New computer

joffy

I Need to buy a new computer fairly quickly
A fairly simple machine would suffice as we do not play games or do anything complicated on it
we just use it for internet (searching web ,email etc.)
have recently got broadband so would now be running 2 computers
Does this mean I need a wireless router and do not need a modem.
we only get a half a meg broadband connection as we are apparently a long way from exchange.will a router support 2 computers ?
Have seen a new dell on the grabbit board
It is a dell3100
2.6 ghz
celeron 15" tft
£249 +printer and delivery
I think it would be £239 going thrugh quidco
Present computer is an 8 year old time comuter running windows 98
How would new one compare to this?
Is there any better deals out there than the dell offer ?
how long does delivery take ?
Never used quidco or rrpoints. are they easy to use.
Any advice would be much appreciated
Cheers JB

biglugs

Present computer is an 8 year old time comuter running windows 98
How would new one compare to this?

The Dell Dimension is another league altogether. Not a ground breaking machine for gaming, but for everyday use it will be fine, and will look completely different to your Win98 machine. Personally I think you would struggle to get a machine with a better spec for the £250 Dell are asking, especially as it comes with a 1 year warranty.
To share broadband you will need a router modem, and this machine will need a wireless connection - you can usually buy a router/usb wireless set for about £50-£60 if you look around.
Delivery from Dell varies depending on how busy they are but is usually around a week or so.
Quidco easy to use but takes ages for your payment to come through.
Only thing to watch out for with any new machine like this is that there is no anti-virus software on it, so you will have to get some from somewhere.

b44rch

AVG (Grisoft) do a free version of their antivirus software, for personal use only (even if you stuck it on both computers it's still personal, as long as there's no business involved).

What about that sub-£300 laptop from Dell on this forum? The space benefits over a desktop are enormous! Plus it comes with wireless card built-in (I think) and you can carry it about the house if you get a wireless router. Just make sure you secure your wireless network (do a google, or look on the microsoft website).

b44rch

joffy wrote:

have recently got broadband so would now be running 2 computers
Does this mean I need a wireless router and do not need a modem.
we only get a half a meg broadband connection as we are apparently a long way from exchange.will a router support 2 computers ?

You don't need a wireless router, if both computers are in the same room and you don't mind cables trailing, then a wired router would do the job, but it's probably worth getting a wireless one as they're only a bit more expensive.

Modem is not so good, as you would need to use 'internet connection sharing', and the computer with the modem would need to be switched on if the other computer wants to go online. Just make sure you get a router with at least 2 lan ports (i.e. 2 internal network connections) unless you go wireless.

512 kbps is fine for sharing among 2 computers.

Browntoa

got this off hotukdeals

http://www.hotukdeals.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=3748&ez=2

If you're looking for a barebones basic computer yet with everything you need to get online and so forth this little bundle may be a good option. It's got a 2.53GHz Celeron processor a CDRW/DVD combo drive, Windows XP and a 17" CRT for only £199. Quidco cashback will also get you another 4.5% off ordering online.

just drop the Service option to 90 day collect and return, £199 in del

vincefenlon

that seems a good price but we have dells and the hard drives always seem to mess up which is probably why they can offer such low prices.

Are you any good at making a computer your self because you could get a very good one for a very cheap price. The other option could be looking over ebay for some of the businesses who build them as you can pick some bargains up there.

albertross_2

There are only a handful of hard drive manufacturers, and Dell use the same brands as everyone else. If the HD goes, it is just as likely to go in another brand.

joffy

Very limited knowledge of computers so know chance of building one
To recap if i go for the dell dimension deal and want to run 2 computers i need a router/usb wireless set.?
Both computers would be in another upstairs room to where the main broadband connection is as i have 2 run a 10 metre broadband cable to the other room
would this cause a problem ?

albertross_2

it would be tidier to go wireless.., but a 10 metre cable would work.