Chris G wrote:
Exactly my problem last time around and that's what I'm trying to avoid
I'd echo Wayne's comments. Eg: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164667 Looking at the reviews, I found this one:
--- Ordered this last evening, and it arrived at 9:45 am today. By 10:30am had Ubuntu linux OS (free!)up and running and was surfing the internet.At this price it is unbeatable for use as a kids machine, for surfing and homework. True, the fan is not silent, but would recommend this as a second PC for anyone ---
Under £200+VAT for Intel Dual Core E5300 (which is of-course socket 775), 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD and DVDRW seems pretty fair to me, and it certainly sounds like it should be happy with Ubuntu on it.
There are of-course other suppliers than eBuyer, and indeed eBuyer are not the cheapest for most things any more. But the principle of buying a box without an O/S (or pre-installed Linux) makes a lot of sense in my experience, and it's rare that I subject myself to building a PC from scratch any more.