HP or Acer slimline desktop

katies_mum

Hi
My HP slimline desktop has finally died despite all your help a few weeks ago to get it sorted! so now I need to replace it with another desktop. I have a large HP screen and have the keyboard and mouse from the last one (wireless).
I have found an Acer in Comet (over the road so quite handy to collect but don`t know if they are any good or not) Its £329
http://www.comet.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/p/Computer-Base-Units/buy-ACER-X3950-BLACK-Computer-Base-Unit/695645?_$ja=tsid:8361|prd:102463&awc=157_1306480735_0b33f87f26029d122b576eb0c597bb88
also the bloke in comet didn`t know if this was wireless and thought I would need a wireless adaptor as well!

or from HP direct with 8% cash back from quidco £379
http://h40059.www4.hp.com/uk/homedesktops/pdf/s5720uk_ds_ene.pdf
this is similar to what I have had but doesn`t have the seperate pocket drive that came with the other one but am assuming I can use this with a usb.

or currys have this as a package and can`t just do the tower http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/hp-pavilion-slimline-s5770uk-p-desktop-pc-with-20-monitor-all-in-one-printer-08702330-pdt.html?srcid=369&xtor=AL-1 £399

Currys also have this larger tower HP G5345uk at £299 but I can`t get a link to it.

They have different processors etc so am a little confused as usual:( any advice would as always be very much appreciated. Want the best for my £, as i think you know I`m quite basic - internet, word, a bit of work stuff but I don`t play games etc.

Many thanks all help and advice would be really great

macman

Firstly, why buy from either Comet or DSG, with their dreadful after sales service and overpricing? Why would you even consider giving your busines to a shop where the staff can't answer the most basic questions about the spec (the Acer is not wireless enabled)?
Dell also do a slimline Inspiron (the 620S) which of course you can buy direct.
Absolutely any modern PC will do the tasks you list with ease.

katies_mum

Thank you macman, being simple but who are DSG? the Acer is out as not wireless don`t know why I should have to buy extra bits for it. I did buy direct from HP last time with no problems.
I did have a dell something or other that they built before my HP slimline and it wasn`t very reliable so did put me off them, yet I know many would recommend and suppose its like anything good and bad models. I`ll have a look at the one you have suggested..as just want something to do the job at the best price. (does it come with everything or do you have to add every bit on like I did last time?)
Might I be better looking at a full size desktop? I can fit it in the desk just I suppose a woman thing..like things to be small and tidy and won`t ever add anything to it.

Thanks again

macman

DSG = Dixons Service Group (Currys, Dixons and PC World). Officially one of the lowest rated retailers in the UK...
Very few desktop PC's come wireless enabled, a PCI wireless card can be fitted in 10 mins and costs about £15 upwards. But if your route is anywhere near your PC then use ethernet-wireless is pointless.
The advantage of Dell is that they are built to order, so you can have the exact spec you want. The disadvantage of the slimlines is that upgrading and repairs can be more tricky and expensive.

katies_mum

Thank you for explaining, not heard them called that before. the Hp slimline that has just blown up was wirless and I didn`t have to buy anything extra, I just assumed they all were now a days.

I don`t think i`d ever upgrade and can only just about switch it on and do the basics when its working, with regard to repairs I would keep my fingers crossed but have now found someone who can repair if a problem and he doesn`t rip you off.

Do they all come with ethernet? not sure what that is either! (can`t you tell I`m of the age that didn`t have computers in school!)

Off to look at Dell.

macman

Yes, all PC's and laptops have ethernet built in.

katies_mum

Thank you, so am I right in thinking if the computer is upstairs and router is downstairs..I don`t need anything else?

Just peeking at the Dell site and they do `pretty` colours as well. Looking at quidco it says 10% off XPS, inspiron and Inspiron Mini do you know if the 620MT comes under one of those?
Going to print it off and compare it to the Hp one from HP and not local superstore.

I have a HP pocket media drive that sat in the front of my old desktop do you know if this will work with any new computer by using a usb? only a bit of stuff on it but sometimes I need it.

Yorkie1

If the computer is upstairs and the router is downstairs then unless you run an ethernet cable between the two, you will need the wireless facility.

katies_mum

Thank you.

katies_mum

I think one of these two might do the job..can anyone in the know please tell me if one is any better than the other, one has Intel Core i3 and the other AMD Athlon and the Hp is wireless..I don`t know what any other differences there might be. Need USB`s on front and back.

