OT - I'm disgusted!

Alan Erskine said:

I just checked out the U.S. Sears sight (www.sears.com). They're selling a
Pemtium 4 2.6Gh computer for $749.99 - that works out to be just on
$1,000AUD at .75c to the U.S. dollar.

We're paying 2k bucks plus for something like this! Disgusting!

You're shopping at the wrong places. Without knowing what the guts contain,
(which affects the price significantly) a similar system here, with an
"everything-on-board" motherboard, lan interface, 256M ram, 40G hdd, CDRW, 15"
LCD monitor, keyboard, optical mouse, speakers and PCI modem comes to about
AU$1200. I would imagine cheaper if you want to put it together yourself.

On the other hand, if you want a beefy higher-specced "P4 2.6G" system, you
could easily spend two to three times that. More if you want optional extras
like a screen and keyboard.

It's all in the guts and frilly bits.

--
Linux Registered User # 302622 <http://counter.li.org>

Oh dear.

Here we go again...

Usenet kook-ism, long-running vendettas, allegations that are spurious,
dubious, circumstantial, identity theft and fraud, fake postings...

In short, the whole burger, with beetroot.

Cf: "The burgers are better at Hungry Jacks"... not that I would have a
clue either way.

Here we go again...

[censored]

p

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=COMP&p
id=00364034000

--
Alan Erskine
We can get people to the Moon in five years,
not the fifteen GWB proposes.
Give NASA a real challenge
[email hidden]

"John Tserkezis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Alan Erskine said:

I just checked out the U.S. Sears sight (www.sears.com). They're

selling a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Pemtium 4 2.6Gh computer for $749.99 - that works out to be just on
$1,000AUD at .75c to the U.S. dollar.

We're paying 2k bucks plus for something like this! Disgusting!

You're shopping at the wrong places. Without knowing what the guts

contain,

Quoted message said:

(which affects the price significantly) a similar system here, with an
"everything-on-board" motherboard, lan interface, 256M ram, 40G hdd, CDRW,

15"

Quoted message said:

LCD monitor, keyboard, optical mouse, speakers and PCI modem comes to

about

Quoted message said:

AU$1200. I would imagine cheaper if you want to put it together yourself.

On the other hand, if you want a beefy higher-specced "P4 2.6G" system,

you

Quoted message said:

could easily spend two to three times that. More if you want optional

extras

Quoted message said:

like a screen and keyboard.

It's all in the guts and frilly bits.

--
Linux Registered User # 302622

<http://counter.li.org>

To go further off topic given the improvement in the A$ (approx 50%
appreciation) in the last twelve months has anyone noticed a substantial
decrease in the price of bikes and components.

Mike

--

Alan Erskine said:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=COMP&pid=00364034000

That's ok, seems like a short-speced system with no monitor.

You lose the monitor (AU$460 was as low as I could find for an LCD 15"😉
brings the price to 1200-460 = AU$740.

But you get a card reader built in. I could only find a 6in1 card reader,
but who cares, any more than CF, SD and perhaps MMC or XD for cameras is
pointless for most of the market (+AU$45).

It has five USB ports, dunno how many this one has, but a USB hub (+AU$20) or
if you want to splurge on USB2 (+AU$42) will cover you for that.

Which brings the total to about AU$830.

But you get XPhome (I'm guessing the M$ tax is about $200?), a name-brand PC,
and the system recover CD's which are useful for not-so-tech-savvy users, (you
work out how much that is worth to you), that would bring it to just over AU$1000.

Bring that over from the states, freight would cost a bomb, you likely lose
the warranty, and you're up for a new power cable at least (be warned that I've
seen some PSU's for the US market that are NOT 110-240 switchable), or up for a
power supply at worst (will our standard ATX's fit the HP? You guess)

Which brings the grand total to: Bzzzt, you lose. Thanks, but no thanks.

If you're talking Global Positioning Systems on the other hand, now *that's*
a rort. Depending on what you want, buying from the US would be well worthwhile.

And, it would be much easier to attach a GPS unit to your bicycle than it
would be a desktop PC (clutching at straws trying to keep on topic).

Of which I've done both (don't ask).

--
Linux Registered User # 302622 <http://counter.li.org>

Krista Computers (spelling) over the road from Swinbourne.. P4 2.6, 256,
80Gb, Onboard everything, 17inch CRT, Pioneer DVDR 106, kyb, mouse,
speakers.. $1050 in early Jan....

What's more off topic is the cost of IT related certification exams.. they
pay USD$125.. we pay AUD$240 (cisco) and AUD$255 (microsoft).. which is
around USD$180... I guess the extra costs go towards clearing out the sheep
and kangaroos out of the 'secure testing centre'...

cheers,
gpl

"Alan Erskine" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I just checked out the U.S. Sears sight (www.sears.com). They're selling

a

Quoted message said:

Pemtium 4 2.6Gh computer for $749.99 - that works out to be just on
$1,000AUD at .75c to the U.S. dollar.

