help buying cheap pc (price not quality)

madrhino

Hello

I would like some advice on buying a PC for around £200.

I only need the base unit as I have all the other bits.

My own PC is slowly dying ( I have had to reinstall windows twice and now can only really use it without putting too much stress on it)

I don't do any gaming but would like to be able to store video on it.
I would like a DVD rewriter and a firewire (or something else that I can easily upload digital video on it.
Basically I would like a decent spec.

Have though about getting one built for me but I was burnt a few years ago by a rip off merchant who sold me a rubbish pc (my first one), so I am naturally cautious.

I am not computer spec savvy, so please be gentle.

I live in Nottingham so if there is anywhere in my local area where I can find a decent pc one from, let me know.
I know it's a low price but I am on a tight budget

Thanks in advance

PROLIANT

Hello, I have found a suitable machine for you from www.ebuyer.com, very good company to deal with and I recommend them, here is a link to the PC I am suggesting and below is a detailed spec, must say it is quite good for 200 notes;

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143129

CPU Section:
Microprocessor Full Name: Intel® Pentium® Dual Core E2160
Microprocessor Manufacturer: Intel®
Microprocessor Speed (GHz): 1.8GHz
L2 Cache: 1MB
Frontside Bus (MHz): 800MHz
Memory:
Memory Size (MB): 1024MB (2*512MB configuration)
Max Upgradeable Memory Size: Up to 4 GB DDR2
Hard Disk Drive:
Hard Drive Capacity (GB): 160GB
Hard Drive Type: SATA
Optical Drive:
Optical Drive Type: DVD-RW
Optical Drive Fitting: Built In
Display:
Display Type: N/A
Diagonal Size (in): N/A
Resolution Format: N/A
Resolution Type: N/A
Graphics:
Graphic Card Full Name: NVIDIA® GeForce 7050
Memory: up to 384MB Shared Graphics Memory Audio Embedded high-definition audio with 7.1-channel audio support
Interfaces:
IEEE 1394 Port (4 Pin) 0
IEEE 1394 Port (6 Pin) 1 (Rear)
DC in: Yes
Card reader: Yes
Headphone Jack: 1
Microphone Jack: 1
RJ-45 Direct Port (Network): 1
USB Port (quantity): 6
DVI Port: No
VGA Connector for Monitor: 1
Serial Port: 1
Parallel Port: 0
Connectivity
Built-in Modem: No
Integrated Wireless LAN: No
Ethernet network: Gigabit Ethernet, Wake-on-LAN ready
Features:
TV Tuner and Remote: No
Supplied Accessories:
AC Adaptor: Yes(250 Watts)
Power Cord: Yes
KeyBoard: Value Keyboard
Mouse: Value Mouse
Software Load:
Acer Empowering Technology
Microsoft® Office 2007 Trial with Works 8.5
Adobe® Reader®
NTI CD&DVD-Maker™
Dimensions
455 (L) x 370 (H) x 183 (W) mm
Operating System:
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium



Specifications

SpecificationValueProduct DescriptionAcer Aspire M1640 - Pentium Dual Core E2160 1.8 GHzTypePersonal computerForm FactorMicro towerDimensions (WxDxH)18 cm x 44.2 cm x 35.9 cmLocalisationUnited KingdomProcessor1 x Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core )Cache Memory1 MB L2 CacheCache Per Processor1 MBRAM1 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAMStorage ControllerSerial ATA ( Serial ATA-300 )Hard Drive1 x 160 GB - standard - Serial ATA-300Optical StorageDVD±RW (+R double layer)Card Reader18 in 1MonitorNone.Graphics ControllerNVIDIA GeForce 7050Audio OutputSound card - 7.1 channel surroundNetworkingNetwork adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit EthernetOS ProvidedMicrosoft Windows Vista Home Premium

Shipton1

Ebuyer is great for cheap computer components, you could also try overclockers

www.overclockers.co.uk

£177.40

A compact PC system offering quite incredible value, the Primo Basic Intel Core 2 Celeron 1.60GHz is built around the popular Asus Vintage V3-P5945GC DDR2 Desktop Barebones System. Providing more performance than most people will ever need the Primo is ideal for home or office use. Whilst the price is low the Primo uses only the very best hardware.

- Intel Core 2 Celeron E1200 1.60GHz Processor - Retail
- Intel Approved Cooler
- Asus Vintage V3-P5945GC Barebones System
- Onboard Graphics (Upgrade Options available)
- 1GB Kingston PC2-6400C5 (1x1024MB) (Upgrade to 2GB for Dual Channel from options menu)
- 80gb Hard Drive - Choose from options menu
- Samsung 22x Dual Layer DVD ReWriter
- On-Board 5.1 Audio
- Integrated Gigabit LAN
- 1yr Onsite Collect & Return Warranty (can collect from any address (UK Mainland ONLY) and same day collection possible if requested before 11am)

Note - All Primo Basic systems are built and installed on demand, during busy periods this may cause a delay of between 24 and 48 hours in despatching your order. The Primo Basic can be supplied assembled with or without your choice of installed operating system but is supplied without keyboard, mouse, speakers or monitor (all of which are available elsewhere in this on-line store).


reviews are good! and its a basic machine and will handle word processing etc... Only thing is it doesnt come with an operating system so this would cost around £47 extra or you could install your own (Linux, older version of windows xp etc...)

Hope this helps

Thanks

Overclockers are based in Fenton Stoke on Trent and you can collect if you obviously live close enough!

Alex

bob_a_builder

Or check the Dell deals
http://www.dmxdimension.com/dell-uk/vostro-deal-comparison/
£175 : Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2180 2.00GHz, 2GB, 80GB, inc OS

more general link
http://www.dmxdimension.com/

epz_2

£50-70 on ebay will get you an ex corporate dell with a spec in the range of 2.4-3ghz P4 CPU and a gig of ram, frankly that is still over the spec you probably need.

PROLIANT

epz wrote: »

£50-70 on ebay will get you an ex corporate dell with a spec in the range of 2.4-3ghz P4 CPU and a gig of ram, frankly that is still over the spec you probably need.

But does not come with any form of warranty, for a non-IT savvy person like the OP that could be a problem.

epz_2

PROLIANT wrote: »

But does not come with any form of warranty, for a non-IT savvy person like the OP that could be a problem.

if the op can reinstall an os that is all they are likely to need, at £50 they could have 3 blow up and still come out ahead form buying new.

realistically they should be pretty solid for a few years but i would prefer to save £100 and drop £50 on the off chance something goes wrong vs spending £150 and if it needs repaired losing it for 2 weeks possibly having to pay the shipping while the factory monkeys do god knows what to your data.

madrhino

Thanks for all your help. I will have a look at the ones mentioned