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Like a car without wheels or a flashlight without batteries, some budget PCs require additional investment before they are ready to use. So don't assume that the first price you see is what you will end up paying. For instance, many of the budget systems lack essential software such as antivirus protection (though some come with trial versions).
Only the Sys and WinBook PCs included the full version of an antivirus product. A good security package, such as Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2005, costs about $50. You may also need to purchase productivity software. The Dell and Sys computers offered a version of Corel WordPerfect; the Compaq, EMachines, and HP systems were bundled with Microsoft Works. The IBuyPower, Polywell, and WinBook PCs lacked an office suite. You can upgrade, of course--but expect to pay up to $150.
When adding features, beware the barrage of "upsells." Configuring and buying our Dell system required clicking through four Web pages bearing offers for more than two dozen extra hardware items, software packages, and training and installation services. The pages even recommended upgrading to the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center OS--overkill for a budget desktop with integrated graphics that can't handle the tasks for which you buy a Media Center PC. And Dell's online configurator automatically bumped customers up to a two-year warranty (an extra $27); we had to manually specify the standard, one-year policy.
Also, watch closely for hoops you must jump through to get a system at the advertised price. Compaq, EMachines, and HP list prices after rebate on their sites. Vendors love rebates because not every customer will bother to send in the paperwork. (For cautionary tales, read "Rebate Roulette.") For this reason, the prices we list for products do not take rebates into account. Note, too, that some vendors offer short-term specials. The bargain you saw while shopping online Friday may not be there when you come back to buy on Monday.
Ultimately the old saying about getting what you pay for still applies when buying a PC: Saving money involves some compromises. But with overall improvements in technology, the trade-offs for budget PCs are far more palatable today than in years past. Entry-level models can offer substantial savings and a pleasant surprise in capabilities, provided that you are clear about what you need and realistic about what you can expect.
