Well, being in the market for a PC, I decided to check this out.  A
"complete" system (for us, YMMV) costed out thus (in round numbers):

500 MHz computer $400
17" Monitor             $230
NIC                         $75
MS Office Pro          $500
                                ------
Total                         $1205

Calling my local PC supplier revealed these numbers:

Acer 533 MHz computer (includes 17" Monitor and NIC) $1115
MS Office Pro (OEM)
$389

             -------
Total
$1504

Now that's a difference of $300, part of which is explained by the local PC
supplier offering a two-year warranty (1st year onsite, 2nd year depot).
Not to mention that if something goes wrong, I have someone to blame, er,
talk to.  So, it boils down to "is that worth $300?".  If it was a lot less
than that, or a lot more than that, the decision would be a no-brainer.


Jim Phillips                            Manager of Information Systems
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]     Therm-O-Link, Inc.
Phone: (330) 527-2124                   P. O. Box 285
  Fax: (330) 527-2123                   10513 Freedom Street
  Web: http://www.tolwire.com  Garrettsville, Ohio  44231