Included in your system:
COLOUR CHOICE
Classic Black
PROCESSOR
Intel® Core™ i3-2100 Processor (3.10GHz, 3MB)
OPERATING SYSTEM
Genuine Windows® 7 SP1 Home Premium, 64bit, English
SYSTEM RECOVERY
OS Windows® Recovery Media Not included
SERVICES AND SUPPORT
1 year Collect & Return Hardware Support included with your PC
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB - 1 year licence
OFFICE SOFTWARE
Microsoft® Office Starter: reduced-functionality Word & Excel w/ads. No PowerPoint or Outlook
PROTECT YOUR NEW PC
McAfee® SecurityCenter 15 Month Subscription
ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE PROTECTION
No Accidental Damage Support
MONITOR
Display Not Included
MEMORY
4096MB Dual Channel DDR3 [2x2048] Memory
OPTICAL DRIVE
DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD) with DVD Burn software
HARD DRIVE
500GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive
GRAPHICS CARD
AMD Radeon™ HD 6450 1GB DDR3 graphics
KEYBOARD
Dell™ USB Entry Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
MOUSE
Dell MS111 USB Optical Mouse (Indigo)
SOUND SOFTWARE
Integrated 5.1 High Definition Audio
SPEAKERS
No Speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVES
Integrated 8-in-1 Media Card Reader & No Floppy
Also included with your system
Gedis Bundle Reference
D056202
Dell System Media Kit
Inspiron Desktop 620 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
Shipping Documents
EMEA3 MUI Docs - West/Swiss/MEA (Eng, Ger, Fre, Dut, Ita, Ara, Tur)
Order Information
Inspiron Desktop 620 MT Order - UK
Standard Warranty
1 year Collect & Return Hardware Support included with your PC
Cable
2 Meter Power Cord - UK
Call Dell Experts
One free Dell Expert call to help with your PC queries within 60 days of purchase
DataSafe (Services Owned)
Datasafe Local 2.3 Basic

HP Pavilion Slimline s5720uk Desktop PC
The product could differ from the images shown. © 2010 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without
Operating system Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64
Processor AMD Athlon II X3 445
3.1 GHz
1.5 MB L2 cache
Chipset nVIDIA MCP61P
Memory 4 GB DDR3 (2 x 2 GB)
2 DIMM Supports up to 8 GB DDR3 memory
Storage 500 GB SATA 3G (7200 rpm)up to 13 GB partition for system recovery
DVD writer SATA DVD RAM and Double Layer supportingLightScribe technology
Create silkscreen-quality disc labels direct from your PC withLightScribe: Just burn, flip, burn.
6-in-1 memory card reader
Display LCD Monitors (buy separately): HP x22LED 54.61 cm (21.5 inch)
Communication Ethernet 10/100BT integrated network interface
Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/n
Video NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE (up to 1.87 GB)
Video connectors VGA
Sound High Definition Audio 5.1
Included accessories Wireless keyboard
Wireless optical mouse
Ports 1 external optical drive bay; 1 internal HDD bay
1 PCI-Express x1; 1 PCI-Express x16 (low profile)
6 USB 2.0
2 audio
3 analog audio
Additional information P/N: XS746EA
UPC/EAN code: 886111267903
Country of Origin MADE in the E.U.
Warranty 1 year, pick-up and return, parts and labour
Software This PC is optimized for Microsoft® Office 2010. Purchase aProduct Key Card or Disc to activate full-featured Office software preloaded on this PC.
HP Power Assistant; HP MediaSmart Suite; Windows Live
Applications; Cyberlink DVDSuite; HP Music Station; HP Games
Console; Norton Online Backup (30-day trial); EasyBits Magic
Desktop; Microsoft Internet Explorer; Adobe Reader; Adobe Flash Player
Windows Media Center
Service & support Symantec Norton Internet Security 2010 (60 days live update);
Recovery partition (including possibility to recover system,applications and drivers separately); Optional re-allocation ofrecovery partition; Recovery CD/DVD creation tool

Many thanks

macman

You'l need to add the wireless card for the Dell. This is not the slimline version, that is the 620S ('S' denoting Slimline).