Advice on buying a desktop pc needed

jac29

Hi,
I know there are always people asking this and I have read previous threads on this subject but I'm still stuck!
My laptop had died after seven years and I urgently need to get a desktop pc (currently borrowing a laptop). I decided to get a desktop pc as from what I am told I can get more for my money plus they seem more robust (essential as it will also be used by a 9 and 13yr old).
I don't know anything about all the spec' on them, just that I would like something with a reasonably high processing speed and plenty of storage.
It will be used for banking,shopping,surfing the net, downloading music and storing information but no gaming. Also looking at putting on some sort of 'arty' software for youngest son so don't know if this will have any impact on the best one for me.
Don't want to spend more than I need to but equally want it to meet our needs as the kids get older. I've seen one on Tesco.com. An Acer ASX3810 for £329 which looks ok. Any opinions on this or can anyone advise as to something better? I am willing to spend more but don't want to pay to get stuff I don't need.

I would be really and truly grateful for whatever advice anyone can give as to the best one for me.

Thank you in advance x

9217niall

What's the 'arty' program?
I'd say you'll need a minimum of 2GB RAM which will makes all your processes easier.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/225703 £230
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/186138 £65
Therefore the total is £295?

The Acer doesn't look bad actually for what it is but it doesn't look that great and you'll still need a screen...

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/hp-pavilion-p6203uk-refurbished-desktop-pc-04092460-pdt.html
Similar specs and same price as the Acer, I prefer HP computers. Both my desktop (8 years old) and my laptop (2 years old) are still going strong, although I have a Dell Netbook :-P

Or how about an "All-in-one" computer so that it saves on space but still stylish, modern and practical?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Veriton-Z280G-All-One/dp/tech-data/B002OI1JYM/ref=de_a_smtd

Donnie

9217niall wrote: »

What's the 'arty' program?
I'd say you'll need a minimum of 2GB RAM which will makes all your processes easier.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/225703 £230
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/186138 £65
Therefore the total is £295?

Where is the Operating System? Plus the monitor resolution is too low. The All-in-one suggestion is just too low powered.

If you were happy with that specification, this ACER ASX3300 with a 19" monitor at £274 is much better value. It even has a BluRay drive. Only real downside would be the OS, Vista Home Premium. But it's still perfectly serviceable and would easily cover the OP's specifications.

Donnie

Even though an HDMI port isn't indicated, it does have one. Would be almost pointless to have a BluRay drive without one.

Look here: ACER Aspire X3300

Russel245

Personally I'm not much of a fan of Acer, they tend to have low reliability rates compared to other manufacturers from what I've read.

Also, buying from a computer company, like Dell or Toshiba will offer you professional customer support, which somewhere like Tesco wont be able to offer.

A halfway house for customer service may be a local computer shop, but you're unlikely to find any good deals somewhere like that, and the level of service can at worst be complete incompetence.


Also, don't forget, if you're looking to buy a computer with a larger company, get them on the phone and haggle! It's worth a try eh

From reports of others on these forums you probably wont get a discount, but you're may manage to get a few extra bits added on free of charge.


Edit:
Sorry, just read another post linking to ebuyer. For what it's worth they're a reseller I trust, though I've not dealt with their customer service when it comes to assembled systems.

Donnie

Russel245 wrote: »

Personally I'm not much of a fan of Acer, they tend to have low reliability rates compared to other manufacturers from what I've read.

Also, buying from a computer company, like Dell or Toshiba will offer you professional customer support, which somewhere like Tesco wont be able to offer.

A halfway house for customer service may be a local computer shop, but you're unlikely to find any good deals somewhere like that, and the level of service can at worst be complete incompetence.


Also, don't forget, if you're looking to buy a computer with a larger company, get them on the phone and haggle! It's worth a try eh

From reports of others on these forums you probably wont get a discount, but you're may manage to get a few extra bits added on free of charge.


Edit:
Sorry, just read another post linking to ebuyer. For what it's worth they're a reseller I trust, though I've not dealt with their customer service when it comes to assembled systems.

What are you talking? If you buy a Toshiba from Tesco, you can still use Toshiba support. So why would it be any different buying an ACER??

As it happens my recommendation is from an Argos subsidiary, but you'll still have a choice of who you use for support. Their in-house support; D&J Henry or directly with ACER.

You can also extend the warranty to three years for another £72. Here.

