Considering building a new desktop PC for my kids

[andoyan]

Hello All,
i am trying to get a desktop for my kids, I am debating should I buy them already made PC, or build one. Can anyone help with a ready made PC's that are around 400-500 dollars, I saw a E-machine in costco which was around 400 but I know that that is a very low grade PC, is dell a good brand or should I just built one?
The kids basically need a PC to do there homework on it and serf the web as well as using the email, there would be no gaming done on this PC.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again
Jon

 

[Tmagic650]

Not counting the cost of a monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers or OS, I can build a Windows 7 Intel based PC for under $300

 

[red1776]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128431 90.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886 80.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017 45.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148488 50.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104206 50.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118040 21.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119193 45.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009275 130.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126096 15.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826105164 10.00

$446.00 Monitor keyboard , mouse and all. Most items are free shipping as well
This is a solid build with a triple core CPU and a solid PSU.