eMachines announces new low-cost desktops for the holidays

eMachines looks to be trying to make its already budget-priced desktops even more attractive to consumers this holiday season, with it today introducing a pair of models that it says strike just the right balance between performance and value. The most affordable of the pair is the company's T3626 desktop (a slight variation on the T3616), which starts at just $350 after a $50 mail-in rebate. For that price you'll get a 2.2GHz AMD Sempron 3800+ processor, along with NVIDIA GeForce 6100 graphics, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and a DVD burner, among other standard specs. Taking things up a notch, the $435 (again, after a $50 rebate) T5234 model packs a AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ processor, along with slightly beefer NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE graphics, 1GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and that same DVD burner. According to eMachines, both should be available at all the usual locations immediately.

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:13PM]

Maybe as a last resort.

-and that ain't a firm maybe.

[Larz @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:56PM]

I agree. You know people will, but just in case a prospective buyer is reading this: DO NOT BUY THIS CRAP.

If you really want a computer for around $400 that you can surf the net, email, schoolwork, etc. You'd be much better off buying a PS3 and installing Linux. That way you get a good gaming machine to boot. Play PS3 games, watch movies (DVD and BRD), music, etc. Boot into Linux and do some schoolwork or whatever.

[Jugomugo @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:38AM]

Right. Because the average layman knows how to install Linux on a PS3.

My dad has had an eMachine system for about 2-3 years now with no problems. That's not to say I haven't had a power supply blow up in my face from an eMachine back around 2000.

[Johnathon Zirkle @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:16PM]

Not a bad deal if you are just using it as an office/productivity machine. I'm surprised at the price, blows my mind they give you a dedicated graphics card!

[Johnathon Zirkle @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:19PM]

booo...turns out it is integrated...at least its nvidia and not intel.

[sean @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:18PM]

All spyware pre-installed

[engadget @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:32PM]

Format / Clean install.

[RedBull Runner @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:24PM]

I've got a T6420 that I got last year... and it is a pretty good machine after getting a new video card. Even runs OSX86 after you flash the bios to the MSI OEM one. The system is very stable. I have nothing bad to say about eMachines, My first real computer was an eMachines 333cs and that thing still works.

Can't say the same about the 3 seperate dells that i've bought... all 3 died within the first year.

[Joshewah @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:36PM]

For $310 I configured a complete computer, case and all, on newegg that has an AMD X2 4200, 2 gigs of ram, Gigabyte mother board (a good one capable of over clocking), and a 500 watt PSU... These eMachines are a joke.

[MPolo @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:44PM]

Take your $310 and add in the LCD screen, keyboard, mouse, speakers and factory warranty and I have to guess your over the price Emachine is charging. If someone is looking for just a new tower then yes there are cheaper alternatives, but for someone looking for a complete PC, it's hard to beat Emachines price. They aren't special by any means but for a person that needs a PC for internet, music, pictures, MS office or the likes, homework, etc. they work very well.

[riggs @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:45PM]

care to send me a link(s)

[brock @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:34PM]

It says monitor sold separately in tiny letters

[Scooter @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:42PM]

@MPolo
T3626 - monitor sold separately...
Check the details before commenting!

[klew @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:05PM]

And how are people meant to go onto Newegg and configure a new computer without having one first?

These machines were never meant for the tech-heads, but for the family-types or older folk who are getting introduced into the computer and internet world. They won't know how to configure, let alone assemble, a desktop tower, so a cheap and working computer is fine.

My dad got one a few years ago because "it's so cheap" and all he does is check email and non-fancy websites with Netzero's 10 free dial-up hours a month, which is plenty for him.

[Larz @ Oct 22nd 2007 8:05PM]

"Take your $310 and add in the LCD screen, keyboard, mouse, speakers and factory warranty"

I gotta side with Joshewah here.

LCD screen: not included
Keyboard: $10
Mouse: $5
Warranty: pretty sure all the hardware from newegg has a warranty.

So, $325 for an awesome computer, vs $435 (after rebate) for this... thing.

[tn @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:39PM]

why would anyone get anything that not at least a core 2

[Nith @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:47PM]

And why do you need to overpay for all that processing power if you're just gonna creep fb or my space and run iTunes?

