http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2303610243

they go for about $300 dollars can anyone tell why are they so cheap does it have a catch like cheap parts or something?

No monitor, no keyboard, no mouse and you pay shipping. This is an auction item and who knows what the final price will be. Parts look good but the old saying; "Let the Buyer Beware"

While not a hardware specialist, there are a couple of things that stand out:

*The computer has "onboard sound" rather than a real sound card. Add $50-$100 for sound card.

*The graphics card is an inexpensive model. It's actually the same as one I just bought to upgrade a three-year-old machine. For a brand-new machine I'd want a much nicer card. Add $150-$300 for good graphics card.

*No monitor is a biggie - they are one of the most expensive components of a computer. Add $300-$1000 for monitor.

*No operating system. Add a couple hundred dollars if you want Windows XP.

*Only a single CD drive (althought it is RW). You won't be copying any disks without spending $80+ for second drive.

*CD drive is 48x; newer ones are 50-52x.

*Many computer shoppers want DVD capability too. Add (?) for DVD drive.

*"Bundled Software" is likely free titles included with modem, hard drive, etc.

*Keyboard - add $20
*Mouse - add $5-10

*Doesn't mention power cable - could be one. Add $5 if not.

Don't know what the value of the included components is, but you can find out at many places online and do the math yourself. Check for "barebones" systems or look for individual components at TigerDierct or NewEgg.

Best Luck,
Bob

For what it has:
P4 2.4Ghz, 256Mb DDRAM, GeForce4 MX-440 4 x AGP, AC 97 Sound Card, 60Gb HDD, CD-ROM, FDD, Internal Modem, NIC, plus some 'not so good freeware'.

One would be able to buy this for less than US$ 400 as parts.

Allow an hour or so to put it together, untested as it is offered here [no Operating system loaded up]: so to buy it as is from just about any place could be around US$ 450.

Now let's see how much the 'suckers' bid at an auction.

Wow!, highbid was $520.00. Ripley said it best; one born every minute.

It was BARNUM who said it!