we are shopping for a pc for a 13 tear old who wants it to play games (he
already has ps2 but says he is now too good for that...kids...) We went to
a few places but we are at a loss about the amount we should invest for a
pc used by a 13 y o. Can some of you who went through this exercise with
young teens advise us as to what his the average cosrt we should pay for
such a system?

Thank you very much. Please answer via this newsgroup.

"Maxime" <justmaximenospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:FbY3e.13142$g_5.239167@wagner.videotron.net.. .
new, fancy, up-to-date, Internet connected multi-user, graphics intense
games, plan on spending quite a bundle. The average Wal-Mart PC isn't going
to cut it. You would need extra memory (RAM), high-end video, etc., to even
begin to satiate a gamer's desires. So, look at the games and see what specs
they suggest, and add some more to that...overhead...so the next release
won't require a new PC <g>

Maxime wrote:
Cost depends upon which currency you use.

Look at the new current games, then tell them no way


"Toolman Tim" <no.spam.for.tcm@my.email.is.invalid> wrote in message
news:hgY3e.1259$yL2.163@fe08.lga...

Maxime wrote:

Here is what I would be doing:
1. Get him to research and price the components he thinks he needs:
board, drives, memory, sound & graphics etc.

2. Then get him to clean up and sell the two PCs he already has to go
towards the cost of the new system.

3. Remind him of the starving babies in Africa.

Most important rule when shopping for a new pc, DO NOT buy a pc from tiny.

Here is a cheap pc from a good company,
http://www.meshcomputers.com/updated...t3400offer.htm

Has 256MB nVIDIA & 1024 DDR400 RAM so is going to be able to play the
latest games no problem.


"Maxime" <justmaximenospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:FbY3e.13142$g_5.239167@wagner.videotron.net.. .

canetoad wrote:
<snip>

Hint: A PS2 is not two PCs.

To what end?

Rôgêr wrote:

Maybe they'd enjoy the Playstation, if it's no longer needed.
--
You know. To take their minds off their problems.

Good point!

"doS" <kobo65@hotREmoveThismail.com> wrote in message
news:MoY3e.2011$1P7.250@fe06.lga...

canetoad wrote:
And when he says, "Dad, I have a PS2, not two PCs!", what would you do?

-
Blinky Linux Registered User 297263
Who has implemented Usenet Solution #45933:
Now killing all posts originating at Google Groups

trout wrote:
Throw in Grand Theft Auto Addis Ababa for the little guys to enjoy.

Maxime wrote:
Here's a good start for the "dream" system for a kid that's into gaming.
You didn't mention what kind of budget you have. Just add a 19" flat
panel monitor, surround sound speakers with sub, keyboard, mouse,
assorted controllers, game software, and last but certainly not least, a
really fast internet connection and he'll be happy for a while:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...102-611&DEPA=0

On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 17:54:25 -0400, Rôgêr <abuse@your.isp.com> wrote:

At over 2 grand American, it should make any 13 year old happy. Now if
they can just make it idiot proof. Kaspersky pro, Outpost firewall,
Spyware blaster, Spybot-search & destroy. And of course teach the kid
to keep winders and all the other stuff updated. Fat chance. LOL
My 14 year old is pretty savy but I have to keep checking the updates.
Eventually she will know. Already she does the av and soon she will
take care of the other programs.

Rôgêr wrote:


Lol. My Bad. Not reading correctly, but the same sentiment still applies.

Maxime wrote:
games machine, how does a general purpose machine such as a PC improve
things on the games side? Sounds to me like "I'm too good for this F1
car. Can I have an SUV, please?" (Sure it's harder to handle on the
raceway, but performance...).

And as you all guessed, I'm no typical gamer, be it on PC or dedicated
games machine...

By all means, get the kid some serious hardware, though, within
reasonable limits. Chances are he'll do some serious work on it, through
the years (or was it "tears" ;-) ).

To get the most out of the latest greatest games, a fairly high end
computer is required.
BEFORE making any investment in a computer for a 13 yo however, it
would be best to set him down and have a chat about the PARENTAL
CONTROLS you intend to install and strictly enforce, the RESTRICTED
account he will have on the computer, the monitoring of his computer
use and the consequences for circumventing or otherwise violating
the INTENT for installing parental controls and restricted rights.
Perhaps he may decide his PS2 ain't so bad after all.

Then again.... if you're not a responsible parent you can just give
him however much he can con you out of and let him buy whatever
computer makes him happy..... for the moment.

"Maxime" <justmaximenospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:FbY3e.13142$g_5.239167@wagner.videotron.net.. .

Maxime wrote:
Nearly impossible to guess "average cost".
Bottom end on a new system is around 500 american dollars.
Top end / bleeding edge will be several times that.

You don't say what they want to play on the computer.
If it's online games, they don't "need" the top end.

Or... could tell him to wait and get him a ps3 in 2006...
they say out sometime 2006 but wouldnt surprise me if
they release it for Christmas this year...