So £346 for the desktop, monitor, keyboard and mouse, replete with a three year on site warranty is not too bad.

Close up pics here.

As I wrote before, the main caveat is Vista.

jac29

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I've had a look at them and have to say that the Acer Aspire X3300 does look really good for the money, especially with the three year warranty. As I said originally I am clueless about pcs so really appreciate all advice. With regards to 'os' - Is this either windows 7 or vista? Why is vista regarded as being pants? What's the differences between the two and if I bought a pc with vista on it could i remove it and add windows 7? Would it be worth it?
Also, what is HDMI? Something to do with playing films from pc through tv? (Don't laugh if i'm way off the mark!)If so that's probably something we could well use in the near future.
I just find all this techie talk very confusing and don't want/can't afford to make a bad choice as I will have to live with it and get the earache too!!
Thanks guys,
Jackie x

Russel245

Donnie wrote: »

What are you talking? If you buy a Toshiba from Tesco, you can still use Toshiba support. So why would it be any different buying an ACER??

As it happens my recommendation is from an Argos subsidiary, but you'll still have a choice of who you use for support. Their in-house support; D&J Henry or directly with ACER.

I have had resellers (specifically PC world) be very funny about who "holds the warranty" before, I basically got sold a faulty laptop and told that I would be charged to fix it...

As such I tend to avoid resellers because then there is no way for companies to deflect responsibility onto somebody else.

Donnie

Russel245 wrote: »

I have had resellers (specifically PC world) be very funny about who "holds the warranty" before, I basically got sold a faulty laptop and told that I would be charged to fix it...

As such I tend to avoid resellers because then there is no way for companies to deflect responsibility onto somebody else.

I think you will find that the PC World group are the exception to the rule. Which is why they aren't lauded on these forums.

So if you buy from them, then the TechGuys will be your refuge.


Use Argos, Tesco and the like and you will be fine.

Donnie

Yes, HDMI allows you to connect the PC to your HD TV.
I used Vista for years without any major problems, but I prefer Windows 7.

So Vista will well work for you, especially as the amount of RAM installed is more than adequate. So all of the tasks that you will describe will be easily handled. But Windows 7 is better.

A similar deal from DELL with Windows 7 will cost you more than £500.

You can upgrade to Windows 7. But to be honest, it will a be hassle for you, though not a problem for someone experienced with these things.

The reason for this is that you may have to reinstall your applications manually after installing Windows 7 and the Recovery Partition will still contain Vista Home Premium. In saying that, there may be a possibility of creating new recovery discs once Windows 7 is installed.

So my answer is yes, it can be done relatively easily, but it cuts down on your options of system recovery in the case of emergency later. Though this isn't as bad as it sounds.
Another issue would be the cost of purchasing of Windows 7. Quite reasonable if you have a student in the family. http://www.software4students.co.uk/Windows_7-software.aspx

What I would suggest that you do is to order it and try it over a few days. If you and the bairns like it, you can decide to keep it. Otherwise return it within seven days of receipt for a full refund.

You should also bear in mind that others are reading this thread. Cogitating over this decision will result in the decision being made for you. Since yesterday, eleven have been sold and now there are only two left.

Buy now think later. Though I think they will all be gone by the time you get back to this thread.

There are some reports of some people not liking the chassis design, mentioning the on/off button. So give it a good once over if you get one. You'll get a full refund if faulty within 28 days or longer if they have no suitable replacement. Argos are good in that way.

Then only the less good value Acer Aspire X3300 with dedicated graphics at £364 will be left. The differences being a dedicated graphics card, a larger capacity HDD and another gig of RAM.

None of these are particularly important in your case. So I wouldn't bother with the more expensive model at that price.

jac29

Thanks Donnie,
Just bought it so there's only one left for anyone looking for a good deal!
I really appreciate all your advice. It has been invaluable to me and saved me a small fortune. If I'd gone into a large store I know I would have been talked into spending far more on something that had loads of spec' that I just don't need.
I did google this and found ones to be available for approx £400 with varying memory/storage but this model, as you say, has enough for my use.
Also thanks for the student website for software. I've never heard of it before and was really surprised at the prices. Now I know where to go first for software.........and if that vista is pants for my use......windows 7! You'll know if that happens as I'm sure to have to post for advice!!
If ever you need any advice on handling troublesome teenagers, recipe ideas or cleaning tips I may be able to help you one day!!

Jackie x