Cost a lot more than I paid for it. Pay more, spend less.

I have always purchased my computers in parts and put them together. This is not rocket science, but if it is daunting, you can also have a local or internet computer company assemble a custom package out of quality parts for a reasonable sum.

I was tempted to buy this one on A Comp USA run for a part, and I have regretted the purchase again and again.

Here's why:
1) Repeated sound issues eventually forced me to purchase a separate sound card. The Realtek on board sound chip has a conflict with the Operating system (vista). I had the first computer replaced only to experience the problem almost immediately on the second. Computer help boards show it to be extremely common. I ended up buying a new sound card. Cost: $30
2) Low memory hard to increase. Only 2 Dimms - those are the memory slots. 1GB may sound like a lot, but it's about the minimum you need for Vista. If you want to upgrade most boards, you can just purchase and install a second set of memory cards. The cost is perhaps $60 with a deal. Here you have to purchase a set of 2 1gb cards for $120.
3) Constant issues with the keyboard and the Optical (CDR) drive, which are not recognized on the first boot. I reboot once to get everything to work.
4) Service. Tier two service is spectacular. Tier one is useless. Getting to tier two is an art. Tier one keeps wanting to replace the computer. I did this once. That's enough.
5) The real problem: This model comes equipped with card readers, four USB ports and space for four drives on the board. Each widget you attach to a computer takes power (measured in Watts.) The standard suggestion for a Vista capable computer is at leas a 400W power supply. The ACER e4400 comes equipped with a 250 power supply. This is thoroughly inadequate for a basic configuration. Given a couple of thumb drives, a back up external drive, an extra sound card, etc, the little engine can't.

I spent a few days trying to figure out why my ACER hung at the start up screen. ACER Tier 2 service is sending out a new board..and then I find an extra thumb drive hiding in a rear USB slot(one of those nifty little memory sticks you can use to store data and even speed up your computer.) These things take about 1/4 the energy of a pen light, if that, but disconnecting it was enough to allow the computer to boot. Cost of Power supply: $59

I had, however, decided early on that I would simply disconnect the mother board (circuit board..the thing with all the wires), as the relatively weak e4400 Intel chip is enough for my home office needs, and install a new board. This is easier than it sounds, except
(Cost of new board: $120)
6) The board is proprietary and designed specifically for the case with no regards for standards. The wires connecting things like the power switch and the signal lights to the computer are fused for one plug on the board and fit no other board. You cannot attach a generic (or an ASUS) board to the case. (Cost of new case: $60) The fan, too, will not fit another board (Cost of new fan: $40).

7) This is a mini case with few expansion slots, so you can't put much in it. If you don't need that, fine. I like the small size.

8) The operating system is Windows Home Premium. I find this inadequate for my needs. For one thing, it does not recognize some drives from older systems. ACER and Microsoft know this, since they deliver an option to upgrade - at a cost. I scored a general upgrade to Ultimate at the Comp USA close out. Cost: $150

9) Bloatware: That is, a lot of "trial" programs which come pre loaded which you neither want nor need. In the case of some, they hold you hostage after a trial period, leaving you with the (False) impression that if you do not buy the entire program you will not be able to view certain files. Removing these programs can be difficult. I felt like I was picking briars out of my socks for weeks.

10) The ACER proprietary system (which begins with a hard wire ACER splash screen, which prevents you from viewing the start up process to diagnose the many problems.) The ACER safety program along with the very annoying Windows security features pops up at times to annoy you and keep you from doing what you really want to. Most of this can be turned off, but it lurks in the background, using memory and slowing you down. (Remember, you only have one GB or ram.)

This $400 bargain has turned out to be an pricey investment.
The ACER e4400 is too weak for it's suggested use, has chip conflicts, and cannot be expanded or changed in any appreciable way. If you really only use a computer to email and shop, then..it might be enough. I certainly would not suggest it for a starter computer for a child, since it will not grow. The issues you are likely to run into are time consuming, and even if you don't want to fiddle, having it stall because it can't get the power up or having to send it back for a sound conflict is more than you probably want to put up with.

If you must buy an off the shelf computer, Dell is supposed to be very robust.