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[personal profile] captain_slinky
So I bought a new (used) computer for my Dad to give to my Mom for Christmas. Paid $85 for it.

It's a Dell Optiplex GX110, which is pretty darned nice for an older computer. It's got 512MB RAM, a 40GB hard drive, Pentium III, 733 MHz, CD drive and a separate CD burner...and it runs *perfectly*. It'll get her around the 'net and let her play with the pictures she takes on her digital camera. That's really all she needs.

Well, except for a USB port on the front of the PC. And that's something that this computer does NOT have.

However, I *do* have a Sony Viao PCV RX280DS sitting here, gutted. It's a VERY comparable machine to the Dell, having a P3 1Ghz processor. Plus, it has a USB port on the front. However, it's missing the NIC, the HDD and the Video Card.

I also have my current computer, a Compaq SR1300NX with an AMD Sempron Processor. Much more powerful than either of the other machines, bvut since I'm now the stay-at-home Dad i don't really need much "Power"; all i need is to surf the 'net and post to LJ, maybe listen to some 'tunes and watch some YouTube every now and again.

So what would *YOU* do?

(A) Gut the Dell and stick all the missing stuff in to the Viao, give THAT to my Mom and keep the big Dell case for Molly's computer that I'll be making her soon?

(B) Give the Compaq to my Mom and keep the Dell for myself, giving it to Molly whenever I can afford to upgrade in the future?

(C) NON EOF THE ABOVE (show your work; explain your answer)

Please, i *NEED* input on this!!!

Date: 2007-12-04 11:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pipermage452.livejournal.com
First off, how comfortable is your mom with computers? If all she wants to do is just play with her pictures from her camera and email/internet stuffs, I'd go with option A.

Also, you might want to check Fry's in Renton every so often, they occasionally have some good sales on computer parts.

Date: 2007-12-04 11:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] captain-slinky.livejournal.com
She's not comfortable with them at all :(

Another consideration for me is how much of my TIME is this gonna take-up?

Date: 2007-12-05 01:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] teegin.livejournal.com
Does the Dell Optiplex GX110 not have a usb port at all?

Date: 2007-12-05 01:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] captain-slinky.livejournal.com
Yeah, it has USB support and two ports in the back... but she's old and needs one in the FRONT of the PC for her SD card reader. Considered getting her a dock for her camera or something, but I don't want to spend any more money on this.

HEAVILY leaning towards letting her have my computer. If for no other reason than the Dell is in one of those HUGE, funky old under-the-monitor cases (as opposed to a tower that takes up extra desk space).

c none of the above

Date: 2007-12-05 04:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] agelesseuridice.livejournal.com
maybe you could talk to an old friend who has one of these sitting in her bedroom, not really hooked up to anything.
http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-Desktop-Celeron-256MB-drive/dp/B000083JYE
It's got that new favorite work horse XPv2 on it.
It does have front load usb 1 ports there is a built in cd-rom drive that mysteriously stopped working so I have an external cd-rom drive. I don't have the speakers or mouse, but I do have an ergonomic keyboard.
I might be talked out of this fine thing for oh I don't know Avenue Q pirate and maybe a Wicked pirate, or some other little treasures you might have hidden away.

Re: c none of the above

Date: 2007-12-05 05:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] captain-slinky.livejournal.com
OooooOOOOh! Well then! Let me see what i can find in my "Stuff I Always Intended To Send To You" folder :)

Re: c none of the above

Date: 2007-12-06 02:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] captain-slinky.livejournal.com
Hey, while I'm looking for my copies of Avenue Q and Wicked, you might want to check out this community: [livejournal.com profile] broadwayshare

Yer gonna need to get a new hard drive... I suggest many, MANY Gigabytes :)

Date: 2007-12-05 04:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rogh-sensei.livejournal.com
Dude. Just give her the Optiplex and set her up with a USB hub that runs to the back.
Also, if you have that much juice in your machine, you need to get your ASS in City of Villains so we can play sometime.

Date: 2007-12-05 05:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] captain-slinky.livejournal.com
I have lots of juice, but a super-crappy video card :(

...And no time to play :(

Date: 2007-12-05 12:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rogh-sensei.livejournal.com
So pick up a better one while you're buying her that USB hub. :)

Date: 2007-12-05 05:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] collisions.livejournal.com
If the Dell works, just beg/borrow/steal a little USB hub (I'd be surprised if you can't get one on Freecycle or Craigslist or for like $10 with a $10 rebate at Buy.com) or even one of the extender cables to attach to the back and dangle in front. Here's one for fifty cents on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/4-PORT-USB-NON-POWER-HUB_W0QQitemZ150181597945QQcmdZViewItem

You spend zero time getting anything to work and very little money on the USB solution, and you're done. It's a Festivus miracle!

Date: 2007-12-05 09:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] captain-slinky.livejournal.com
Sounds like a perfect plan! Thanks!

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