO for desktops, the only thing you get by buying a "name brand" (i.e. Dell/ Gateway/ HP) is the name. They all use the same generic, relatively low-quality components. With some companies, i.e. Dell, you buy a name that has good reputation for service, but that's why they're more expensive. In terms of service, Dell doesn't offer anything a good local shop won't, and at a local shop you can probably get a higher quality machine for less. Finding a local shop takes some leg-work, but by calling around and checking them out and asking questions about their service ("Will you fix it if it doesn't work?, etc"), you should be able to find one.

Just something to consider before spending that $$...

but that's just it, she can only get a new computer if she gets it at best buy because she has those GC to pay for it. i did a little shopping there when i was looking for my laptop, and i was pretty impressed with the toshibas.

go to pc world. they have the best 15 desktops available (at least in their opinion, which i trust) updated monthly.

My parents have an EMachine which they got for like $500 and it works pretty well. I think they've had it for close to a year.

In my research, I learned that eMachines are owned by Gateway. I didn't know that. While cheap, I see that their reputation has improved greatly since when they first came out. I'm researching them a bit more closely.

No Macs...sorry, no offense to all the Mac aficionados.

From what I know, Gateway just bought 'em a couple years back - & that increase in quality has been a direct result of the change in ownership. So that's good news.