What do I replace dead desktop with...desktop, laptop or even a Mac ????

Im_just_careful

1) Acer make fairly small form factor desktops. I've had one for a couple of years which cost anout £300 and I'm very pleased with.

2) I also like Mac OS and I suggest you think about a Mac mini which will cost a bit over £500 and plug into your existing monitor etc.

melita

I'm looking at buying a MacMini to replace my PC. With the latest Mac OS you can set it up to dual boot either into Mac OS or Windows 7 (you will need to get a copy of Windows 7 for this). This way you get the best of both worlds. Just google for details of how it works and how to set it up.

C_Mababejive

OP..have you checked the cost of applemanc software by the way..?

Apple mac software....£££££

PC Software...£££

Linux software..£

23n1th

C_Mababejive wrote: »

OP..have you checked the cost of applemanc software by the way..?

Apple mac software....£££££

PC Software...£££

Linux software..£

Isn't linux software ...0?

macman

C_Mababejive wrote: »

OP..have you checked the cost of applemanc software by the way..?

Apple mac software....£££££

PC Software...£££

Linux software..£

Though Macs do come with a lot more (useful) software included than PC's do.

Mondez

macman wrote: »

Though Macs do come with a lot more (useful) software included than PC's do.

Do they? I'd say that might have been true when they came with iWorks, but do they even come with iLife any more?

If you are one of these 3 types of people get a Apple branded computer:

1. You want it because its a fashionable status symbol and/or because its different... not very money saving of you though but a valid reason.

2. You have been using Apple computers for some time or are developing for Apple platforms and need a new one... fair enough.

3. You want a UNIX based system because you love the command line... fine but why not just buy a generic computer and put some flavor of linux or BSD on it.

If you aren't in any of these I don't think you would end up happy with your choice if you went Apple, but that is just IMO.

For people who suggest dual booting, unless you have very specific requirements that need roughly equal time in both OS's you will end up spending 99% of you time booted into one rather than the other. If the 99% is windows, you have spent more than you needed on your PC going with Apple.

richardvc

Thanks for some really sound advice - I really do read every post and try and take all your advice in.

Thanks to Mondez & 23n1th for pointing out the Acer which really appeals.

I want to purchase tomorrow and would like just a little more guidance.

This is the machine I have in mind http://www.ebuyer.com/344478-acer-aspire-revo-rl70-nettop-dt-sjeek-006

but please can someone answer the following questions :

1. If it has a blu-ray burner in it will I be able to burn ordinary dvds ? Reason I ask is my dvd player is not blu-ray or do I now need to buy one ?

2. I already have a cordless mouse and keyboard, am I correct in assuming that I can use those anyway ? I like the slightly larger size keyboard !!!

3. I am correct in assuming that I won't have to connect this directly to my router and it will run wirelessly ?

4. We have a really old brother printer which was hardwired into my old pc. Now seems a good time to replace it for a smart wireless all-in-one. I must strees that we do use the copy and scan functions as much as the printing side of it.

We don't need to spend a fortune as we don't need premium quality but any recommendations please ? If it could run from an app on my phone would be even better too !!

Many thanks to all of you who have contributed to this thread. I now know pretty much what I want but you opened my eyes to a part of the pc market that I would never have found just looking in that awful PC World.

Thanks
Richard

macman

Yes, a Blu-Ray will burn normal DVD's.
Yes you can use your existing peripherals.
Yes you can connect to your wireless router via the built in wi-fi.

gonzo127

please note that the revo in the picture on ebuyer is the wrong one (for the blu ray version) as the blu ray version is a bit wider to take the blu ray drive as can been seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_QffhZ82Qo

anyways as to printer, i personally favour Canon printers for the quality aspect BUT you need to note that the ink for canon does tend to be on the pricier side compared to someone like kodak

Notmyrealname

23n1th wrote: »

The problem apart from the over pricing with apple is that you'll be tied into the apple brand.

No you're not. Apple even provide the drivers for Windows on the recovery discs that come with the computer.