Posted 11/02/2008 at 06:47:21am

Just as clarification: "Budget" refers to the need to spend within certain limits, not make something inexpensive.  So a budget PC doesn't necessarily mean an inexpensive PC.  The MaxPC editors set a computer budget of $800 or $1500, and then met that budget for the build.  As mentioned earlier, these articles are not for people who want the cheapest computer, but those that want to maximize the computer's ability while staying within a certain price range (or "budget"). 

And for someone who actually wants to build a computer, $800 is a very reasonable amount (as is $1500).  Anything much cheaper, and yes, you might as well purchase a $300-$400 computer from Walmart or on the upcoming Black Friday.  My tentative budget for my next computer will be about $1100-$1300, which I anticipate will get me pretty good rig for playing games, doing 3D rendering, and editing video.

MaxPC: excellent article and series - keep it up! 

Posted 10/06/2008 at 03:35:48am

I agree that this is a confusing twist on the "Beta" concept.  Google and other companies should use "Epsilon" which would be used for "evolving" software. 

Beta = test/pre-release software

Epsilon = evolving software (no versions)