New Desktop Pc Required

Sylvester

It just says Combo Humphrey and can't see in the pic what it says on the drive, but my friend google tells me combo is CDRW/DVD-ROM, which is suitable

Thanks for the confirmation

Humphrey10

That HP compaq D330 one looks a bit dodgy, it is £99 and includes Office 2007? Office 2007 costs almost that much on its own. Maybe it's just the trial version?

Also from the microsoft website about office 2007: 'Grammar and contextual spelling in Word is not turned on unless the machine has 1 GB memory'. So I'd assume 1gb is the bare minimum if you are using Office, not sure if you will be or not though?

Sylvester

Office doesn't bother me. I have old copies here if need be of '03 and '05 I think if needed, but will just use Open Office which I think is free, if I need to do anything office like.

Humphrey10

1 gig would be fine then, office 2007 and vista are a bit fancy and use more memory or so I've read, got 4 gig on this laptop so wouldn't notice if they were eating it all up!

Those last two dells in your post above have dvd writers which might be useful. All the ones you've posted look like they'd be ok for what you want it for.

Sylvester

Yes, 1 gig is all I really need.

I keep finding Pc's, but most of them have something missing, whether it be warranty or operating system and I have no CD's for the one i'm using now as it came installed from a friend who no longer wanted it, so that would be an issue! I have the XP Key, but no CD

Been a frustrating evening, searching all evening with not much luck on a slow PC that keeps freezing

Sylvester

If anyone is around, I like the look of this one.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dell-Optiplex-GX270-P4-2-8ghz-1gB-160gB-16x-DVDRW_W0QQitemZ190336685403QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_DesktopPCs?hash=item2c50f3555b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_819wt_732

P4 2.8 gHz CPU
1gB DDR
160gB Hard Drive
16 x DVD +/- RW Dual Layer (DVD Writer)
Floppy Drive
8 x USB Ports
Gigabit LAN
Onboard Sound & VGA

Keyboard, Mouse and power leads are included.

Windows XP Professional is fully installed including all drivers. You will also recieve the genuine Dell Microsoft Windows XP Professional including Service Pack 2 restore CD

No warranty it seems, which is the only downside from what I can see?

crystal_clear

Take look at this site scan down pc's http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/cat.php?search=PCs&nav=227&pg=0&display=pack_size_low
heres one as example

Product Name: Fujitsu Scenic 2.8 Ghz E600 PC - 1Gb - 80Gb - DVD, 17 Inch TFT - XP Pro Product Code: FUJITSU-01007Pack Size:1Condition:UsedWarranty: Yes: 3 Months RTB Despatch Time: Usually ships same working day* Availability: IN STOCKCategory:Refurb / Used PCs
priced at Now £149.99

good luck
crystal

Sylvester

The one you list Crystal looks pretty decent, especially as monitor is included. Only down side is DVD Rom as opposed to any kind of RW (I'm assuming DVD Rom is not a writer)

This one on the same site looks not bad...

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?nav=227&product=SOLV187&title=Fujitsu+Esprimo+E5905+Desktop+-+P4+3Ghz+HT+-+1GB+-+80Gb+-+DVDRW+DL+-+XP

oldtoolie

Unless I was really skint, I would buy a new PC. Components can fail so to me the guarantee and support is worth the money.

If you look at Dell, check the Vostro business line as well. I'm happy with the Vostro I bought last year for £230. Check http://www.dmxdimension.com/ to see Dell sale prices.

Another possibility are the 'netbox' or 'nettop' style PC's. These are small, low spec machines that do the basic tasks. Novatech has these for £205 and up.

You want to play media files -- does that mean MP3s or Hi-def video? That mght make a difference in what you want.

Sylvester

Whilst not totally skint, i'm not flush at the moment.

I'll take a look at dell now, thanks for link.

Media files is for the Mrs, she downloads form YouTube :eek:. So not Hi Def and we're talking rarely. Maybe AVI files or Divx files occasionally.