[crussell97]

I'm buying a very basic computer for my dad today. Just email, some internet surfing, and word processing.

what's the minimum I can get by with for highspeed (he wants to get it) internet surfing?

Athlon or Sempron? is there a big quality difference when just doing the basics?

Do I need 256K/512k or can I get by with 128K and still have a speedy 'user experience' online?

TIA

[Fidelista]

Minimums make things difficult. Sometimes they dont present best value.
I believe 128k is pushing limits , regardless of what you may read or hear. Ram is not the best place to cut cost.
I would say 256k min, and Athlon Processor {or P-4 for that matter}.
Good machines can be had for little more $$$ than base models , and are more capable.
>f

[crussell97]

Fidelista
Thanks! I took your advice. I got him a HP 2.93 Ghz P-4 512K that came with 200 G Hard Drive for about $75 more than the cheap model! I got lucky and found a great deal. $599.

[Fidelista]

$ 75.00 well spent
>f