[Hidden-tech] Local PC building resources for kids?

[Alex at Just Peachy]

A Raspberry Pi is undoubtedly a great learning tool, but a poor choice if
your son wants to be able to play video games on his computer.

On Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 11:11 AM Robert Heller via Hidden-discuss <
hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:

> Rather then build a x86 PC flavored machine, you might want to steer him
> towards a Raspberry Pi. Not only will the Raspberry Pi be well within his
> budget -- the base P4 w/2G is $35, and a complete (except for monitor) P400
> kit (the P400 is a P4 inside a keyboard, and the kit includes a mouse,
> power
> supply, and uSD card) is $100, it will come with far more learning tools
> than
> a standard MS-Windows machine -- a Raspberry Pi will include a C compiler,
> Python, Scratch, and Sonic Pi (and yes, it will also have LibreOffice and
> Minecraft). Oh, P400 kit includes an actual *book*, the ultimate learning
> tool.
>
> I don't know if there are any local resources for any sort of computer
> parts,
> other than things like keyboards, monitors, and mice ("locally" available
> from
> Walmart or Target, etc.). The OEMs and Amazon, NewEgg, eBay, and big box
> stores have pretty much killed any sort of mom-n-pop PC parts vendors and
> eBay
> has probably killed any sort of local technology flea market. And least
> here
> in the local area. I don't know about Springfield or Boston.  Even Radio
> Shack
> died off and the Radio Shack clone/replacements died off.
>
> At Mon, 21 Jun 2021 10:57:39 -0400 Noah Paessel <knowuh at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > Hello Hidden Tech,
> >
>
> > My son, age 12, has expressed interest in assembling his own PC this
> summer.
> > Instead of buying new parts from Amazon or NewEgg, I want to persuade
> him to
> > purchase used components or new parts from a local vendor.
> >
> > Is there a technology flea market or swap that happens in the valley?
> > Barring that, are there any mom-n-pop PC part vendors in the area that
> you
> > like?
> >
> > His goal is to have a machine he can play games on, but I hope to use
> that
> > as the bait for an authentic learning experience. I welcome any tips on
> how
> > to enrichen this summer project for him.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > — Noah
> >
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>
> --
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