[maximum14000 @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:12PM]

i love eMachines. i had one of their desktops for 7 years if use and 2 years of brutal storage. it IS the best PC on the market. if we werent saving up for a Mac, i would get this in an instant!

[Scooter @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:44PM]

please stop saving and buy a usable PC. Pay more for a pretty face if needed, but why put out for form over function?

[Chris @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:28PM]

I'm guessing you have no idea what you are talking about.

Emachines are junk. ?In fact, most OEM pcs are junk.

Do your self a favor, save up, and build a real pc.

[Eric Leung @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:36PM]

lets just say you werent planning to build a computer just cuz youre lazy or whatever... then getting a 400 dollar computer every 3 years rather than an 800 and making it last for 6 is pretty damn obviously better

[HineyWipe @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:36PM]

More Gateway-owned, throw-away landfill hopefuls, now in the cheap, disposable size! Curbside pickup not included.

[peestandingup @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:11PM]

If the monitor isnt included, then I'd say just get the 530N from Dell w/ dedicated graphics & Ubuntu pre-installed. Much cheaper for better hardware. Plus, no premium for Winders.

[John M @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:19PM]

sounds like a good deal on paper...however, I have the feeling performance and pre installed malware (ya know what I mean , dont ya?)will cripple this thing. I have an HP IQ770 all in one running an AMD chip on Vista and it does an admirable job. However, I dont see how this little machine is good for anyone other than a teenager (not sure if its a good gaming rig or not) or a first time computer user. All in all I would say that I need to play with it before I go picking one up for little Sally this xmas. But as I said, it sounds like a great deal on *paper*. If it seems to good to be true then it probably is.

[Sirocco @ Oct 22nd 2007 6:27PM]

Oh eMachines. You make my heart sing!

[Mikey @ Oct 22nd 2007 6:38PM]

My neighbor in college 3 years ago had an eMachine, I was reinstalling windows/replacing parts left and right. It never ran well. It kinda* made me glad I had my sister's old Dell. Has the quality improved? How are their service plans? My mom wants a new comp, but doesn't want me making one for her. She is worried about tech support/service.

*Unfortunately it was still a Dell...

[Galicki @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:50PM]

Link on flashing MSI system boards to run OSX86?

[Jkswiss @ Oct 23rd 2007 1:48AM]

The first computer I bought with my own money was an emachine back in 1999. I think it was called e410. Bought it along with a refurbed 15" CRT for like $600ish. 4gh hard drive 32mb ram, blazing 16x CDrom, integrated graphics, state of the art 3.5" floppy, and an intel celeron 433mhz processor. Ran FFVII, well I had to use a friends computer to get past a certain cutscene where I constantly kept crashing but anyhow...it was a beast. It remained in my service for over 4 years after which I passed on to my parents who used it up until about 2 years ago. Would have kept on going but was too slow with xp, I couldnt expand ram past 128 I think.

[moondy @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:10AM]

This thing might just be able to run DOS.

[umm....hello??? @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:38PM]

I bought my parents an Emachine in 2001 for work and it still works fantastic. They have a newer one in their house (2004). Does everything they need it to do, runs all their programs (MSOffice97), hooks up with newer digital cameras, etc. The only thing I had to do was upgrade the RAM and put in an ethernet card for the older one. Both were under $300 (at the time--after rebates) and included printer/monitor, and run WindowsXP. For my personal use I have a Toshiba laptop. If I want to do videogaming, I use my PSWii60 which were less expensive combined than any dedicated computer you could build.

Sure you can build a better computer, especially if you pay yourself $0.00/hour. But after adding in all new software (OS, etc), the packaged PC is the better price. Almost ALWAYS.

[NOTASOCCERSTAR09 @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:52PM]

hmm now i might get a new comp

[Ivan Ruiz @ Oct 24th 2007 6:53PM]

If you have to go this route get the service plan on these machines. Im a tech and I have seen more times than I want to state that the motherboards on theses types of units are the first to go. Great price point until a repair bill comes along.

[amanandwhat @ Oct 25th 2007 10:29PM]

hey i own a emachines and let me till u it boots up within 30 seconds and thats a full boot
emachines are really good machines after you put about 300 dollars into them and re configure everything
great computer at start learning with
and if you ever mess it up u can just see what ever graphics card u put in in and buy another one or two or three or four if u had somthing like 2 8800's