My next PC

billy_the_kid_2

Hi Group, my pc is very sick, its not suprising as its very old. Time to get a new one. could the group please take a look at these both and see which is better value as they are a little different.

Dell Inspiron 530 £349

Intel core 2 duo E7300 2.66ghz 1066 mhz 3mb cache
128mb ati radeon hd2400 pro graphics card
2gig 800mhz dual channel ddr2 sdram
500gig hard drive

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/inspndt_530_headless_rec?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

Mesh elite essential £349

Intel dual core E5200 2.5ghz 800 mhz 2mb cache
256mb nvidia geforcce 7050 gpu integrated graphics
4gig 800mhz dual channel ddr2 sdram
500 gig hard drive.

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?_$JA=kw%3amesh+computers%7ccgn%3aBrand%7ccgid%3a324368655%7ctsid%3a8107%7ccn%3aMesh+Brand+(Exact)%7ccid%3a12264195%7clid%3a50572342%7cmt%3aExact%7cnw%3asearch%7ccrid%3a2660330535&GCLID=CK-gu6vq85gCFQxHQwodOHzx1w&PAGE=PRODUCTVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=128125

The dell has a better processor, but is the graphics, and or memory better on the mesh?? as its onboard. My son will be needing some gaming capability.

Many thanks

hethmar

The Dell! MESH have gone down hill terribly in the last few years. Just google MESH complaints and you will find a huge forum about it. They were even the subject of a Watchdog programme because of the number of complaints received about the quality of the puters and the dreadful service.

Go with the Dell, Id had 2 MESH in a row - the last one was a nightmare from day one and spent more time in their workshops than on my desk - often returning with the same or even more problems. Even though I had 3 years left of a 5 year guarantee I couldnt take the stress and dumped that pc and bought the Dell. Its been great, the service centre answers in a few rings - MESH had me on the phone for hours just waiting for someone to answer. Absolute nightmare, dont touch them.

PS You can upgrade the Dell by choosing your own components on their site. Plus, always google for a discount code - you can normally get £50 off the price.

BTW, The Mesh one you are looking at hasnt shown the VAT or delivery (the Dell one includes them) and actually comes out at £402.20

Tbh, Id go for the next option up on the Dell. Itll be £18 more than the MESH and much better. Take it you already have a good monitor as neither include one.

Marty_J

What do you want to do with your computer?

billy_the_kid_2

Its got to handle all the kids homework, surfing, open office, online gaming and video transfers conversions (that was painfully slow on our old system)

hethmar

But you have a limit to the budget of?

billy_the_kid_2

Wanted to keep it to 350 - 400. I have a flat screen monitor and other peripherals.

Marty_J

Wait until Apple releases the news ones, and get yourself a Mac Mini.

billy_the_kid_2

Marty_J wrote: »

Wait until Apple releases the news ones, and get yourself a Mac Mini.

suspect it might be a bit rich for my blood. Bet its great with video though.

hethmar

Well if you have come down to a choice between those two, go for the Dell, upgrade to the next model at £420 (only £18 more than the MESH) and then ring up the sales department and haggle them down to £400 They will haggle may be start off saying you want the £349 one and then say, hmm, but the next one up seems so much better but my budge is £400 .................... Give it a go, nothing to lose

Marty_J

billy_the_kid wrote: »

suspect it might be a bit rich for my blood. Bet its great with video though.

They start at £391, so they're not too bad. The next generation models are rumoured to have NVIDIA chipsets, and they'll probably have processor and HDD bumps too. They come with the excellent iMovie and there are many great free utilities for converting video from one format to another.

It'll also run Open Office and your kids can surf the net without worrying about downloading viruses or spyware.

aliEnRIK

You know Marty ~ I dabbled in ouija boards when I was at school.
We researched it a little then made our own (Quite a few in fact)
I do recall asking it "what computer will I be using whem im 50", which shows how much of a geek I was (Even though I wasnt really) and only after realised what a REALLY dumb question it was for a number of reasons (Not least of which, I could be dead before im 50)

anyways ~ my point

It spelt out.....A P P L E

oooooooo ~ spooky