Is this a good desktop PC deal?

malcolmwilliamson

My old desktop PC has recently died. I'm seeking a replacement for general home use.
No gaming, TV or video use.
I plan to buy a digital camera shortly and use the new PC for storing/processing pics.

I've just been to the Dell site and have got a price of £487.62 for a Dimension C 521 with the following specs:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4200+ Processor
Windows XP Home Edition OS
XP Home to Vista Upgrade
1 year collect and return support
19" Value Flat Panel Monitor
1024MB DDR2 533MHz Memory
80GB(7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive
48xCDRW/DVD Combo Drive
Integrated nVidea GeForce 6150 LE graphics
Keyboard + Mouse

The price is supposedly £70 off + free delivery.

I'm neither a techie nor do I have much time to do more research.
I have a few questions for other recent/current desktop purchasers or others of you with an eye for a bargain:

1)Are these specs fit for purpose?
2) Is this a decent deal?
3) I've read other threads on here that refer to quidco. Can I use it to get a further reduction? If yes, how do I do that?
4) Could I negotiate a better price by phoning Dell?
5) Are there similarly specced systems currently available from other shops/makers for less?
6) Would it be wiser to wait until Vista comes along and look for XP desktop bargains in a month or so?

Thanks in anticipation of your comments.

albertross_2

http://www.dmxdimension.com/blogcategory/dell_uk_dimension_c521.html

malcolmwilliamson

Thanks for your quick response albertross.
Unfortunately the link opens 'This page cannot be displayed'.
Could you kindly check it and repost?

albertross_2

the site appears to be down atm.. it's just a site that keeps an eye on the latest deals/voucher codes from Dell.

zeberdy

Just bought one of these if you only need a base unit comes with keyboard and mouse.

Excellant value check out the reviews on ebuyer here http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/116052/rb/24295298222

185 reviews if you are thinking of getting one it is currently cheaper in the Comet sale at £300 if you have a virgin CC you could get comet vouchers that would get you 13% of this so at £261 that would be a steal.

I bought mine through comet when it was £350 but asked how much they would discount if I bought their extended warranty at £99 and got £25 off.

Subsecrectly returned warranty for full refund under the 45 day cooling off policy.

Great PC very quick and quiet will do all your home requirements and more read the reviews you wont be dissappointed I used to build them but you can not build this for the money already took it apart to have a look and very good build quality.


Hope that helps


Zeberdy