We're paying 2k bucks plus for something like this! Disgusting!

--
Alan Erskine
We can get people to the Moon in five years,
not the fifteen GWB proposes.
Give NASA a real challenge
[email hidden]

Alan Erskine said:

I just checked out the U.S. Sears sight (www.sears.com). They're selling
a Pemtium 4 2.6Gh computer for $749.99 - that works out to be just on
$1,000AUD at .75c to the U.S. dollar.

We're paying 2k bucks plus for something like this! Disgusting!

j'reckon ?

For starters add 10% tax, and then add the bit of profit they
grift from shipping & handling. That's probably going get it
up near US$1000.

If you shop around, goto a "Computer Fair" you'll get something
fairly close to this value. I got a system for the kids in
october, cost $1200, but with LCD screen, and extra RAM.
(IIRC it was only a 1400 athlon, but this was 5 months ago).
I reckon you can come to within 15% of a US price, especially
if you take into account delivery.

-kt

you want something to be disgusted at? try this
Vistalite Code 15 Light Set in oz around the AUS$260 mark

from supergo in the good old US of A US$69.98
I make that a 300% mark up. yes I know you have to get your own battery
charger, but $174 leaves a lot of change for postage and a charger. In fact
with the price I have seen on this newgroup for replacement battery sticks.
It would be cheaper to buy a complete set from the states just for the
batteries.
The Vistalite Code 25 Light Set comes with 3 battery sticks for AUS$200. I
have heard of prices around the AUS$90 for replacements.
now I know why l made my own
stu

p.s. as always l could be missing something

Fred said:

Oh dear.
Here we go again...
Usenet kook-ism, long-running vendettas, allegations that are spurious,
dubious, circumstantial, identity theft and fraud, fake postings...
<snip>
Here we go again...
p

Completely OT, listening to Tony Shaw on 3AW this morn reminds me wh
everyone hates Collingwood

-

"stu" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

you want something to be disgusted at? try this
Vistalite Code 15 Light Set in oz around the AUS$260 mark

from supergo in the good old US of A US$69.98
I make that a 300% mark up. yes I know you have to get your own battery
charger, but $174 leaves a lot of change for postage and a charger. In

fact

Quoted message said:

with the price I have seen on this newgroup for replacement battery

sticks.

Quoted message said:

It would be cheaper to buy a complete set from the states just for the
batteries.
The Vistalite Code 25 Light Set comes with 3 battery sticks for AUS$200. I
have heard of prices around the AUS$90 for replacements.
now I know why l made my own
stu

p.s. as always l could be missing something

No way you are not missing anything. I travel to the US a bit for work and
bike stuff is HEAPS cheaper over there than here. Could be buying power?
Not too sure but when I need something I wait till I go. Supergo is nothing
special. Even their LBS's are heaps cheaper after the conversion. Even
when the dollar was 50c or so. Somethings are only slightly less... Pedals
and shoes etc are dirt cheap.

coppershark said:

To go further off topic given the improvement in the A$ (approx 50%
appreciation) in the last twelve months has anyone noticed a substantial
decrease in the price of bikes and components.
Mike

None!!

I actually wrote a letter to the bike-traders assoc re this as I did th
maths similar to you and realised either our importers were gettin
dudded from their OS counterparts or the retailer is getting dudded b
the importer/wholesale

They responded and said, sadly it seems on the whole the wholesaler
have basically kept the price they sell to retailers identical fo
the same product that they now fork out almost half the amount o
moula for!!

So, basically we are getting screwed. Buying over the internet i
basically de rigeur if you can be bothered (I wont even start the ran
about availability and range...) and let's face it, the majority o
warranties etc are so lame these days the risk is diminished to virtua
irrelevenc

-

stu said:

you want something to be disgusted at? try this Vistalite Code 15 Light
Set in oz around the AUS$260 mark

from supergo in the good old US of A US$69.98 I make that a 300% mark up.
yes I know you have to get your own battery charger, but $174 leaves a lot
of change for postage and a charger.
...
p.s. as always l could be missing something

It's the NiMh not the NiCd right?

The NiCd seems to be significantly cheaper.

-kt

"kingsley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

stu said:

you want something to be disgusted at? try this Vistalite Code 15 Light
Set in oz around the AUS$260 mark

from supergo in the good old US of A US$69.98 I make that a 300% mark

up.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

yes I know you have to get your own battery charger, but $174 leaves a

lot

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of change for postage and a charger.
...
p.s. as always l could be missing something

It's the NiMh not the NiCd right?

The NiCd seems to be significantly cheaper.

-kt

not sure what you are asking

they are both the same product, they are both NiMh

NiMh can be rechargered more often
NiCDs and NiMh are about the same price now
MiMh dont like being overcharged or to fast a discharge
besides NiCd weigh about 30% more than NiMh lol

GPLama said:

Krista Computers (spelling) over the road from Swinbourne.. P4 2.6, 256,
80Gb, Onboard everything, 17inch CRT, Pioneer DVDR 106, kyb, mouse,
speakers.. $1050 in early Jan....

