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New computer required - ??

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I have been given a spec required for a new computer. I need it to be reliable but best price? This would be the minimum spec.
AMD Semperon 3400+ processor
Windows XP Pro
MS Office 2003 Professional
512MB RAM
80GB HDD
DVD-ROM

Has anyone got any ideas please?
Thanks in advance

Comments

  • nickmack
    nickmack Posts: 4,435 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    What will you use it for?
  • MS Office 2003 Professional hum that puts the price up a bit
  • statman
    statman Posts: 167 Forumite
    Business use not games
    Is that enough info?
  • statman wrote:
    I have been given a spec required for a new computer. I need it to be reliable but best price? This would be the minimum spec.
    AMD Semperon 3400+ processor
    Windows XP Pro
    MS Office 2003 Professional
    512MB RAM
    80GB HDD
    DVD-ROM

    Has anyone got any ideas please?
    Thanks in advance

    My local PC shop will supply the above (without MS Office 2003 Pro) for £356 + £125 for 17" TFT. Hope that helps.
  • Hi

    Not the best specification but if it is for word processing,some picture editing,general purpose scanning and internet use it will suffice!

    If you were not getting MS Office 2003 Pro the system would be a bit overpriced;make sure you are getting an original copy with original disks also.

    I would personally replace the DVD-rom drive with a DVD Rewriter drive and also get the RAM upgraded to 1gb if possible. I am sure you can haggle with a shop over the cost of these upgrades.

    Also make sure you get the original XP installation or recovery disks with the computer as it should also include the OS in the price.

    A DVD rewriter should not cost more than an extra 25-30 quid and another 512mb should not be more than 40-45 quid depending on the speed and brand.



    Dell has a good system for 455quid without MS Office 2003 pro and 677 quid with it included. If you get MS Office 2003 Small Business Edition instead the cost will be 642 quid.

    The spec will be:
    Components
    AMD® Athlon™ 64 Processor 3800+
    Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition (Incl Operating System Re-installation CD)
    No Vista Upgrade
    Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only
    Dell™ 19" Value Flat Panel (E197FP)
    1024MB Dual Channel DDR2 533MHz [2x512] Memory
    160GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 8MB DataBurst™ cache
    16x DVD +/- RW Drive
    Integrated nVidia® GeForce® 6150 LE graphics
    Accessories
    Free - Dell Colour Printer 725
    Imaging Promotion - FREE Dell™ Colour Printer 725
    No Printer Cable Selected
    No Additional Printer Ink Cartridge Selected
    Dell™ Black Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Ire (QWERTY)
    Dell 2 Button USB Wheel Mouse - Black
    No Floppy Drive
    No Modem
    Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
    No Speakers

    The link is here:

    http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=D11C16&rbc=D11C16&s=dhs&sbc=ukdhsftdppdesktop2

    Remember to reduce the warranty to a minimum and upgrade the processor to 3800+ and the memory to 1gb. If you buy through Quidco you will also get cashback on the purchase.

    The system only cost will be reduced to 379 quid if you specify the default processor and 512mb of memory.

    The Athlon 3200 is slightly faster than a Sempron 3400.
  • statman
    statman Posts: 167 Forumite
    Really sorry, I posted this asking for help and then made the mistake of uploading IE7!! I can no longer use the internet on my computer so have been unable to reply til now on another computer!
    Don't know what I'm going to do with the IE7 problem but thanks for all the help!!
  • You only really need pro if it is going to be added to a domain, and openoffice is much cheaper than office..

    Those two on their own will double the price of the pc, so if you don't need them, stick to home and openoffice.

    http://www.dmxcomputers.co.uk/blogcategory/dell-hot-offers.html

    As already mentioned, a dvd writer is good for backups etc..
    Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:
  • Download Firefox 2.0 and see if that works on your computer!
    Alternatively you could try uninstalling it or try restoring your computer to the previous saved point.
  • chunter
    chunter Posts: 2,015 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Albatross is right. OpenOffice instead of MS Office, its a tenner or something.

    Albatross spot-on about Xp Pro as well. Xp Home will do you fine if it's a standalone pc.

    Dell pc I'd recommend to you is..
    Dimension E521 (any-D11E11)
    http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=D11E11

    £387 delivered (offer ends tonight (Tuesday))


    AMD® Athlon™ 64 Processor 3200+
    XP Home Edition
    1024MB Dual Channel DDR2 533MHz [2x512] Memory
    17" Value Flat Panel (E177FP)
    Integrated nVidia® GeForce® 6150 LE graphics
    250GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
  • statman
    statman Posts: 167 Forumite
    Download Firefox 2.0 and see if that works on your computer!
    Alternatively you could try uninstalling it or try restoring your computer to the previous saved point.

    Just restored back to an earlier date. Was lost without it and as a consequence missed your Tuesday offer for the Dell!!!

    Do these offers come about very often?
    I will keep your spec and link and hope for the best.
    Thanks again
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