Is this a decent PC for £379?

butterfly72

I'm looking to get my dad a new PC for his 60th! He and my mum need it for general office stuff - letters, invoices etc, viewing photos, google earth, surfing the web, emails, watching films and TV shows they missed, listening to music. The don't play games as such but i do know mum has downloaded various CD Roms! in the past. I don't really have a clue but I've spotted this PC and was wondering if its any good. Any thoughts? BTW £400 is my limit as I'll need to get Microsoft Office too.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/138615

Many thanks!

butterfly72

Bump.

Any thoughts? Was hoping to order it in the next day or two!

norbie

No need to pay for Office - Get the free Open Office! http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/free-office-software

norbie

Also I would say get this PC instead - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145782

I prefer Intel. Faster processor, double the memory, bigger hard drive, better graphics.

Plus this monitor - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/119321

Makes it a couple of pence under £400.

The one you linked to is OK though, but the one I suggested would be a bit quicker that's all.

Aiadi

Why not get them a laptop? I am personally not very keen on ACERs and would always prefer a laptop if not doing any demanding tasks (like advanced gaming):

See here:
http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/225159/dell-inspiron-1720-17-2gb-entertain/

MothballsWallet

Have a look at both Intel and AMD (I'm more of an AMD fan myself, because they're cheaper but almost as good as Intel) systems.

OpenOffice is great because it's free to download and install, and there's a good community on the forums for help. It does have differences when compared with MS Office, but the document file sizes are way smaller, and it's still fairly easy to use.

It can also automatically update itself, and even load and save MS Office formats up to around 2003 (I think the latest one can do 2007 as well).

butterfly72

MothballsWallet wrote: »

Have a look at both Intel and AMD (I'm more of an AMD fan myself, because they're cheaper but almost as good as Intel) systems.

Isn't the one I'm thinking about AMD Athlon then? Sorry thick question, but why does the processor matter? What the difference between them?

thanks

norbie

Just personal preference really. I prefer Intel.

McKneff

I would recommend a lap top everytime. If i was in another room all the time i spent on my laptop my husband woujld be complainint he was feeling neglected. Now we are in the same room, him watching TV, me with my lap top on my lap, everyone is happy.