Which PC to buy?

debrick_2

Help needed! I want to buy my parents a computer for Christmas to replace their ancient one. They use it for emails, their banking, document storage, charity work and a lot of golf club docs. I want to spend £400 ish for a complete package and I don't know enough to go somewhere techie! I'll probably end up at PC World, but which brand and model do any of you recommend?

Thanks.

totalsolutions

Well look into WH Smiths and read the reviews in any PC mag. Look at PcPro, The A Listings, for a start.

You did not ask for a Netbook Laptop or Desktop preference. Most well known brands are the best bet really, you get what you pay for. Windows or Mac based?

Windows will now be supplied in version 7, which is really easy to use.

debrick_2

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm looking for a desktop Windows. I'll have a look at the mag you mentioned.

Thanks

BillScarab

If the budget is £400 I would have thought a Mac is out of the question unless it's second hand or the parents are students of some sort.

Let us know what style of computer you're looking for and people will be able to advise. Personally I'd have alook at https://www.dmxdimension.co.uk and see what offers are available on Dells.

You can get a Desktop Inpsiron 545 for £349 with a 18.5" monitor, E5300 processor, 2 Gb Ram and 320GB hard disk. which ought to do. It comes with Windows 7 too.

You could always use the 'left over' £51 to upgrade the hard disk if they need something bigger.

debrick_2

Hi. Exscuse my stupidity, but I don't know the different styles that you mean. I just want a keyboard, monitor & tower???

BillScarab

debrick wrote: »

Hi. Exscuse my stupidity, but I don't know the different styles that you mean. I just want a keyboard, monitor & tower???

I meant netbook, laptop or desktop. But you'd already answered that point.

Oneday77

If you have to go into a shop go to John Lewis, 2 year guarantee normally, not PC World.
When you say to replace an ancient PC how old is it and do they have a printer or scanner for it? There is a chance they won't work on a new PC if it is really old (parallel connections if any one asks), but you might be lucky.
Teso is worth a look for good prices.
For how they use it just about any PC will suffice, the main thing you want is a decent sized hard drive say 500GB and may think about an external one to back up all the documents too. You might need to get them office or they can add it later as your budget is very tight, depends on what software they currently use, there a free versions if they aren't fussy

rancid-a

Here's a link to that 'PC Pro A List' that totalsolutions mentions in his reply.
The mags a good read though too
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/alist

debrick_2

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated!

hethmar

Go for a Dell. DONT go for a Mesh. They seem to be able to win a lot of prizes but are absolutely useless at customer service. My first one was brilliant but then Mesh seemed to get a much bigger concern - selling through Dixons and so on and my second computer was duff from day one. In fact it spent more time back at Mesh workshop than here - literally. It would come back with more wrong than when it went away. So even though I had paid for 5 years warranty I literally gave up and dumped it after 2, it was making me too stressed. If you google you wil find websites of disgruntled MESH customers. In fact Watchdog has had programmes on about them twice and one north London Trading standards office has one dedicated officer to sort out complaints about them!

Donnie

Acer M1610 £250 Cheap and cheerful. Will easily cover their needs and leave you with £150 to spend on extras.

Recommend a bit more RAM. Available here

Processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2140, 1.60GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache
Memory: 2*512MB RAM
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA Hard Disk Drive
Graphics Card:SIS Mirage 3 graphics up to 384MB Shared Graphics Memory
Optical Drive: DVD RW, CD/DVD reader/writer for all types of CD/DVD discs
Connectivity: 10/100/1000MHz Gigabit Ethernet, 6 x USB 2.0 Ports
Operating System:Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Audio: Embedded high-definition audio with 7.1-channel audio support
Additional Software: Acer Empowering Technology, Adobe Reader, NTI CD Maker
I/O Ports: VGA connnector
Headphone/speaker
RJ45 network port
IEEE 1394 Port
Parallel Port
Serial Port
9-in-1 card reader
Accessories
UK Keyboard and Ball Mouse

Acer X193W 19" Widescreen TFT Monitor