Jump to content

Buying a new PC

Otta

By Otta
in The Lounge

 Share

Recommended Posts

Otta

Otta

Posted
Posted

Hello EDFers. My laptop has more or less died on me, and at 5 years old, isn't really worth fixing. We've decided to splash out on a new Desktop PC for the family.


Main uses will be media (music & film.), internet (including remote access to work), and word processing. It won't be used for gaming.


Budget ?600 - ?800


PC World have this, which to my untrained eye, looks pretty good, and has ?200 off.


Can anyone point me in the direction of something good, for a good price?


PS. I've never owned a MAC, and probably don't need to go down that road, unless anyone can convince me there is a good reason to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Salsaboy

Salsaboy

Posted
Posted

What happens if one bit of it goes wrong?


I bought a Sony Vaio laptop about 4 years ago and basically just use it as a server, ie, I plug a monitor, keyboard and mouse into it and it works just fine. It's still fast and it's allowed me to change my screen and keyboard as I desire.


Very happy with Sony and would buy another one when this one dies.




Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Any opinions on All in ones?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Undisputedtruth

Undisputedtruth

Posted
Posted

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Any opinions on All in ones?


All in ones (aio) tends to be overpriced, low 'specced' and can be difficult to upgrade/repair.


Apples tend to have quality components but their equipment are overpriced for what they do.


Sony are not exactly a player in the PC market but are renown for their reliable laptops using quality components.


PC World, the shop, tends to mainly caters for those who don't know any better. Likewise with M&S. Better informed people tend to build their own PC as they can build exactly to how they want it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
KalamityKel

KalamityKel

Posted
Posted
A word of advice - if you're going to buy through a big shop (PC World) do make sure you are aware of who actually holds the warranty - the shop or the manufacturers. Whilst the shop still have an obligation to deal with any problems within the time outlined in their T&Cs it'll save you a lot of bother especially when the shop will probably try to con you out of money to use their PC assistance thingy :)
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jeremy

Jeremy

Posted
Posted

PC World is probably fine, as long as you stand your ground and don't buy the shitty warranty.


Personally I wouldn't be tempted by an all-in-one, I'd rather have a separate monitor for the sake of repair/reuse.


Dell is OK-ish, and the prices are good for the basic models (which is all you will really need). But they do load up the PC with crapware.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Undisputedtruth

Undisputedtruth

Posted
Posted

Well it seems the Insight's HP units are mainly 'specced' for business users. For example it has windows professional and only 2gb of RAM which frankly is disappointing.


The monitor is okay but there are much better ones for just a bit more money. Alternatively, a monitor with much better picture quality can be bought for less if height adjustment is not needed.


Typically the going rate of 8GB of RAM is ?42 and this works out to around ?5 per GB. ACM has stated ?20 per GB for memory which sounds ridiculously expensive. Typically 4GB should be enough for most users and the only reason for buying more is to future proof your system as software these days are not very efficient in hardware usage.


ACM, are you still claiming to be an IT consultant?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jeremy

Jeremy

Posted
Posted
I had a quick look at PC World. For the same cash you can get an HP PC, also with an i3 processor - very slightly slower, but with double the memory and double the hard drive space. I know which one I'd choose. You also have the option of going to the shop to pick it up, rather than having to take a day off work to wait for the delivery.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jeremy

Jeremy

Posted
Posted

the-e-dealer Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> PC World = PC Worst


That may well be the case. But I am trying to understand what makes (for instance) an HP PC from PC World worse than an HP PC from somewhere else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Otta

Otta

Posted
  • Author
Posted

ibilly99 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I always go to John Lewis - service and knowledge

> is first class and their warranties are well worth

> the money. Bought my HP desktop from their 3 years

> ago and never a problem.

>

> In fact here's a nice one with a 2 year warranty

> to boot ...

>

> http://www.johnlewis.com/231302259/Product.aspx


That does look pretty good actually. And funnily enough, my wife is a big John Lewis fan, and pointed out last night that we have ?100 in vouchers left over from our wedding (4 years ago!), so it's looking like JL may well be the place for us to go. There is a JL at the new Westfields in Stratford too, which is very easy to get to from Forest Hill, ON oVERGROUND & jUBILEE lINE.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Annette Curtain

Annette Curtain

Posted
Posted

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hello EDFers. My laptop has more or less died on

> me, and at 5 years old, isn't really worth fixing.

> We've decided to splash out on a new Desktop PC

> for the family.

>

> Main uses will be media i-pad(music & film.)i-pad, internet

> (including remote access to work)i-pad, and word

> processing. i-pad


It won't be used for gaming.

>

> Budget ?399-?599 @ J.Lewis

>

> PC World have this, which to my untrained eye,

> looks pretty good, and has ?200 off.

>

> Can anyone point me in the direction of something

> good, for a good price? i-pad

>

> PS. I've never owned a MAC, and probably don't

> need to go down that road, unless anyone can

> convince me there is a good reason to. i-pad



And you'll get to fall in love with what you buy.( with all the security of John lewis & your vouchers )


You just know it makes sense.


NetteB)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

East Dulwich Forum

Established in 2006, we are an online community discussion forum for people who live, work in and visit SE22.

Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...