Aldi computer offer

prowla

Before buying more memory, try running the performance monitor (on my PC I do Ctrl-Alt-Del, then select Task manager, and then click on the performance tab ), where you will see the memory utilization.

If the line is near the top of the graph then you are tight on memory, but if it isn't then more memory won't make much of a difference.

Mumstheword

Thanks for all the help I've had so far on this - it'sbeen really useful and very much appreciated. The old machine seems to run alittle better now, but I'd still describe it as slow. However, it's ideal for a 2nd machine. Hopefully the new one will give me what I need for a main machine.

I've trouble connecting to the net on my new one....but I've moved that to a new thread rather than confuse this thread!

Thank you!

eneville

Mumstheword wrote: »

Hi,

I'm on the lookout for a new computer, but know almost nothing.
This offer has come thru on my email today - http://www.aldi.co.uk:80/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_17502.htm?WT.mc_id=2011-02-04-11-16

I have a pc which runs very slowly. My monitor is fine tho, so I dont need one.

I suppose my questions are (if you can help!)-

- Does this look good value?
- Does this look reasonable spec?
- Do you have any advice where I could get something better/cheaper?

I dont feel confident having a machine built as I dont know enough about spec. The 3 yr guarantee looks comforting (if its worth the paper its written on!). My machine reports to be 2.5g processor, but it is a home made machine (I no longer have contact with the maker). It's always seemed sluggish to me, as if there's maybe a conflict with some of the parts, so would prefer a machine which is premade with compatible parts.

I struggle to use the net as I have to wait for pages to change. I know facebook is a drain on machines, but it really slows mine down.

I use my pc for work from home as well as for browsing, so often have multiple web pages open at the same time as excel and/or word.

Maybe I'm asking too much of a 'home' computer??

I realise that on this one on offer I'd need to have the office package added on. Is there anything else obvious I have missed, which isnt included in this?

HUGE thanks for any advice and help you can give. I really dont know what I'm talking about. I've looked around pc world, and have to say I quite like those touchscreen pcs which have the computer bit of it stuck to the behind of the monitor, rather than a tower (cue lots of people telling me the correct terminology for that system lol!) - but I think I'd be paying for the quirkiness of the system rather than for the spec of the machine.

I've waffled. Help. Thanks!!

Do you need a Quad core CPU? Generally this is useful if you're running applications which are threaded. Most of the time the system is waiting on IO (generally from internet communications) rather than waiting for the CPU to number crunch.

Unix based operating systems tend to benefit more from multiple processing cores, but that said if you're doing *lots* of things that require the cores then there is some benefit to it. Right now there are two things with more than 1% CPU use on this dual core system that I'm working on, firefox and xorg. I'd probably not benefit from a 4processor PC myself.

Personally, I'd choose something that's got a low power consumption rate, such as an Intel P4 or Atom based PC. If you need the storage space (maybe you too have a 3 frame per second megapixel digital camera and never get time to sort your photos).

As far as browsing the web goes for Facebook, my immediate advice is install something that STOPS flash components from loading automatically, they often consume a lot of network and video resources. I'm using FlashBlock on firefox at the moment. This might give your browser a breath of fresh air.

I recently install Ubuntu on a computer which I think was riddled with spyware and viruses, I didn't realise it had a 10mbit internet connection until I used the browser from within the live CD, it was generally a low spec PC though.

You could try something quick and easy to see if your hardware is really the bottleneck. Create a new user on your windows pc, login as that user and start the web browser. See if it appears to run a lot quicker. It might be something in your user profile that's making it appear to operate slowly.

Mumstheword

Thanks eneville.

I'll try that advice re a new user profile, see if this old one can run a bit faster!

No, I dont think I need quad core - very doubtful I need the spec of the new pc much, but at the price and with the guarantees offered, I decided to go for it! If I'd have carried on looking for something else,I'd have ended up in PC world (as I know no better really!!) and could have spent more to get less. Advice on here seems to be that this machine is a reasonable price for the spec, and much more than I need, so it'll do me more than fine!

Thanks!

2010

Mumstheword

Hope you have great surfing with your new PC.
I take it you went to Aldi and got it today.
I know at one time these medion were in such great demand that you had to queue up about 7 am to try to get one because of limited amounts for each store.

There`s a link here for the Aldi/Medion forums, maybe when you get time you can join and see if there`s anything of interest being posted.

http://www.medionsupport.com/phpbb2/portal.php

Mumstheword

Thanks 2010! The manager at my local Aldi told me that all stores have some of each 'special', pro rata to store size. So, for example theres a store on Market St in Manchester, middle of the town centre, where very few people will shop for tellys or pcs - mainly shopping baskets for a few bits to take home after the office. So - if you ever want a special and cant get it reserved, you know which store to try!!
Thanks for your help. Loving my new pc - seems very fast!
Old one.... it will open a web page, and shows 'done' at the bottom, but thats when it stalls and takes time to load the page and allow you to scroll etc. And then when you do scroll, it may do a little, then stop and have to wait a while to continue.
Anyway its good enough as a spare!

closed

Please post a fresh hijackthis log, your old pc shouldn't be slow.

flossy_splodge

Hey mumstheword, I would not have thought of asking them to reserve one but for your post. Went early to my local Aldi but all gone, remembered your post, phoned the HO, they identified where they still had one near to me. They put me through to the store who duly put one aside til the next day for me. Job done. Sharing of info is SO good. Hope you are enjoying yours as much as I am.

barginunter

My Aldi Medion Pc is about 6 years old. I have added more RAM. It's still on XP although I have Win 7 ready to install. It is still a fantastic machine which is scanned every week with CCleaner, Adaware, Spybot etc - it runs very well and I'm not looking to replace anytime soon.
My holiday baby Netbook is also from Aldi and I love it!