I want a second computer, not for internet

TomsMom

I'm thinking of buying a second computer to keep in my craft room in the loft. It wont be used for the internet, just used for keeping photos of my craft creations on and using CD roms which have backing papers and images which I can print off.

I currently use Windows XP (Home edition) so I know that my CD roms will work with that so I want to stick with it.

I don't need anything super duper, just a bit of a workhorse. I don't want it to take up too much room on my desk as I will have a printer on there too. I don't know anything about laptops but is that what I would need?

Any recommendations please? Not looking to spend an awful lot really as it wont be needed for playing games or the internet.

globalds

Cheapest way would be to ask around for someone who has recently upgraded ..See if they will give you there old machine.

TomsMom

Yes, that did cross my mind but as I live a bit in the sticks there aren't too many people to ask. Anyone chucking out an old one is probably getting rid of a chunky old screen and a big tower, I'm thinking of something smaller so it doesn't take up too much space on my desk.

totalsolutions

Why not take the photos and then take the memory card/camera to the desktop to view and save to DVD?

Or take the desktop up to the loft??

Ask on Freecycle for an old PC

timmmers

Tower ON your desk ? Who does that ?

Some cheap but not super dooper workhorses here http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/cat.php?search=PCs+%26+Laptops&nav=227 basic lappies not too expensive either.

If space is a problem a lappie would seem sensible as the monitor on even a small form factor PC would take up room and that can't go on the floor like a tower can.

t

Donnie

I'm sure your CD Roms will work on Vista, unless you are speaking of programs. It would be nice if you stated your budget.

Cheap, cheap, cheap.. £195

TomsMom

totalsolutions wrote: »

Why not take the photos and then take the memory card/camera to the desktop to view and save to DVD?

Or take the desktop up to the loft??

Ask on Freecycle for an old PC

Thanks TS. Photos are on a memory stick so no problem there. I need the PC with internet downstairs for everyday use really, just want something for occasional use in the loft room.

timmmers wrote: »

Tower ON your desk ? Who does that ?

Not me :rotfl: . Downstairs PC has a tower (big, old) in one of those cupboards specially for PCs. Loft room is multifunctional, desk has a small filing cabinet which fits under and drawers the other side, so only kneehole room left for chair. That's why I was thinking laptop. But I've never used a laptop so all new to me.

Some cheap but not super dooper workhorses here http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/cat.php?search=PCs+%26+Laptops&nav=227 basic lappies not too expensive either.

Thanks for the link, will check out what they have.

Donnie wrote: »

I'm sure your CD Roms will work on Vista, unless you are speaking of programs. It would be nice if you stated your budget.

Cheap, cheap, cheap.. £195

Yes Donnie, they are programmes, sorry I should have said. £200 would be good but if that would only buy me rubbish I'd spend up to £300 maybe.

kabayiri

To echo a previous poster, BigPockets do these refurb business machines...often with licensed XP Pro on, and often branded.

Eg a fujitsu machine was 60 quid.

Hard to argue with that combined with a cheap/free CRT ?

TomsMom

kabayiri wrote: »

To echo a previous poster, BigPockets do these refurb business machines...often with licensed XP Pro on, and often branded.

Eg a fujitsu machine was 60 quid.

Hard to argue with that combined with a cheap/free CRT ?

Thanks for that. It's just given me an idea. My DD works for a company which changes it's machines regularly. I'll give her a ring to see what they do with their old ones. I wouldn't have thought of that if you hadn't mentioned "business machines", so :beer:

coolagarry

The revo nettop might fit the bill with a tft screen of whatever size (or a free crt from freecycle)
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/desktops/253134/acer-aspire-revo-r3600

kabayiri

TomsMom wrote: »

Thanks for that. It's just given me an idea. My DD works for a company which changes it's machines regularly. I'll give her a ring to see what they do with their old ones. I wouldn't have thought of that if you hadn't mentioned "business machines", so :beer:

No worries, just one point to note.

I worked at one place, where they were 'charged' 50 quid a machine to have them data-cleansed, basically....companies are pretty cautious when it comes to content on the machine.

You might want to reassure them by offering to use a data wiping program.