Need to buy new PC and monitor, Advice very much appeciated

Lady_K

I have been trawling through lots of desktop pcs and I'm just getting more confused

Can anyone please advise on the best brands to go for so I can try and get some kind of start. I did start by thinking of trying a novatech make but now I've changed my mind

I want to have 4gb ram, 500g - 1tb hardrive, dedicated graphics, windows 7 64bit, thats about as far a I've got

I have decided I do want a monitor that has built in speakers, either 24 or 27 inches or so, I havent actually seen a 27 inch monitor before and wondered could it be too big? its hard to get a proper idea of the screen size because don't they measure diagonally? so 27 inc might not be a proper 27 inch. If they pt it down as width and depth of screen I'd get more of an idea

stilltheone

Lady_K wrote: »

I have been trawling through lots of desktop pcs and I'm just getting more confused

Can anyone please advise on the best brands to go for so I can try and get some kind of start. I did start by thinking of trying a novatech make but now I've changed my mind

I want to have 4gb ram, 500g - 1tb hardrive, dedicated graphics, windows 7 64bit, thats about as far a I've got

I have decided I do want a monitor that has built in speakers, either 24 or 27 inches or so, I havent actually seen a 27 inch monitor before and wondered could it be too big? its hard to get a proper idea of the screen size because don't they measure diagonally? so 27 inc might not be a proper 27 inch. If they pt it down as width and depth of screen I'd get more of an idea

That would be Width and Height.

24" screen is 53cms x 30cms(57cm x 34cm outer measurement)

getmore4less

this looks like a good deal but only 23"

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/dell-vostro-desktop-sandybridge-i5-2400-4gb-500gb-wifi-1gb-radeon-w7-pro-3-year/994373

3year waranty as well

Dell Vostro Desktop - Sandybridge i5-2400,4GB,500GB, WiFI, 1GB Radeon, W7-Pro, 3 Year Onsite Warranty + 23"Professional monitor £472.80 **£432 with quidco**

sick2death

Lady_K wrote: »

I have been trawling through lots of desktop pcs and I'm just getting more confused

Can anyone please advise on the best brands to go for so I can try and get some kind of start. I did start by thinking of trying a novatech make but now I've changed my mind

I want to have 4gb ram, 500g - 1tb hardrive, dedicated graphics, windows 7 64bit, thats about as far a I've got

I have decided I do want a monitor that has built in speakers, either 24 or 27 inches or so, I havent actually seen a 27 inch monitor before and wondered could it be too big? its hard to get a proper idea of the screen size because don't they measure diagonally? so 27 inc might not be a proper 27 inch. If they pt it down as width and depth of screen I'd get more of an idea

Its very confusing when you dont know.

What you have to remember, is, all the various parts inside the computer are made by different companies. Companies like novatech, scan, dell (to a degree) buy these compononets, assemble them, put them in a case, and sell them as their own system.

In a nutshell, its more about whats inside the computer, than what "make" it is.

You said you dont want to game, but you may be better aiming at a gaming system - as these are usually higher spec, as games require a well specced system.

A good system:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-179-OE&groupid=43&catid=2040&subcat=

Change the overclock to "stock" saves £16.67.

You will need to add in your choice of windows 7 version - home premium is fine.
Adds £66.66

Monitor, I have this, and would recommend it

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-071-IY

Mouse/Keyboard, your choice or recycle the ones of your current pc.

Id get yourself a set of dedicated speakers, prices vary massivley depending on sound quality, but generally monitor speakers are a bit rubbish.

Something like this is more than good enough for general use:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-151-CL

For all of the above: £849.95

Hope that helps.

stilltheone

getmore4less wrote: »

this looks like a good deal but only 23"

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/dell-vostro-desktop-sandybridge-i5-2400-4gb-500gb-wifi-1gb-radeon-w7-pro-3-year/994373

3year warenty as well

Dell Vostro Desktop - Sandybridge i5-2400,4GB,500GB, WiFI, 1GB Radeon, W7-Pro, 3 Year Onsite Warranty + 23"Professional monitor £472.80 **£432 with quidco**

Looks a good deal. I would say go for it and think about it later.

getmore4less

Just wondering why you need a big screen?

I jumped up to 24" the biggest that fit in my corner desk and for some stuff it is too wide.

Web pages that use the full width reading across the full screen is not that comfortable.

getmore4less

stilltheone wrote: »

Looks a good deal. I would say go for it and think about it later.

I think that monitor is quite nicealthough no HDMI(not that big an issue). does have a USB hub built in with 2 ports.

redcard

Lady_K wrote: »

I think I might be confused ith a mac, I know they are supposed to be good but they might be a bit too different to what I'm used to.

I also heard that there are things you cannot do on a mac that you can on a pc

You sound like an ideal candidate for an iMac.

You can pick up a new 21" model for £999, you won't have the issues you've had with your PC, you'll get excellent support from Apple, the machine will still be worth £700+ in a couple of years. You could pick up AppleCare which would give you up to 3 years service.

You'll get a PC with 1 plug, and no other cables. You'll get a decent keyboard and mouse. You'll get built in Bluetooth and WIFI, built in speakers.

OSX is a lot easier to use than Windows 7, while being just as powerful. You can also install Windows on any Mac if you need to.

I switched from a custom-built powerful PC to an iMac last month, and I only wish I had done it years earlier.

Lady_K

getmore4less wrote: »

this looks like a good deal but only 23"

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/dell-vostro-desktop-sandybridge-i5-2400-4gb-500gb-wifi-1gb-radeon-w7-pro-3-year/994373

3year waranty as well

Dell Vostro Desktop - Sandybridge i5-2400,4GB,500GB, WiFI, 1GB Radeon, W7-Pro, 3 Year Onsite Warranty + 23"Professional monitor £472.80 **£432 with quidco**

I've only just got back to the laptop and its saying this deal has expired I would have gone for it and used topcashback rather than quidco, just my luck

stilltheone

Lady_K wrote: »

I've only just got back to the laptop and its saying this deal has expired I would have gone for it and used topcashback rather than quidco, just my luck

It's still available...just more expensive at £488.80 after cashback.

Not a terrible price, but not quite as tempting.