New HP for >$300 USD

[Mr. Analog]

 Holy cheap ass computer Batman!

$249, after a $50 rebate ... ... Sempron 3000+ processor (1.8GHz), a 40GB hard drive and 256MB of memory

[Melbosa]

 Kewl

But at Memory Express I can build the same spec comp at $441.64 CDN, w/out a vid, but I'm sure I could get a mobo with it on board for $5 more, and I could only go as low as a 80GB HD. So with exchange and such, I'm guessing they only beat street price with $50 mail in rebate (prob take a loss or they have excess stock on 40GB they are getting rid of).

So I duno.  The good news here?  Computer Pricing is just getting better and better all the time.

[Mr. Analog]

 According to today's XE.com calc it would cost you

$300.60, not including S/H (after rebate)

Not bad if you want a all-in-one package computer... which isn't most of us on here, but still!

[Melbosa]

 Ahhh yes, now if I had an HD of 40GB lying around in stock, I could cut $90, out of my price, and if I could take a flip of a coin to see if they would send in their rebate (and I win), I could do the same price .

Rebates are a funny thing, I think the last study I read said only 18% of people actually send in theirs.

But yeah the HD thing I couldn't beat off the street.  But my guess is extra stock from bulk purchases for the 40GB and their just writting it off (40GB street is still $60).

[Shayne]

 I still think the whole $700 P4-3Ghz, with 17" LCD from Dell is unbeatable.  Our graphics designer bought one, and while its a toaster in every sense of the word, its a great little work horse for the cash.