Advise please for buying new desktop computer

soon2bjobless

Hi - we have decided to retire "Old Bessie" (9 years old!) to our daughters room and treat ourselves to a new computer/monitor (shes a Fujitsu Siemens and apart from paying £19 to get a corrupt file mended she has been no bother at all but its time she retired!).

As its 9 years since I actually looked into buying a computer so much has changed I dont know where to start or even what sites to look at! (it will be bought on-line)

As much as I love Windows xp I think I might try and move on to Windows 7 but have no idea of what processor to get or the amount of RAM we need (I think 3 seems to be better but that's just guesswork!)

We arent gamers - just use it for basic internet stuff, letters, storing photos and music. I would like to buy the tower and monitor from the same site. We have budget of £450 max.

Hope someone can help

Thanks

danthemoneysavingman

Windows 7 is certainly good. suggest 3GB min, or 4 if going 64-bit (modern processors can run this)
an i3 processor may be a good bet, but at a min go for a dual core processor to handle modern software requirements.

penrhyn

Loads of choice out there.
Have a look at this at £400 ( inc Monitor) might give you a few ideas.


http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=D005637&dgc=AF&cid=5212&lid=122756&acd=5124271e1769c766b9f7c0bb4465e6c7

Loads more at https://www.dmxdimension.com

exup

yup dual core or quad core processor if you can - with the 64bit version of Windows 7
The only problem you may find moving from XP to 7 is finding your way around as they have changed some of the names of the common folders for example My Computer is now simply Computer.
It doesn't sound much but if you have been used to XP you may be sat infront of your new PC searching through the entire file system only to find the old name has been changed.

soon2bjobless

Thanks for all the advice - the dell one looks really good....will off and have a look at things now I know what to look at!

soon2bjobless

Have been looking at so many I have gone blind! The Dell looks the best value - I have seen other ones that seem to need wireless to get on to the internet - can someone have a look for me at the Dell link and tell me if I can just stick the telephone connection straight into the computer? What am I looking for?I have a Net gear wireless modem which just connects straight into the current computer. My old computer doesnt have wireless but my eldest dd has a dongle shes going to let me have so when I move it to youngest dds room she can access the internet via that.

penrhyn

Most if not all modern computers will have a network port usually called an Ethernet connection. Thats the cable that goes from your router to the PC. Few desktops have wireless as standard all laptops/netbooks do.




The above is the rear view of a Dell Desktop, the Ethernet connection is just above the coloured phono sockets.

soon2bjobless

Thanks for the quick reply - I had another look at the Dell one and it does say no modem but doesnt mention an ethernet connection - do I just presume it has one? also it doesnt seem to say how many usb ports it has - how would I find out this?

thistledome

soon2bjobless wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply - I had another look at the Dell one and it does say no modem but doesnt mention an ethernet connection - do I just presume it has one? also it doesnt seem to say how many usb ports it has - how would I find out this?

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspiron-560?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&ref=dthp

Look at this page and click on the "Tech spec" tab.

I bought a Dell Inspiron 580 earlier this year and I love it. No problems at all with it and nice and fast. Came earlier than the original estimated delivery date too.

soon2bjobless

Thanks everyone for the nice clear answers (I now realise how non-techy I really am!!) - off to have another look at the Dell ones.....

thistledome

Just thought, if you're a Quidco member don't forget your cashback. I got £27 from mine.