Microsoft's Crime of the Day is the pricing for Windows XP Home Edition. My parents have had their PC for a few years now and in that time, it's become increasingly obvious that Windows ME is a steaming pile of dung (not the good kind of DUNG either). So, time for an upgrade.
You can get the Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade Version, or whatever they call it, for $99. But that's a sucker's bet, because if the upgrade doesn't work right, you're hosed without the option of installing a virginal OS. So the full edition it is, then, at an incredible $199.
So, I'm thinking... there is another option. The Mac Mini is $499 and far more horsepower than my folks will have any use for, and by all accounts it's both more usable and less bug-and-malware-prone than a Windows system. For a one-time cost of $300 more than I'd have to pay just to make my folks' PC marginally usable, I can get them a faster, slicker system, and probably do away with 95% of their computer problems once and for all. (And my sister could then have their computer, which still would need a new OS installed, but since she basically just needs it for the Internet, maybe we could try Linux.)
It's sounding very tempting. What do you think?
ID:54
 Apr 25 2005, 7:53 am
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I ended up buying the $199 version of Microsoft Windows XP for the same reason you mentioned. What a waste of money. Microsoft are such tight-wads. You cannot install the OS on more than one computer. $200 is alot of money, and they want you to pay that much for every computer you operate. What a load of crap. I hate Microsoft.
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Years ago, when my current computer was bought, Windows ME came on it. A couple of weeks later my local computer store put Windows 98SE on it for free just because they were sick of all of their customers needing extra help.
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Do remember that the price of the Mac Mini doesn't include keyboard/mouse/monitor Yeah, I'm thinking of springing for a Mac keyboard and mouse (around $50 total), and my sister can use my old CRT monitor. At the moment I'm about 90% convinced to go the Mac Mini route. Didn't plan to spend quite this much for their birthdays this year (both in May) but it'll probably be worth it. | |
You cannot install the OS on more than one computer. Ah, I was wondering about that! I figured if I went the Windows XP route, I might be able to put it on my PC too. I guess that's strike three... | |
I'm biased, but I say go for the Mac mini. One thing I'll say though, is that the default 256 MB of memory is too low. Even if your parents will only do simple email and web browsing, the machine will occasionally swap with only 256 MB, and its laptop-sized hard drive is kinda slow.
Bumping up to 512 MB does add to the price, though - Apple will charge you $75 for it, or you can buy it yourself from a place like Crucial or OWC for closer to $50. If you go that route, there's a video and other information showing how to open up the mini <a href=http://www.smashsworld.com/2005/01/ taking-apart-mac-mini-how-to.php here. Good luck! | |
Even if your parents will only do simple email and web browsing, the machine will occasionally swap with only 256 MB Thanks for the tip. Maybe the extra memory can be a Christmas present! Guess I'd also have to get them some kind of Windows emulation sooner or later to play Drummond Cribbage. Oh well... it still sounds like a better solution than a Windows upgrade. | |
Do remember that the price of the Mac Mini doesn't include keyboard/mouse/monitor...you should be able to use their existing equipment for that, though that may mean your sister will have to scrounge up some components if she gets their computer.