Hey,
  I figured I'd rather ask here than search, cos I get better answers here (sometimes, if any, heh). What does a simple computer require? Like in memory and stuff.
Can you also use Excel in any version of Windows?

~Thanks in advance~

what are u planning to use on the comp?

i would probobly get a computer with

2.4 Ghz
512 Ram
Intel Pentium 4

Those are good over all for a computer

The computers specs always depend on what you want to use it for...
However if you want a really simple computer that is only going to be used for work and no game playing, these ruff specs will do...

Please note these are just specs only if you want a very cheap computer that is only going to be used for working on documents and excel ect. with no game playing

500mhz-1ghz processor (lower will do, but this is the best range, also it may be wise to consider a Celeron processor since they are designed for this kind of use)

128-356mb of SDR RAM (or 128 of DDR RAM)

8-40gb Hard Drive (this really depends on how much you're going to put on your computer, if it's just Office and a load of work you can get away with 8, if you're going to play music or videos go up from here).

Graphics card - 8mb-16mb (again, very low, but if you're not going to do any games playing and only work, it's good)

CD\DVD Drives - If you're using it for work, then a CD-RW drive can be useful for storing work. But you may prefer to invest in a USB Memory Key
USB Drives - 2 will do, if you're not planning to buy a ton of gadgets like Digital Camera and Joysticks (get more for more gadgets)

Inbuilt Modem - Nearly all computers come with them now, few come with ADSL or Cabel ones though, but an inbuilt dial up modem is good for a 56k dial up connection.

I'd also advise you get Windows XP, so that at least the work tools you get are compatable (but run it in a very low grapics mode)

quote:

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Originally posted by xpirdwingz
Can you also use Excel in any version of Windows?

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Originally posted by Originally posted by xpirdwingz

Can you also use Excel in any version of Windows?

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Originally posted by Anubis
The computers specs always depend on what you want to use it for...
However if you want a really simple computer that is only going to be used for work and no game playing, these ruff specs will do...
(Please note these are just specs if you want a very cheap computer that is only going to be used for working on documents and excel ect.)

500mhz-1ghz processor (lower will do, but this is the best range, also it may be wise to consider a Celeron processor since they are designed for this kind of use)
128-356mb of SDR RAM (or 128 of DDR RAM)
8-40gb Hard Drive (this really depends on how much you're going to put on your computer, if it's just Office and a load of work you can get away with 8, if you're going to play music or videos go up from here).
Graphics card - 8mb-16mb (again, very low, but if you're not going to do any games playing and only work, it's good)
CD\DVD Drives - If you're using it for work, then a CD-RW drive can be useful for storing work. But you may prefer to invest in a USB Memory Key
USB Drives - 2 will do, if you're not planning to buy a ton of gadgets like Digital Camera and Joysticks (get more for more gadgets)
Inbuilt Modem - Nearly all computers come with them now, few come with ADSL or Cabel ones though, but an inbuilt dial up modem is good for a 56k dial up connection.

quote:

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Originally posted by xpirdwingz
Can you also use Excel in any version of Windows?

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Interesting question. Look on the back of the box or on the Microsoft website for more details.
There are many versions of Excel over the years. The early office packages should work on any of the newer Windows systems (95+) but the more newer ones (Office XP) aren't made with Windows 95 in mind and certainly won't work on 3.1 and lower...but they may work with bugs on 95...

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Originally posted by Hobbes
And i dought u can still buy those kind of computers

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You can probably get away with a P4 1ghz processor, 512mb ram, video card, sound card and ethernet card.  For most of today's computing that's all you really need unless you will become a huge gamer then you need a top of the line.  Also if money is a concideration  then you have to look at that as well.

at the Minimum ur gonna need atleast a 2500+Cpu or a intel 2.6 or more with atleast 512MB ram, 128MB Vid card an a decent size HDD

I wouldn't go for an intel, if you want better performance, go for a:

AMD Athlon XP 2600+ (2.6GHz)
512Mb - 1Gb RAM

that would be a bitch of a computer, and will do all of your basic needs...