SHop I deal with for work. AMD 2.6 128Ram. Gigabyte all in one board
(with AGP slot and gigabit ethernet) Minitower with 400 watt pwer supply
256 RAM $350

people pay money for AMD? and use them for business!?!? 😉

"dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:40496a79@tyson...

Quoted message said:

GPLama said:

Krista Computers (spelling) over the road from Swinbourne.. P4 2.6,

256,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

80Gb, Onboard everything, 17inch CRT, Pioneer DVDR 106, kyb, mouse,
speakers.. $1050 in early Jan....

SHop I deal with for work. AMD 2.6 128Ram. Gigabyte all in one board
(with AGP slot and gigabit ethernet) Minitower with 400 watt pwer supply
256 RAM $350

"dave" wrote

Quoted message said:

SHop I deal with for work. AMD 2.6 128Ram. Gigabyte all in one

board

Quoted message said:

(with AGP slot and gigabit ethernet) Minitower with 400 watt pwer

supply

Quoted message said:

256 RAM $350

Dave, yes you can buy cheaper computers, unfortunately you can't buy
good cheaper computers. We are an IT company and we assemble computers
for our clients. We only use Intel processors and Intel motherboards
with quality cases.

We pay around $110 wholesale for a minitower with a 400 W power
supply. I've had a 400 W minitower case offered to me for $30. We
don't buy them, guess why?

We haven't used an AMD processor in our first 14 years of operation.

Theo

Theo Bekkers said:

"dave" wrote

Quoted message said:

SHop I deal with for work. AMD 2.6 128Ram. Gigabyte all in one

board

Quoted message said:

(with AGP slot and gigabit ethernet) Minitower with 400 watt pwer

supply

Quoted message said:

256 RAM $350

Dave, yes you can buy cheaper computers, unfortunately you can't buy
good cheaper computers. We are an IT company and we assemble computers
for our clients. We only use Intel processors and Intel motherboards
with quality cases.

We pay around $110 wholesale for a minitower with a 400 W power
supply. I've had a 400 W minitower case offered to me for $30. We
don't buy them, guess why?

We haven't used an AMD processor in our first 14 years of operation.

Theo

Well after 10 years as a tech.. I know whats good .. whats ok and whats
rubbish..
THis stuff is ok. The cases actually fairly good.. The power supplies
ok.. would personly like another fan but none of em have failed in
service and we have lots

And the intel AMD debate is [censored].. but people will have their opinions.
We bought a bunch of computers for work purely cos one of the support
people convinced finance that Acers support would save us the work..
Acer then wanted $480 to replace a (admittedly deliberatly destroyed)
CDROM.

If you support Intel and only drive holden cos Ford a [censored] I could care
less . You have your opinion. Good on you.

"Theo Bekkers" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"dave" wrote

Quoted message said:

SHop I deal with for work. AMD 2.6 128Ram. Gigabyte all in one

board

Quoted message said:

(with AGP slot and gigabit ethernet) Minitower with 400 watt pwer

supply

Quoted message said:

256 RAM $350

Dave, yes you can buy cheaper computers, unfortunately you can't buy
good cheaper computers. We are an IT company and we assemble computers
for our clients. We only use Intel processors and Intel motherboards
with quality cases.

We pay around $110 wholesale for a minitower with a 400 W power
supply. I've had a 400 W minitower case offered to me for $30. We
don't buy them, guess why?

We haven't used an AMD processor in our first 14 years of operation.

Theo

There are many major manufacturers that disagree with you. My Toshiba
laptop has AMD. My desktop has AMD (which I built myself from hand chosen
components) and I develop high end automation software for major
international industries with multi billion dollar turnovers on it without
any issues. However I also use Intel - my test rig is all intel based but
not through any other reason than fluke. (I also swap between ford and
holden in my cars too). I have never noticed any reliability difference
between the two processors apart from the very early days of AMD.

The Intel is best argument goes along side the argument that Compaq (HP) are
better PC's than your purpose built assembled computers from little IT
companies. If you take a gander inside one of these Compaqs(HP) and you
actually know what you are looking at you will know this is a rubbish
argument.

Peter

"John Doe" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:WUM2c.92115$Wa.65954@news-
server.bigpond.net.au:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

We haven't used an AMD processor in our first 14 years of operation.

I used to work for a major international computer manufacturer. We were
going to produce an AMD PC for the corporate market. The pre-production
units had gone out to market for testing and there was a *lot* of positive
feedback regarding performance, price etc. In the end we did not produce
the AMD based machine. Why? Because a certain rival processor manufacturer
gave us lots of marketing funding to push the machines based on their
processors. Legal? Certainly. Ethical? Kind of, but that's just business
unfortunately.