Building Own PC - How Much & How Easy?

tonytee

Thank you everyone for the great replies as usual.

I think it will be better to buy a ready made desktop.

Can someone recommend something? The bigger the screen the better - within reason - it's not only spreadsheets but job bookings (for 3 - 4 different employees on the same day) so if these are available to view on a big clear screen it's better. I don't mind buying a screen separate. Will also be used used for to stream football as already stated. Very good speakers with high volume also required.

I also need a printer. Will be printing 30-40 pages per day so I was thinking a laser printer and found this:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9385207/Trail/searchtext%3ELASER+PRINTER.htm

I would like recommendations please

Many many thanks in advance - as you can tell, I don't have a clue and don't want to buy something I will regret.

edit, how do I get the Microsoft Office discount? My girlfriend is a student at univerisity

23n1th

Most modern desktops will do what you need you don't need to spend big on that. I would buy the tower separate from the monitor that way you can get a big decent monitor.

Printer-wise you need to make a decision as if its for business and you don't really need colour then a mono printer is waaayyy better on you pocket ink-wise. I have a bother mono printer and whilst I'm not running a business I haven't needed to replace the ink in over a year.

Tower (over kill for what you want): http://www.ebuyer.com/338538-zoostorm-premium-desktop-pc-7873-0405
24 inch Monitor: http://www.ebuyer.com/240230-benq-ew2420-display-9h-l5kln-ibe
Printer: http://www.ebuyer.com/237177-brother-hl-2240d-mono-laser-printer-with-duplex-hl2240dzu1

tonytee

23n1th wrote: »

Most modern desktops will do what you need you don't need to spend big on that. I would buy the tower separate from the monitor that way you can get a big decent monitor.

Printer-wise you need to make a decision as if its for business and you don't really need colour then a mono printer is waaayyy better on you pocket ink-wise. I have a bother mono printer and whilst I'm not running a business I haven't needed to replace the ink in over a year.

Any recommendations?

I don't need colour printing, just black and white and for business only.

23n1th

Sorry edited after the fact once I re-read your post.

Elsewhere

I built myself a new pc a couple of months ago - but I am into gaming, so I'd agree with others that for normal use it's cheaper and easier to buy off-the-shelf.

However - screens - I'd never given it much thought before, but read up about them this time, and ended up buying an IPS type LCD screen. Price was comparible to the TN screens, surprisingly, and it is EXCELLENT. The picture is perfectly clear from a steep angle (useful if you have 2 or 3 gathered around, trying to peer at the same image!) and the colours and brilliance of the screen is outstanding.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD

The only drawback I have found to building one's own PC is the force needed to clip some of the componants into place - nervewracking!

nb - I bought this monitor

http://www.ebuyer.com/284103-lg-ips235v-ips-lcd-led-23-hdmi-monitor-ips235v-bn

Forgot to mention - input connectors - HDMI, DVI-D, VGA - you might have to think about which ones you need to avoid having to buy adapters!

23n1th

If you want to get into IPS vs TN etc this is worth a read: http://www.tnpanel.com/tn-vs-ips-va/

tonytee

@ 23n1th

Printer - Can I ask why you recommended http://www.ebuyer.com/237177-brother-hl-2240d-mono-laser-printer-with-duplex-hl2240dzu1

over http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9261888/Trail/searchtext%3ELASER+PRINTER.htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9385207/Trail/searchtext%3ELASER+PRINTER.htm

I should have stated that a wireless one is better for my needs - I can clear desk space

victor2

tonytee wrote: »

I also need a printer. Will be printing 30-40 pages per day so I was thinking a laser printer and found this:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9385207/Trail/searchtext%3ELASER+PRINTER.htm

I would like recommendations please

Many many thanks in advance - as you can tell, I don't have a clue and don't want to buy something I will regret.

edit, how do I get the Microsoft Office discount? My girlfriend is a student at univerisity

I'd seriously consider an HP Laserjet P1606dn. Mono laser printer with duplexing capability and both USB and Ethernet connectivity, with Wireless as an optional extra.
I've been a fan of HP printers for many a year. Cartridges are not so cheap, but last for ages in my experience. I'd go for original HP, had a number of poor quality refilled ones in the past. You save nothing.

On the software side, look at www.software4students.co.uk. Don't think the licence agreement would allow you to use it for business though.

23n1th

tonytee wrote: »

@ 23n1th

Printer - Can I ask why you recommended http://www.ebuyer.com/237177-brother-hl-2240d-mono-laser-printer-with-duplex-hl2240dzu1

over http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9261888/Trail/searchtext%3ELASER+PRINTER.htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9385207/Trail/searchtext%3ELASER+PRINTER.htm

I should have stated that a wireless one is better for my needs - I can clear desk space

I'm not expert in printers I just have a preference for Brother printers which tend to be more expensive. Its up to you your preferences and needs, theres nothing wrong with the HP. If its wireless I'd probably go for the Brother HL-2270DW. Heres a comparison: http://www.find-printers.com/compares/brother_hl-2270dw_vs_hp_laserjet_pro_p1102w there isn't much between them but your preference.

tonytee

Hello everyone.

I have another problem

I bought the recommended zoostorm computer above! I can't connect to my wireless router.

Does anyone know if this computer has wireless enabled? How do I connect?

So frustrated. Any help appreciated.