Get an ATi Radeon 256Mb Graphics Card...

get linux
then get open office and you can use excel spreadsheets on it!

reason :
not having to pay for windows
not having to pay for office

lol she isnt going to use linux she isnt crazy!! but you could get open office for windows anyway then you wont have to pay for it.
in answer to your question it depends what you want it for but basic. just a Pentium 4 2Ghz/Athlon XP 2000 (Athlon is loads cheaper and better IMO but some people only trust Intel because they are stupid) 512 ram 40gb HD Ati

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Originally posted by Demz

at the Minimum ur gonna need atleast a 2500+Cpu or a intel 2.6 or more with atleast 512MB ram, 128MB Vid card an a decent size HDD

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Originally posted by traxor

AMD Athlon XP 2600+ (2.6GHz)
512Mb - 1Gb RAM

that would be a bitch of a computer, and will do all of your basic needs...

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Originally posted by Hobbes
500 mhz is NOT enough.

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Originally posted by Hobbes
She probobly wants to play some computer games. Who doesnt play

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Originally posted by Hobbes
Also to watch stuff like episodes from the internet.

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Originally posted by Hobbes
And i dought u can still buy those kind of computers

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Thanks everyone! Didn't expect to get such a great response It's not for a computer I want to buy, its just something I wanted to know for my i.c.t. class. I'm writing a user guide and wanted to know the basic requirements that a user should have to use the application i made in excel.
No need to go into the detail, I think the answers you gave are plentiful. Just enough to be able to use Excel and maybe the internet is fine, and whatever other basic things.
Oh, I've heard of LINUX, but you're right, I don't need that, lol, but I am crazy, hehe

Here are some good specs for a low end pc, that is sure to play basic games, and some more advanced ones aswell. I have somthing near these specs and I am able to play nearly every game. It costed around $500 dollars (with software included).

• Processor Intel Pentium 4 with a lower end clock speed, such as 2.0GHZ to 2.4GHZ
  
• Memory 128MB DDR RAM Is acceptable. 512MB or higher is probably way higher then what you need, but i highly suggest pushing for 256MB.
  
• Graphics Card NVidia GeForce or ATI Radeon. Make sure the card you get is AGP based. Even the lower makes of those models i suggested will work fine on most games, but not all of them work on new games.
  
• Sound Card Settle with a basic sound card. Unless you want surround sound, an onboard sound card will get you just as good sound quality as any other.
  
• Operating System If you are looking for cheap, get Windows 2000 edition. However i highly recommend you get Windows XP Home Edition at minimum. If you can, borrow professional edition off a friend, because the professional edition serial codes can be used multiple times.

• Processor Intel Pentium 4 with a clock speed of at least 2.6GHZ. I highly suggest Hyper Threading. Also try to go for the Extreme Edition as well, as long as you get a good coolant system such as a pure copper heatsink or a water coolant system.
  
• Memory 512MB DDR RAM will do nicely, but you could probably get up to 2GB for bigger games.
  
• Graphics Card NVidia GeForce 6800 or higher. Dual GPU and TNL support is a must. Cards that require external power (look for a white plastic port on the backside of the card) are usually higher clock and better preformance cards.
  
• Sound Card Creative brand cards with surround sound and dolby digital support.
  
• Operating System At least Windows XP Professional. You could also upgrade to Windows 2003 edition.

i personally belive a 512 MB with about 2.4 GHZ and a AMD Athlon Xp is a good buy, but if you want my adive buy a media center pc.. those are cool and you can actully buy a Pentium 4 but i think thats a waste of money, not rlly seing the difference between pentium and amd ..

For a real basic computer (No high end games)
I would go for:

All in one motherboard     (You all forgot that..And its better than buying PCI Cards like your talking about, because they become expensive)
At least a 40gb Hard Drive
At least 512mb RAM Although you could use 128 if you really need to save money
A decent processor (Id go for a Celeron D)
A CD Drive
A Floppy Drive (If needed)

OS: Whatever you need, Newest would be best but if your comfortable with 2000 and whatnot you could use that

As for your Excel Question.. Look on the box.. System specs

I have to agree with Anubis, a 500mhz computer is great for just using excel and doing basic tasks like homework on. As for Excel running on all versions of windows - Office 2003 requires windows xp so if your going to use that you will have to use Windows Xp.
On a 500mhz system Xp will run fairly well with 256meg of ram, or you could just install windows 98 and everything will be really fast .

A computer like this would be very very cheap and affordable and thats the main thing

quote:

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Originally posted by xpirdwingz
Just enough to be able to use Excel and maybe the internet is fine, and whatever other basic things.

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Hehe, thanks again . Plenty of information for my user guide. You're all so great hehe. I can do more work in IT class now! I only wrote a few lines last lesson, I didn't know what to write.