Can you buy pc to run just powerpoint applications.....

dvdfan

Hi,

Im thinking of running a few monitors with powerpoint displaying adverts and also showing specials etc in my shop. I have some questions though

Rather than paying €400-€500 for a basic dell is there any hardware where you can just slot in a usb card with the powerpoint application and it will play that would be cheaper or considering i just want to run powerpoint on it could i build a cheap low spec pc or would it be too expensive.

The other concern is if i have to use a pc then i dont want big towers all over the space when space is a concern so similar to like what i said above can i build my own pc using a compact tower and where is the best place to source these towers and if i go the compact route will this cause problems when im buying parts and ill have to get special compact parts? Bare in mind i only need the computer to be able to run a powerpoint application, what could i leave out so other than a modem or network card, would i still need to have a windows license?

I was hoping since you see this kind of adverts in Real Estate offices and airports just to name a few that there is a cheaper or better alternative than using a pc and i figured by this stage theyd have a peice of hardware that runs powerpoints and word docs for offices or something.

Lastly is it possible to have say 3 monitors running 3 different powerpoint programs from the 1 machine, i know whats involved in running 3 monitors graphics card wise but if i had a program setup that would run different powerpoints based on the time of day (same morning/evening specials) and i was using a program like ezscheduler how would i configure it know which monitor i want it to open in?

AlmightyCushion

You could use those digital photoframes. They go as big as 15" now (maybe even bigger but I haven't seen any that are). You could make the ads as pictures and just have them loop through all the photos.

If that doesn't suit then you could get a flat screen tv and hook it up to a dvd player. You can then save all the pictures to a dvd player.

You could also get a couple of second hand laptops off adverts or ebay and hook them up to an external moniter. The reason I suggest laptops is that they will be smaller and won't use as much energy and produce less heat than desktops. I think open office (a free alternative to microsoft office) has a powerpoint equivalent so you can use that and save money on the office license.

RoyalMarine

the digital photoframes would be the best bet in my opinion. you could connect them back to a very basic cheap laptop/computer and run it all from there.

the company i work for just did that here in the reception. 4 15" frames showing the development of the new extension they're building.

very basic and not too expensive either.

kingofbeers

Hi,
try this website. I bought stuff off it before to build small pc for small space and its reasonably cheapand had no problem with them. the link is http://www.mini-itx.com

Capt'n Midnight

doesn't powerpoint still have pack n' go
can't remember if it does slideshows